Europe, France, Short Breaks
Visiting Paris for the first time: The ultimate beginner’s guide to Paris
On my first visit to Paris during a high school trip, I was immediately captivated by The impressive City of Lights. It wasn’t until I was in college that I had the opportunity to work in Paris for 10 days. That’s when I really fell in love with this vibrant metropolis. After that, many more Paris getaways followed. Living just a 3-hour drive from The City of Lights has its advantages. During my twenties, this beautiful city became the mecca for spontaneous trips with friends. Why shopping or party in our neighborhood while we could go a for weekend getaway in Paris? Since then, visiting Paris has become an annual tradition. This is how the idea arose to create a beginner’s guide to Paris with all the info you need for visting Paris for the first time.
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Visiting Paris for the first time: The ultimate beginner’s guide to Paris
How to get to Paris?
How to get around in Paris?
Since a few years you can also use an electric scooter to explore Paris. You can find them almost on every corner of the street. These are easy to use and convenient for covering short distances within the city. They are also very affordable. To unlock the scooter, just download the app of the brand you want to use. Usually you have to pay a small amount as a guarantee through this app. Afterwards you pay per minute that you use the scooter.
When is the best time to visit Paris?
How long to stay in Paris?
Where to stay in Paris
Deciding where to stay in Paris is always a difficult choice. On one hand you want to stay in a nice neighborhood, but on the other hand you also want a qualitative stay. I have already tried many hotels in Paris and I can definitely recommend these:
Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche
Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche is located between the fifth and sixth arrondissement of Paris, more precisely between the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain. These are by far my favorite neighborhoods in Paris. This beautiful four star boutique hotel is housed in an elegant 17th century building. It was completely renovated in 2015, but the French elegant style and authenticity can still be admired in many facets.
Read more about Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche
Hotel Maison Malesherbes
Hotel Maison Malesherbes is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, more precisely in the Saint Augustin district. This neighborhood is characterized by beautiful, large Parisian boulevards with on both sides impressive buildings, quite the architecturale gems. This enchanting four star boutique hotel is also housed in one of these classic buildings. The unique interior of Hotel Maison Malesherbes ensures that you feel like you’re in an 18th-century French bourgeois mansion.
Read more about Hotel Maison Malesherbes
Hotel Le Friedland
Hotel Le Friedland is located in the heart of the 8th arrondissement as well, on the famous boulevard Faubourg Saint Honoré with its luxurious shops. The hotel is also situated a stone’s throw from the equally famous Champs-Elysées with the Arc de Triomphe as its crown jewel. This contemporary four star boutique hotel with minimalist design is therefore the perfect base for a weekend full of shopping.
Read more about Hotel Le Friedland
More hotels in Paris
Of course there are many more beautiful hotels in Paris. This map widget from booking makes it extremely easy for you to find the perfect hotel in the area where you would like to stay.
The best sights and things to do when visiting Paris for the first time
The best things to do in Paris
Eiffel Tower
When it comes to the Eiffel Tower, opinions are divided. Some are big fans and others think this gigantic tower is a monstrosity. Regardless of the difference of opinions, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular landmarks in France and an icon in Paris. So if you are visiting Paris for the first time, it’s a definitely something you need to see. If you have time to brave a queue, you might wanna consider to climb the Eiffel Tower. The view from this Parisian icon will certainly not disappoint.
Opera Garnier is my absolute favourite place in Paris! It’s so impressive!
I know right? It’s so stunning!
This post has given me so much wanderlust! I need to go back to Paris and see some of the things I missed on this itinerary 🙂
I hope you can visit Paris very soon!
Paris was the last trip I made in January 2020 before the pandemic. It was my 2nd time there, this time staying in Le Marais. *Sigh* I love Paris! Thanks for a great post, Sarah. And for giving me a bit of virtual travel.
Oh I do miss it too! Hope we can revisit the City of Lights soon!
Wow! What a fabulous guide. I hope to go to Paris this Spring if things open up. This guide will certainly come in handy. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Oh I hope you get to see Paris soon! 🙂
This is an amazing first timer’s guide to Paris. It looks like you had so much fun in Paris and your photos are beautiful!
Thank you Disha, this means so much to me! <3