When to Go:
Best Time to Visit-Spring April-June and then September and October. Unless you enjoy crowds and heat without air conditioning, those are the best months to visit (be mindful of Easter week)
Spring and Fall weather allows for all the outdoor sight seeing without layers of clothing to keep you warm or intense heat preventing you from enjoying this beautiful city. Parisian’s take their vacations in August, so this month would be a challenge with available service and the ability to experience Paris at its finest. When you visit Paris as an American, you want to go at a time where you can be comfortable without air conditioning.
Things to Know
The best information I was given by a friend of mine who lived in Paris for over 10 years was “you must greet every Parisian, look them in the eyes and say “bonjour, bonne Soiree or pardon” before you ever ask them a question. Next, immediately after greeting them, ask “parle-tu Anglais?” You are greeting them, Good Morning, Good Evening, Excuse Me”, then you’re asking them if they speak English in their language.
Europeans are very particular about manners, therefore, if you do not start with one of those greetings, they will ignore you and pretend they don’t speak English. 99% of Parisians speak English. It is a universal language, however, they will not tolerate a rude American. Yes, we’re rude.
If you enter a store, it is perceived as if you are entering the owner’s home, therefore, you should greet them upon entering. A simple “Bonjour”, will be enough, (look at them). A smile goes a long way too.
If you are purchasing food, do not touch their produce, cheese, etc. They know their food and want to select the perfect piece for you. By touching it, you are interfering with the ripeness, age of the cheese for your to have the best experience. Let them select it for you, they truly know best.
If you are shopping for clothes, shoes, they will help you and bring the items to you and help you. Yes, they will place shoes on your feet for you. Yes, visiting Paris as an American is very different from our culture, so as they say “when in Rome, do as the Romans”, this applies everywhere.
If you enjoy luxury shopping, plan to wait in line. Parisians want to ensure every person experiences the ultimate service and they manage how many people are in their store at all times. They will take their time with you, offer advice, assistance, champagne, coffee, water whatever you want. They will bring it to you. They will not rush you ever and yes, security guards are everywhere.
LUXURY SHOPPING TIPS
Be sure to have your passport with you when luxury shopping. Paris offers “tax credits” for all purchases that exceed 100 EU, The luxury boutique will register your purchase and provide you the necessary paperwork for the airport. (future blog) Traveling to Paris as an American make sure you have your passport with you at all times because this is the home of the world’s best shopping!
Places to Stay
Hotels or Boutiques?
This will vary depending on your budget, personal preference for the overall experience. There are as many choices of places to stay in Paris as there are in America. So you decide what you want to experience, how much you want to spend, how far you want to walk or be away from the main attraction, historical place you want visits and select accordingly where to stay.
You can walk everywhere in Paris, places to see are vast and there is a lot of walking not like Americans. But, if you want to visit Paris, the outskirts, public transportation is easily accessible and affordable. The system is clean, efficient and cost effective.
However, even if you want to stay near shopping, it goes on for miles!
Places to Go
Eiffel Tower Tour–
Get you tickets well in advance (2-3 months) Worth it. You’ll take several elevators to the very top. When you get off the elevator this is one more floor above and to access it you take the stairs. There is a souvenir shop inside the Eiffel Tower, so traveling to Paris as an American it is really cool bringing back gifts actually purchased inside the tower. Really cool items as well.
The upstairs is open and a 360 degree view of Paris. Truly stunning. I have vertigo and was worried, but the layout is very safe and vertigo friendly! I had no issues. Highly recommend!
There’s a restaurant inside the Eiffel Tower, reservations need to be made 3 months in advance.
Montmartre–
The area of Montmartre (Mon-mart-re) is the artists district. This is an area where Monet, Renoir and other famous French artists hung out. The vibe here is chill. With many little markets selling souvenirs, homemade food, restaurants, candies, art work and more. The Basilica Sacre Coeur is here and is the main attraction. People have been praying in that Basilica for over 125 years! It’s a truly magical place.
The local artists walk around with their sketch pads in hand wanting to draw an original for you. I’m not sure if this is tradition, but if you allow them to do so, be clear you may not purchase the final drawing. They run $200 Euros which is about $250 USD. Each artist has their own style too, which they will not let you see until they’re finished. My drawing was a pencil sketch and my friends was avant-garde modern. Completely different results and very surprising as well.
The stairs of the Basilica are iconic. Most people chill on these stair because the view is truly breathtaking. Also, being in the “artists” area, you will find musicians playing and you can listen to their music while taking in the view as well the favorite pass time of the French (people watching). This area was one of the highlights of my trip. Highly recommend!
