Top 5 Insider Tips in Paris

Some of you may have been to Paris at least once and can confirm that the French capital evokes a certain longing that resurfaces even after you've returned home.

Whether you want to spend a weekend in Paris or are planning a longer trip, our Paris tips will show you how to get to know the French capital well in a short time. Discover the best ways to travel to Paris, the must-see attractions, and where to enjoy traditional French cuisine.

5 Insider Tips for Your City Trip to Paris That You Probably Didn't Know

If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower while approaching Charles de Gaulle Airport. You'll also see just how large Paris is with its over 12 million inhabitants. The airport is about 22 km from the city center. After landing, simply follow the signs to RER B towards Gare du Nord. Tickets can be purchased from machines or directly at the counter. Keep in mind that some ticket machines do not accept cash, so it's best to bring some coins. The ride takes between 35 and 45 minutes, depending on whether you catch a train that goes straight to Gare du Nord or one that stops at other stations along the way. From Orly Airport, the best option is to take the Orlyval to Anthony Station and then the RER B to Gare du Nord.

Depending on which part of the U.S. you're traveling from, it might even make more sense to take the train to Paris. For example, it only takes about 3.5 hours from New York City with Thalys. All long-distance trains arrive in the heart of Paris. When you exit Gare du Nord, take a moment to admire the impressive train station building, as it is a highlight in its own right.

Paris has a perfectly developed metro system. It is said that no metro station is more than 500 meters from the next one. If you know you'll be using the metro frequently, definitely get a day pass, either contactless at the machines or at the ticket counter in any metro station, as it is much cheaper than buying single tickets.

A great way to discover Paris is by using the Vélib' bike rental service. The bike provider offers various rental packages that let you explore the French capital easily, flexibly, and environmentally friendly. You can register online and rent one of the 19,000 bicycles in the City of Love. Choose between a regular bike or an e-bike, as well as a one-time tour, a 24-hour pass, or a 3-day pass. After registration, you will receive a booking code and a PIN, allowing you to head straight to one of the over 1,400 stations, unlock a bike, and ride off. The bikes can be returned at almost any corner.

If you're looking for a convenient way to explore Paris, we recommend the sightseeing tours with hop-on-hop-off buses. Ride in the cool open-top double-decker buses through the city and comfortably experience all the attractions in Paris in a short time. Buy your tickets online in advance to save significantly.

Another way to explore the city is by foot. Although Paris is a large and sprawling city, nearly all of the major attractions are within reach during a pleasant city walk. We've put together two routes in our travel magazine that will take you to the most important sights in Paris. You can find out what they are now.

There are many sights in Paris that are worth visiting. It's particularly difficult for us to narrow down the selection. To see all the key highlights in the center of Paris in one day, we have put together a bike tour for you. If you prefer to travel by bus, take bus 27. This route will get you to many of the most important attractions in Paris.

The starting point of the tour is the first bike station at the Arc de Triomphe. The monument is one of the city's landmarks; under the arch, you will find the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which memorializes all fallen and unknown soldiers from World War I. The Arc de Triomphe is particularly famous for its multi-lane traffic circle, which is also the final stage of the Tour de France. You will also mount your bike here, placing your backpack in the convenient basket, and ride down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées toward the Louvre. On the way, you'll admire the many boutiques along this grand avenue. Once you arrive at the museum, you can return the bike at the next station and either join the queue to visit the impressive museum or simply take a closer look at the glass pyramid and the former royal palace.

A visit to the Louvre Museum can easily take up a whole day, as the collection around the famous Mona Lisa is enormous and truly impressive. You can buy tickets either online in advance or-Vacation Guru Insider Tip #1-if you are willing to face the queues at the ticket machines or ticket counters, buy your tickets on-site and save €2 per entry ticket.

If you have limited time and want to see more of the city, you should dedicate one day to attractions and another for museum visits.

