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Useful tips

Small things that make the trip easier

Airport

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) · Orly (ORY)

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Emergency

112

Medical (SAMU)

Book the big names

The Louvre, Eiffel Tower summit and Versailles sell timed slots; book the first slot of the day.

Use the métro

Fast and dense. Pay with a contactless card or load a Navigo Easy pass; keep your ticket until you exit.

Watch your bags

Pickpockets work the métro, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. Use a zipped cross-body bag and keep phones out of back pockets.

Official taxis only

Take taxis from the marked ranks or use an app; ignore drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall.

Say bonjour

Greet shopkeepers and waiters with “Bonjour” before anything else. It changes the service you get.

Sunday rhythm

Many shops close on Sundays outside the Marais, the Champs-Élysées and tourist zones.

Layers and an umbrella

October mornings can be cool and showers are common. A light coat and a compact umbrella are enough.

Restaurant hours

Lunch runs about noon to 2 pm and dinner from 7.30 pm; book popular places a few days ahead.

Service is included

Prices include service. Round up or leave a few euros for good service.

Cards everywhere

Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a few coins for toilets and markets.

Stay connected

An eSIM set up before you fly saves time at the airport.

Shorter October evenings

Clocks go back on Sunday 25 October; plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and early afternoon.

Paris is generally safe, but petty theft is common in crowded places. Check the entry rules for your passport before you travel.

WundrPath · City guides