Questions about France that I get asked all the time

Since I started the Francophiles Anonymous website and especially since I started my Facebook groups, quite a few people have contacted me and asked me questions about their upcoming trip to Paris , the rest of France, or the website. Since these questions are recurring, I decided to present the answers to them here and save you a lot of time. Naturally, most of the questions are about Paris itself, since it is the most popular destination, but at the end of the article I also included questions that deal with the rest of France.

If you have any questions that are not answered here, you are welcome to contact me by email (tchazanov@gmail.com) or Skype (zvi.chazanov).

Flight to Paris

How long is your flight to Paris?

Generally speaking, a direct flight to Paris takes around 4.5 hours.

Where can I find cheap flight tickets?

If you are flexible, you can find the cheapest flights for the next 3 months on the Paris page on my website, and you can just choose what suits you best.

What time will it be in Paris when we land?

The time in Paris is one hour ahead of the time in Israel. For example: if the time in Israel is 16:00 PM, the time in Paris will be 15:00 PM.

security

Isn't it dangerous to walk around Paris? Are there any dangerous neighborhoods?

It's a bit amusing to receive a question like this from someone who lives in a country that is under a barrage of missiles from time to time 🙂

And seriously, Paris is a safe city (except perhaps for parts of the 18th-20th arrondissements or the suburbs where there is a concentration of Muslim population) and very friendly. Is there a chance that a terrorist attack will occur while you are there? Of course. About the same as your chance of dying from a spoiled eclair…

Is it true that the French are an antipathetic and really not nice people?

Absolutely not. The French are a very nice people (except perhaps the waiters, salespeople and clerks). The thing is that you need to understand their cultural code and once you do this and take a few simple steps, you will discover how nice they can be. Luckily for you, I have compiled a series of tips for you that will help you discover their good side and you can find them in the article How Not to Annoy the French.

Accommodation in Paris

I have no idea which neighborhood is best for me to live in Paris. Do you have any tips?

The truth is that there is no single correct answer to this question because there are several factors such as budget, purpose of travel, etc. that influence my answer. That's why I created the article Where to Stay in Paris that presents you with the advantages and disadvantages of each district. That way, you can decide for yourself which district is best for you and look for an apartment or hotel there.

I read the article about where to stay in Paris and I'm still having a hard time deciding. Can you tell me which neighborhoods in Paris you prefer?

Well, if you've got my back against the wall, here are the neighborhoods where I like to live the most in Paris:

• La Marais (Districts 3-4): This is my favorite neighborhood thanks to its history, restaurants, and relentless chic.
• The 1rd District: I love this neighborhood both because of its centrality and because I've lived there for quite a while. During my childhood.
• The 6rd District: I don't know why, but even though I really like walking around the Left Bank, I don't really like living there. However, if I had to choose an area on the Left Bank to live in, it would be the Saint-Germain neighborhood in the 6th arrondissement. It's a very lively area with lots of restaurants and cafes, and at the same time it's also close to the Right Bank.

Please note that these neighborhoods are considered relatively expensive in terms of hotel prices, so if you can't find a reasonably priced hotel or apartment there, it's worth checking out more distant neighborhoods that border these neighborhoods (for example: parts of the 14th neighborhood border the 6th neighborhood, parts of the 10th neighborhood border the 3rd neighborhood , parts of the 12th neighborhood border the 4th neighborhood , etc.).

Do you have any recommendations for a good hotel in Paris?

Absolutely! I've carefully collected hotels that I liked in Paris or hotels that other Francophiles recommended to me, and you can find them in the article Hotels in Paris (Recommended Hotels in Every Quarter and for Every Budget).

Can you recommend a kosher hotel in Paris?

With great pleasure. There are not many hotels in Paris that are 100% kosher, but those that are are in the article Kosher Hotels in Paris.

Can you recommend an Airbnb apartment in Paris?

Unfortunately not. I have rented several apartments through them in the past and the last few times I have encountered poor service that made me not want to work with them anymore. Does this mean I cannot recommend apartments in Paris to you at all?

Happily, the answer to this question is no. Booking.com, the best hotel booking company I know, has also started marketing apartments. After extensive research, I found some great apartments there, and you can find my recommendations in the article Apartments for Rent in Paris – Recommendations for Great Vacation Apartments Without Airbnb Fees.

What to do in Paris

How many days should you spend in Paris?

My unequivocal recommendation is at least a week. During this time, you can comfortably begin to get to know the different districts of Paris and even go out for a day outside the city limits (for example, to the Palace of Versailles or Eurosidney ).

My first time in Paris. What should I do?

First of all, congratulations! I'm so jealous of you because all the magic of Paris is still ahead of you. Especially for you, I created an article called Paris for Beginners that will give you quite a bit of order regarding what you should see for the first time and what you should leave for the next few times, which will surely be because Paris is an addictive city.

What else do you recommend I do in Paris?

Balzac once compared the capital of France to an endless ocean and it is so true. In Paris and its surroundings you can find attractions and activities to suit every taste. Since I don't know your taste, I can't recommend a specific activity, but I can organize the material for you in a simple and friendly way so that you can choose what suits you best.

Paris attractions and museums

Let's start with museums and various attractions in Paris, such as climbing the Eiffel Tower . Or traveling around the city on a tourist bus . All the information, organized by district, can be found on the Paris attractions page. And speaking of museums, if you want to know what exhibitions are happening in the coming months, I recommend going to the Paris exhibitions page.

