Paris, Paris, Paris. A city that changed my life and will undoubtedly change yours. If it’s your first time in Paris, you’re in for a real treat. From the iconic Eiffel Tower to the charming cobbled streets of Montmartre, this city is nothing short of a dream.

I lived in Paris for a few months and they were among the best of my life. The city is conducive to living life at the fullest- there’s no other way to put it.

But it’s true that Paris can be overwhelming for first-timers. With all there is to do- and maybe not so much time to do it- how do you fit in the best spots without missing out?

In this guide, I’ll try to cover everything you need to know before stepping foot in the City of Lights.

If there’s something specific you’re looking for, feel free to shoot right to it using the table of contents below. Or check out my France page.

1. Getting Ready for Paris: Essential Travel Tips

When is the best time to visit Paris?

For me, the best time to visit Paris is the fall (autumn).

Of course, there may be some personal bias involved here- the majority of the time I’ve spent in I Paris has been during the fall. But I’ve visited Paris during all four seasons, and honestly feel that fall is best.

It’s the perfect combination of weather, atmosphere and vibe. Not too hot, not too cold, and most importantly not swarmed with those pesky tourists limiting your access to the activities you want to do. The only issue in the fall is that rain can occur more frequently.

Similar things can be said for Spring- I just have my personal bias ;).

Summer in Paris is a whole different vibe. The main issue in the summer is the sheer amount of tourists.

This is an issue in all of Europe during the summer months, and can lead to long lines, raised prices for accommodations, and just a general shift in vibe from what Paris should be.

The other issue is that Paris can get hot. Nothing is worse than a packed Parisian metro on a sweltering summer day. They still haven’t gotten round to widespread AC in the city. So the result is a fragrant stew of sweat, cigarette smoke, and last night’s rosé.

All this being said, if summer is the only time of year you have, don’t let these issues deter you from taking your trip to Paris. You’ll still have a jolly time.

Winter in Paris is charming and beautiful. Watching the holiday season markets and decorations popping up around the city as it approached was amazing.

Walking around the lit and festive streets at night and huddling up in a café with a hot drink is what the winter season in Paris is all about.

I just wish it would snow more often. Adds that extra touch of magic.

Paris packing guide: What to wear for different seasons

Paris varies a lot in temperature throughout the year. Summers can get swelteringly hot.

Make sure to bring lots of light, breathable clothing for the summer months, specifically in July and August.

For the fall and spring, temperatures can vary but are usually moderate. Check the forecast before you go, but you’ll probably want to bring lighter layers that you can stack if the weather necessitates it. Also bring a raincoat, specifically for the fall and spring months.

In the winter, you’ll definitely want to bring layers. Don’t be like me. I visited this past January on my way to Asia and the heaviest clothes I had were a pair of hiking pants and a light sweater.

What transpired next were four days of running until warm, walking until cold, and repeating until delirious. It worked, technically.

Nothing says prepared traveler like accidental interval training.

If you’re into fashion, then bring some nice stuff. I’m not much of a connoisseur myself, so I’ll leave it at that.

How to get around: Public transport, bike rentals, walking

The best way to get around Paris is with your two feet.

That’s the advice I give for most cities. It’s how you come to better understand the place- by walking through each part and seeing how they connect, the similarities, the differences.

When you have a set destination and that only in mind, you miss out on everything in between. I can’t tell you how many hidden gems you’ll find in Paris, and how much you will learn by just walking around with your eyes open.

My average steps per day quadrupled in my months in Paris, and it wasn’t like I was putting in the effort. It’s just such an easy city to get lost in.

The same goes for biking, if that’s what you prefer.

Paris has e-bikes scattered all over the city, so you’re never too far from one. There are also designated biking paths on almost all main roads, as Paris tries to emphasize this method of transportation.

Read here for more information about renting bikes in Paris.

Now, Paris does also happen to have a fantastic metro and bus system, which can be useful if you don’t have too much time in Paris and have places you want to visit all across the city.

There are apps for the Paris transit system, but just use Apple or Google maps. They’ll give you all the information you need to get around.

Paris recently installed touch-to-pay systems, eliminating the need for the metro cards you used to require. A single trip costs €2.50.

Depending on the length of your stay, consider buying a weekly pass for €31.60 or a monthly pass for €88.80. I have these prices updated as of May 2025, but they seem to keep rising, slowly but surely.

Language tips: Basic French phrases for tourists

Paris is a city where it honestly doesn’t matter how much French you know in most areas. Being the hub of tourism that it is, most Parisians speak English relatively well as it helps their business.