After your visit to the Louvre, there are more highlights waiting for you, so be sure to quickly find a new bike station and head towards the famous Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. Although it has been closed since the fire on April 15, 2019, you shouldn't miss out on viewing the façade of this architectural masterpiece. On the small Île de la Cité, you will also find many other sights in one spot. Simply cross the Pont Neuf or the neighboring Pont au Change (there are a total of 9 bridges leading to this small island) to get to this part of the city, the oldest section of Paris.

Vacation Guru Insider Tip #2: A great alternative to Notre-Dame, which is truly an insider tip known only by locals, is the Basilique de Saint-Denis. Dating from the 11th century, this cathedral is not only older than Notre-Dame, but it is also considered the first Gothic cathedral ever built. Located about 10 kilometers from central Paris, in the district of Saint Denis, the impressive church building is home to the tombs of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

While Paris is the city of love and romance, how about taking a break with a rather stark contrast?

Did you know that there is a network of quarries beneath the city that were occasionally used as burial sites for deceased Parisians, and that you can even visit these catacombs? Don't believe it?! Then you should follow us, because the next stop on our sightseeing tour in Paris is truly extraordinary. But beware: Small children and those with weak nerves should probably skip this 'sightseeing tour', as this takes you deep underground into the realm of the dead.

Further south of Notre-Dame, about a 14-minute bike ride away, lie the Paris Catacombs, which are certainly the most macabre attraction in the city, as here at Place Denfert-Rochereau, you will descend 130 steps to the resting place of approximately 6 million Parisians. Not all of the catacombs are publicly accessible, and it is strongly advised against wandering through them without a guide. There have been numerous accounts of people getting lost here and never seeing daylight again. Nevertheless, brave tourists are continually drawn to the illegal entrances. We recommend a guided tour through the publicly accessible sections, as that is scary enough! Tickets for a guided tour can be purchased online in advance.

The path leads along the Seine for several meters to the Eiffel Tower. Once you arrive, we recommend that you park your bike and take a break on one of the many benches. If you like, you can of course climb up the tower and enjoy the view from there. Tickets can be purchased online in advance to skip the long lines.

Vacation Guru Insider Tip #4: If you want to capture the Eiffel Tower perfectly in your photos, head towards Av. de Camoens. This fantastic photo spot has only gained popularity since the airing of the popular Netflix series 'Emily in Paris' and is loved by many Paris visitors and amateur photographers. While some keep the street name to themselves, we're happy to share this tip. From there, you'll get the best view. Plus, you are very close to one of Paris's favorite cafés, Carette, where you can enjoy one of the best hot chocolates in Paris. The Eiffel Tower is particularly stunning at night when it sparkles every hour.

As dusk falls, you should make your way to the impressive Sacré-Cœur Basilica. From here, you have a beautiful view over the city. Through the artist district of Montmartre, you will then navigate towards the Moulin Rouge in the dark. The famous red windmill is only truly impressive at night. Along the way, you'll find many great little bars and restaurants where you can stop in.

Anyone who has been a bit acquainted with Paris has surely seen one of the numerous videos from the famous Paris restaurant Pink Mamma. Belonging to a restaurant chain, this place offers delicious Italian dishes at very good value. To secure a table at Pink Mamma, you will need to make a reservation weeks in advance.

Helpful Tip: Every day at 9 a.m. the official website of the restaurant chain releases available tables for online reservation with a 30-day lead time. Hurry up and secure your spot, as it is worth it-not just for the culinary experience but also due to the extraordinary decor of the restaurant that looks like a small art museum.

Vacation Guru Insider Tip #5: Once you've secured a spot at Pink Mamma and enjoyed a delicious meal, don't head straight back to your hotel after dessert! Pack your things and head to the restroom. In the hallway leading there, you'll see another door with a 'No Entry' sign. Be brave and open the door; it's left open in the evening. Behind it lies a secret bar with cool music and tasty drinks-a true hidden gem in Paris.

At this point, the city tour comes to an end.

We also want to share two special insider tips with you. If you have the time, a visit to the Palace of Versailles is a must. Versailles is located just about 22 kilometers southwest of Paris. From the Musée d'Orsay train station, take the RER C to Versailles - Rive Gauche station. Once you arrive, you will be impressed by the sheer size of the palace and its enchanting park. The builder, Louis XIV, truly spared no expense here.

