I finally have some time to post about how to plan a trip to Paris France and what I learned from my recent vacation to Paris with my very poor memory of my middle school French-Canadain Teacher from Quebec. This was an actual last-minute trip because of expiring flyer miles with Air Canada that needed to be used and I know a lot of influencers have been going to France in the last year not for sites but for skincare before it was the luxury bags or Fashion Week. I had a good time and found a lot of similarities to when I visited Korea and even Japan but I would not recommend going during summer due to the high amount of tourists but that's Europe in general. Another reason I wanted to go is because I used to be hugely into Madeline as a kid too, and even had my aunt take me to see the live-action for my birthday so that was probably a major factor in going now. I don't know what it is about Paris or the French but people who have never traveled there have a lot to say.
Anyway, I will focus on Paris but I will also mention day trip suggestions and other places to visit. We stayed in the oldest part of the city called the Latin Quarter which is in the same neighborhood as the oldest building in Paris the Notre Dame. Another thing a lot of people claimed that the city smelled like "Piss" but to me, it smelled like any big metropolitan city so bring your favorite portable perfume samples if you are sensitive to smells.
FYI If don't know yet next year the EU which France is a part of will be requiring all visitors to apply for a visa we don't know when that will be instated but it probably be before or after the Summer Olympics.
Things to know...
- Prepare a list of sites you want to see on Google Maps and research what tour and day is best to book them.
- Unlike the USA where double occupancy is not an added cost, it is in France. And you pay a tax for each day you stay in the city center. (It is kind of similar to the Airport Tax when go rent a car here in some metropolitan cities).
- Learn some basic polite greetings/phrases and if you are buying items learn shopping phrases because they will come in really handy (also it is good to know how to haggle if you are at those souvenir shops). Some French people are very fluent speakers of English or they know very little English and some aren't willing to talk in English so manage your expectations. French people are blunt/direct like New Yorkers but are very polite and actually remind me of my mom.
- Plan on Flying over the weekend and arriving Monday/ Tuesday because weekly metro passes end on Sunday.
- Bring at least $100 per person for extra expenses
- Bring a copy of your passport photo if you plan on getting a metro card once you land that lasts 10 years.
- LASTLY, France just like any major city has a Pickpocket problem so stay vigilant. (Every video watched on this topic made me think of Pink Panther cartoons because they don't like being caught red-handed).
Airport
When booking your Flight this is focused on North America, book your flight between Early Morning to Noon because you'll spend half a day traveling if you live in North America. We flew from LAX at 7:30 am to arrive in Montreal at 12:30 pm and had a 3-hour layover with the majority of it spent in Canadian Customs and went onward to arrive at CDG a little before 6:00 am. The majority of you will fly into and out of Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG). You can take the bus or train from there to Paris. I think Terminal 2 is where most International Flights land which is the last stop of their metro which is the RER Line B or you can take the RoissyBus. The terminal is long so make sure to have some good walking shoes and make sure where your airline is.
When you get off the plane and exit the baggage claim to find transport you will pass the Tax-Free office/Kisoks make sure to pin it on your Google Maps. Once you get to the RER B line station you need to either buy a ticket at the machine or go to the "Billets Paris et Ile de France" office (they also have an app called "Île-de-France Mobilités" but it's only available on Apple store) to get an IC card called a Navigo Decouverte which is where your passport photo is needed. The photo image machines are a pain but they work best with Euros. I have heard you could get an IC card outside of the Airport but I think a lot are trying to stop this due to security reasons and it's only at select locations.
FYI If you plan on buying anything in France just know you have an allowance per person and when you claim your taxes everything is itemized electronically that's why so many influencers shocked when customs know what they bought.
Transportation
It takes about an hour if you take public transportation and depending on the time of day it takes 45 to 60 minutes to get into the city.
- Rentals (I don't recommend renting a car unless you are staying 30 miles outside the city or planning to travel to another province just make sure you have toll tags). If you live in the States then there isn't much of an issue because they drive on the same side as we do but just be aware of bus and bike lanes.
- RER (Réseau Express Régional) is co-ownded by RATP and SNCF. RATP has an app called Bonjour RATP which was recommended by a Parisian but make sure to create an account before you arrive. SNCF is the National Society of the French Railways and the app is called "SNCFConnect" which is another recommendation from Americans living in France.
- RoissyBus drops you off on the Rive Droite of the Seine River in the heart of the City and a shopping hotspot.
- Disney Shuttle: If you plan on staying at a Disney Resorts, I suggest contacting Disney about getting picked up from the airport.
- Uber: If you are not comfortable with speaking French or don't want to be taken advantage of this is a great option
- Taxis are good options for getting around the city but use them at your own risk.