This can be both a blessing and a curse. If you’re like me and know a fair bit of French, it can be frustrating to walk into a store all eager, say a simple “Bonjour” and immediately be given a thickly accented “Yes, hello, what do you want” in return.

It doesn’t even matter if your French is better than their English. If they can tell that you’re a foreigner, they’ll do all in their power to keep you from speaking their holy language.

I’m of course generalizing- this isn’t always the case- but it happens a lot.

Don’t let this deter you from getting your French practice in, though.

There was a period while I was living in Paris where I would simply refuse to speak in English with a Parisian.

Much to the displeasure of those behind me in line at the boulangerie, a rather comical dialogue would then ensue with the American speaking in French to a Frenchman responding in English. Occasionally they would throw in the towel, resulting in a substantial inflation of my ego.

If you don’t speak French, no fear. It’s really unnecessary almost everywhere in Paris. Now, on the off chance that you run into someone who doesn’t speak English, there a a few words and basic phrases you should know for your first-time in Paris.

• Bonjour– Hello. If it’s the evening or night, opt for Bonsoir instead
• Au Revoir- Goodbye
• S’il vous plaît– Please
• Merci- Thank you
• Bon Nuit– Good night

A combination of these with some simultaneous pointing and waving and you’ll be just fine.

Currency and tipping culture in Paris

France is part of the European Union, and therefore uses the Euro (€) as its currency. The Euro is similar in value to the American Dollar, with €1.00 being equivalent to $1.13 as of 2025.

Tipping is not expected in France (or most of Europe) the same way it is in the US and some other countries. If you’re feeling particularly generous I’m sure no one will complain, but the gratuity is generally already factored into the cost of the menu items.

Being rather cheap myself, I love this about French culture.

2. Must-See Attractions in Paris for First-Time Visitors

Eiffel Tower: The iconic symbol of Paris

The Eiffel Tower is not overhyped.

There are few moments when I’m left speechless by something man-made. The white peaks of the Swiss Alps, the turquoise blue of Caribbean water, sure. I’m a sucker for nature.

But the Eiffel Tower isn’t nature, and it still has that effect. I’m not even sure why. It’s a pretty simple tower of iron. It’s not even that old, being completed in 1889 for the World Fair.

At that time, the residents of Paris hated the thing. But now, it has become the unequivocal symbol of Paris- and will undoubtedly be a high of your first-time in Paris.

The best time to visit the Eiffel Tower is at night. Of course, it’s beautiful during the day and you should do both if possible, but seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up in its trademark golden hue and lighting up the Parisian sky is a sight to behold.

It also sparkles on the hour every hour after sunset for five minutes, and you don’t want to miss that!

You should see the Arc de Triomphe on the same day. Why? Because there’s a certain way you should approach the Eiffel Tower.

Starting from the Arc de Triomphe, walk down Avenue Kleber. By going this route, you won’t see the Eiffel Tower until it’s practically right in front of you, which will make for the most jaw-dropping moment possible.

You’ll also first see it from Trocadero, a spot well-known by Parisians for having the best viewpoint of the tower. Spend a good amount of time here soaking it all in.

From Trocadero, you’ll be able to walk down through the gardens and fountains, then across the Seine on the newly pedestrian only Pont d’Iéna.

Before you know it, you’ll be directly under the tower.

From here, walk around the tower onto the Champs de Mars. You’ll find green lawns sprinkled with tourists having picnics when the weather is nice, taking in the beautiful view.

Finally, climb up the Eiffel Tower. There are three levels. The first two you can reach by lift or stairs, the top only by lift. I recommend the stairs if you’re opting only for the lower floors. It’s fun to walk these at night. Click here for admission prices for every level.

Louvre Museum: How to skip the lines and see the Mona Lisa

Ok, so there’s no real way to skip the lines. But you should by all means book your time slot in advance. This will cut your time on line significantly.

There are also different entrances to the Louvre, which you can use to your advantage if the line by the pyramid is super long. Read about them and some other tips here.

If you want the main point, what you want to do is use the underground entrances. These are always shorter than the long line outside by they pyramid, regardless of if you have a reservation or not.

If you’re like me and have extraordinarily limited art knowledge, you’ll probably head straight to the Mona Lisa.

Ah, yes. Nothing says once-in-a-lifetime experience like craning your neck over hundreds of phones and dodging elbows before, at long last, you lock eyes with a painting the size of a cereal box.