With its magnificent gardens, museums, and park castles, the Palace of Versailles is now a real highlight, unmatched worldwide. It's hardly surprising that this imposing structure is visited by up to 6 million tourists each year. It's a true architectural masterpiece, a palace that served as an inspiration for many other palaces around the world.

The second worthwhile trip leads to Disneyland(R) Paris. Every Disney(R) lover should visit Disneyland(R) at least once to experience the magic of the films firsthand. Alongside great attractions like rides promoted by various Disney(R) characters, the Disney(R) shows and parades also play a big part. At Disneyland(R), you'll experience something unique and beautiful that you won't find anywhere else in the world. Disneyland(R) Paris is located east of Paris in the municipality of Chessy. It is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Europe. With the RER A, you'll reach the park in 45 minutes. Once you enter the park, your childhood heroes will be within arm's reach. All of Disney's colorful world is gathered in one spot.

When you are in Paris, you must try the traditional French cuisine. You can find a delicious bouillabaisse or sweet and savory crêpes in every neighborhood. Just read through the menus and take a look inside the restaurant. If the first impression appeals to you, just go in. If you're looking for classic French macarons, we have a tasty Vacation Guru tip for you: While most tourists visit the popular chain Ladurée, you should visit one of the shops of the famous French pastry chef and chocolatier Pierre Hermé. Here you will rarely have to wait as long for a macaron as you do at Ladurée and will be rewarded with delicious, creative macarons on top.

Especially on weekends, you might get lucky and find one of the many delicatessen shops offering great dishes to take away. Grab some treats to-go and enjoy them in nice weather near the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame Cathedral. If you're looking for a tasty breakfast or a snack in between, then it's clear: head to the nearest boulangerie! Warm, tender, melt-in-your-mouth croissants, pain au chocolat, and madeleines can be found on every corner. However, you'll find the best at the boulangeries and cafés Mamiche, Bacillus, and Liberté.

Paris is a true dream for shopping enthusiasts. The exclusive Galeries Lafayette are particularly worth a visit. Here, you should not only check out numerous designer stores but also admire the artistic glass dome. If you go up to the rooftop terrace, you can enjoy a really great view of the city for free. If you haven't found what you're looking for here yet, you must definitely visit the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, one of the largest boulevards in the world, located about a 30-minute walk southwest of the Galeries Lafayette. Alongside numerous luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Dior, there are also many well-known shops suitable for smaller wallets.

Paris is also known for Châtelet Les Halles, one of the largest underground shopping centers in Europe. On four floors, you will find a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafés to suit every taste. There is also a cinema and a swimming pool here, perfect for relaxing after a successful shopping experience. Generally, there are fantastic flea markets all over the city, such as the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, which is even considered the largest in the world, and many vintage boutiques where you might score a real designer bargain. It's best to just stroll through the streets and alleys of Paris on foot, as you will surely discover great shops, even in the most hidden corners of Paris that you wouldn't spot using the metro or bus.

The nightlife in Paris is legendary. There are incredibly many bars and pubs where you can enjoy a glass of red wine with Parisians or party the night away. Of course, you can also treat yourself to a show at the famous Moulin Rouge, but it's best to buy tickets in advance for that. If you really want to connect with the locals in Paris, you should take a closer look at the website Meeting the French. Here you can book gatherings for walks, dinners, or even overnight stays with locals. You will be paired with Parisians who will gladly show you their favorite spots and share exciting stories about the City of Love. You can't get any closer.

Even after several days, you may feel like you haven't even discovered half of the city. But that's okay, as you can always come back. We have one last tip for you: It's best to get the Paris City Pass. This includes not only transportation on public transport but also entry for the most important attractions in the city. You can access these with the City Pass without long waiting times. Perfect for those who have little time but want to see a lot. Are you now craving a trip to Paris? Then check out our top offers for a Paris vacation.