My First Trip to Paris: What I Loved, What I’d Skip & Tips I Wish I Knew

Paris had been on my travel list for a long time, and I finally got to experience the City of Light for myself. And let me tell you:

Paris is beautiful, romantic, busy, a little overwhelming, and absolutely worth experiencing at least once.

But there were also a few things that surprised me—and a few famous spots that I probably wouldn’t rush back to.

As a travel advisor, I’m always looking at a destination from two perspectives: Would I personally enjoy this? And what would I want my clients to know before they arrive?

So instead of giving you another list of “10 things you MUST do in Paris,” here’s what my first experience in Paris was really like.

That Eiffel Tower View Was Worth It

Yashy enjoying breakfast on the balcony at Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel with views of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

We stayed at the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel, and one of the main reasons I chose it was the location.

And, of course, the view.

We booked a room with an Eiffel Tower balcony view, and there is something completely different about waking up, stepping onto your balcony, and seeing the Eiffel Tower right there.

Then at night, when the tower begins to sparkle? MAGICAL.

Yes, you can stay farther away and potentially save money. But for a first trip to Paris, a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, or another special occasion, I think location and view can become part of the experience—not just a place to sleep.

Travel Advisor Tip: If having an Eiffel Tower view is important to you, make sure you're booking the correct room category. Staying at a hotel near the Eiffel Tower does not automatically mean your room will have an Eiffel Tower view.

Arriving on a Sunday Was Actually Perfect

One thing I really enjoyed was arriving in Paris on a Sunday.

Paris is obviously one of the most visited cities in the world, so crowds are part of the experience. But arriving on Sunday gave us a slightly calmer introduction to the city.

Instead of trying to land and immediately conquer Paris, we had time to settle in, explore, eat, and start getting familiar with our surroundings.

That is something I would recommend to my clients: don't over-plan your arrival day.

After an overnight international flight, immigration, luggage, transportation to your hotel, and possibly waiting for your room, you may not have the energy you think you're going to have.

Give yourself time to enjoy Paris instead of turning your first day into a race.

Rue Cler Was One of Those “This Feels Like Paris” Moments

Ymg travels owner Yashy holding fresh French bread during her first trip to Paris, France.

One of the things I loved about Paris wasn't necessarily a major attraction.

It was simply walking around.

Rue Cler was one of those areas where I could slow down, look around, stop for something to eat, have some wine, and just enjoy being in Paris.

Sometimes we become so focused on checking off the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, and all the major attractions that we forget one of the best things to do in Paris:

Wander.

Sit at a café.

Order the wine.

Have the pastry.

People-watch.

Those little moments ended up being some of my favorites.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Give Me the Cafés and Shopping

Another area I enjoyed exploring was Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

This is the Paris people imagine: cafés, beautiful architecture, shopping, little streets, and plenty of places where you want to stop and take a picture.

But this area also taught me an important Paris lesson…

Famous Doesn't Always Mean Best

Of course, I had to try Café de Flore.

It's iconic. You've seen it all over Instagram and TikTok, and it's one of those places people feel like they have to visit when they're in Paris.

So we went.

Would I go back?

Probably not. 😂

I'm glad I experienced it once, but the food and service didn't live up to the hype for me.

Nearby Les Deux Magots was also extremely busy.

This is something I always tell travelers: there is nothing wrong with visiting the famous places. Take the picture. Have the experience. But don't assume that the most viral café on social media is automatically going to be your best meal in Paris.

Sometimes the random little place you find while walking around ends up being better.

And yes, one of my enjoyable meals was simply pizza and wine near 5th Arr.

Not every meal in Paris needs to be a Michelin-starred experience!

Paris Is a City Where Location Matters

After experiencing Paris myself, this is probably one of the biggest things I would discuss with a client before booking their hotel.

Paris is huge.

Two hotels can both say “Paris” and give you completely different experiences depending on where they're located.

Before choosing your hotel, think about what matters most to you.

Do you dream of being close to the Eiffel Tower? Are you more interested in cafés and shopping? Do you want nightlife? Are you planning to spend most of your time sightseeing?

Don't choose your Paris hotel based on price alone.

Sometimes paying a little more for the right location can save you time, transportation costs, and frustration.

A Few Things I Wish I Knew Before Paris

Here are a few things I would tell anyone planning their first Paris vacation:

1. Don't schedule too much on your arrival day. Jet lag is real. Give yourself time to adjust.

2. Comfortable shoes are NON-NEGOTIABLE. You're going to walk. A lot.

3. Add your cards to your digital wallet before leaving home. Contactless payments are extremely convenient while traveling around Europe.

4. Leave room in your itinerary to wander. Some of your favorite Paris moments may happen when you don't have anything scheduled.

5. Research the neighborhood, not just the hotel. The cheapest hotel isn't always the best value if you're constantly traveling across the city.

6. Don't believe every viral recommendation. Social media is great for inspiration, but popularity doesn't guarantee a great experience.

7. Make reservations for anything that's truly important to you. Paris is not the destination where I would leave every must-do experience until the last minute.

8. Slow down. You don't have to see all of Paris in one trip.

So… Did Paris Live Up to the Hype?

For me, yes—but not necessarily for the reasons I expected.

Of course, seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle was incredible. But I also loved the simple moments: walking through different neighborhoods, sitting down for a drink, finding cute book stores, shopping, and just watching everyday Paris happen around me.

And I think that's the mistake some first-time visitors make.

They try so hard to see Paris that they forget to actually experience Paris.

Would I go back?

Absolutely.

Maybe next time, I would check some things off the list but I will also spend more time exploring different neighborhoods, trying smaller cafés and restaurants, and enjoying the city at a slower pace.

Planning Your First Trip to Paris?

Paris can be an amazing destination, but choosing the right hotel, neighborhood, experiences, and itinerary can completely change your vacation.

That's where working with a travel advisor can make a difference.

At YMG Travels, we help take the guesswork out of planning so you can spend less time wondering if you booked the right thing and more time getting excited about your trip.

Whether Paris is your first European vacation, a romantic getaway, a birthday celebration, or part of a bigger European adventure, we'd love to help you plan it.

Ready to experience Paris for yourself? Contact YMG Travels and let's start planning.

Let's change the way you vacation.