Travel Tips for Paris, France

Cost: €€ (expensive)

Safety: 2.5/5 for solo female travellers

Paris is well known for its high quality cuisine, beautiful architecture, art and romance. I visited this city for 2 days in September 2022 and while I enjoyed the food and the history of the city, there is an issue with cleanliness of public spaces, such as streets and parks.

As well as this, I didn’t feel entirely safe during my trip, especially at night. Therefore, I would not recommend this city for solo female travellers.

How to get there

There are three airports in Paris; Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais.

Depending on which airport in Paris you choose, you can fly from Dublin, Shannon or Cork via a number of airlines including Aer Lingus and Ryanair.

The flight length will vary as it depends on the airport you choose and if there are stop-overs. If you fly direct from Dublin to Charles de Gaulle, it will take you about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

I was already in Amsterdam, so I got the Eurostar to Paris. The journey took just over 3 hours and was quite scenic.

Language, Currency & Weather

The official language in Paris is French and Parisians do not generally speak or like to speak English (they will make it obvious). Prepare for this by picking up a few French phrases.

The Euro is accepted, as this is the currency used in France.

The weather in Paris is uncomfortable in summer, with temperatures between 13 and 25 degrees Celsius. The humidity makes it feel hotter, so it can be difficult to explore the city. Meanwhile, winter in Paris is cold and rainy, with temperatures ranging between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius.

Public Transport

Paris has an extensive public transport system which is relatively easy to use. It includes the metro, regional trains, buses and trams.

To use the network, you can buy single tickets called Ticket t+ or buy the Paris Visite travel card, which I would advise you to do if you plan to use the network a lot.

To get between the three airports and the city centre, there are frequent trains as well as bus services. From Charles de Gaulle airport you can a number of buses or you can get the RER B train. From Orly you can get buses or you can travel by train (Orlyval and RER B) and from Beauvais you can get buses or the TER train.

Where To Stay

I found accommodation in Paris to be quite expensive, especially in the city centre. Therefore, it was difficult to find something comfortable and in a good location.

If you do want to stay in the city centre, my top choices are Villa Panthéon (expensive), Hôtel Saint Pierre (not great, but paying for the area) or Hotel Andréa.

For something a bit more reasonable, I would choose Hotel de l’Aqueduc or Hotel Marena.

There are lots of hostels to choose from, including The People – Paris Bercy or Beau M Paris.

Where To Go & What To Do

As I mentioned already, Paris is famous for its architecture, art and history so there is lots to see and do. I booked a walking tour for my first day to get a feel for the city, and I would recommend you do the same.

My favourite places to visit were the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle and Montparnasse Tower observation deck. I stopped by Notre-Dame cathedral which is currently under construction until December 2024.

I also booked an evening boat cruise along the River Seine, and watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle.

For something different, I would recommend booking indoor skydiving or axe throwing.

For day trips, it is possible to book tours of Versailles Palace and Gardens, or a trip to the Loire Valley to visit castles and explore the town of Blois.

If you have time, I would also recommend flying in a hot air balloon over the woods of Fontainebleau, which is just a few miles away from Paris!

What & Where To Eat

The French capital is one of the world’s favourite places to eat, and I could see why when I visited. I would highly recommend booking cheese, wine or chocolate tasting tours to experience the city’s many flavours and soak in the atmosphere.

While I was in the city, I vowed to try a crêpe, so I travelled to Breizh Café and it was one of nicest things I have ever tasted.

For dinner, I wanted to try classic French food, so I popped by Le Cadoret. It has a relaxed atmosphere, great staff and even better food. For my second night in the city, I tried Benoit Paris, which is a classic bistro serving amazing food.

How could I come to Paris and not try a pastry, so in the morning I visited Des Gâteaux et du Pain for a pomme tatin with maple syrup and Pierre Hermé for its macaroons.

Enjoy the city of love (and lights!).