f you want to get the most out of your sixth form, college or university group trip to Paris, there are a few things you need to know.
When to visit – Paris is a popular destination all year round. However, June to August is the main tourist season, meaning the city will be busier than usual during this time. Late spring or early autumn are ideal times to visit, when things are a little less busy, but the weather is still pleasant.
Getting around – The easiest and quickest way to get around Paris is on the metro and Réseau Express Régional (RER) suburban train line, with services on certain lines running from 5.30am until 1.15am, or 2.15am on Fridays and Saturdays. Paris also features a practically free bike system called VELIB, allowing you to pick up and drop off public bikes at 1,800 points around the city. Or, for a fun, different way to explore Paris, the Batobus is a boat that stops at 8 locations along the Seine.
Beware of closures during August – If you plan to visit Paris during August, it’s important to be aware that many of the city’s smaller restaurants, shops and other venues will be closed. This is due to the fact that August is when Parisians traditionally head on holiday, so research seasonal closures in advance to make sure you aren’t disappointed.
Service charges are included – When you receive your bill in a restaurant, you can expect to see a service charge of around 12-15% added on to your total. This is standard practice, and any additional tipping is purely optional, but not necessary.
Look out for Pass Paris Wi-Fi signs – As is becoming increasingly common in major cities, visitors to Paris can enjoy free W-Fi access in 260 municipal parks and squares, town halls and libraries. Just keep your eye out for the Pass Paris Wi-Fi signs.
Five phrases to remember
If you want to be able to interact with the locals on your trip to Paris, here are a few useful phrases you should try and remember.
- Bonjour, je m’appelle… – Hello, my name is…
- Excusez-moi, où est le metro? – Excuse me, where is the metro?
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît – The check, please
- Parlez-vous anglais? – Do you speak English?
- La carte des vins, s’il vous plaît – The wine list, please
Learn more about Paris Student Tours
If you want to find out more about student trips to Paris, get in touch with our team today.