Paris, France: Pre-Departure Planning Guide

Preparing you for your trip

Event schedule: find your program dates

Program schedule

Gallery view

April 2 - May 2, 2025

April 16 - May 16, 2025

May 4 - June 3, 2025

May 18 - June 17, 2025

Pre-departure

Packing

• Packing Considerations
• Consider the Season: Paris has distinct seasons. Pack light, breathable fabrics for summer and warm layers for winter. Spring and fall can be mild, so pack clothes that can be layered. A rain jacket might also come in handy.
• Walking Shoes: Paris is a walkable city, so comfortable shoes are essential. Opt for closed-toe shoes with good tread for navigating cobblestone streets.

• Neutral Colors: Parisians tend to favor neutral or muted colored clothing. Neutral pieces are easier to mix and match, allowing for more outfit combinations with less luggage.

• Luggage: Navigating the streets of Paris with a large suitcase can be difficult, try to pack as light as possible since you will have the advantage of washing your clothes while you’re here.

• Non-Obvious Things to Pack
• Respectful Attire: For visits to churches and religious sites, pack clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. A light scarf can be handy for quick cover-ups.
• Travel Adapter: France uses a two-pronged plug different from the US. Pack a travel adapter to charge your electronics.
• Small Umbrella: Rain showers can happen any time. A small, foldable umbrella can be a lifesaver.
• Medications: Pack an adequate supply of any medications you take regularly. Bring a doctor's note for prescriptions in case you need refills.

Important Phone Numbers

• Paris Community Manager: Alexandra de Villiers: +33782860053

In-country

Arrival Day

• You will receive your specific check-in information approximately 48 hours prior to the start date of the program. You are responsible for getting to your apartment from the airport.

• If you are arriving at one of the Paris airports, it is very easy to take a taxi to your apartment.
• Once exiting customs you should follow the signs to the official airport taxi stand, where an airport official employee will assist you with getting a regulated taxi.
• Do not accept a taxi from the drivers waiting in the arrival hall, these tend to over charge and are not regulated. Ride share apps like Uber are not as efficient for leaving the airport and can be tricky to locate.
• Once you drop off your luggage at your apartment, you’ll likely never need a taxi again in Paris, everything is walkable and you will have access to the metro system.

Getting Around

• Public transportation
• Paris is a walkable city, but if your feet get tired, don't worry! They have a convenient public transit system with metro lines running throughout the city.
• Citymapper is the most accurate and comprehensive app for navigating public transport. It is free and may take a few minutes getting used to, but it will be your best friend in Paris.
• You can also recharge your Navigo Travel Card (used for buses, metro, and some trains) directly on the official French public transportation app called “Île-de-France Mobilités” (click here to download for iPhone / Android).
• Your Community Manager will teach you how to use local public transport; you’ll be getting around like a local in no time!

• Car rental
• Consider if you really need a car: Paris is a walkable city with great public transportation, so a car might not be necessary. If you plan on exploring the French countryside or nearby towns, then a car becomes more helpful, but buses and trains connect the country quite well.
• Insurance: Rental car insurance can be expensive, so check your existing car insurance and credit card coverage to see if they provide rental car protection in France.
• Tolls: Most highways in France have tolls. Rental companies often offer toll payment options like prepaid boxes or post-trip billing.
• Driving in Paris: Driving in Paris can be challenging. There are congested roads and limited parking. Familiarize yourself with traffic regulations before hitting the road.
• Parking: Parking in Paris can be tricky and expensive. Look for designated parking areas or garages, and avoid leaving your car on the street for long periods.

• Bikes
• Bikes are a great way to explore the city if you feel comfortable riding in a city environment. Most streets have bike lanes and traffic is aware of cyclists. You can rent bikes on car sharing apps like Uber and Bolt. They are widely available and easy to rent. They have to be returned in specifically designated bike parking areas.

Money

• Inform Your Bank: Let your bank know you'll be traveling to France to avoid any issues with using your card abroad. IMPORTANT!

• Cash vs. Credit Card: While credit cards are widely accepted in Paris, it's always a good idea to carry some euros in cash for smaller purchases or emergencies.

• Using your Credit Card: When paying by credit card, the machine may ask if you would like to pay in local currency. The answer is Yes. The next question will be whether you Accept or Reject the conversion rate. Always select “Reject”. This will prevent you from being charged any hidden fees. You will also be asked these questions at most ATMs.