They say the wry smile she has has come from centuries of hearing “that’s it?” in 47 languages a day. And from generations of art students pretending they “get it”.

I won’t get into tips for inside the Louvre. I think it’s evident that I’m not qualified for that.

That being said, the pyramid outside is one of my favorite spots in the whole city, especially at night.

After the museum closes, everyone clears out and the lighting of the thing is just incredible.

I only went inside the Louvre twice, but I would try to visit the outdoor area at night as often as I could. I couldn’t get enough of it.

Try and enter from the Cour Carée, a courtyard that’s located directly east of the pyramid courtyard.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a building lit up as tastefully as the buildings in the Cour Carée. There’s something special about it that’s hard to describe.

If you visit in the evening, you’ll likely hear musicians playing in the enclaves of the courtyard. The acoustics are incredible.

Notre-Dame Cathedral: A look at its history and current status post-renovation

The Notre Dame Cathedral is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and is super old, being built between 1163 and 1345. The cathedral has seen nearly a millennia of Parisian history, enduring many wars, revolutions, and victories.

The cathedral was damaged severely by a fire in 2019. It has since been restored back to its original state in a massive project from the French that is still ongoing. Attempting to mimic engineering and architecture from 1,000 years ago is a crazy feat- and they pulled it off.

While the exterior is still being restored, the interior is fortunately open to the public as of December 2024.

I generally don’t feel much from churches- I don’t mean to offend anyone by it, but after a while in Europe they all start meshing together. I’m sure some of you can relate.

That being said, the Notre Dame really shocked me. The interior was surprisingly beautiful and just so tastefully done. There have been complaints that it doesn’t look like it used to before the fire, but it might just be even better.

Just try not to mention the Hunchback of Notre Dame while you’re in the vicinity. There’s a girl who practically patrols the area waiting to pounce if she hears a whisper about it.

I’m not even kidding. I’m not sure I’ve met anyone who’s as obsessed about anything, let alone the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Don’t believe me? Check out her instagram. She does tours now, so sign up through the link on her page. I can guarantee you won’t get anyone as knowledgeable. And certainly nobody as enthusiastic.

Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: A charming area atop the city

Montmartre is one of my favorite areas in all of Paris. It’s perched on the highest hill in the city and therefore gives sweeping views. I recommend walking up instead of taking the metro. It’ll feel much more rewarding.

Narrow, winding, and cobbled streets make up this charming neighborhood full of corner cafés, gourmet shops, and street artists. It’s become touristy, for certain, but even with the pests it remains one of my favorites.

Towering above it all is the Sacré-Cœur, a cathedral marking the highest point in Paris.

The cathedral itself is a sight to behold both inside and out, but it’s the view from the top that does it for me.

For €7 you can climb the spiral staircases to the top of the cathedral and be rewarded with a 360 degree, panoramic view of the entire city.

Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe

The Champs-Élysées is arguably the most famous street in the world. The wide, 2km boulevard sports headquarters of the most notable names in fashion, luxury hotels, and views of the incredible Arc de Triomphe. Read more here about things to do on the avenue.

The arc itself is a sight to behold, sitting in the middle of a massive roundabout with 12 Parisian boulevards spurting from it.

To get to the base, you’ll have to go underneath the roundabout. There’s an entrance to the underground tunnel on the right hand side of the Champs-Élysées.

If you get lucky, you’ll spot some bamboozled tourists try and run across the roundabout. It’s always very funny to watch the chaos that ensues.

You can also climb to the top of the arc, where you have another one of my favorite views in Paris. I love this view because similar to that of the Pantheon, you’re just above rooftop level and can see everything but not from so high up.

It’s especially cool to see the line that forms the Axe Historique, or Historical Axis of Paris. It connects the Louvre, the obelisk of the Place de La Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe and the business district of La Defense on the opposite side. You’ll be practically in the middle here.

3. Off-the-Beaten-Path: Hidden Gems in Paris

Le Marais: Trendy neighborhoods with boutique shops and cafés

The Marais district, located in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, is one of the city’s most vibrant and historic neighborhoods.

Known for its narrow medieval streets, the area is filled with charming boutiques, art galleries, and cafés, along with the beautiful Place des Vosges and a myriad of museums, including the Musée Picasso.

The Marais is also rich in culture, being the historic center of the Parisian Jewish community.

It’s also got some really good food.

