Paris for First-Time Visitors: Must-See Spots and Hidden Gems

Before You Go: Essential Paris Basics

Understanding the city layout:

Paris arrondissements (districts):

Paris divided into 20 arrondissements, spiraling clockwise from center:

1st-4th (Central): Louvre, Notre-Dame, Le Marais 5th-6th (Latin Quarter/St-Germain): Historic, intellectual, charming 7th (Eiffel Tower): Monumental Paris 8th (Champs-Élysées): Luxurious, touristy 9th-10th (Opera/Gare du Nord): Trendy, diverse 11th-12th (Bastille/Nation): Young, vibrant nightlife 18th (Montmartre): Artistic, hilltop views Others: Residential, less touristy

Most first-timers focus on: 1st-8th + 18th

How many days do you need?

3 days: Major landmarks + taste of Paris 5 days: Comfortable pace, some neighborhoods 7+ days: Deep exploration, day trips

This guide assumes 3-5 days (most common)

Getting around:

Metro: Best option

• Cheap (€2.10 per ride, €16.90 for 10-pack)
• Extensive network
• Download app: RATP or Citymapper

Walking: Paris is walkable

• Neighborhoods best explored on foot
• Many sites close together

Avoid: Taxis (expensive), driving (nightmare parking)

When to visit:

Best: April-May, September-October (mild weather, fewer crowds) Summer (June-August): Crowded, hot, expensive Winter (November-March): Cold but magical, fewer tourists, Christmas markets

The Iconic Must-Sees (Worth the Hype)

These famous sites earn their reputation:

1. Eiffel Tower ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why you must go:

• Symbol of Paris (you'll regret skipping)
• Views are genuinely spectacular
• Beautiful day AND night

How to do it right:

✅ Book tickets online WEEKS in advance (sells out) ✅ Go at sunset (see day view, then sparkling lights at night) ✅ Summit vs. 2nd floor: Summit better (if available), but 2nd floor cheaper and less crowded ✅ Picnic at Champ de Mars before/after (grass field facing tower)

Skip: Restaurants at tower (overpriced, mediocre)

Time needed: 2-3 hours (including wait, visit, picnic)

Alternative view: Trocadéro Plaza (best photo spot, free)

2. Louvre Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why you must go:

• World's largest art museum
• Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory
• Building itself is masterpiece

How to do it right:

✅ Book timed entry online (avoid 2-hour lines) ✅ Go Wednesday or Friday evening (open late, fewer crowds) ✅ Have a plan: Museum is MASSIVE (could spend days)

Recommended route (2-3 hours):

1. Mona Lisa (get there early, it's mobbed)
2. Italian Renaissance (same wing)
3. Greek/Roman antiquities (Venus de Milo, Winged Victory)
4. French paintings (if time)

Pro tip: Download Louvre app for navigation

Time needed: 3-4 hours minimum (or full day if art lover)

3. Notre-Dame Cathedral ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Current status (2025): Reopened after 2019 fire (check current access)

Why visit:

• Gothic architecture masterpiece
• Historical significance
• Île de la Cité island location charming

How to do it right:

✅ Visit early morning (fewer crowds) ✅ Walk around exterior (even if interior closed) ✅ Explore Île de la Cité (Notre-Dame + Shakespeare & Co. bookstore + cafés)

Nearby: Sainte-Chapelle (stunning stained glass, 10-minute walk)

Time needed: 1-2 hours (Notre-Dame + island exploration)

4. Sacré-Cœur & Montmartre ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why you must go:

• Stunning hilltop basilica
• Best views of Paris (free!)
• Charming artistic neighborhood

How to do it right:

✅ Visit at sunrise or sunset (magical light, fewer crowds) ✅ Walk up the hill (skip funicular—stairs more atmospheric) ✅ Wander Montmartre streets (Place du Tertre, Rue Lepic, Wall of Love) ✅ Find Amélie filming locations (if you love the film)

