Paris is an exceptionally walkable city, known for its compact design, rich street-level scenery, and largely flat terrain, making it ideal for exploring on foot. Most major attractions are within reasonable walking distance of each other, though visitors should prepare for 5–10 miles of walking daily.
In Paris, do greet with Bonjour, keep voices down, use the Metro, pre-book major sites, walk, and linger over meals; don't eat on the go, rush service, speak loudly in public, dress overly casually (like graphic tees), or get scammed (like the bracelet scam). Always acknowledge staff with greetings and eye contact, and be mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded areas like the Metro.
Is it possible? Yes, it definitely is and in fact, it's one of the best ways to make the most of Paris. Discover Paris in a day with our day trip itinerary.
While it's theoretically possible to manage day-to-day life in France with limited knowledge of French or if you only speak English, it's not without its hurdles. Simple tasks like grocery shopping, using public transportation, or seeking medical attention can become challenging when you don't speak the language.
Be prepared to walk more than you ever imagined in Paris. It's not unusual for a visitor to walk 5 to 10 miles per day. Add to that the stairs in the metro and you're getting a great workout.
Seine-Saint-Denis (French pronunciation: [sɛn sɛ̃ d(ə)ni]) is a department of France located in the Grand Paris metropolis in the Île-de-France region. In French, it is often referred to colloquially as quatre-vingt treize or neuf trois ("ninety-three" or "nine three"), after its official administrative number, 93.
They are truly friendly and warm. As a Parisian, I must say I'm always happy to help tourists with any information they may need. One thing, though, annoys me: when they ask directly and confidently in English, as if everyone is supposed to speak it.
The best times to visit Paris are the shoulder seasons: April-June (Spring) for blooming gardens and pleasant weather, or September-early November (Autumn) for crisp air, fewer crowds, and beautiful fall foliage, offering a balance of good weather and fewer tourists than peak summer. Summer (June-August) offers long days but peak crowds and potential heat, while winter (Nov-March) has lower prices and festive charm but shorter days and colder temperatures.
Walk along the Seine, visit the public spaces around Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre, relax in Jardin du Luxembourg or Jardin des Tuileries, picnic on the Champs de Mars, catch a view of the city from the roof at department store Galeries Lafayette, or explore the surroundings of Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame.
In general, violent crime is rare in Paris, and most safety concerns involve petty crime, like pickpocketing and tourist-targeted scams. For perspective, according to the 2025 Crime Index, Paris scores 58.0, compared to New York's 50.7. However, Paris' violent crime rate is about three times lower than New York's.
Eiffel Tower ticket prices vary by access level (stairs/lift, 2nd floor/summit) and age, with adult prices ranging from around €14.50 (stairs to 2nd floor) to €36.10 (lift to summit), while youth (12-24) and children (4-11) pay less, and kids under 4 are free; booking online through the official website is recommended for best prices. Guided tours and special packages with champagne cost more, starting from about €40 to over €70.
“I'll just wing the language part — people speak English, right?” They often do. But one of the biggest niceties you'll learn: saying a simple Bonjour or Bonsoir before anything else opens doors. I walked into a café once, skipped the “bonjour,” and felt like I'd accidentally interrupted their day.
In 2005 France's domestic intelligence network, the Renseignements Generaux, identified 150 "no-go zones" around the country where police would not enter without reinforcements. Christopher Dickey, writing in Newsweek, said the situation had arisen due to racism towards immigrants.
In my eyes 7/7 is shorthand for French 7 jours sur 7 which translates to 7 days out of 7 . Meaning the business is open all week. Note that this does not necessarily mean that the business is also open 24h.
The Zone Rouge, or Red Zone, is the name given to about 460 square miles of totally devastated land in the Meuse. Littered with unexploded ordnance, it became a physical and environmental catastrophe.
Given the close nature of the French greeting with kisses, the French are generally more at ease maintaining personal space. The French may seem reserved upon first meeting. However, during subsequent meetings, touching during a conversation is acceptable and considered a sign of affection.
Iceland is the country with the least number of cheaters (9%). Some people prefer one-night stands with strangers! In fact, most respondents from Thailand, France, Russia and Australia said they've slept with a stranger behind their partners back.
The “No White After Labor Day” rule is a long-standing guideline in the fashion world. It suggests that wearing white clothing, namely white shoes, is inappropriate once Labor Day has passed. Fashionistas can then resume wearing white once Memorial Day rolls around the following year.
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
The Red Sneakers effect is the name given to this phenomenon. Individuals give non-confirming behaviors a high status. It is considered polite for a millionaire like Zuckerberg to enter a room wearing red sneakers, yet it is trashy for a recent graduate to wear those to an interview.
