What to know before going to Paris

But how beautiful is Paris? A dream for every loving couple, for the most diverse artists and, why not, for history buffs… how many have happened in Paris to make it what it is now! Today we will take you to discover what to know before going on vacation to Paris.

The rules for eating

Most restaurants are open for lunch from noon to two and for dinner from 20:00. This means that many places are completely closed between 2am and 8am. For Parisians, the pre-dinner aperitif, with drinks and snacks with friends, starts at 7pm. Food allergy alert: even if you can express your problem in French, not all places take it seriously, as in the United States.

For allergy sufferers, it would be good to eat at home or help yourself in vegan or organic shops and bakeries, which are more advanced in terms of ingredients and their staff are more sensitive to health issues. You have to eat slowly and don’t be ashamed to order tap water instead of paying a lot for bottled water.

Good manners and a little French always help

French love ceremonies. So as a tourist you have to learn the basics. A “bonjour” needed when you walk into a shop or bakery and “merci” every time someone serves you coffee or brings you change. Don’t be upset if the Parisian turns out to be gruff in some cases, especially those he meets while working in shops and restaurants. As for the greeting, here’s what to do: the first time you meet someone, shake their hand.

When you say goodbye, he waves his hand again, and if he greets you, he turns his head to the right to kiss your left cheek. To behave with the utmost decency, he speaks softly. The most common complaint against tourists is that they are too loud and tend to be too loud, intruding on the conversations of strangers sitting at nearby tables.

The opening hours of museums and shops

Museums are closed one day a week, usually on Mondays or Tuesdays, and most stay open late at least one night a week, which is also the least crowded time. Shops are generally open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am or 10:00 am to 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm, although post offices, banks and smaller shops may close for several hours in the afternoon.

Department stores, including Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, are open on Sundays, and along the Champs Elysees, the Marais, Montmartre and the Latin Quarter you’ll find shops that usually open around 2pm on Sundays.

The airports

The three Paris airports Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais, with nearly 100 million passengers in transit every year, are one of the busiest airport systems in Europe and in the world. Charles de Gaulle Airport is the main airport of the French capital and of the country as a whole. Located in the commune of Roissy-en-France, 25 kilometers north-east of the city center, it is nevertheless very well connected to Paris. Orly is located about 17 kilometers south of Paris, in the communes of Orly and Villeneuve-le-Roi.

Domestic, European and intercontinental flights depart and depart from the airport’s two terminals, but low-cost airlines Transavia and Vueling have increased their traffic in recent years. With 4 million passengers per year, Paris Beauvais Airport is the third most important airport in the French airport system. It is located near the city of Beauvais, in the municipality of Tillè, about 90 kilometers from Paris. To get around there are many Paris airport taxis that will take you to the hotel or where you are staying.

Don’t just stay close to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre

Leave the queues and crowds behind and head out into the open countryside on Ile Saint-Louis, a small island near Notre Dame. This charming 17th century “village” with cobbled streets and views of the Seine is home to galleries, shops, the Franc Pinot bistro and the legendary Berthillon Glacier ice cream maker.

Make sure you stop by La Charlotte de L’isle for hot chocolate. Or, if you’re looking for something completely urban, visit Villa La Roche du Corbusier (16m), a three-story Cubist house that is one of the earliest important examples of avant-garde architecture. Another nod to the French architect is a short walk: a street named after Robert Mallet-Stevens, lined with buildings designed by this master of the modern movement.