Eat: Crêpes at local stand, not tourist trap restaurants

Avoid: Aggressive portrait artists at Place du Tertre

Time needed: 3-4 hours (basilica + neighborhood wandering)

5. Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe ⭐⭐⭐

Why visit (with caveats):

• Iconic avenue
• Arc de Triomphe view worth it
• BUT Champs-Élysées itself overrated (touristy shops)

How to do it right:

✅ Walk Champs-Élysées once (check it off list) ✅ Climb Arc de Triomphe (better view than Eiffel Tower for some, less crowded) ✅ Go at sunset (see city light up)

Skip: Shopping on Champs-Élysées (overpriced, same stores as everywhere)

Time needed: 2 hours

6. Versailles (Day Trip) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Worth it if you have 4+ days in Paris:

How to do it right:

✅ Book skip-the-line tickets online ✅ Go Tuesday or Thursday (less crowded) ✅ Arrive at opening (palace fills up fast) ✅ Don't skip gardens (as impressive as palace) ✅ Rent bike (explore gardens efficiently)

Getting there: RER C train (45 min from central Paris)

Time needed: Full day (6-8 hours including travel)

The Hidden Gems (Where Locals Go)

Beyond the tourist trail:

1. Le Marais (3rd & 4th arrondissements) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it's special:

• Historic Jewish quarter
• Trendy boutiques, vintage shops
• Best falafel in Paris (L'As du Fallafel)
• LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood
• Beautiful Place des Vosges (oldest square in Paris)

What to do:

• Wander narrow medieval streets
• Shop at unique boutiques
• Coffee at Café Charlot (people-watching)
• Picnic at Place des Vosges

Time needed: Half day

2. Canal Saint-Martin (10th) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why locals love it:

• Hipster neighborhood
• Tree-lined canal (gorgeous for strolling)
• Outdoor drinking culture (bring wine, sit by canal)
• Local cafés and vintage shops

What to do:

• Walk along canal (especially south section)
• Lunch/coffee at Chez Prune or Ten Belles
• Browse vintage shops on Rue de Marseille
• Evening drinks by water with locals

Time needed: 2-3 hours

3. Musée Rodin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it's better than expected:

• Beautiful mansion and sculpture garden
• Less crowded than Louvre
• The Thinker and other masterpieces
• Peaceful, relaxing atmosphere

What to do:

• Spend time in gardens (as important as indoor museum)
• Café in garden (lovely spot)

Time needed: 1.5-2 hours

Cost: €13 (€4 garden only)

4. Shakespeare and Company Bookstore ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it's magical:

• Historic English bookstore (1951)
• Cozy, cluttered, atmospheric
• Writers have lived upstairs (literary history)
• Free to browse

What to do:

• Browse books (especially upstairs reading room)
• Attend free events (poetry readings, author talks—check schedule)
• Café next door (great for coffee + reading)

Location: Across from Notre-Dame

Time needed: 30-60 minutes

5. Covered Passages (2nd & 9th) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why they're charming:

• 19th-century glass-roofed shopping arcades
• Hidden from streets (easy to miss)
• Vintage shops, tea rooms, quirky boutiques
• Step back in time

Best passages:

• Passage des Panoramas (oldest, restaurants)
• Galerie Vivienne (most beautiful)
• Passage Choiseul (quieter)

What to do:

• Wander through several (they're close together)
• Stop for tea or hot chocolate
• Browse antique shops

Time needed: 1-2 hours

6. Jardin du Luxembourg (6th) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why locals adore it:

• Beautiful formal gardens
• Luxembourg Palace (Senate building)
• Parisians picnicking, reading, sunbathing
• Model sailboats on pond (kids + nostalgia)

What to do:

• Rent chairs by fountain (€1.50)
• People-watch
• Read a book
• Watch chess players
• Medici Fountain (romantic spot)

Time needed: 1-2 hours (or full afternoon for relaxing)

7. Buttes-Chaumont Park (19th) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it's worth the trek:

• Most beautiful park in Paris (locals' opinion)
• Dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, temple
• Away from tourist areas (authentic Paris)
• Gorgeous sunset views

