Paris Travel Guide
Hi Babes,
I just got back from the best two weeks of my life in Paris and I wanted to recap and share everything in one place! We did so much and learned along the way, so I want to share some tips & tricks, recommendations and the things Paris related just in case you plan on going any time in the future (which I definitely recommend)
PACKING TIPS:
Bring converters for your electronics. France uses Type-C. You can easily purchase them on Amazon
Check your hair tools to see if they are compatible
If they are not, it could blow a fuse and ruin your tools (aka the dyson is NOT compatible)
I brought my T3 Micro curling iron and it is compatible. Shop HERE dc: ALLYSAT320
What to look for: (dual) Auto World Voltage (100-240V): For use around the world (plug adapter needed)
See everything I purchased HERE to make traveling a little easier (especially if you’re an over packer like me)
TIPS (In general):
Always say “Bonjour!” as a greeting. They appreciate this and everyone does it.
Get a credit card with NO international fees - I have the AMEX business platinum and I loved it. Most places take AMEX and you get airport lounge access which is a plus
Sign up for the AMEX with my link to get extra points with my referral HERE
No international fees
Lounge access at airports
Flight insurance
Monthly Uber credit
Global Entry credit
Airline credit
Make dinner reservations ahead of time - A lot of restaurants use a website called sevenrooms.com. It’s very similar to opentable
If you need somewhere to store your luggage between stays (check in is usually 3-4pm and check out is typically 11am) we used Nannybag and had a great experience
You have to ask for tap water otherwise they will serve you a bottle of evian that cost 8 euros per bottle (yes, we learned this the hard way)
You have to ask for the check! Otherwise you will sit there waiting. They were more than happy to split the check by person (which I feel like is rare in the US)
Tipping is NOT mandatory, it’s included in the price. If you feel like your service was above and beyond, you can tip 1 - 2 euros. It’s not like the US where you tip 20%
STAYS:
We definitely could have done a better job, but since we extended our trip last minute, we had to find a new airbnb, so we moved around a total of 6 times (with 3 suitcases each, YIKES!) - Uber Van was clutch for this even though it was pricey. Here is where we stayed:
Airbnb 1 HERE
Pros: very cute, partial view of the eiffel tower, pretty balconies, elevator in the buidling, right next to a cafe
Con’s: very small elevator, don’t lose the keys because there is no other way to get in, semi-difficult lock
Hotel with our hosted trip HERE
Pros: in great area with a lot of restaurants, close to jardin du luxembourg, close to cafe de flore, elevators, breakfast available
Cons: they charged us a $5 damage fee for having foundation on the towels… so I’m not supposed to wash my face?
Hotel in Bordeaux HERE
Pros: close to everything! So many restaurants, cafes, shopping, etc.
Cons: small rooms but other than that it was so good
Airbnb 2 HERE
This one was truly a Parisian flat experience. It was pretty big (2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen room, washer). We booked it specifically for the balcony content.
Pros: Huge, great balcony view, next to grocery stores, restaurants & metro stop near by, very secure
Cons: No elevator (dragged our luggage up 2 flights), far from the eiffel tower (20min+ drive which gets expensive)
Airbnb 3 HERE (similar listing; same location, different listing)
Pros: Great location, walking distance to eiffel tower, elevator available
Cons: We didn’t have the best experience. Not great communication, didn’t give us toilet paper?, late check in which affected our plans, no AC (provided a small fan)
TRANSPORTATION:
This is definitely based on preference, but France has very good public transportation. For me, I like to see the city when moving around, but yes, it costs more then the metro
Metro - just like the subway in NYC, the metro can get you a ton a places quicker than a car / bus. It’s the cheapest option, but it can get crowded, hot and stuffy and of course you can’t see the city as you go by
Bus - this is another option. We didn’t do this because it took just as a long as an uber / taxi
Uber - we preferred Uber for longer drives (more than 10mins) because it’s a set rate, where as the taxi rate is based on time
There is also Uber Van which was super helpful when it came to moving our luggage from airbnb to airbnb
Taxi - this was a great option for shorter drives, but be aware of a few things
The green light on top of the car means it’s available, red light means it’s occupied
We learned to ask if they take card because they prefer cash and some will get mad if you don’t have cash, so we just asked up front and if they said not to card, we wouldn’t take it.
There are designated taxi spots where they wait if you don’t have success grabbing one on the side of the road
RESTAURANTS:
An important note: We definitely went to restaurants based off of the vibes and aesthetics and not the food quality. Some places the food was decent and some places, not so much.
TIPS:
Ask for tap water, otherwise you will be served an evian bottle that costs $8 euros per bottle
You have to ask for the check when you’re done
Tipping is NOT mandatory, and if you do, it’s like 1 - 2 euros. Not 20% like in the US. If they know you’re American, they will try to take advantage of you.
Make reservations ahead of time if you can! Alot of them use sevenrooms.com (very simialr to open table in the states)
Places we ate:
Pros: very aesthetic, food was decent, right next to the opera house which is beautiful
Cons: didn’t know about the water, the server kept asking for a tip and we were confused, slow service, expensive
We got a salad each, french fries, a glass of wine, and a water and the bill was $100 euros
Note: we had a reservation
Pros: beautiful location, food was pretty decent
Cons: Not really any
We did not have a reservation, we walked up during lunch time
Pros: ICONIC location, views of the eiffel tower, I loved the food here.
