Travel Guide to Paris

If you’ve never been to Paris, then it’s important to remember before going that anything goes in the city of lights and love. It’s not unlikely that in a given day you’ll see the following: a car bump into multiple cars while trying to parallel park, a car wreck and someone peeing on the sidewalk. Now is it likely you’ll see all of these things? Probably not, although I’ve seen all of these things in one day in Paris. However, all of this reminds us of the uniqueness of Paris that you’ll find nowhere else.

As you’re planning where to stay in Paris, I recommend staying as close to the Champs Elysè as possible. Yes, accommodations will be expensive, but it will keep you from having to spend too much time and money on transportation, as a lot of the restaurants, attractions and entertainment you’ll want to experience will be within walking distance. For rainy days or getting around further distances, the metro or bus is your best transportation method.

Make sure to have a phrase book or dictionary handy when going around Paris. The French are welcoming of visitors, but it’ll go a long way when you at least show effort in speaking their language, even if you stumble through it. Many people you talk with will speak English, but trying to speak their language will make for a more enjoyable trip.

As you’re getting around, always be familiar with your bearings and be conscious of your belongings. Paris is renowned for their juvenile pickpockets, which you’ll quickly find out by the signs around Paris that warn about protecting your belongings. It’s not a dangerous city, but with all the people passing by at the metro, museums, restaurants and so on, it can be a haven for pickpockets. Personally, I always kept my valuables, such as my wallet in my front pockets and in all my trips there never had anything stolen.

[photo courtesy of Al Ianni]