What to do:

• Picnic on grass
• Climb to temple (Temple de la Sibylle) for views
• Explore caves and waterfalls

Time needed: 2-3 hours

Access: Metro Buttes-Chaumont or Botzaris

Where to Eat Like a Local

Avoiding tourist traps:

Rules:

❌ Avoid: Restaurants on Champs-Élysées, near Eiffel Tower, with photo menus ✅ Seek: Side streets, locals-filled cafés, French-only menus

Budget eats:

Boulangeries (bakeries):

• Croissants, pain au chocolat for breakfast (€1-2)
• Sandwiches for lunch (€5-7)

Recommendations:

• Du Pain et des Idées (near Canal Saint-Martin)
• Poilâne (best bread, multiple locations)

Crêperies:

• Savory galettes (buckwheat) for lunch
• Sweet crêpes for dessert
• Breizh Café (Le Marais)—best crêpes

Falafel:

• L'As du Fallafel (Rue des Rosiers, Le Marais)—€7, worth the line

Mid-range (€15-30):

Bistros:

• Le Comptoir du Relais (Saint-Germain)
• Chez Janou (Le Marais)—Provençal cuisine
• Bouillon Chartier (9th)—historic, cheap, fun

Cafés:

• Café de Flore (Saint-Germain)—iconic, expensive but worth once
• Les Deux Magots (Saint-Germain)—Hemingway haunt

Splurge (€50+):

Special meal:

• Septime (11th)—modern French, Michelin-starred
• L'Ami Jean (7th)—Basque cuisine, lively
• Frenchie (2nd)—trendy, reservations required

Practical Tips for First-Timers

Money:

• Credit cards widely accepted
• Cash useful for small cafés, markets
• ATMs abundant (avoid exchange bureaus—bad rates)

Language:

• Learn basics: Bonjour (hello), Merci (thank you), S'il vous plaît (please)
• "Parlez-vous anglais?" (Do you speak English?) before switching
• Effort appreciated (even bad French)

Etiquette:

• Say "Bonjour" when entering shops
• Dinner is late (8-9 PM)
• Service slower (not rude, just cultural)
• Water: "Une carafe d'eau" (free tap water)

Safety:

• Paris is safe generally
• Watch for pickpockets (metro, Eiffel Tower, Louvre)
• Keep valuables secure
• Avoid empty metro cars late at night

Museums:

• Most closed Mondays or Tuesdays (check!)
• Free first Sunday of month (crowded)
• Paris Museum Pass worth it if visiting 4+ museums

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Right Bank Classics

• Morning: Louvre (3 hours)
• Lunch: Le Marais
• Afternoon: Wander Le Marais, Place des Vosges
• Evening: Eiffel Tower at sunset

Day 2: Left Bank & Montmartre

• Morning: Latin Quarter, Shakespeare & Co.
• Lunch: Jardin du Luxembourg picnic
• Afternoon: Musée Rodin
• Evening: Montmartre + Sacré-Cœur at sunset

Day 3: Hidden Gems

• Morning: Canal Saint-Martin stroll
• Lunch: Covered Passages
• Afternoon: Notre-Dame area
• Evening: Seine river cruise (touristy but lovely at night)

Paris first-timers should balance iconic landmarks with hidden gems: prioritize Eiffel Tower at sunset, Louvre with advance tickets (Wednesday/Friday evenings), Notre-Dame and Île de la Cité, Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre wandering, and Arc de Triomphe climb. Discover authentic Paris in Le Marais (vintage shops, falafel, Place des Vosges), Canal Saint-Martin (local drinking culture), Musée Rodin (peaceful gardens), Shakespeare and Company (literary history), covered passages (19th-century charm), Luxembourg Gardens (Parisian picnics), and Buttes-Chaumont Park (dramatic beauty). Eat at boulangeries for breakfast, avoid Champs-Élysées restaurants, learn basic French pleasantries, book museum tickets online, and embrace slower French dining pace.