Paris - Questions, Help, Suggestions

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First, is it worth it -There are plenty of places we'd like to see and explore: South America, Asia, etc. But, that being said, we have never been to France and Paris doesn't take a back seat to many, if any, major cities.

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Let me think for a sec. YES!!!!!

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Secondly - What to expect? Hotels? Airbnb? Getting around? Expensive? Museums, food, etc? Language? Aside from French in high school some 10 years ago, neither of us speak French.

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I did an apartment in St. Germain through Trip Advisor. Loved it.

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Thirdly - Any do/don'ts. Places to avoid. Things to skip?

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Versailles is way overrated, and as crowded as a Tokyo train. I think the Eiffel Tower is worth walking around but not worth going up. The Louvre is interesting but crowded and warm in the summer. The Musee d'Orsay is nice.

Mostly, I enjoyed just walking around and sitting in the cafes.

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Is it worth a (say) 5-7 day vacation? Any day trips or overnight trips outside we should capitalize on?

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I did nine days, and that was just about right. I think that five would be too short if you are coming from the States.

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First, is it worth it

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It is my favorite city so I would say yes. But as with all things, it depends on what you like. Do you like exploring cities? Amazing food? Wine? World class art? Paris is 2nd to none for all of that.

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Secondly - What to expect? Hotels? Airbnb?

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I have stayed in Hotels there, but I know many people love to stay in condos which are plentiful in Paris. I just prefer staying in Hotels if I can in foreign countries for a variety of reasons (checking bags, having a concierge, etc).

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Getting around?

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Their Metro (subway) is extremely convenient and I used it almost exclusively outside of a few cabs and the like).

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Expensive?

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It CAN be. Do you want to stay at a 5 star hotel with a view of a landmark? Do you want to eat at 3 Michelin Star restaurants? It will be pricey as frick.

If you're ok with searching for a well reviewed hotel at a good price, and you research restaurants that won't kill you price wise, you'll be fine.

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Museums

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I mean...It has the fricking Louvre. Not to mention the D'Orsay and others.

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food

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I mean...its Paris. I can give you a bunch of wonderful restaurants that run the gamut of price.

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Language?

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Everyone speaks English. HOWEVER...learn some basic French phrases and then let them know you don't speak French well and they will speak English with you and be MUCH nicer. The French all speak English but hate when people don't at least make an attempt to speak French first. This isn't necessary, but you will have a better time.

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Thirdly - Any do/don'ts. Places to avoid. Things to skip?

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Skip a day trip to Versailles. I was personally very underwhelmed. Take a day trip out to Reims/Champagne or out to Normandy instead (IF you have time for a day trip, that is).


In short, go.

Tips:

Stay in the one of lower numbered Arrondissments (districts). Paris is arrayed like a snail, with the lower numbered districts starting in the center and pinwheeling out. The lower number ones (1-8) have the majority of tourist attractions with the notable exception of Montmarte, and are nicer.

Near the Eiffel Tower is a shite show. It is filled with immigrants hawking crap. The Eiffel is beautiful but that can suck. They can be kind of aggressive, and are even worse in Montmarte. Lots of gypsies and scammers all over.

ParisByMouth.com is an amazing guide for eating all over Paris. Use it.

Do it. I may complain about Paris sometimes because I live here and am no longer a tourist, but it's an amazing city.

One thing I would suggest, besides learning just a few key French phrases, and starting off greeting in french then asking if they speak English, is to also say hello in every shop you walk into. The French treat their businesses like their homes, don't just walk inside and not acknowledge them.

Also, if you don't want to stick out, you really need to dress nicely. No cargo, no shorts, no tshirts. You'll feel out of place otherwise.

Most everyone here will give pretty solid suggestions. I'd say a good day trip is always fun. I send family and friends to Brussels and Amsterdam pretty often and they get a kick out of the fact that it's a quick train ride. Normandy is great too.

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Regardless of whether you're flying into CDG or Orly, consider hiring a service to take you to your destination rather than the Metro or a taxi.

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Any particular company you’d recommend?

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Normandy

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This seems like more than a day trip based on my very early research. Did you do it in a day and enjoy it?

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Champagne country

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Any particular area / tour that you’ve enjoyed?

Thanks for the help thus far.

What time of year are you going? That may alter some choices. Two of my favorite things were Versailles and Musée Rodin. We went in the spring and the gardens were beautiful for both. TBH I hate crowds and didn’t find it crowded at all. Maybe we lucked out, but I wouldn’t trade that experience. Stuck around Versailles and had a carafe of wine and cheese. It was an excellent day that my SO will never forget. If it’s something you want to do, do it! Plan wisely and get there early. Def worth the trip.

About to leave for the airport now from being in Paris (and now Switzerland). A 5-7 day trip was great. We did 8 full days in Paris and never left the city. We took the days slower because my wife is 10 weeks pregnant and nauseous and exhausted. But even 8 days of dull energy I can see how you would still never run out of things to do.

We did an Airbnb right above Notre-Dame. It was great. Felt very safe and it had a washer and dryer. I’d recommend doing that if you can.

One tip I didn’t know until day 4. Cafes, if there is no silverware outside on the tables you can sit yourself. If there is, normally you have them sit you. Also, not everyone in Paris speaks English like people are saying. They will by the tourist attractions, but don’t expect them to always know English if you aren’t by a major attraction.

Also, the myth about Parisians being rude to me was far off. Never once felt anyone was rude outside of what I get back home. Maybe one bad waiter? But even my waitress the first night who spoke no English was nice and smiled and laughed the entire time as we all tried to communicate.

Definitely do it. Idk if I need to do this trip more than once, but I definitely think it’s a trip that has to be taken once in your life.

Yes, Duolingo is helpful. Easy to fit into your day, short focused lessons, and the phone app lets you do a little almost anywhere.

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One of the great things about Paris, and this is counter intuitive when traveling, is that it is a fantastic city to have no plans in. Now I dont mean just staying in your apartment and watching 5th Wheel re runs, I mean just go out and wander with no preconceived notion of things to do, boxes to check, or paintings to see. Do research on things you might like to do in each arrondisement, places to eat, drink, snack, or shop, and then just spend a day exploring that particular area.

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Went about 5 years ago, and had so many serendipitously wonderful experiences just wandering around and not yet doing any of the real things we had planned yet from the time we landed (on one of those flights that arrived around 5:30 am local time - as I think most do) until the time we could check into our hotel, that we said we could fly out that afternoon and feel like we had a great trip.