Paris Travel Guide – What You Need to Know Before You Go

It's always exciting to plan your next visit to Paris, especially if you don't go very often. There's a lot of fun involved planning where you're going to stay and what you're going to do and where you're going to eat. We cover all that in our comprehensive Paris travel guide — Paris Insiders Guide.

Then there are more mundane things you need to know about and plan for — the currency, visas (hint: you don't need any for France), how tipping works, what to take, what to leave home. To make preparing for you Parisian sojourn easier and more fun, we've created this Paris travel guide covering pretty much everything you need to know and do. Let's get started.

Where to Stay in Paris

Paris is a city of diverse quartiers — neighborhoods — with hundreds of nice hotels to choose from. Deciding where to stay and what hotel to call home can be a difficult task. Luckily, we've tried to take that burden off your shoulders by pinpointing the five best areas of the city for the savvy traveler. We also share our three top-rated hotels in each neighborhood. Bon voyage and bon séjour.

The Top Paris Travel Tips

Do you want to be a tourist? Or a traveler? If you chose the latter — if you want to experience Paris, to feel you fit in — remember these 10 top tips for travelers. Based on our lifetime of visiting The City of Light.

Essential Facts for Visitors

Let's get started with the basics, the things you probably already know but explained in just a bit more detail.

Learn more about the size and geography of Paris, the monetary system in France, how the metric system works, shopping hours, official holidays when things are closed, and lots more.

The Paris Arrondissements

Paris is made up of twenty arrondissements — administrative districts — each with a distinct feel and atmosphere. Before you travel, it's good to learn what's where in Paris, to learn about attractions and sights in each of the arrondissements, and which areas you'll want to pay the most attention to. We've got just the guide for you!

How To Choose The Perfect Paris Hotel

There are something like 1,500 hotels in Paris — luxury & low end; in all neighborhoods; expensive, moderate, and good values. It really is a confusing choice. We know that, and we know you don't want to stress over a hotel when you're planning your special trips to Paris.

So, we've taken the work out of choosing a hotel. We've narrowed down the 1,500 to the few dozen absolutely top hotels — in all categories, in all price ranges. But, first off, start with our guide to what you need to know when choosing a hotel in Paris. After that, go to our reviews and find the hotel that suits you to a "T". (Remember, we recommend only the best!)

What to Pack for Paris – A Stylish Checklist

Packing for Paris requires a balance of style and practicality. From walking along the Seine to dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, a well-planned wardrobe keeps you prepared for every occasion. Our guide includes seasonal outfit recommendations, must-have essentials, and expert packing tips to help you make the most of your Parisian getaway.

Travel light, dress smart, and embrace the Parisian way of life with confidence.

Paris Travel Guide – Dos and Don'ts

Planning a trip to Paris? Get the most out of your visit with our essential Paris travel dos and don'ts. From indulging in cafe culture and exploring free museums to avoiding common mistakes like stopping mid-sidewalk, our guide covers what to do and what to avoid. These Paris insider travel tips ensure you experience the best of the city like a seasoned visitor.

Free Public Toilets in Paris: Where To Go!

A sleek, modern sanisette from 2024, photo Ville de Paris

Let's face it — when nature calls, you don't want to be caught wandering the streets of Paris in a panic. Luckily, the city has 435 free public toilets, also known as sanisettes, scattered around parks, metro stations, and near famous landmarks. These high-tech, self-cleaning restrooms are free, hygienic, and a lifesaver when you're out and about.

But wait — there’s more! Paris also offers a few hidden restroom gems, from department store facilities to a vintage Art Nouveau lavatory. Check out our full guide on where to find toilets in Paris, so you can spend less time searching and more time enjoying the city.

Paris Travel Guide 101

When you're a first-time visitor to Paris you need to know the basics. Things like how Paris is laid out, where the main attractions are, what area you should stay in. So, we've created a quick and easy guide to help you get familiar with the city we know you're going to end up loving.

Christmas in Paris

We think it's the best Christmas city in Europe. It's also one of our favorite times to be in Paris. There's ice skating and other events at the Hotel de Ville, seasonal lights brighten streets throughout the city, department store windows sparkle with extra-special displays, and foods of the festive season fill the shops and markets. Learn how to plan you own Noël à Paris.

Carry-On Packing for Paris

Packing for Paris doesn't have to be a struggle. Our expert carry-on guide makes traveling light effortless, without sacrificing style. Learn how to pack like a pro with tips on versatile clothing, the essential two-pair shoe rule, and savvy strategies for toiletries and accessories. Whether you're navigating Paris's cobblestone streets or heading to a chic dinner, this guide has you covered. Click here to discover how to pack smart and travel in style!

