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First-time Visitor's Guide to Paris

If this is your first visit to Paris, you might feel overwhelmed.  Step 1: Relax.  Over the course of the next several pages of text, I'll try to answer as many questions as I can in order to help make your trip as enjoyable as possible.

Many of us travel to France for different reasons.  Perhaps you're planning your first trip, just out of school, after studying the language for several years, or perhaps it's a second honeymoon on your 25th Anniversary.  Whatever the reason, these guides and ideas can help you during your planning stage simply by applying them where you think appropriate to best fit in with the purpose, or theme, of your trip.  If you've already completed come of these tasks, simply cross them off your list, and go on to the next one.  If you would like, you'll find a simple, printable version of this list here, which you can print and keep on your refrigerator or in your vacation planner.

Obtain a Passport

All persons traveling abroad are required to carry a passport, which serves both as worldwide-recognized form of identification, and proves to both the U.S. and foreign countries that you are a citizen of the United States of America.  You will likely need it to exit the U.S., gain entry to a foreign country, and then once again upon your return to the U.S.  Airlines and other vessels are required to verify that you are carrying a passport before you embark on your foreign destination.  If you arrive without one, a country can deny your entrance, and will put you back on the next flight out, at the airline's, or  carrier's, expense.  There are a variety of ways to obtain your passport.  You will need two (2) passport photos, available at a multitude of locations (check the yellow pages), a passport application, the fee, proof of citizenship, and a photo ID.  You can find all the details at US State Department's website for passport information.    Before you even begin to dream to much about your trip, get your passport application out of the way.  Typically, the passport issuance process will take between 2 and 6 weeks, depending on the type of service you request and pay for (expedited service costs more), but it can take longer, particularly if you are applying in the Spring, when the passport offices get inundated with applications.  If this is a last minute trip, and you will be leaving within two weeks, you will need to make an appointment and appear at a Regional Passport Agency.  If this is the case, you will need to purchase your ticket BEFORE you apply, as you will be required to show proof of departure to qualify for the immediate processing service available at these facilities.

Check for Flights

Finding the right flight can be one of the most challenging aspects of your trip.  The majority of us are flying coach, and pretty much want to get the best deal available.  Unfortunately, there are no great secrets, but there are a few tips, and some guidelines that might help you choose the right flights at the best price.  Some things you might want to consider are:
  • Do you want the lowest price, no matter how many stops or layovers?
  • Is price less of a concern than flying non-stop, if it's available?
  • How anxious are you?  Are you comfortable waiting for "last minute deals", or do you need your ticket in hand long before your trip for "peace of mind"?
  • Do you need to fly on a specific airline to build frequent flyer miles, or to fly with a travel partner?
  • How much time can you devote to the research?  Do you think you might be better off paying a travel agent for their services, or do you have enough time to search the Internet for all possibilities?

For starters, let's look at the different ways you can purchase your ticket:

  • The Internet.  The Internet offers hundreds of portals for you to research ticket prices, the least of which are not the individual airlines' websites.  Larger booking companies like Orbitz, Travelocity (see description on the left) and Expedia are owned by airlines or a conglomeration of airlines, and often have great fares.  You might also want to check Cheap Tickets.
  • Travel Agent. While most travel agents now charge a fee to book an airline ticket, it may be worth a few extra dollars to you to utilize their services.  You could spend hours "surfing" the Internet, looking for the best deals, or, you could simply let a travel agent do it instead.  Travel agents may also have access to what are commonly known as Consolidators.  These are companies who buy airline tickets in bulk, and generally sell them within 30 days of departure.  You can also search the Internet for consolidators, but again, a travel agent will have a list of companies they've done business with, and deem reliable.
  • Direct from the Airline.  Searching airline websites, subscribing to their regular updates on promotions, or calling them directly on the phone is also an option.

When should you purchase your ticket?

This questions ranks right up there with the age-old question of "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"  There probably is no correct answer.  However, some things to take into consideration are:

  • Most airlines regularly have sales for both winter and summer fares.  Although not written in stone, these sales usually begin 90 days or so before a given travel period.  For instance, you may see "winter" sales taking place from October through December.  Seats will be extremely limited, and the best prices sell out quickly, but if you watch the papers, or subscribe to an airline's notification system, you can generally become aware of a sale during it's launch period, and if you act quickly enough, can get a great deal if you meet the travel restrictions for the sale.
  • If you are a gambler, you may choose to wait until just prior to your departure to take advantage of last minute fares.  These fares are generally available from places like Priceline.com, ticket consolidators, or other Internet sites that specialize in last minute flights.  Another option in the area of last minute flights may be Charter Airlines.  These tickets can generally be found from major US cities, and are sold at ridiculously cheap prices to help the airline fill the plane.  Often, you can fly for $99 each way plus taxes.  Look in the travel section of major newspapers.  These tickets are generally issued on a space available basis (aka "standby"), so if you are extremely flexible with your arrival or departure dates, this can be a very cost effective way to travel.