Louvre
One of the most popular museums in Paris, (there are many) but the Monet Lisa is in this one and why, I believe, it’s so crowded all the time. Purchasing tickets in advance is also recommended and then you are assigned an entrance time to tour. If you want to enjoy the exterior of the museum for photo ops, or just take in the beauty of the history here, it’s an adventure just the same.
There are boxes to stand on where you pinch your fingers like you holding the museum, it’s a very cool visual and everyone does it. Don’t let the lines deter you because people move on and off the boxes quickly.
There are many restaurants nearby and many exterior gardens close as well. We walked from Champs Elycesse and came across an enormous shopping area, monuments, parks all along the route to The Louvre. It’s an adventurous day if you don’t plan on going inside The Louvre you will have a great experience walking there and back an alternative way. Again, much to do, see and eat (street food). Visiting Paris as an American, this is a must see for sure!
Champs Elysees
This area is very high end. It is the area/street closest to where the Arc de Triomphe resides. There are many high end luxury shops in this area. If you’re going to Paris to shop, this is where you want to go. Every luxury brand can be found here as well as local French retailers. It is a busy area, similar to any large city in the USA, New York, Miami, but clean! Don’t forget to bring you passport!
You can also find great restaurants, cafes and Lauree home of the French macron. These sandwich type light as air cookies are a staple of Paris. They come in a variety of flavors and colors. I tried Pistachio, it’s their favorite and color palette. Lol Delicieuse.
Parisians love their flowers and they’re prevalent everywhere. From the restaurant fronts, do the hotel lobby decor, do just admiring them as you walk the city. Traveling to Paris as an American you’ll want to literally stop and smell the roses!
Places to Eat
*Cafe Inside Monoprix Store (like a Nordstrom’s cafe) was a great surprise.
*Le Royal
*Ru Clair
*Rue La Boetie Cafe
Honestly, I don’t believe you can go wrong with any cafe you decide to enter. That was our experience, it was fine dining everywhere you went. Traveling to Paris like an American don’t expect Applebee’s fast food type places, they are all sit down cafe with full service and high quality proportion food.
Getting Around
The Metro is easily accessible from just about everywhere. Figure out ahead of time where you want to go and ask locals or your hotel concierge for assistance on which trains to take to get you to your destination. Again, the French people are very helpful. We took the metro to Montmartre quite easily.
We took taxi’s as well. Our driver told us we could trust French taxi’s more than Uber’s in France, so we took his advice. There are “taxi” stations around Paris, sort of a taxi hub and you can go there and wait for a “green” light taxi.
Taxi’s have lights around the word “taxi” on their car roof, if green, they’re available to hail, if red, they’re occupied. We even hailed a “green light” taxi walking once because we were tired and he just pulled over for us. The rides were reasonable in cost. We did not notice transportation being expensive at all.
The Metro
The metro will take you many places in Paris. If you’re good at reading maps, there are plenty around that shows the train routes. We paid 2EUR per leg and we had 2 legs to Montmartre. So it was less than $5 round trip per person.
The metro is so clean you could eat off the floor. Fast, efficient, safe and on time. You have to be mindful always, don’t keep you pursue open ladies, have it closed, close and tucked under your arm to avoid a pick pocket, but we did not encounter any.
The pick pockets are typically adolescent kids from what we were told, so be mindful all around just the same.
We never felt unsafe in Paris, but we were also aware of our surroundings.
Pay attention to locals. Traveling to Paris as an American, If you need directions, are lost or need help, those walking with a dog, or walking in a group speaking French, smoking, are most likely locals. Mind your manners and approach them. They are very kind, helpful people.
MUST SEE
*Eiffel Tower Tour
*Sienne River Dinner Cruise (evening)
*Monmartre Art District
*Basilica Sacre Coeur
*Champs Elycesse -Arc de Triomphe
*The Lourve
*Galleria Lafayette (two) Roof top
MUST SHOP
Shopping recommendations:
*Champs Elysees
*Montmatre Art
*Galleria Lafayette one (Champs de Elysee) and two (Haussmann) roof top
*Grands Boulevards
*Monoprix (French Home Goods, Clothing Store)
MUST DO
SIENNE RIVER DINNER CRUISE AT NIGHT
I would say this was on of the many highlights of my trip. The food was incredibly delicious, the atmosphere was delightful and the views from the river at night were spectacular. The service on the boat was excellent, I’d say it was “fine” dining experience for sure with a 5 course meal, bottle of wine and glass of champagne. We didn’t sit by the window, actually, next to the table by the window and we had fabulous 360” views all night.
