Paris Travel Guide: The City of Light

Paris is more than a city; it is an idea. To millions of people around the world, it represents the pinnacle of romance, art, fashion, and gastronomy.

But Paris is also a real, functional, and sometimes gritty metropolis. It is a city of distinct "arrondissements" (districts) spiraling out from the center like a snail shell (l'escargot). Each neighborhood feels like a separate village. You have the hilltop bohemian village of Montmartre, the intellectual cafe-society of Saint-Germain, the LGBTQ+ friendly medieval maze of Le Marais, and the diverse, bustling streets of Belleville.

To truly understand Paris, you must look beyond the Eiffel Tower. You must learn the art of flânerie—aimless wandering.

1. Top Neighborhoods (Arrondissements)

Understanding the layout is key. The Seine river divides the city into the Right Bank (Rive Droite - North, traditionally commerce/business) and Left Bank (Rive Gauche - South, traditionally intellectual/arts).

Le Marais (3rd & 4th)

Best for: Shopping, history, nightlife. One of the only areas that wasn't bulldozed by Haussmann in the 19th century. Narrow, medieval cobble-stone streets filled with trendy boutiques, falafel shops, and hidden gardens (Place des Vosges).

Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th)

Best for: Classic Paris vibes, literary cafes. The heart of the Left Bank. This is where Hemingway, Sartre, and de Beauvoir drank coffee. Visit Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots, browse the art galleries, and picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens.

Montmartre (18th)

Best for: Villages vibes, views, artists. A village on a hill. It feels separate from the rest of the city. Climb to the Sacré-Cœur basilica for the view, then wander the quiet backstreets behind it to find vineyards and windmills.

The Latin Quarter (5th)

Best for: History, students, budget eats. Home to the Sorbonne University. It’s chaotic, young, and historic. See the Pantheon and browse the Shakespeare and Company bookstore.

The 11th (Bastille / Oberkampf)

Best for: Dining and local nightlife. This is where real Parisians govern. It has the best concentration of "Neo-Bistros" and wine bars.

2. Best Time to Visit

Paris is a year-round destination, but the experience changes drastically by season.

Spring (April - June)

The Vibe: Cherry blossoms, cafe terraces opening up, mild weather.
Crowds: High.
Verdict: The classic choice for a reason.

Summer (July - August)

The Vibe: Hot. Many locals flee to the coast in August ("La Rentrée" happens in Sept).
Event: Paris Plages (artificial beaches on the river).
Verdict: Great street life, but AC is rare in hotels.

Autumn (September - October)

The Vibe: Golden light, fashion week energy, crisp air.
Crowds: Moderate.
Verdict: Our favorite time to visit.

Winter (November - March)

The Vibe: Grey skies, cozy heated terraces, holiday lights.
Crowds: Low (except Xmas).
Verdict: Cheaper hotels and museums are empty.

3. Cultural Etiquette: How not to be "That Tourist"

The stereotype of the "Rude Parisian" is mostly a misunderstanding of etiquette.

Bonjour: You MUST say "Bonjour" (Good day) or "Bonsoir" (Good evening) when entering a shop or talking to anyone. It is not just a greeting; it is permission to speak. Skipping it is considered aggressive.
Volume: Americans tend to speak louder than French people. Lower your volume in restaurants and metro cars.
Dining: You have to ask for the bill ("L'addition, s'il vous plaît?"). The waiter will not bring it to you because they don't want to rush you. You own the table for the night.
Fashion: You don't need a beret. Just wear comfortable shoes (sneakers are fine now) and avoid "Athleisure" wear (leggings/gym shorts) unless you are actually jogging.

4. Getting Around

Walk: Paris is small. You can walk across the center in 45 minutes. It is the best way to see the architecture.
Metro: Dense and efficient.
- CityMapper: Download this app. It is better than Google Maps for Paris transit.
- Tickets: Buy a "Navigo Easy" pass and load 10 tickets (un carnet) on it. Don't buy paper tickets; they demagnetize.
Uber/Bolt: Highly available but traffic can be awful. Metro is often faster.

5. Food & Drink

Parisian food has evolved. It’s no longer just heavy cream sauces.

The Boulangerie Ritual

Croissant: For breakfast.
Baguette Tradition: The specific protected recipe. Look for "Artisan Boulanger" signs.
Sandwich Jambon-Beurre: Ham and butter on a baguette. The ultimate cheap lunch.

The Bistrot

Classic dishes like Steak Frites, Onion Soup, and Duck Confit.

Tip: Look for "Service Continu" if you want to eat at 4pm. Most restaurants close between 2pm and 7pm.

The Bouillon

Huge, historic dining halls serving classic French food at rock-bottom prices.

Try: Bouillon Pigalle or Bouillon Chartier. Expect a line, but it moves fast.

Natural Wine

Paris is the capital of the natural wine movement. Visit bars in the 11th arrondissement for funky, organic wines paired with small plates.

6. Museums (Beyond the Louvre)

If you hate crowds, skip the Mona Lisa.

Musée de l'Orangerie: Monet’s water lilies in oval rooms. Peaceful and stunning.
Musée d'Orsay: Impressionist masterpieces in a converted train station.
Musée Rodin: A sculpture garden where you can walk among "The Thinker."
Fondation Louis Vuitton: Incredible modern architecture by Frank Gehry in the Bois de Boulogne.

7. Budget & Money

Currency: Euro (€).
Tipping: Service is included in the bill ("Service Compris"). You do not need to tip 20%. Leaving small change (rounding up) is a nice gesture but not mandatory.
Water: Water is free. Ask for "Une carafe d'eau" (tap water). If you just ask for "water," they will bring a €7 bottle of Evian.

Daily Budget Estimates

Budget: €50-70 (Hostel, bakery lunches, metro).
Mid-Range: €150-200 (Hotel, bistro dinners).
Luxury: €500+ (Palace hotel, Michelin star).

Final Thoughts

Paris is a city of layers. There is the postcard Paris of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, and the real Paris of the morning commute and the corner tabac. Try to find the latter. Sit in a cafe for two hours with one coffee. Watch the people. Complain about the weather.

Congratulations, you're practically Parisian.

Paris Travel Guide 2025: The City of Light