     

 

Find a Hotel

 The French have a system for rating hotels, assigning each property a star value from 1 star to 4 stars (or 4L for Luxury Properties).  The system is generally reliable, except that you will find some 2 or 3 star properties that might rank a little higher, but the property, for tax purposes, has requested that the government lower their star level.  For instance, a property that offers a great many services and may qualify for a 4 star rank, may opt to "drop" a star solely for reasons of the amount of taxes they pay.  The system is complicated, but one can generally assume that hotels with 1 star will have fewer amenities than those with more stars.  Items taken into consideration are such things as: are there phones and or TVs in the room, are bathrooms private or shared, is there an elevator, does the hotel offer room service, how large are the rooms, etc.  The number of stars a hotel has is very loosely associated with the rate they charge, although it is generally assumed that the more stars associated with a property, the higher the rate.  Room rates within a specific rating, however, are not regulated, and can vary greatly from property to property.

For specific reviews and recommendations on a limited number of properties in Paris, you can visit my hotel page.  There are thousands of hotels in Paris, and it's impossible to find them all in one place.  You should start by narrowing your search to a specific area that appeals to you.  Here are some general guidelines:

Paris is divided into 20 districts known as Arrondisements.  These districts start in the center of the city with the 1st Arr. and continue in a clockwise pattern around the city.

The map above illustrates the 20 Arrondisements within Paris.  I have generalized a few areas popular with tourists.  These are:

  • Pigalle/Montmartre - This area of Paris has a wonderful "artsy" feel to it.  The Rue de Clichy, which spans the length of the area known as Pigalle (also known to American G.I.'s during WWI as Pig Alley), is primarily known for its "red light district", and the streets are filled with adult themed book stores and sex shops.  It is also home to the Moulin Rouge, the famous hot spot with its giant red windmill.  Just north of the Rue de Clichy in the 18th is Montmartre, where the famous Basilica, the Sacre Coeur, is located.  Next to the Sacre Coeur is Place du Tertre, an artsy square where artists gather daily to paint and sell their wares.  As a first time visitor, you might find this area fun, but not as centrally located as you would like to be if the main purpose for your visit it to see the more famous sites.  Hotels in this are are sometimes less expensive, however, than in other, more popular areas, so you might take this into consideration. 
  • The Louvre & Champs Elysees - Centrally located and offering easy access to and within walking distance to much of what Paris has to offer, this is a very popular area for tourists.  Many of the more upscale hotels are located here, in proximity to the Louvre, the Opera Garnier, the Tuileries Gardens and just a short walk to the Ile de la Cite, where Notre Dame is located.  Some hotels can also be found directly on the Champs Elysees, the grand boulevard which runs between the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre.
  • The Marais - This area is predominantly known for is quiet neighborhoods, but is also the home to the Centre Georges Pompidou and much of Paris' gay nightlife, as well as its Jewish neighborhood.  There are a few hotels catering specifically to gay clientele, but you will also find a multitude of apartments for rent in this area as well.
  • The Latin Quarter - Very popular as a home base for tourists, you will find a wide range of 1, 2 and 3 star hotels here.  Bordered on the east by the Blvd. St. Michel, the north by the Seine, and the south by the Luxembourg Gardens, this area is home to the Sorbonne (l'Universite de Paris) and some of Paris' best restaurants and museums.  It provides easy Metro access, is within walking distance to many major sites, and offers a variety of convenient shops and restaurants to make your stay enjoyable.
  • St. Germaine des Pres - Visitors appreciate this area primarily for its charm and quaint, if not quintessential, Parisian atmosphere. Many tourists who stay here would never stay anywhere else.  It is centrally located, boasts a large number of small but friendly hotels, and is perhaps the best location for those who like to take walking tours due to its central location on the left bank.  From here, one can walk to the Eiffel Tower, the Musee d'Orsay, Les Invalides, or easily cross the river to visit the Louvre and Notre Dame.
  • Montparnasse - This area is a combination of Parisian neighborhoods and businesses.  Less frequented by tourists, it is the home of both the Gare and Tour Montparnasse, and offers easy access by Metro to the rest of Paris, and houses a number of hotels and restaurants that can make your stay enjoyable.  Not the best location if you plan on doing a lot of walking, but it can be less expensive than the Latin Quarter or St. Germaine des Pres, and ample Metro access ensures you the opportunity to take a short ride to all that Paris has to offer.
  • Eiffel Tower - An area popular with chain hotels and Japanese tourists, these neighborhoods offer an excellent location for evening strolls through the Champs de Mars (the large park bordering the Eiffel Tower), and lies within walking distance of Les Invalides.  It also offers plenty of neighborhood restaurants and shopping.

Once you narrow down the area you'd like to stay in, it's time to start shopping for a hotel. 

 

Getting Around

 Paris has an extremely reliable and efficient public transportation system.  If you are unfamiliar with using a subway, click here for a tutorial on riding the Paris Metro.  A good map of the Paris Metro is an absolute must!  Available in almost every hotel, the Galeries Lafayette prints the best pocket map available.  You can get answers to questions and see metro maps, plus a whole lot more, by visiting their website at www.ratp.fr. If you prefer, you can also visit a more limited English language version of the site by going to their English language site.  The site will also give you information about the Paris bus system, and the variety of options you have for buying tickets.