Paris travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Paris, Île-de-France, France.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Always greet shopkeepers, restaurant staff, and hotel employees with 'Bonjour' when entering — this is essential etiquette, not optional courtesy
French dining is unhurried; do not ask for the bill immediately after finishing your meal — signal the waiter with eye contact or a gentle wave
Speaking even a few words of French (Bonjour, Merci, Excusez-moi) signals respect and almost always elicits a warmer response
Restaurant lunch menus (formule déjeuner) are the best-value way to eat — typically 2 courses for €14–€22 (~$15–$24) including a glass of wine
Tipping is not obligatory in France (service is included) but small tips (€1–€2 per person at restaurants, rounding up taxi fares) are appreciated
Queuing is informal by Parisian standards — form a rough line but do not expect strict first-come-first-served in all contexts
Many small Parisian shops and bakeries close on Sunday afternoon and Monday; check hours before planning a shopping trip
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Say 'Bonjour' entering any shop, restaurant, or business — it is non-negotiable politeness in Parisian culture
- Learn at least five French words: Bonjour (hello), Merci (thank you), S'il vous plaît (please), Excusez-moi (excuse me), L'addition s'il vous plaît (the bill please)
- Reserve restaurant tables in advance for dinner — even bistros fill up by 20:30
- Carry some cash — many small bakeries and wine bars still prefer or require cash; €50–€100 on hand is wise
- Validate your Métro ticket through the turnstile barrier on every journey — inspectors patrol regularly and fines are €50 (~$54) without a valid ticket
- Visit national museums on the first Sunday of the month for free entry (Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou, etc.)
- Picnic in Parisian parks — the Tuileries, Luxembourg, and Champ de Mars are perfect for a boulangerie lunch with wine
Don't
- Do not skip the 'Bonjour' greeting — entering a French shop or restaurant in silence is genuinely considered rude
- Do not tip extravagantly or automatically by US standards — service compris (service included) applies; rounding up or leaving €1–€2 is sufficient
- Do not ask for ketchup with your steak in a traditional French restaurant — it will be refused and causes considerable offence
- Do not assume all Parisians speak English; approach with French first even if only to say 'Parlez-vous anglais?'
- Do not photograph people in markets or daily life without asking permission (politely: 'Je peux faire une photo?' / 'May I take a photo?')
- Do not stand on the left side of escalators on the Métro — stand on the right, walk on the left
- Do not drink tap water from the Seine or any river — it is not potable. Paris municipal tap water (robinet) is perfectly safe and free
- Do not accept petitions, bracelets, or 'gold rings' from strangers near tourist sites — these are all known pickpocket precursors
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Bonjour
Hello / Good morning
Bonsoir
Good evening
Merci (beaucoup)
Thank you (very much)
S'il vous plaît
Please
Excusez-moi
Excuse me
Parlez-vous anglais?
Do you speak English?
L'addition, s'il vous plaît
The bill, please
Où est...?
Where is...?
Un café, s'il vous plaît
One coffee, please
Combien ça coûte?
How much does it cost?
Je ne comprends pas
I don't understand
Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît
A table for two, please
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Paris.
Items:
- Religion
- Catholicism
- Prevalence
- Historically dominant; France is constitutionally secular (laïcité)
- Major sites
- Notre-Dame de Paris (4th arr.); Sacré-Cœur (18th arr.); Saint-Chapelle (1st arr.); Saint-Eustache (1st arr.); Madeleine (8th arr.)
- Visitor notes
- Churches are open to visitors but services take priority. Cover shoulders and knees. Photography during Mass is inappropriate. Donations appreciated but not required for entry.
- Religion
- Islam
- Prevalence
- Significant Muslim community, primarily in northern and eastern arrondissements
- Major sites
- Grande Mosquée de Paris (5th arr.) — built 1922, open to non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times; entry €3 (~$3.27)
- Visitor notes
- The mosque's tearoom (75 Rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire, 75005) serves traditional mint tea and Moroccan pastries; open to all. Remove shoes before entering prayer areas.
- Religion
- Judaism
- Prevalence
- Paris has one of the world's largest Jewish communities, centred historically in the Marais (Pletzl) and Belleville
- Major sites
- Synagogue de la Victoire (9th arr.); Mémorial de la Shoah (4th arr., free entry); Jewish heritage walk in the Marais (rue des Rosiers)
- Visitor notes
- The Mémorial de la Shoah (17 Rue Geoffroy l'Asnier, 75004; tel. +33 1 42 77 44 72) is free and open Sun–Fri 10:00–18:00 (Thu until 22:00), closed Saturday and Jewish holidays.
- Religion
- Other
- Prevalence
- Significant Buddhist, Orthodox Christian, and Protestant communities
- Major sites
- Temple de l'Amitié (Buddhist, 13th arr.); American Cathedral in Paris (Anglican, 8th arr.); Russian Orthodox Cathedral Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky (8th arr.)
- Visitor notes
- The American Cathedral (23 Ave George V, 75008; +33 1 53 23 84 00; amcathedral.org) holds English-language Anglican services and is open to visitors during office hours.