Paris is a city of romance and charm. Champs Elysees, Louvre, the famous Eiffel Tower - all this attracts with its beauty and sophistication. Going to this city, it is worth knowing about some of the nuances and features that will help save you from unnecessary spending and not spoil the impression of this place.
Safety
The first thing you always need to know and remember in Paris is a careful attitude to personal belongings. The area of popular attractions is always very crowded. It's easy to become a victim of pickpocketing thieves. To avoid falling into the hands of intruders, follow these simple rules:
· Move all banknotes and valuables away. Don't put them in your jeans pocket or outside of your bag.
· Hold the bag so that you can see it, hold it tight.
It is also worth knowing about local fraud schemes. In places where tourists gather, tents with small souvenirs are set up. Such trinkets are, as a rule, very cheap. If you are going to buy something there, prepare a trifle in advance, do not take out your wallet and show its contents in the crowd.
At the foot of Montmartre there are young people of exotic appearance who will insist on tying a bauble on your hand. Don't give in, as this is a distraction maneuver to get into your pocket.
Tourists are often approached with a request to sign some kind of petition to save the world and nature. After you sign it, you will be required to pay a fee. It is better to bypass such offers.
Paris is not a safe city. Therefore, it is better to choose housing not on the outskirts. But if you decide to save money and stay in a hotel far from the center, then it is better not to go out in the dark or, in extreme cases, take a taxi.
These simple rules will help you avoid becoming a victim of scams and have a great time in this wonderful place.
Where to check in
As mentioned above, Paris can be fraught with many dangers. Therefore, the choice of a hotel should be approached carefully. Housing here is not the cheapest and the closer to the center, the more expensive it is. But choosing to live in a district beyond the 17th and even more so the northern suburbs is not worth it. Although it will be cheaper, it is not safer at times. The most optimal areas are 1st and 8th. The 1st arrondissement is the center of Paris. Yes, it is not cheap here, but it is calm and close to the sights.
How to handle money and pay for services and purchases
Euro is the national currency of the French. It is better to exchange money before departure to the country, since it will not be very profitable to do this on the spot. But if there is a need for an exchange already in Paris, then you need to use an official point so as not to get caught by scammers.
In most establishments, including shops, cafes, museums, you can pay by credit card. Therefore, there should be no problems with this.
Transport
The transport system in Paris is still incomprehensible to tourists. Although, if you look at it, there is nothing complicated here. If you are relaxing in this city, it is best for you to use the following modes of transportation:
· Metro. Tickets can be bought at the terminal or kiosk.
· RER - suitable electric trains. They can be driven outside of Paris, as well as inside it. Very convenient and fast.
· Night bus - for those who wish to see the city in lights.
· Taxi is a last resort, as you will have to pay a lot of money for the trip.
Food and drink
Chic French restaurants are not cheap. You can save money if you eat in local cafes, although their appearance is not as attractive as the general impression of the city. But the interior will not be reflected in the cooked food in any way. The cuisine there is really worthy of attention. For a hearty and budget-friendly meal, choose cafes located on the upper floors of supermarkets.
There are many wine boutiques in the city, but prices are expensive there. You can buy good wine in ordinary Auchan (they are also in Paris). The French drink tap water and believe that it is not harmful to their health. Even a cafe will offer you a glass of this water for free. To drink or not to drink is up to you. But it is better to use the cleanest well near the Avenue Henri Martin metro station. The water is 100% safe there.
How to behave in catering establishments
There are many different cafes and restaurants in Paris, at the entrance you need to say hello, and then wait for the waiter, who will indicate a free table. After a meal in the country, it is customary to tip, which should be about 10% of the amount.
sights
Well, what, what, and in Paris there are hundreds. But the most popular are:
· Eiffel Tower;
· Montmartre;
· Louvre;
· Triumphal Arch.
Champs Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral, Georges Pompidou Center will continue this list. But that's not all, there are still many places in Paris that cannot be reviewed in one month. Therefore, before the trip, it is worth making a plan of the sights that you want to visit the most.
And a little about how to look at the main thing and save your money:
1. If you plan to visit the Louvre, then come there on Friday. If you are not yet 25 years old, you will get inside absolutely free of charge. On Fridays, they have such a promotion.
2. The famous French tower can be climbed on foot. First, stretch your legs a little; secondly, save about $ 20; and thirdly, do not waste your time standing in line for the elevator. True, you will have to look from the height of the second floor, but you can admire the city from above in another way. It is not charming to climb to the top of the tower.
3. Montparnasse just offers the opportunity to look at the city from a bird's eye view. There are fewer people here and the entrance is cheaper. The view from this place is simply magnificent, although the Parisians themselves consider this tower nondescript. Downstairs there is an inexpensive restaurant where you can relax and look through the panoramic windows.
4. In Paris, there is a "Free wallking tour" system, which implies free excursions. But in fact, the brochure contains information that the recommended price for the tour is 15 euros. Tourists are expected to pay this amount.
5. The next tip is not about money spent, but time. There are many tourists in the city, everyone wants to go to the Louvre and the tower. You can spend a lot of time in queues. But there is the Internet, order tickets in advance on it and then there will be much less problems with spending extra time waiting.
Where to take a walk
In addition to the most common sights, the quiet Parisian streets are worth a visit. It is wonderful to walk on a warm day along the Boulevard Saint-Germain, climb Montparnasse or sit on the grass in the Luxembourg Gardens. These places will give you a completely different view of this city.
Toilets
Public toilets are free here. But they are quite high-tech, so you will have to study in advance how to handle them.
And finally, let's dispel the generally accepted opinion about inhospitable Parisians who, allegedly, do not like tourists. In fact, this is not at all the case. Walk up to a local, smile at him and say a few simple phrases in their native language, and you will immediately see how the Frenchman will flourish and be ready to help you. Therefore, before traveling to this country, be sure to learn at least the simplest and most basic words and sentences.