Creative workshops (perfume making, painting, and more)

If you are someone who loves to create and is looking for a slightly different activity in Paris, let me recommend the article What to do in Paris? Perfume, Fashion, Jewelry and Painting Workshops . And if you would like to paint in Paris with a Hebrew-speaking teacher, I highly recommend Einat Kerman Maor, about whom you can read in the article 12 reasons (at least) why to do a painting workshop in Paris.

Cruise on the Seine

In my opinion, this is the ultimate way to end a day of sightseeing. Your legs are already barely able to walk after walking many kilometers through the streets of Paris, the sun has set and suddenly you understand the meaning of the name “City of Lights” when the city is illuminated with precious lights. This is exactly the time to take one of the ships that cruise along the river and enjoy a gorgeous Parisian evening. Information about these ships can be found in the article Cruise on the Seine.

Tourist bus

A great option for people who have difficulty walking or for those who have a very short time to be in Paris and want to see as much as possible. You can find information about the different types of buses in the article about tourist buses in Paris.

Attractions within an hour's drive of Paris

Sometimes, even in a charming city like Paris , you need to go out for a day to freshen up and come back. That's why I created the Attractions Outside Paris page where you can buy tickets to the Palace of Versailles, Disneyland Paris, or alternatively sign up for an organized one-day trip to the Loire Valley.

Shows and cabarets

If you haven't had the chance to try the Moulin Rouge or the other cabarets in Paris and you want to understand what everyone is talking about, all you need to do is go to the shows in Paris page and all the information will be waiting for you there.

Shopping in Paris

And finally, let's be honest, who doesn't want to do some shopping in Paris ? It is precisely for this need that I have started a series of articles on the topic of shopping in the City of Lights that will grow in the coming months.

Where should I travel in Paris? Can you recommend some itineraries?

Great! In my opinion, the real magic of Paris is not only in the attractions but mainly in wandering the streets and alleys of this magical city. Happily, I have everything you need to maximize your enjoyment.

Discover Paris at your own pace and for free

If you want to explore the City of Lights independently, I recommend visiting the Paris itineraries page , which contains quite a few itineraries that will help you get to know the city and its culture in depth.

Guided tours in Paris

A good guide can enhance your travel experience by telling you stories you didn't know or by taking you to amazing places you wouldn't have gone to on your own. If you're looking for great tour guides, I highly recommend reading the article The Complete Guide to Tour Guides in Paris: The Best Guided Tours in the City of Lights.

Culinary Tours in Paris

Culinary tours require a completely different specialization than “regular guided tours.” That’s why I created an article for you called Culinary Tours in Paris, French Cooking Workshops and Wine Tastings, where you can find recommendations for different types of culinary experiences in the City of Lights.

Bars in Paris

If you are a party animal looking to spend the evening in one of Paris' chic bars, I recommend reading the article Recommended Bars in Paris, Rooftops and Other Trendy Places.

I arrived in Paris for a short connection. What do you suggest I do?

It is precisely for this situation that I created the article Connection in Paris – What to do if you have 5 hours or more in the French capital? Here you can find a medullary route that can suit both those who only have 5 hours and those who have a little more time in Paris.

Can you make me a trip plan to Paris?

Building a personalized travel plan takes a lot of time, time that I unfortunately don't have. That's why I don't work in the field. However, fortunately, Gal Steiner does it and with great success. So if you are interested in a travel plan that is tailor-made for you, you are invited to read the article Building a Personalized Travel Plan for Paris - Costs Money but is Worth Gold.

French cuisine

Can you recommend me some good restaurants in Paris?

With great pleasure. If you feel like eating at a restaurant, then all you have to do is go to the Restaurants in Paris page , which contains recommendations for excellent restaurants that I received from knowledgeable Francophiles.

I only eat kosher food. Can you help me?

Of course. I have two great articles that will give you a perfect answer on this topic.

• Kosher restaurants in Paris, how to find a kosher hotel in Paris and other tips on kosher matters by Yagil Henkin 
• Paris – Recommended Kosher Restaurants by Datilicious

Paris transportation and weather

I'm a little confused about public transportation in Paris. Can you help me sort it out?

With great pleasure. That's exactly why I created the article Transportation in Paris: Metro, Trains, Taxis (and Even a Pair of Feet) , which contains all the information you need to get around Paris safely and quickly.

I have difficulty walking, do you have any tips for getting around Paris?

Absolutely. You can find all the tips for mobility in Paris in the article Traveling in Paris without disabilities.

What is the weather like in Paris right now?

You can find the answer to this question in the article Weather in Paris – What to Wear and What to Do in Every Season . It contains not only a forecast for the coming week but also practical advice on what to wear and what to do in every season in Paris.

Questions about French regions other than Paris

Can you help me find a cheap flight to one of the cities in France?

I don't find flights for people, but I'd be happy to share my secrets with you that can keep your flight costs to a minimum. You can find the information in the article Flights to France.

I want to rent a car. What are your recommendations?

All information about renting a car in France and recommendations on the best and cheapest way to rent a car can be found in the article Renting a Car in France - Everything You Need to Know.

Where is the best place to book a train ticket?

In my experience, Omio is the most recommended place to book train tickets. It is very friendly, easy to use, and you can find the cheapest prices.

Where is the best place to book a bus ticket?

Here too, the answer is Omio , for exactly the reasons I listed above.

Are you French?

In one word: No. In a few words: You are invited to receive an answer to this question on this page.

Do you have any other questions that I haven't answered yet?

You are welcome to join my group Paris and Ile-de-France and ask. I or the Francophile community there will be happy to answer you.