Paris rewards people who slow down. It's not a checklist city — it's a neighborhood city. Pick two or three arrondissements to linger in, eat three-hour lunches, and don't try to see the Louvre AND Versailles AND Notre-Dame in one day.
At a glance
The neighborhoods
Le Marais (3rd/4th)
Cobblestones, falafel at L'As du Fallafel, boutique shopping, the Picasso museum. Where you want to base yourself if you want Paris-on-foot.
Saint-Germain (6th)
Literary cafés (Les Deux Magots), Luxembourg Gardens, the serious food streets around Rue de Buci. Classic and slightly older-skewing.
Montmartre (18th)
Sacré-Cœur, painters, steep staircases, the Amélie café. Charming but touristy — go early morning before the tour groups arrive.
Bastille / 11th
Where Parisians actually go out. Natural wine bars, Sunday market at Marché d'Aligre, great pizza and neo-bistros.
Food worth building a day around
Splurge
Le Comptoir du Relais
Yves Camdeborde's bistro. Book a month out for dinner; walk up for lunch.
Mid-range
Breizh Café
Best crêpes in the city. Buckwheat galettes with salted butter caramel.
Quick + local
Du Pain et des Idées
Bakery. Get there before 11am or the escargot pistache is gone.
Getting around
Buy a Navigo Easy card at any metro station — one card, tap-and-go, works on metro, bus, and RER trains within zones 1–2.
Load 10 rides (un carnet) for around €17 — saves 20% vs. single tickets.
Download the RATP or Citymapper app for live connections. Paris metro is fast but line closures happen constantly.
Don't drive. Parking is a nightmare and traffic is slower than the metro.
What to pack
Broken-in walking shoes (you'll log 10–15k steps a day)
Layers — mornings are cool even in July
Small bag or crossbody (pickpocketing in metro + near tourist sites)
A real scarf (Parisians aren't kidding about scarves)
Adapter for Type E plugs
Cash for smaller cafés that cap cards below €15
Tipping
Service is included by French law (service compris). Tipping is for exceptional service, not obligation:
FAQ
Do I need to speak French?
No, but start every interaction with "Bonjour" — it's less about the language and more about acknowledging the person before you ask for something. Locals respond dramatically better.
Is the metro safe at night?
Yes, with normal city awareness. Avoid the RER B after midnight and keep your bag in front in crowded cars.
Should I buy the Paris Museum Pass?
Only if you're hitting 4+ museums in 2 days. For most 5-day trips you'll save more by just booking timed entries online.
What about the strikes?
French transit strikes happen. Check ratp.fr the morning of a planned outing; metros usually run on some lines even during strike days.
Questions we didn't cover? Reply to your booking confirmation — we'd rather over-answer than leave you guessing.