Cons: Waiter asking for tip aggressively
Note: You definitely need a reservation
DO NOT RECOMMEND! WORST EXPERIENCE EVER
Pro: the view. that’s literally it. Don’t waste your time here. Tourist trap and a scam.
Cons: Everything. Since they knew we were American, they overcharged us, asked for a crazy tip. The experience was so bad.
Note: we had a reservation
Pros: Absolutely loved! Great view of the eiffel tower. Food was delicious.
Cons: None.
Note: we had a reservation
Pros: We went for breakfast and the tea room was so cute. Food was delicious
Cons: None
Note: we did not have a reservation. We showed up on the earlier side. We had to wait in a small line, and was seated. We went on a weekday
Pros: Fun environment. We didn’t eat dinner here, we did the club. We got a table
Cons: A little far from everything. It’s near Moulin Rouge
Pink Mamma (didn’t make it)
We unfortunately did not make the reservation, but from everything that I’ve heard it’s definitely worth it. Will definitely try to go next time I’m in Paris
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS WORTH SEEING:
Eiffel Tower (obviously) - There are so many different vantage points to try
Champ de Mars
All the bridges near it
The bridge right in front of it
Louvre - purchased tickets ahead of time
Chateau de Versailles - purchased tickets ahead of time
Tuleries
Dior Museum (currently available) - or any designer museum - purchased tickets ahead of time
Opera House - we didn’t go, but our friends did and they loved it - Purchase ticket ahead of time
I think post Covid, places are maintaining requiring tickets, so make sure to double check if you need to purchase a ticket in advance.
(AESTHETIC) COFFEE SHOPS:
Cafe Saint Laurent - a little hole in the wall next to the YSL store. No seating available. Just for take away
Cafe Kitsune - so cute! Seating outside
Cafe de Flore - get here early to get a good seat
Dior Cafe - inside the Dior store on Ave. Montaigne
Carette (famous hot chocolate & whipped cream)
SHOPPING:
We wandered to so many different shopping areas. Here are some of my favs:
Avenue Montaigne (close to Champs Elysees)
Rue St. Honore (close to the Tuleries, louvre area)
Galerie Lafayette (close to the opera house)
Note: If you spend over $101 euros, you can shop TAX FREE (also known as VAT tax (value added tax)). When shopping you ask for the forms and they will give them to you.
Keep the receipts in a safe place because you have to validate them at the airport before you check in.
You will need: the VAT form, receipt, and goods that you bought available
PHOTO LOCATIONS (This is a brief summary - I will do a more indepth post HERE):
Eiffel Tower
right in front (at night) - Pont D’iena
The Louvre (at night)
We would get kicked out around 11:45pm and it gets dark at 11pm so you don’t have that long so plan ahead!
Ave de Camoens
A few different vantage points so you can bring a few outfits. There’s a flower shop near by if you want a prop.
Rue de l’Universite
GET HERE EARLY! We went at 8am. It starts to get busy by 9am and evenings are the worst.
We shot here ALOT! You can get the eiffel tower in the shot, or just use the aesthetic walls.
Palais Royal
This has the black & white stumps. Very aesthetic
Cafe Kitsune (near Palais Royal)
SO CUTE! Love the casual vibe
Versailles Hall of Mirrors
Again, GET HERE EARLY! We got there at 9am and it worked out. Any later and you will have tons of people in your photos
Moloko (sign that says “sorry mum, I’m in Paris”)
Restaurant that turns into a club with the iconic sign
Polene store (a vibe)
A very aesthetic store
Cafe shot sitting outside
Any cafe can be so cute. Try to sit outside!
Cafe de Flore
Iconic but gets busy. Get there as early as possible!
Side streets are very aesthetic
Just walking around, we found so many cute streets that weren’t very busy.
Ave Montaigne (all the designer stores)
My favorite street to shoot with the designer stores in the background
VAT TAX INFORMATION:
When you shop in France, if it’s over $101 euros, you can shop Tax free. This is called VAT TAX in the stores and you get a tax refund.
How it works:
You shop and spend $101+ euros
When you checkout, they will give you a form. DO NOT lose it.
When you go to the airport, get there early enough so that you have time to validate your forms for your tax refund (there may be a line)
Make sure you have: VAT Tax form, receipt, actual goods available
You will scan all your forms and the machine will tell you if it’s approved or if you need to see the agent. (All of mine were approved accept my Chanel purchase which was my biggest).
You will see the agent and they will ask for the VAT form, receipt, goods.
They will manually approve and you will be on your way
It’s pretty simple but could take awhile if the line is long.
YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE YOU CHECK YOUR BAGS!!
COVID RESTRICTIONS:
As of 6/2/22, we only had to fill out a health form before we traveled and submitted it to the airlines ahead of time. This included submitting our vaccine cards
While in France, there were NO RESTRICTIONS whatsoever. No masks, no vaccine cards, etc
As of 6/12/22, the US removed the requirement to submit a negative test before flying home. We left 6/17/22 and didn’t need to do anything
Hopefully this helps your future travels to Paris! If you have any questions or want me to add any other sections, let me know in the comments and I will add it to this post!