One of my favorite streets in the Marais is Rue de Rosiers, which contains many Jewish establishments. Most notably L’as du Falafel, a middle-eastern restaurant serving up the best falafel sandwich you’ll ever try. It also happens to be one of the best cheap eats in the city.

Canal Saint-Martin: A peaceful area perfect for strolling

It took a while into my Paris journey for me to really discover the Canal area, but it instantly became one of my favorites.

Walking along the canal, crossing over bridges and entering shops and restaurants truly makes you feel like you’re in Amsterdam.

While you’re here, make sure to check out Miznon, another middle-eastern joint that serves a variety of incredible pita sandwiches a little more exotic than those of L’as de Falafel.

And yes, I’ll try to give a few food options later that aren’t pita sandwiches. My apologies.

Bassin de la Vilette and the 19th Arrondissement

If you’re around in the summer time, walk all the way up the canal where it will eventually cross into the 19th district.

The 19th arrondissement is one of the most unknown and underrated areas in the city. The Bassin de la Vilette is always popping when the weather is nice. Beach games, boat rides, even spots to swim along the edge of the lake. You can read more about it here.

If you go eastward, you’ll reach the center of the district, where you’ll find the town hall and the incredible Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. I won’t speak about it here, as I’ll cover it later in the parks and gardens section.

Suffice it to say that it’s one of the best parks in the city.

That’s not even to mention the other park in this district, which is the largest park in Paris- the Parc de la Vilette, which functioned as the Nations Park during the 2024 Olympics.

Les Batignolles: A true hidden gem unknown to tourists

If you’re really looking to get away from the crowds, Les Batignolles is the place to go.

The main draw to the Batignolles is the authenticity it offers. The small village feel it possesses is hard to find elsewhere in Paris.

The Batignolles are located in the 17th arrondissement, which is in the northwest portion of the city.

My advice here is to just walk around and roam the streets. I was shocked by the sheer amount and variety of gourmet experiences on hand. Boulangeries, patisseries, cafés and fancy restaurants could be seen at virtually every turn.

There are also a plethora of quaint, little restaurants where Parisians typically gather for lunch or after work. A few great ones are Pignon, Gaston and Les Paresseux.

Les Batignolles are a true up-and-coming and trendy neighborhood in Paris.

Go check it out.

Also check out the nearby Saint Lazare neighborhood. I didn’t think it was worth it’s own section, but just another area for you guys to check out if you’re in the area.

Secret passages in the 2nd and 9th Arrondissements

There used to be many more of these narrow, glass-covered passages in the city.

These days, the remaining ones are clustered in the 2nd and 9th arrondissements. But there are still plenty.

These passages are filled with stores selling everything from expensive artwork to stamps to fabrics, and it’s a good daytime activity to stroll through them.

The passages are oriented in a way where you can basically just stroll from one to the other. I recommend you start at Galeries Vivienne, which is one of the nicer and more chic passages in the city.

From there, head over to Passage des Panoramas, the oldest covered walkway in Paris. Lots of antique shops and cozy bistros here.

Just a short walk away is Passage Jouffroy in the 9th, home to more antiques and the Grévin Wax Museum, if you like that sort of stuff.

There’s Passage Verdeau with its vintage bookstores, the towering Passage du Grand Cerf, and one of the city’s longest in Passage Choiseul- I could go on. Definitely take some time to explore.

Paris’ parks and gardens: Luxembourg Gardens, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont & Parc Monceau

Here’s Paris’ answer to Central Park, and it’s certainly worth a visit.

The Luxembourg Gardens are a massive expanse full of perfectly manicured greenery, fountains, statues, and even a palace that now functions as the home of the French Senate.

There are many other lesser-known parks scattered all over the city.

One of my favorites is Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement, which I discussed briefly earlier. It’s a picturesque park known for its dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and a temple-topped hill that offers stunning city views.

Another is Parc Monceau, an English-style garden in the 8th district that’s great for picnics, jogging, and leisurely strolls.

There are plenty more hidden gems in the city but I’ll stop here for the sake of not turning this into a novel.

Hopefully I’ll soon get around to making a post strictly about the hidden gems in Paris.

4. The Best Food Experiences in Paris

Guide to Parisian Boulangeries

The simple Boulangerie (French for bakery) might be my favorite thing about Paris. More specifically, the fact that you can seemingly find one on every street, with the intoxicating smells of fresh bread and butter drawing you in.

There are some boulangeries that unfortunately disappoint. If you’re around for a little while, you should do your research and try to hit up as many of the best boulangeries as you can.