• ATMs are called Distributeur Automatique de Billets (DAB): ATMs in Paris are called DAB’s. They are widely available throughout Paris, especially near tourist areas and banks.

• Look for Major Banks: Opt for ATMs affiliated with major French banks like Crédit Agricole, Banque Populaire Caisse d’Épargne, and La Banque Postale. These might offer better exchange rates and lower fees compared to independent ATM providers.

• Avoid Euronet ATMs: While convenient, Euronet ATMs are known for higher fees and potentially less favorable exchange rates. Try to avoid them if possible.

• Check Fees Before Withdrawing: Always check the ATM screen for any withdrawal fees before you confirm the transaction it is advised to Reject the conversion rate. Your home bank may also charge additional foreign transaction fees.

• Carry Some Euros: It's always a good idea to carry some euros in cash before you arrive in Paris. This will help you cover any immediate expenses in case you have trouble finding an ATM or your card doesn't work.

Communication

• Check with Your Provider: Some mobile providers offer international roaming packages that work in France. You might want to check with your carrier before you leave to avoid high roaming charges.

• Data Plans: If your carrier offers a decent data plan for France, you can use it for navigation, browsing, and communication apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

• Ensure your phone supports eSIM technology. Most newer models from brands like Apple, Google, and Samsung support eSIM.

• We recommend using Truely eSIM which allows you to easily and cheaply connect to the local cell network wherever you travel - and avoid roaming charges. Truely specifically offers an option that includes all of Europe and the UK, and only costs about $10.  Click here to see how it works. 

• Messaging
• We require you to use Whatsapp for text messaging, this is what people in the UK use commonly. You can also use it for making calls on wifi.

• Wi-Fi
• Public wifi: Many cafes, restaurants, and hotels offer free wifi. This is a great option for basic tasks such as email and text messaging.
• Apartment wifi: Your apartment will have high speed wifi that you can use for FaceTime and other messaging apps such as Whatsapp, iMessage, Zoom.
• Download Offline Maps and Apps: Having offline maps and apps like Google Translate downloaded can be helpful if you lose signal or wifi access.

• Local calls
• You may need to call local businesses or people in France. We recommend that you use Whatsapp to make local calls, and to avoid incurring international calling charges

Dining Out

• Tipping
• Not Mandatory: Unlike the US, tipping 20% in Paris is not expected or mandatory. However, 10% is common for travelers visiting Paris
• Small Gestures: If you had a great experience, a small tip of a few pounds or rounding up the bill is perfectly acceptable.
• Check for Service Charge: Some restaurants might include a service charge of 10% on the bill. Look for this before leaving an additional tip.

• Restaurant Reservations
• Fine Dining & Popular Spots: For Michelin-starred restaurants or highly-rated establishments, reservations are strongly recommended long in advance of your intended dining date, especially for dinner. These places can fill up quickly, particularly during peak tourist season (March-November).
• Casual Eateries: Reservations are highly advisable. Paris restaurants tend to be busy and any group larger than 4 usually requires prior notice.
• Making Reservations: The most common apps for making reservations are Open Table and TheFork, however, many restaurants still take reservations the old fashioned way - with a phone call!
• Most restaurants in Paris have websites where you can book a table online.
• For tips on where to eat, you can check out the website

Fitness & Health

• Pharmacies
• Most pharmacies in Paris can accommodate English speakers. Luckily there are so many pharmacies, you can simply try the one next door if there happens to be no English speaking staff on shift.
• Gym, yoga, spa sessions and various classes can be booked on ClassPass, this is a fantastic site with many various options for classes lead in English.
• For purchasing workout gear, sports clothing, there is Decathlon, a chain store found in the centre.

Community Manager

• Hours of Availability
• Our Community Manager is there to support your experience. They will be physically present at community events, and that is a great time to talk to them.
• Outside of community events, the Community Manager is available via Whatsapp from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. As they have families and other obligations, we ask that you respect these hours for regular messages.

• Emergencies
• In the event of an emergency, you may call or text the Community Manager at any time via Whatsapp.

Optional Tours

• Louvre Museum Tour: A Guided Crash Course - Get an insider's view of the world's largest art collection.

• Montmartre Tour with Sacré-Coeur - Wind your way through the bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre.

• Paris WWII History Tour: Nazi Occupation and the Resistance - Illuminating a dark chapter in history.

• Paris Food Tour: Essentials of French Cuisine - Taste the rich history of Paris's culinary culture