Rick Steves' Helpful Advice For First-Time Visitors To Make The Most Of Paris

Paris, France, occupies a unique place in many people's minds. It's full of romance, culture, history, and so much to see that you'd have to move there to experience it all. Planning a trip here can be overwhelming, so it helps to get advice from someone who's been there. Luckily, travel pro Rick Steves has a crucial piece of advice: be ruthlessly selective. Regarding this, Steves writes: "Limit yourself to Paris and perhaps one other popular region (Normandy, the Loire, the Dordogne, Provence, or the French Riviera). You can't experience l'art de vivre — the art of living — if you're rushing around."

Although it might seem tempting to try and see everything, the reality is that doing too much will likely result in travel burnout. However, by sticking to Paris and potentially one other region, Steves argues you'll have more room to soak up more authentic experiences. Whittling things down is also crucial when it comes to exploring Paris itself: Pick a few sites you want to hit, reserve any necessary timed-entry tickets, and then stick to the plan. This doesn't mean you can't be spontaneous, though — just that trying to cram in every single attraction into one visit will likely keep you from enjoying them fully. 

A great way to make the most of your time is finding accommodation as close to the action as possible. "In Paris, apartment rentals are generally no cheaper than nice hotels, but you'll get more space and can save some money on meals," Steves writes. Beyond that, he also recommends splurging on a local guide at the start of your trip. That way, you can get recommendations for food, off-the-beaten-path sites, and places that tend to attract people who actually live here rather than just tourist traps.

Another way Rick Steves says to save some time so you can really enjoy what you're seeing is to consider sightseeing passes. Specifically, he recommends the Paris Museum Pass, which allows you to skip long lines at many locations. You can get the pass in two-, four-, and six-day packages that provide free entry to over 50 museums and monuments, including the Towers of Notre-Dame de Paris, the Picasso Museum, the Panthéon, the Louvre, the Orsay Museum, the Centre Pompidou, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Palace of Versailles and Trianon. He also recommends getting your ticket to the Eiffel Tower long before you set foot on French soil. Additionally, it's also worth taking a look at Steves' tip for entering the Louvre through the "secret entrance," which he stresses has fewer lines.

Part of the mystique of Paris is the cuisine, and walking all day is surely going to work up an appetite. Steves cautions travelers, however, to stay away from restaurants and cafes right next to tourist spots. Instead, he says picking something "off the main drag." Ideally, look for small, handwritten menus — which mean the restaurant likely uses fresh ingredients — and avoid places with menus in several languages that include pictures of the food. The travel guru also notes that dinner service usually starts around 7 p.m., and that if you're planning on dining later, it's best to reserve a table. 

Finally, it's important to know that fixed-price meals are available, and they usually include several courses. These are called "le menu." However, if you want something off the menu, make sure to order "la carte." As for paying, it's worth noting that taxes and tips are included in the prices you see.

One thing that can really help your time in Paris is learning some phrases in French, as any attempt to speak the language can go a long way with locals and help you adapt. Rick Steves suggests learning five phrases: "bonjour (good day); pardon (pardon me) — you'll be using it on the Métro; s'il vous plaît (please); merci (thank you); and au revoir (goodbye)." Steves also writes: "Begin every encounter (for instance, when entering a shop) with 'Bonjour, madame (or monsieur),' and end every encounter with a cheery 'Au revoir, madame (or monsieur).'"

Alternatively, you can also Google's Translate app for live conversation translation, as well as the built-in camera feature which can help with reading labels. In fact, this last one is a must if you decide to visit a French grocery store — an unexpected must-visit store in a new destination — to grab some picnic items and get a taste of what it's actually like to do as the locals do (and eat) in Paris. A few good spots to enjoy your snacks include the Champ de Mars, right in front of the Eiffel Tower, as well as the Palais Royal and the Jardin des Tuileries.

As for getting around, Steves suggests that you get comfortable using the public transportation system. The Métro, or subway, is pretty simple to navigate, and is a great way to get where you're going. You can purchase several rides at once with a transit pass, or you can get a Pass Navigo, which covers the city as well as châteaux and airports. If you're planning on a trip outside the city — just one, though, as he noted — Steves recommends looking at high-speed bullet trains and rail passes. Bon voyage à Paris!