- Bikes and Scooters (even electric unicycles) are available but I'm not sure how you can rent them while we are there I didn't know the laws of the land but they did have bike lanes on major streets but it's still a work in progress. Uber also has the option to rent their scooters.
- Private Car pick up
Stay Accommodations
When I was doing my research the Latin Quarter was the best area because it was on some people's itineraries and it was one of the oldest neighborhoods since it has some ruins dating back to Ancient Rome. However, if you want to be Central then staying near the Louvre is highly recommended. Another thing to note closer you are to the Eiffel Tower the more you pay so make sure you learn about the Neighborhood you are staying in if you want to visit further out. The third-party booking locations I suggest below are near the Roissybus and RER to the airport which will make for easy transfers from other lines. It is easier to remember where you want to go to other Arrondissements (Districts/Neighborhood).
Third-party Booking locations and nearby sight-seeing
AirB&B
I would recommend this if you are confortable traveling in Europe or it is your second or third time visiting France.
1st & 2nd Arrondissements, the Heart of Paris
To/From the Airport: RER B Line to Chatelet Les Halles for the 2nd Arrondissement or transfer to Metro 1 (yellow) exit station at Tuileries 1st Arrondissement
- Lourve and Tuileries Garden
- Shopping
3rd & 4th Arrondissements, The Marais
To/From the Airport: RER B Line to Gare Du Nord transfer to Metro 5 (orange) exit station at Rebulique 3rd Arrondissement
RER B Line to Chatelet Les Halles transfer to Metro 1 (yellow) exit at station Hôtel de Ville 4th Arrondissement
- National Archives
- Cognacq Museum
- Picasso Museum
- Notre Dame
- Sainte-Chapelle
- House of Victor Hugo & Place des Vosges
- The Bastille
- Parish Church of Saint-Paul of Saint-Louis
To/From the Airport: RER B Line exit station at Saint Michel Notre Dame transfer to Bus 47 (pink) at Petit Pont and get off at Censier Daubenton for the 5th Arrondissement
- Curie Museum/ Curie Musee
- Cluny Museum/
- National History Museum
- The Grand Gallery of Evolution
- Jardín des Plantes/ Garden of Plants
6th Arrondissement, Saint-Germain-des-Prés
To/From the Airport: RER B Line exit station at Saint Michel Notre Dame transfer to Bus 96 (mustard yellow) or Bus 4 (purple) at Saint Michel and get off at Rennes-d'Assas for the 6th Arrondissement
- Luxembourg Palace & Gardens
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Panthèon
- Palais Garnier
- Musee du Parfum
- Quarter Pigalle
- Musee de la Vie Romantique
- Siege Galaries Lafayette
- Printemps Haussmann
- Chaussée d'Antin — La Fayette
Terminal 2b-2d
Terminal 2b-2d
Sight-Seeing
I say this upfront because if you are older or have mobility issues you may need to book through all paid inclusive touring site that can drop you off in front of the venues because Paris has a very hilly geography and requires calves of steal at points. The other option is to get a City Pass for Tour Buses like Tootbus or BigBus Tour but it's only good if you are just staying 24-48 hours in the city.
Next, I suggest you create an account with GetYourGuide which has an office in Paris and HQ based in Germany so they are the go-to for European sightseeing if you are not sure what to book their algorithm keeps track of the top sights. Also, I suggest getting Skip-the-line or Group Guided Tour Tickets.
Itinerary
Ticket - (T)
Day 1 / Monday
- Shopping:
- Paris Flea Market
- Larudee (pastries)
- CityPharma
- Monoprix
- Full-day visit to Palace of Versailles (w/ Marie Antoinette's Estate) & Gardens (Make sure to try the Ice Cream and Laudree pop-up shop's Macaroons) (T)
- Giverny
Day 3 / Wednesday
- Perfume Making & Musée du Parfum Tour (T) and Shop
- Opera Garnier (T)
- Galerie Lafayette
- Printemps Department Store
Day 4 / Thursdays
Musée de la Vie Romantiquez
The Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre (T)
- Dinner Show at the Moulin Rouge (T)
Day 5 / Friday
- Sainte Chapelle (T)
- Notre Dame
- Orsay Museum (T)
- Louvre Museum Guided Tour (Night Tour is after 6 p.m.) FYI The Egyptian section is currently under renovation. (T)
Day 6 / Saturday Day Trip Options:
- Mont-Saint-Michel (Normandy) (T)
- Normandy Landing
- Loire Valley
- Eiffel Tower (T) and Trocadéro
- Place de la Concorde
- Arc de Triomphe (T)
- Seine Cruise/ Dinner Cruise (T)
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