There are a number of things for a tourist to think about before visiting Paris.
- Season selection
When choosing the time to visit the French capital, it is important to take into account the purpose of your visit. Shopping enthusiasts should first of all think about a trip in January or July – during this period the stores of the city hold large-scale sales. Fans of long walks can recommend spring and early fall: these seasons will please tourists with the beauty of scenery and mild comfortable weather. In late fall and winter, the flow of tourists decreases somewhat (except for pre-Christmas dates), so these seasons are perfect for visiting museums.
- How to get to Paris
The fastest, easiest, and often the cheapest way to get to the capital of France is by airplane. You can take direct flights (flight time is 3.5 – 4 hours) or choose flights with connections in various European cities. The cost of flights varies greatly: the earlier you search for tickets, the more chances you have to buy them at a favorable price. In addition to Aeroflot, you can use railroad or bus services. For example, it takes 37 hours to reach the capital of France by train Moscow-Paris, and 47 hours by international bus. At the same time, the cost of travel by ground transportation is comparable to air travel, and often even higher.
- Hotel selection
When choosing a hotel, it is important to take into account not only its “star”, but also its location. It is desirable to avoid hotels located in the area of the Northern and Western Railway Station, in the suburbs of Saint-Denis, 19th and 20th arrondissements of Paris. Optimal in price and quality is easier to find in the Opera (9th arrondissement), Montparnasse (14th arrondissement) and Montmartre (18th arrondissement; in this case it is important to read hotel reviews carefully). Traditional French hotels usually provide very compact rooms with small bathrooms. The continental breakfast is also modest: it may consist of a cup of coffee, a croissant, a portion of butter and/or jam. Larger rooms and buffets are offered by chain hotels such as Ibis. Our selection of cheap but quality hotels in Paris is at this link.
- Travel time
The duration of your trip depends primarily on your financial possibilities and the purpose of your visit. If you want to relax and unwind, 2-3 days may be enough for you. For tourists who want to get to know the city better and visit its attractions, it is better to plan a longer option of 5-7 days or even more. The same period can also be advised to shopping enthusiasts who want to get acquainted with the French capital’s shopping outlets in detail.
- Guide Search
Any excursion will be more informative and interesting if it is accompanied by a guide. You can find a licensed specialist on the relevant Internet sites or through reviews on travel forums. When choosing, you should pay attention to the services offered and their cost. It is better to avoid overly tempting offers, because in-demand guides usually do not reduce the price. If you have planned a visit to country attractions, it is better to give preference to a guide with a car. You can read more about how not to make a mistake in finding a guide in Paris in our series of articles.
- Touring: what to visit?
The list of architectural and historical monuments, attractions and museums in the French capital includes hundreds of sites. If you are traveling to Paris for the first time, it is better to start your visit with a city tour and a visit to iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris, the Champs-Elysees, the Louvre, Montmartre and others. Tourists who have already visited the French capital can discover a lot of new things by planning thematic excursions and visiting interesting museums (e.g. the Museum of the Middle Ages in the Abbey of Cluny, the Orangerie Picture Gallery).
- For shoppers
Although the prices in the French capital’s retail outlets can hardly be called low, tourists are attracted by the wide range of goods, luxurious design and excellent quality. Shopping during the sale period, which is held twice a year, is of particular interest. If you arrive at the end of the sale period, there is always an opportunity to visit the suburban outlet stores(Outlet La Vallée Village, Marques Avenue) or sale centers located on Alésia Street.
- Planning a stay in Paris
Before your trip, it is best to make a plan for each day of your stay in Paris. In it you can indicate where you want to visit, and also write down the addresses of the stores you would like to visit. When planning excursions to museums, don’t forget to look at the schedule of their work, and also note the restaurants and cafes located nearby. Don’t limit yourself to sightseeing, but make time for walking, visiting a cabaret, or dining at a Michelin restaurant.
- Public transportation in Paris.
The main means of transportation in the French capital is the metro, which is combined with the city’s RER train lines. Tickets, which can be purchased from vending machines, are valid for all modes of public transportation except for night buses. One ticket costs €1.90, it is more economical to buy 10 tickets (carnet) for €14.5. If you plan to ride the metro a lot, you can buy a Mobilis daily pass for €7.3. It is important to remember that it is valid for a calendar day: regardless of when you buy it, you can only use it until 24 hours of the same day. The Paris Metro is open from 5:30 to 0:50; at night you can take the Noctilien and Noctambus buses, which run on 18 routes; tickets are purchased from the driver.
- Paris for children
Paris is also perfect for traveling with children, for whom there are many interesting things to do in the city. You can visit the Chocolate Museum, the Dolls Museum or the Museum of Magic, visit the Vincennes Zoo or the Botanical Gardens’ menagerie. And how many positive emotions will bring children and their parents a trip to Disneyland and/or Asterix Park? We would like to add that most French restaurants offer a special children’s menu, including dishes popular with kids at an affordable price.
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