Photo Shoot
Yep, I highly recommend professional photos. Yes are phones and friends can take photos, but no one can match a local professional. Our guide knew of all the specialty places to take the most incredible photos. I book a photo shoot on every trip, it’s a “must” for a solo traveler and anyone who wants a keepsake of a great experience when they reflect on the photo. They’re usually walking tours, you get to know the photographer who gives you tidbits of places to go, things to do as a local. I booked ours through “Get Your Guide” app, here’s the link https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/paris-personal-travel-photographer-t67680/?partner_id=859913V&utm_medium=online_publisher
MUST KNOW
Firearms are not allowed in France only the military and police are allowed to carry. They carry visible semi-automatics. This at first was very unsettling, but then you get used to the fact that they’re just about everywhere protecting the city.
You have to pay to pee. Yep, public restrooms are not free. They also have toilet people who clean the toilets after each use. Those workers expect a token of appreciation like one Euro or even less, just something. Some places, restaurants will provide you with tokens to open the locked doors. Other places, like The Galleria Lafayette will give allow you to use the facilities if you made a purchase. You just have to shown them your receipt.
Make sure you bring Euros to France. The taxis although modern, clean, new vehicles are not set up to accept anything other than Euros. Be sure you don’t hop in a “taxi” without cash, European cash “Euros”.
Tipping is not required or expected. (Other than the toilet workers). Folks who work in restaurants, etc. or well compensated and they do not expect a tip, nor change service towards you with or without a tip. They are kind, friendly and helpful. If you do tip them, they are forever grateful, but before accepting, they make sure you (the American) understand it’s not expected like in America. They will accept USD, although less valuable than Euro. (I’m speaking tips only and Paris).
They drive on the same side of the road as Americans. They will blow their horns incessantly. The roads are narrow and their isn’t anyway for them to get around you if you’ve blocked the road. Anyway, they do like to whale on the horn! Lol
AMERICAN DOS AND DON’TS
DO
Smile
Greet, “Bonjour”, “Pardon”
Learn how to say “Parle tu Anglais” (Do you speak French)
Mind your manners
Dress nice (not Sunday finest, but classic)
Wear dress casual shoes
Jeans are acceptable
(The French are fashion forward, so you can wear white sneakers that are in style)
Don’t:
Be Loud
Talk on your phone in crowds Loud
Have your phone on “speaker” so everyone can hear your conversation
Wear sloppy clothes
Wear old worn shoes
Leave your “Nikes” at home
Loud colorful clothes (an accent item yes,
but not over the top bold patterns, colors). French style is classic
Just start talking asking someone a question without greeting them first
Do not be silent if you hop in a taxi or Uber first word always is “bonjour!”
Wear cowboy boots, cowboy hats, grunge look (if that’s your vibe Paris
might not be a place for you)
TRAVEL APPS
Book your events here 2-3 months ahead
Get Your Guide APP. Here are links to my bookings.
PHOTOSHOOT
THE LOUVE TIMED TOUR https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/louvre-museum-skip-the-line-entrance-ticket-t145779/?partner_id=859913V&utm_medium=online_publisher
EIFFEL TOWER TOUR https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/eiffel-tower-tickets-second-floor-priority-access-summit-t403969/?partner_id=859913V&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=Eiffel
Viator APP
Sienne River Dinner Cruise I booked. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! https://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Seine-River-Cruise-Bateaux-Parisiens-Sightseeing-Cruise-with-Dinner-and-Live-Music/d479-5836DINNERCRUISE?pid=P00102193&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector&campaign=SiennaRiverCruise
SUMMARY
MY POV
Know what type of traveller you are, do you like a pack filled day capturing as much as you can as it relates to sight seeing? Are you the type that books some must see events ahead of time and then just goes with the flow? You have to know what type you are before you plan your trip. This will determine how many days you’ll want to stay in Paris. Traveling to Paris as an American for the first time means there is sooooo much to see and do, so you have to decide what’s most important to you and plan for it. Also, include extra days for travel delays (which happened to us) and jet lag. (It’s a thing). Also understand that you pretty much walk everywhere in Paris, so plan your hotel stay accordingly. Stay close to the areas that are most important to you. Then you can usually just walk from there to do shopping, see the historical landmarks, etc. Sure, you’ll take a taxi and metro, but for the most part you want to stay where it’s convenient to walk out the door and see Paris like a local!
Paris in summary is beautiful, clean, the people are friendly and the food is delicious.
More Paris specific blogs posts to come.
For now, Au revoir!
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