Anyone traveling to Paris is going to have to think about many of the same things before arriving – how long to visit, where to stay, what to do, how to get around, etc. And for someone who’s seeing Paris for the first time, there are bound to be even more questions about those subjects. So in this article, you’ll find links to the resources which will help you plan your Paris trip – whether it’s your first time or not, although many of these things are probably going to be most useful to first-time visitors to Paris.
Paris is a big city, so it pays to be looking at a city map when you’re planning your visit. But beyond that, the city is divided into districts called “arrondissements,” the numbers of which don’t always correspond exactly to the boundaries of the various neighborhoods in Paris. For many reasons when you’re planning a trip, it’s just a good idea to get to know the city’s layout.
One of the first things you’ll notice is the Seine river that cuts through the city center. Each side of the river has a name – the Right Bank and the Left Bank. This comes into play when you’re getting around the city, and when you’re choosing where to stay, so it’s a good idea to become familiar with each “bank,” what’s there, and what you can expect there.
Paris, the City of Light, is filled with thousands of hotels, attractions, shops and restaurants. Get help focusing on where to stay, where to eat, where to go and more basics before you go to Paris.
Getting There
Paris is one of the most popular destinations in the world, which makes it quite easy to access. It is a major hub for many airlines, and a great starting point or stopover during a European vacation. Since it is so popular, there are also many great bargains on airfare, lodging or vacation packages.
Getting Around
Paris is divided into arrondissements, or neighborhoods. These arrondissements run in a circular spiral starting at the center of the city and winding outwards. The city is also divided by the Seine River, and the two sides are the Left Bank and Right Bank.
Public transportation in Paris is extensive, including the popular Metro trains, France's train system running to points outside the city, a bus system, and more.
Where to Stay
There are hundreds of hotels in Paris, which can make it a pretty daunting task to isolate the right one for you. The best thing to do is to determine which attractions you want to see most and which arrondissements there are within (the map link above will help). Once you do that, search for lodging within that arrondissement or close by. Many of the most popular attractions are within the first five arrondissements.
Once you've done that, you need to decide how much to spend and whether your room should be luxurious or basic. The French government regulates the star ratings, which is quite helpful. You will pay the least (and usually get the least) with one and two star hotels. Three star hotels are usually reasonably-priced and comfortable enough for most travelers. Or you can live it up in four-star accomodations.
Where to Eat and Drink
One of the most divine indulgences on a visit to Paris is definitely the food. Some of the best gourmet restaurants in the world are located here. Even cheap cafe eats or street crepe vendor food is wonderful.
It can help to do some research first about where you want to dine. For some of the most popular restaurants, you can even make reservations online. You can also ask your concierge for help booking reservations, or for suggestions on where to eat. Note that in Paris, dinnertime is commonly later than in the U.S., and is around 7 or 8 p.m. Unlike smaller French cities where it can be tough to find an open restaurant between lunchtime and dinnertime, however, there is always somewhere in Paris to grab a bite.
Paris is also packed with several hip nightclubs, jazz clubs and fun cafes.
Paris Attractions
The city of light has many of the world's most visited attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Arc de Triomphe. It's impossible to see them all, but do your homework first and prioritize. With a numbered list, you can start with the most important. Then, anything you miss will be less important.
Romantic Paris
Paris is ideal for a romantic getaway, a honeymoon, and anniversary trip, secret plans to propose, or any venture for a couple.
More about Paris will be posted soon
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