A First-Timer’s Guide to Exploring Paris

Paris is one of those cities that feels familiar even before you visit — you’ve seen it in movies, in art, in stories. But being there is different. The air feels slower somehow, even when everyone’s rushing.

If it’s your first time, start simple. Don’t try to see everything in three days. Walk. Get lost a little. The city reveals itself best that way. Mornings are perfect for quiet strolls by the Seine or coffee at a small corner café — not the fancy ones, just the kind where locals stop before work.

Visit the big sights, of course — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre. But pick your timing. The Louvre is almost peaceful in the early morning, and Montmartre feels magical right before sunset.

And don’t overthink food. Some of your best meals might come from a bakery line or a small bistro that looks too modest to matter. That’s the beauty of Paris — sometimes the unplanned moments are the ones that stay with you.