Paris Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 7.5/10
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October. Avoid August when many locals leave.
- Population
- 2.2M
Overview
The City of Light enchants with its iconic Eiffel Tower, world-class art museums, legendary cuisine, romantic boulevards, and an unmatched café culture.
Getting around
Metro, bus, and Vélib' bike-sharing. A Navigo pass is good value for weekly travel.
Local etiquette
Always begin interactions with 'Bonjour' (or 'Bonsoir') and 'Merci' — skipping the greeting is considered rude. Dress neatly, keep your voice down in public, and don't expect to rush meals, which are leisurely affairs. Service is included, but rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated, and a few words of French are warmly received.
Safety
Paris is generally safe but has issues with pickpockets around major monuments and on the metro.