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FAQ

When is the best time to visit Paris?

You should appreciate Paris whatever the time of year you chose to visit. There are enough museums, exhibits and indoor sights to keep you busy even when it rains or it is cold outside. If you can chose the period, we recommend to visit Paris during springtime, when the weather is nice and there are not yet too many tourists. May is one of the nicest months. However, if you want to meet Parisians, be aware that they are usually enjoying the numerous bank holidays away from the city. June is also a very pleasant month. The French open finals take place on the first weekend of June and they are rarely postponed because of bad weather. Moreover, you will have more time to visit the city as the sun does not set before 9:30 pm. You will also be able to mix with the crowd of Parisians who take advantage of the long sunny days to have a picnic.

How many days should I stay in Paris?

According to a statistic, if you spend just one minute in front of each piece of art in the Louvre, you will need 4 months to visit the entire museum! There are so many things to see in Paris that, unless you can spend a few weeks, you will have to make some choices. By way of examples:

  • in 2 days, you will have a global view of Paris and enough time to see the main monuments
  • in 3 days, you will have a global view of Paris and enough time to see a few monuments, do some shopping and enjoy a few cultural activities (concerts, exhibitions, cooking classes or wine tastings)
  • in one week, you will really be able to enjoy Paris and stroll through its streets. You will have time to live the Parisian life: well-known restaurants, walks in the historic districts, museums… You will even have time to spend a day in Versailles to visit the castle.

Which major events take place in Paris?

Paris is famous around the world for its cultural wealth. Major events are organized all year long. You will find below a rapid overview:

What are the French public holidays?

France is known for its numerous public holidays. The French enjoy indeed 11 national “jours feriés” (holidays) annually! A lot of stores, restaurants and museums are closed on those days. Don’t be surprised if you visit Paris on a public holiday !  Lots of Parisians use the occasion to « faire le pont » ( take a long weekend)  to leave the city. Paris is therefore usually quieter and particularly perfect for a walking tour!   You will find below the list of the public holidays:
  • January, 1st: New Year’s Day
  • East Monday : is in April, the day after Easter
  • May, 1st : Labor Day
  • May, 8th: Victory Day (Armistice 1945)
  • Whit Monday: in May
  • Ascension Day: in May
  • July, 14th: the national holiday that commemorates the “fête de la Nation” celebrated a year after the storming of the Bastille
  • August, 15th: Asumption Day
  • November, 1st : All Saints’ Day
  • November, 11th: Armistice Day (WWI)
  • December, 25th: Christmas Day

How should I dress in Paris?

Visiting Paris often means long walks and museum visits so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. However, you may feel awkward in the chic districts of the capital as Parisians are very fashionable. In any case, avoid wearing casual shoes if you go to a restaurant at night. In most places, however, wearing a suit or a tie is no longer mandatory.

Is it hard to find a hotel in Paris?

Tourists come to Paris all year long and numerous conventions are organized. Therefore, the occupancy rate is rate. But don’t worry, Paris has adapted its hotel capacity accordingly, even though some periods are busier than others. You may have difficulties to find a hotel that matches all your criteria so do not hesitate to opt for the Easy Paris if you need help.

How far in advance should I book my hotel?

Depending on the time of year you chose to come you may have difficulties finding a hotel at the last minute. If you book two or three months in advance, you should not have any problems finding a hotel in your price range and in the desired location. If you are having difficulties finding a hotel or if you do not know how to make a choice, our formula Easy Paris can help you!

Should I buy Euros before going to Paris?

You will find cash dispensers almost everywhere in Paris. Commissions will vary from one bank to another. You will also find exchange bureaux in most tourist areas. These bureaux usually offer competitive rates and are usually opened at night. Therefore, it is not necessary to change money into Euros before you leave.

Should I leave tips when in Paris?

French people have a reputation for not being generous when it comes to tipping. Things are changing however. 10% of the restaurant bill or of the cost of the taxi ride are usually customary. You are of course free not to leave any tip, especially if the waiter or the driver has not satisfied your expectations. It is customary to leave 1 or 2 Euros when they take you to your seat. Don’t be surprised if you are being asked to leave a tip in public restrooms and even in the restrooms of certain restaurants.

Is the water suitable for drinking?

The water is suitable for drinking almost everywhere in France. You will find bottled waters (plain or sparkling water) in all supermarkets. In restaurants, you will have the choice between a « carafe d’eau » (tap water) which is free, or bottled-water (plain or sparkling).