The Paris Museum Pass

The Paris Museum Pass gives you unlimited museum entrances. Not just a few museums, mind you, but nearly all museums and monuments in Paris, including the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Centre Pompidou, the Pantheon — the things you really want to see. And along with the big museums, you also get access to dozens of small, intimate museums. To our way of thinking, the time you save not standing in lineups is alone worth the cost of the pass.

How to Save Euros in Paris & Have Fun Doing It

Paris can be an expensive place, but you won't have to extend your line of credit if you plan well and follow our handy traveler tips. Let's learn how you can save money in Paris, and when you should spend.

The Weather in Paris – Sunny & Delicious

Paris has a mild climate. Days are often sunny in spring, summer and even autumn, and you should expect some rain in winter. Within those parameters, though, is a fair amount of variation from year to year. For instance, last summer in Paris was fairly chilly and wet, while this summer was sunny and warm — hot, in fact

In our guide to Paris weather we lay out the average temperatures and conditions, month by month, and also include packing tips for each season.

Sales Tax & Tipping in France

Did you know that, as a visitor, you may be eligible for a refund of the sales tax (called the VAT) you paid on your shopping purchases in Paris? The process recently became much easier, and we take you through it step by step, from purchase to refund.

In this mini travel guide we also discuss tipping in France, whether in restaurants or with taxis or anywhere else. (Hint: don't do it!)

Information for Travelers – Paris Travel Guide

There are a few other things about Paris we want to tell you about. Things like the ID you will need, whether or not you need a visa to enter France, health & travel insurance, and customs and duties. We also discuss packing electrical appliances, adaptors and plugs; and even bringing your pet.

Planning a Honeymoon in Paris

With romance at every turn, Paris is an incredible place to spend your honeymoon, making it oh-so romantic and a time you will cherish forever.

We'll share with you some of the best honeymoon activities The City of Love has to offer — the most romantic hotels, how to skip the long lines, and the top romantic things to do on your voyage de noces à Paris.

Paris Travel Guide to the Travel Guide Books

Of course, we like to think that you can find all the travel advice you need right here at Paris Insiders Guide. But we know that sometimes it's nice to hold a book in your hands. Since we've read and used a ton of Paris travel guide books over the years we thought it would be good to share our experience. There are lots of Paris travel books that claim to be perfect for you in one way or another, but here are the ten that score above the rest.

5 Distinctive Paris City Guides

Paris is deep, diverse, ancient, and modern. There's a wide a variety of experiences to be had here, and that fact is clearly shown in the diverse views of Paris found in these five distinctly different city guides. From a veteran publisher's new format map-guide to seeing Paris through postmodernistic lens to a guide last updated in 1968, here are some fascinating ways of viewing and visiting the City on the Seine.

art/shop/eat Paris – A Mini Guidebook from Blue Guides

Our favorite overall Paris travel guide book might just be the Blue Guide to Paris. Therefore, we were pretty sure we were going to like the Blue Guide's mini version. What's not to like about a guide titled art/shop/eat Paris ? This lightweight, portable guide is a good tool to slip into your bag as you set out on your first explorations of Paris. We found this to be a surprisingly useful compact guidebook for the visitor who's interested in seeing the art highlights of Paris. Great for shopping & restaurants, too.

Paris on a Budget

Can those two words ever go together — Paris and Budget? We think they can, with careful planning, budget accommodations, wise spending, and eating & drinking a lot better than you do at home!

So, we've put together a guide for travelers who want to save a few Euros while in the City of Light. If that describes you, be sure to read the article…

Paris Travel Planner – Part One

When you're planning your first trip to Paris, it's nice to have a little expert help. We're happy to share our years of experience. Use our online Paris travel planner to plot every step of your trip, from airlines to hotels to what to do while you're there.

Allons-y, come on, let's make this your best vacation ever.

Paris Activities Planner – Part Two

In Part One we got you to Paris, found you a great hotel, and tucked you in. Now it's time to make sure you've planned for your Paris activities — even before you've left home.

Paris is a very busy place, so it's important to plan in advance for the things you want to see and do while you're there. One of our best pieces of advice is, don't wait until you get to Paris to decide what you're going to do. You'll either be disappointed because things have sold out, or you'll spend lots of time standing in lines. Don't worry, though. Our activities planner helps you avoid all that and have a memorable visit.