Question 1

What's the magic word?

Accepted Answer

Your mother may have taught you that “please” was the word that works magic, and we agree that knowing the French equivalent S'IL VOUS PLAIT is one of the key words that one should know before visiting France.  But the real magic word is a simple hello – or BONJOUR to be exact.   The French are sticklers that you must always greet a person before anything else – no exceptions!   When you walk into a boulangerie, a shop, a restaurant, get on a bus, pass a person in the hallway of your Airbnb building – the first word out of your mouth should be BONJOUR.   Then you can proceed to ask for your “deux croissants, s’il vous plait”, “une table pour 3”, etc.   We promise you’ll be rewarded!

Question 2

More Useful Vocab

Accepted Answer

Certainly no one is expecting you to master the French language before getting off of the plane.  Heck, we've been here for years and still struggle (and don't get us started with remembering that a chair is feminine but a bed is masculine!).  But here are just a few words that will go a long way in improving your experience in Paris.   And well, it's always good to just be polite.
BONJOUR / BONSOIR = Hello (bonjour during the day, bonsoir after the sun goes down)
MERCI = Thank you
S'IL VOUS PLAIT = Please
EXCUSEZ-MOI = Excuse me (always helpful on a crowded metro)
L'ADDITION = the bill at a restaurant ("Excusez-moi, l'addition s'il vous plait" = "Check please")

Question 3

So what exactly is an "arrondissement"?

Accepted Answer

The city of Paris is divided into 20 sections known as arrondissements that swirl like a snail's shell to identify parts of Paris. The first arrondissement is in the very center and flow outward in a spiral until you get to the 20th.  You might hear that somewhere is "located in the 7th" or that your hotel is in the 16th - this gives everyone a sense of space in a big bustling city.

Typically, the lower the arrondissement number, the older the section so the oldest parts of the city will be in the center section of the shell and numbered 1 through 4.

If this is your first trip to Paris, you probably want to be in the center of things and close to all the main sites.   We would recommend sticking to arrondissements 1-8.   But that's not to say you shouldn't venture elsewhere.   Each neighborhood is unique and holds its own charms.   And the Paris public transport system is so well organized and will get you to any corner of the city in no time.

Question 4

How to get around Paris

Accepted Answer

Paris is a walkable city -  and discovering it "à pied" (by foot) is the best way to see all that it has to offer and to discover its many hidden gems.    But, sometimes public transport is necessary to get you from one side of the city to another so you don't miss you reserved time at the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre.   Some of our best tips:

If you are going to be in Paris for a few days, purchase a Navigo Easy pass.  This pass can be loaded with a set number of trips that you can use for either the metro, bus or tram systems in Paris.   It can even be used for a ride on the funicular in Montmartre to save yourself the climb of about 200 steps!!!  Just note that this pass is just for the central (Zone 1) region of Paris so if you are traveling to some of the attractions outside the city (Versailles for example) you will need to buy different tickets.

Important to Note: Each person will need their own pass as you can't use the same pass more than once to get through the turnstiles.

The metro system is very user friendly.    The lines are numbered from Line 1 to the newest Line 14.   Each line has a beginning and ending station that will be marked on the signage.    There will be signs at each station direction you to the Line and in which direction (for example for Line 1 the signs will be for either the direction "La Defense" or "Vincennes").  You simply chose which direction you are going in and the sign will also list each station that the train will stop at - so you can be sure you picked the right train.

At most stations (and on buses) you only need to scan your ticket when you enter - BUT there are a few that require you to scan again in order to exit, so keep you ticket handy.   And if you don't purchase an Easy card, and opt for individual paper tickets instead - always always hold on to the ticket until you've completely left the station.

On buses and trams, there will be scanners to validate your card when you get on the bus.

Also, you will often find inspectors at stations or on the buses doing random checks to make sure you have paid to enter.  They will ask for your card to scan it to confirm - so make sure you always scan your ticket.   If you haven't they will issue you a hefty fine of upwards of €50!!

Question 5

How do we boulangerie??

Accepted Answer

One of the best parts of living in Paris is having boulangeries on nearly every street (as of 2020, there were more than 1100 boulangeries in the city!)  Each filled with fresh baked bread, sandwiches, quiches, patisserie and so much more!

Everything in a boulangerie is made fresh every day so these are not your typical deli sandwiches that have been sitting around your local grocer or bodega for the last 10 days! The bread is baked fresh often two or three times each day and the ingredients are added every morning. The food served will be seasonal for optimal freshness which means you probably won't get butternut squash soup in July or a strawberry tarte in February but we're not mad about it because everything there should be of the best quality available.

First things first - say hello! When you catch the eye of the person serving at the boulangerie say Bonjour! It is a strict rule of etiquette here in France that the greeting always comes first.  If you'd like to follow up with English, in most places in Paris that is just fine as long as you ask nicely. "En anglais, s'il vous plaît?" is a great way to request this. Then you can ask kindly and patiently for your item(s).

Things to note - no they will not make another sandwich for you without the eggs and no, they will not cut it in half for you (it's simply not done) but they will ask if you'd like your quiche heated up (chaufe). As I've taught my kids, you get what you get and we don't get upset!

Bon Appetit!

Question 6

Is Paris safe?

Accepted Answer

Paris is one of the world's busiest cities, and like all big cities it is important to be smart and aware of your surroundings.   Is there crime in Paris - of course.  But is there any city in which that statement is not true?  Overall , Paris is a very  safe city and if you use common sense you should have zero reason to be concerned.

What about the pickpockets?

As in most major tourist locations, petty thieves know that distracted tourists can be easy targets.  Be aware your surroundings.   Keep you purse closed and preferably in front of you - especially on the metro.  Don't keep your wallet in your back pocket.   We know that you will be mesmerized by the beauty of Paris, but keep your eyes on your belongings at all times particularly in the more crowded tourist locations.

"Sign my petition, s'il vous plait"

If anyone comes up to you with a clipboard, asking you to sign anything - keep walking while politely saying "No, Merci." You may feel as if you are being impolite, but these are the most common scams that you will find.  You will often at a crowded tourist site (Louvre, Sacre Coeur, Eiffel Tower) be approached by several women distracting you with a petition they are holding.   While you're signing your wallet is being slipped out of your purse.   Just keep walking!!!

A similar one is men who will come up to you and offer you a free friendship bracelet to "welcome you to Paris".   This scam is found most often in Montmartre near the Sacre Coeur.   They will make small talk (they invariably speak English) asking, What do you think of Paris? Where are you from? All the while tying a string bracelet on your wrist.  They will even tell you it is just a gift - only to demand (sometimes aggressively) that you pay a hefty sum for it after it has been tied.   Again, just keep walking with a stern "No, merci!"

Know before you go