If your stay in Paris is brief, just head to La Maison d’Isabelle. Nothing here will disappoint you, but get a croissant. As they boast loudly on the storefront, it’s there specialty. And they can boast, because they make the best croissant in the city.

Speaking of, read here for my ultimate list of the best croissants in Paris.

Honestly, that should function as a good enough guide for the city. Not even sure why I’m bothering with all the side details in this one. Places to go and places to sleep- who cares when you can just eat croissants all day and all night?

Don’t skimp out on the boulangeries. Eating as much bread and pastry as you can is truly a rite of passage here. Your first-time in Paris would be incomplete without it.

Must-try Parisian dishes

I’m unfortunately not the best person to answer this question for you. I’m kosher, so my options are quite limited when it comes to French cuisine. However, I can certainly give you a list of the dishes Paris is most known for.

One absolute classic is Bœuf Bourguignon, a slow-cooked beef stew with red wine, mushrooms, and vegetables, epitomizing hearty French cooking. Coq au Vin is another hearty meal, a tender chicken dish simmered in wine with mushrooms and herbs. Escargots, or snails, are a classic, generally doused with a generous amount of butter, garlic and herbs.

The best dishes, however, might come in the simplest forms.

The crépe is incredibly delicious and versatile, a thin pancake filled with anything from cheese to chocolate. In the next section I’ll tell you where to get the very best ones.

Another simple snack is the croque-monsieur, a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with béchamel sauce.

Exploring Paris’ best food markets: Marché Bastille, Marché d’Aligre

Ah, the markets! One of my favorite parts about not only Paris, but Europe, are the open-air markets where you can truly feel like a local and get a flavor for wherever you are. We don’t get that in America.

These markets are a must for your first-time in Paris.

Marché Bastille is probably the best market in Paris. Open on Sundays and Thursdays from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm, they offer fresh produce, cheeses, baked goods, local delicacies, and even clothing and other essentials.

It also happens to be home to the best crépes in town, as I mentioned above. If you walk down the market from the Place de la Bastille, you’ll find a Breton stand on the far right side. There will be two chefs there making crépes.

Head to the short black-haired man on the right. Trust me on this one. He’ll do it right.

Marché D’Aligre is a similar vibe, with an indoor section as well. It’s open on Tuesdays-Sundays from 7:00 am to 1:30 pm, and again from 4:00 to 7:30 pm.

While you’re here you should check out the nearby Blé Sucré, a boulangerie serving incredible croissants.

La Grande Épicerie de Paris is a whole different vibe. It isn’t an outdoor market, but instead a fancy indoor food mall serving an array of the most gourmet foods you’ll find.

Keep an eye out for free samples, of which there are many.

Top recommendations for budget-friendly meals

L’as du Falafel definitely takes the top prize for me. This middle-eastern restaurant serves the best falafel pita of your life for €9 apiece. They also have a large number of meat options, including lamb and turkey shawarma, for a few euros more.

I did promise to give some non-pita alternatives, so here goes.

Atelier Poké Toké is another that became one of my favorites. Get a high quality, large customizable poke bowl here for only €13 euros. There are a few other poke places on this road, but this one is miles ahead.

If you’re looking for authentic French cuisine at low prices, try out a bouillon. These are traditional eateries that serve classic meals in a casual setting, evoking a nostalgic early 20th century Parisian bistro kind of vibe. Two of the best are Bouillon Chartier and Bouillon Julien.

5. Understanding Paris for a First-Time Visitor

Parisian neighborhoods: Arrondissements explained

Paris is a massive city, but you’ll probably be spending all your time in the 20 arrondissements. This is the French word for district, and these 20 comprise the inner city of Paris, which is essentially a circle:

The arrondissements are organized in a clockwise spiral, often aptly likened to a snail shell. The 1st arrondissement starts at the heart of the city, containing the Louvre, Tuilerie Gardens and Place de la Concorde. From there the districts spiral out. See here for a quick, full description of each of the arrondissements.

Common tourist traps (and scams) and how to avoid them

As is the case in any touristy city, there are a significant number of tourists scams that you have to avoid.

Certain areas in Paris are especially full of them, notably the Eiffel Tower and the Latin quarter. In the Latin quarter, and all around the city to a lesser extent, do not go to a restaurant if there is someone at the door calling out to you on the street to come and sit. Always a tourist trap. In fact, I would advise against eating anywhere close to major tourist attractions like these.