How many inhabitants are there in Paris?

Paris itself counts more than 2, 2 million inhabitants, while the agglomeration of Paris, which includes the suburbs of Paris, counts a little bit more than 10 million inhabitants. Paris is one of Europe’s most populated metropolises. The number of inhabitants varies greatly from one arrondissement to another. The most populated arrondissement is the 15th while the least populated one is the 1st, a significant part of which is occupied by the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens.
The population for each arrondissement is the following:
  • The 1st arrondissement : 17 800 inhabitants
  • The 2nd arrondissement : 22 600 inhabitants
  • The 3rd arrondissement : 36 360 inhabitants
  • The 4th arrondissement : 29 140 inhabitants
  • The 5th arrondissement : 62 240 inhabitants
  • The 6th arrondissement : 43 980 inhabitants
  • The 7th arrondissement : 58 310 inhabitants
  • The 8th arrondissement : 40 850 inhabitants
  • The 9th arrondissement : 61 040 inhabitants
  • The 10th arrondissement : 96 730 inhabitants
  • The 11th arrondissement : 154 410 inhabitants
  • The 12th arrondissement : 144 600 inhabitants
  • The 13th arrondissement : 184 030 inhabitants
  • The 14th arrondissement : 138 470 inhabitants
  • The 15th arrondissement : 238 920 inhabitants
  • The 16th arrondissement : 171 880 inhabitants
  • The 17th arrondissement : 170 220 inhabitants
  • The 18th arrondissement : 201 980 inhabitants
  • The 19th arrondissement : 186 510 inhabitants
  • The 20th arrondissement : 198 680 inhabitants

What is the surface area of Paris?

The surface area of Paris is 105km², which is small for a European capital. Paris is indeed a « centralized » city. It is relatively easy to get around in Paris on foot and to go through different arrondissements without taking public transportations. It is actually possible to cross the entire city on foot from North to South. You will need about 6 hours. An itinerary has even been designed. You just need to follow the red and yellow signs on lampposts from the Porte de la Villette in the north of Paris to Parc Montsouris in the south. This journey will take you through the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, the Canal Saint-Martin, the Marais, the île Saint-Louis, the Panthéon. Other itineraries allow you to cross Paris from West to East. For more information, you can visit the site www.rando-paris.orgwhich will give you all the necessary details.

How many streets are there in Paris ?

Paris counts 6 088 streets. The longest one is rue de Vaugirard, on the left bank, which goes through the 6th and 15th arrondissements over a distance of more than 4 kilometers.  The widest street is avenue Foch, in the 16th, with an average width of 120 meters.The shortest street is rue des Degrés in the 2nd arrondissement. It only measures 5,75 meters! The narrowest street is rue du Chat qui Pêche in the 5th arrondissement. And finally, the steepest street is rue Gasnier-Guy in the 20th arrondissement with an incline of 17%!

How many tourists come every year to Paris?

The agglomeration of Paris welcomes every year 42 million tourists, 28 millions of whom only visit Paris itself, making it the most visited city in the world.Some tourists only visit Versailles or the EuroDisney amusement park without even going to Paris.

What are the most visited places in Paris?

According to the Paris Tourism Office, the Top 10 most visited places in Paris are the following:
1. Notre-Dame de Paris: 13,7 millions visitors each year
2. Sacré-Cœur: 10,5 millions visitors each year
3. Louvre: 8,3 millions visitors each year
4. The Eiffel Tower: 6,7 millions visitors each year
5. Centre Georges Pompidou: 5,5 millions visitors each year
6. La Villette: 5 millions visitors each year
7. The Orsay Museum: 5 millions visitors each year
8. The Arc de Triomphe: 1,5 millions visitors each year
9. The Quai Branly Museum: 1,4 millions visitors each year
10. The Museum of Natural History: 1,4 millions visitors each year

What is the motto of Paris ?

The motto of Paris is « Fluctuat Nec Mergitur », which means « Tossed by the waves she does not sink».This motto refers to the origins of Paris, when the city, then called Lutèce, was just a fisherman’s village along the Seine river. It is the Baron Haussmann who made it the official motto of Paris in 1853. Since then, it can be seen a little bit everywhere in Paris, on public buildings such as schools, city halls, museums and lampposts, on monuments… Look closely, you should see it a little bit everywhere!

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