My heart did a funny thing the first time I looked out of a plane window to see Paris below. After all, who hasn’t dreamed of visiting what is one of Europe’s most iconic cities?
I only had a few days to spend here, and the pressure to make every moment count certainly made itself known in my gut. I could feel the clock already ticking away as I stood waiting for my luggage. But soon after, I was tucked inside a vehicle and spirited away into a cityscape that surely lives up to its reputation.
As you near the city center, there’s no shortage of glitz and glam. Even the building facades are a work of art. But all the opulence and a lifetime’s worth of expectations can make that first encounter seem a bit overwhelming. So, let’s break down a few things that will help you make the most out of your first time in the City of Light.
Where to Stay
I highly recommend staying in Paris’s Left Bank. This central part of Paris is the area on the left bank of the Seine River. There are lots of chic boutique hotels in this area, and you are right in the heart of classic Parisian architecture. You can’t turn a corner without finding an instant photo op.
In the Left Bank you can easily access the Champ de Mars, Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens), and the Pantheon. Many hotels offer views of the Eiffel Tower from your balcony or window. This feature becomes especially nice after the sun sets when the Eiffel Tower is wrapped in a stunning light display that shifts and shimmers as you watch.
A work assignment took me to Paris for the first time. I was attending a series of meetings at UNESCO Headquarters on Pl. de Fontenoy, just one block from the Champ de Mars.
In order to stay close to UNESCO Headquarters, I stayed at Hotel Baldi by Magna Arbor. My first impression of this small but stylish hotel on nearby Garibaldi Avenue was decidedly a fond one. The property put me within easy walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, other nearby attractions, and public transportation. Thanks to the small balcony attached to my room, I spent my first evening in Paris enjoying dinner on my room’s small balcony as the Eiffel Tower glittered in the distance.
Beginner’s tip: make sure you have an electrical adapter for charging your devices. Paris, like much of Europe, uses Type C and E sockets, while the USA uses Type A and B. Some hotels offer universal outlets or USB plugins, but it’s hard to know ahead of time. You can easily pick up a travel adapter before you go.
Whether it’s shopping, dining, walking, or snapping photos, you really can’t go wrong staying in this area. This location gives you easy access to both the 7th (Palais-Bourbon) and 15th (Vaugirard) arrondissements, the term for Parisian neighborhoods.
You can easily find lots of great eateries, grocery shops, bookstores, boulangeries, and patisseries nearby. If your French isn’t très bien, don’t sweat it. In my experience, if you’re composed and polite when you try to communicate, people do their best to try and help you. If spoken language isn’t cutting it, never underestimate the power of gesticulating.
Having a smartphone and eSIM certainly helps too. Using your phone, you can translate menus and street signs, access navigation, and learn more about the landmarks you come across. This helps take a lot of the stress out of getting around the city.
How to Get Around
You may already have your own ideas of where to visit, but if you’re looking to hit the hot spots, hop-on hop-off bus tours, like Big Bus Paris, make the circuit between many of the city’s most famous sites. If you choose to go this route, you can buy a one or two-day pass that gives you unlimited rides along the route of your choosing.
You’ll be riding in style with plenty of space to stretch out. These double-decker buses even offer seating in the open air if you prefer, and guided headphone narration is included in a number of languages.
Catching the bus is simple. Find the nearest designated bus stop (don’t worry, they’re easy to spot), show your voucher, and receive your pass. You can hop off at every stop to explore the sights, or you can ride on to wherever is at the top of your bucket list.
This is also an easy way to access sites on both sides of the river, as well as the Île de la Cité. Easily visit locales like:
- The Champ de Mars
- Louvre
- Pantheon
- Palais Garnier
- Notre Dame
- Hôtel des Invalides
- Champs Elysées
- Arc de Triomphe
- Musée d’Orsay
- Grand Palais
- And more!
When you’re ready to move on, just find the nearest hop-on bus stop and grab the next ride. They come by every few minutes.
This is a great way to get a tour of the city and get up close and personal with all that Paris has to offer. It’s also a much cheaper option than a taxi or rideshare service. And you will have plenty to keep you busy for several days or more depending on your pace.
Bonus: If you go in December, you may be in time to visit one of the local Christmas markets.
As hard as it is to bid adieu, be aware that it is a fair distance to the Orly. or Charles de Gaulle aiports from Central Paris. You can prebook a shared shuttle both to and from the airport or arrange for an airport transfer through travel sites like Expedia.
If you’re looking for another option and don’t mind spending more, you can hire a taxi or ride share. This goes for getting around the city too, but again, it’s not as budget-friendly.
Don’t Miss
The sights and sounds of Paris are excellent, but the flavors are extraordinary! So definitely find time to visit a boulangerie (bakery) and patisserie (pastry shop).
Boulangeries primarily sell artisan breads and that most famous of all Parisian fare—the croissant. Patisseries, on the other hand, cater to those with a sweeter tooth. Here you’ll find things like fruit tarts, eclairs, and finely layered cakes that are both delicately crafted and scrumptious. Trust me when I say that Parisian pastries live up to the hype.
And, of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without trying the macarons. You don’t have to look far to find fabulous options in this regard. Lauduree is one of the most well-known, but don’t be afraid to stop in at whichever local shop you discover.
By the way, these make unforgettable souvenirs for people back home too. There are so many interesting and colorful flavors to try. If you miss your chance in the city, don’t worry; there’s a Lauduree shop in the CDG airport.
When you’re ready for a more relaxed break from the hustle and bustle of the touristy crowd, try taking a walk around the neighborhood. You’ll feel like you’re living a scene out of a movie. It’s also a great way to work off the pastry (or three) you’ve just enjoyed.
Every street corner looks like a scene from a postcard. So if you need a little room to breathe and stretch your legs, don’t hesitate to take a promenade around the block. This was one of my favorite experiences, and my first time walking out on the streets of Paris felt like stepping into a dream.
I’m a big classic novel buff, and I’ve lived many lifetimes in this beautiful city through the pages of some antique book. There’s a lot to explore here, and the allure is hard to overstate. After all, Paris has been at the center of many significant historical events. It’s also hard to forget the vivid stories of romance and intrigue that authors like Alexandre Dumas, Gaston Leroux, and Baroness Orczy painted against the backdrop of Paris’s arrondissements.
Is It Safe to Visit Solo?
One question I’ve been asked since visiting is whether Paris is safe for solo female travelers. I never felt unsafe during any part of my visit. I was there during the winter when the tourist population was less, but everyone I interacted with at the attractions I visited was kind and helpful. The only advice I would offer, and this applies to every city, is to keep an eye on your personal items. Walking is common among residents during waking hours (7 am-10 pm for example), so you’ll have plenty of company as you make your way around the neighborhood.
For the most part, walking solo feels pretty safe, even after dark as well. That said, it’s still wise to stick to well-lit and populated areas. Keep aware of your surroundings, and make sure you know your emergency contact numbers.
Personal safety tip: Consider letting someone that you trust to keep track of your location on an app like Find My Friends. This gives you an extra later of security and greater peace of mind.
So What Are You Waiting For?
Paris really is a once in a lifetime experience, whether or not it happens just once in your lifetime. It’s one small corner of the world you just can’t miss. Depending on the travel season, you can find some great deals on airfare to get you on your way. I got an unbelievable deal last time I went by bundling my airfare and hotel stay through Expedia.
Even for the budget-conscious traveler, you will likely be surprised to realize just how affordable it is in the off-season. So, saisir l’instant; grab your passport and some walking shoes and make your Paris dreams a reality.
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