Don’t eat anywhere with menus in English. This is clearly saying that the restaurant is being catered tourists. You want to eat like a local.

One more thing I’ll add is not to stop for any street performers offering you money if you win some sort of game.

They make it seem deceptively easy, sneaky in that they’ll have a friend of theirs pretend to be a tourist and win. Then a real tourist will try, and if you look closely they’ll always pull some shit to make sure you lose.

Watch this video if you’d like to see it in action.

Safety tips for solo travelers or families

Paris does unfortunately present some safety concerns. But if you know where to go, where to stay away from and when to be careful, you won’t have any problems.

There’s a pretty wide consensus that the northern parts of the 18th and 19th, as well as parts of the 20th, are not the best places to hang around at night. There’s not really much to do in these areas at night, so it shouldn’t affect you too much.

In general- especially if you’re on your own- try and stay away from narrow, empty streets. The same goes for anywhere you go, to be honest.

I’ve created an app where you can report safe, unsafe areas, and scams in real time in Paris. If you’d like to help out and use it on your trip, click this link. I’d appreciate it.

You’ll have to add it to your home screen manually though. Just click the share button and it’ll be an option. I’m not paying that app store developer fee. $99 for a year? Ridiculous.

6. Where to Stay in Paris: The Best Areas for First-Time Visitors

Best neighborhoods and arrondissements to stay in

The best areas to stay in depend largely on your personal preferences. Do you want to be as close as possible to the popular landmarks and museums. Maybe in an area known for its nightlife?

For me, the best place to stay is in the 2nd arrondissement. It ticks all my boxes.

You’re right in the center of the city, steps from the Louvre, the Opera, and the secret passages we discussed earlier. And it’s an area chalk-full of delicious eateries, highlighted by Rue Montorgeuil, one of my favorite streets in all of Paris, that I happened to live right off of.

So, obviously, no bias here.

Other areas that I would recommend are Le Marais and Bastille. These two are right next to one another and offer very different vibes. The Marais is full of charming boutiques, art galleries and cafés, while Bastille is famous for its nightlife.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter too much where you stay. The walkability of Paris and the ease of its transportation system make it easy enough to get everywhere from anywhere.

If you’d like a more detailed guide of the best arrondissements to stay in, read this article of mine.

Budget vs luxury: Accommodation options for every traveler

If you’re traveling on your own, all of the budget options come in the form of hostels. You can see a list of all the available hostels in Paris here.

For me the best often means the cheapest, and the cheapest hostels in Paris are from St. Christophers. It’s a chain that always comes with its trademark Belushi’s Bar, offering a more social experience.

They have two locations in Paris. One is in the 10th by Gare du Nord, and the other in the 19th by the Bassin de la Vilette. The hostel in the 10th is better and more centrally located, while the one in the 19th is a great spot in the summer. I wouldn’t stay there at any other time of year, though.

Press here to book for St. Christophers.

Another option is The People.

When I first arrived in Paris for my half-year stay, I didn’t have an apartment. I figured I’d find one quickly enough, and stayed at a hostel in the meantime. When it was all said and done, I’d lived there for two months and had become the longest-ever client of The People Paris Marais.

I therefore feel obligated to give them a good review. But it certainly deserves it, and you can press here to book. The People have three other locations in Paris, but the Marais location is by far the most central. The only downside here is that it’s a little more pricey.

If you want a more Parisian vibe, head to BVJ Opera-Montmartre. The location is maybe the best of any hostel in the city and it goes for around €30/night for a dorm.

And the lobby is insane.

Airbnbs are probably the call if you’re with a group of friends and want to avoid the hostels. Press here to see available Paris airbnbs.

Of course, if you’ve got money to spend and want a luxury Parisian vacation, there are no shortage of options! See here for a list of the best ones.

Conclusion

Paris is the greatest city on Earth. In my opinion, there really isn’t much that it lacks.

The food, the culture, the architecture, just the feel of the city. It simultaneously manages to be massive and bustling, but charming at the same time.

As a first-time visitor in Paris, you’ll leave with unforgettable memories. From the Eiffel Tower, to Montmartre, to simply walking along the Seine, you’ll have the time of your life, no matter how long you decide to stay.

There’s so much to do, and undoubtedly I’ll soon come back to this guide when I realize I’ve forgotten something important.

With this guide, I’ve prepared you to navigate your first-time in Paris like a pro, and I expect nothing less. Wander around. Discover new places. Get back to me and leave a comment if you come across something spectacular.

Get ready to fall in love with Paris.