Paris Vacation Ideas for the First‑Timer

My family experienced Paris for the first time last summer and will never forget our time in the City of Light. As we discovered, there’s so many things to do in Paris, France. Even if you have a week to spend in this grand European city, as we did, it’s important to plan your Paris itinerary ahead and have a basic understanding of its geography and culture to make the most of your time there.

Learn the Language and Culture

The Parisians we met were absolutely delightful — and that could be, in part, because we were open to learning the language. Simply memorizing a few phrases and understanding a few cultural nuances can go a long way with the locals.

For example, the French expect you to greet them upon entering any restaurant or business. The standard phrasing is bonjour during daytime and bonsoir in the evenings. Other important words to know — and use — include merci for thank you, s’il vous plait for please and pardon (emphasis on the second syllable) for when you bump into people, which happens quite a lot!

We also found ca va, which can mean “it’s OK” or “that is good,” worked well in many situations. Making an effort to speak the language, even if it’s just a few words here and there, will positively affect your interactions with locals.

Another cultural quirk: You’ll need to ask for your bill at a restaurant. Many Europeans consider it rude to present it until you’re ready.

Navigate the City

Paris is divided into two sections: the Right Bank and the Left Bank (named for which side of the River Seine they rest on). The Right Bank is more upscale and includes the Louvre, Tuileries, the Champs Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, while the Left Bank is artsier and filled with students of the Sorbonne. The Left Bank is also home to a number of popular sights such as the Musée d’Orsay, which is filled with important Impressionist art, the Eiffel Tower and the charming Saint Germain des Prés arrondissement, or district.

The city is easy to navigate and has many different transportation options, including our favorite: by foot! Our first night in Paris, we took a sunset stroll from the Paris Opera House to the Seine, walking past the Louvre, meandering through the Tuileries Garden and getting our first glimpse of the Arc de Triomphe. It was truly magical as we watched the city light up at night, especially the Eiffel Tower, which “glitters” with a sparkling light show every hour on the hour after dark.

In addition to walking, we used both the bus and metro. We bought a multi-day pass called a Carte Paris Visite, which saves you from buying tickets each time you need to travel — you can use one pass for all rides.

Explore the City’s Rich Culture

There is so much to see in Paris that first-time visitors can quickly become overwhelmed. We purchased a Paris Museum Pass, which provides entry into key Paris cultural institutions for one price over the span of two, four or six days. Our pass allowed us to visit the funky Pompidou Centre of Modern Art, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. We also enjoyed access to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, where we were blessed with an unbeatable view of a rainbow over the city.

For busy museums like the Louvre, visit on Wednesday or Friday nights when they offer extended hours. We walked right in on a Friday night and headed straight to the Mona Lisa, where we had a clear view of one of the most famous paintings in the world.

Visit the World-Famous Landmarks

A day trip to the royal chateau and museum of Versailles requires advanced planning, which we didn’t know ahead of time! Tickets for the train route often sell out, but we were lucky to snag seats.

Another popular attraction is the Paris Catacombs. When we arrived without tickets, the line was several hours long. For a shorter wait, buy a Skip-the-Line ticket in advance online and try to not to visit during the busier months of April through September.

First-time visitors usually want to ascend the Eiffel Tower. Although it was confusing at first, we eventually figured out how to reach the top. You’ll take two elevators to reach the uppermost viewing platforms; one elevator delivers you to the second level, and then you’ll transfer to the second elevator for your ride to the top. You can walk up the stairs to the second level to save money or choose the two-elevator ticket to bypass any climbing.

If you’re in the city long enough for more Paris sightseeing, take the time to explore the lovely Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which sits high on the hill of Montmartre, a former artist’s colony. And then buy your tickets online in advance and head to the Paris Opera House, which is one of the most ornate buildings I’ve ever seen — it’s a fitting way to say goodbye to the City of Love.

By: Lyn M., a paid contributor