Congrats on your acceptance to study abroad in Paris, France. Paris is a popular destination to study abroad because of all the rich culture and amazing sights. You might think that by going to Paris, you’ll be going somewhere where no one speaks English or understands it. On the contrary, most people in France are able to understand basic English. Your best bet to fit in if you don’t speak French is to use common French gestures such as greeting your friends with a kiss or signaling that someone is too drunk to function.
Paris is full of so many experiences, and in order to help you make the most of your trip, The Campus Socialite has created a what-to-know guide for your few months you spend abroad.
France uses the Euro as their type of currency so you’ll be needing to trade in your dollar bills come time to go overseas. It’s really convenient if you were planning on going to more than just France, because there are a ton of countries that use the Euro. Speaking of money, you’re going to need it for all the shopping you’ll be doing, because Paris is one of the best places for clothing. If you’re going to go anywhere it should be the Rue de Rivoli. Not only is it a historical site but it has some of the best places to go shopping. So, you can go crazy with buying all the latest trends and be a tourist at the same time.
With all that shopping, you’re going to need something to eat. You should definitely make sure to make a trip to the Latin Quarter. The Latin Quarter is one of Paris’ most well-known districts for all the food, night life, and tourist sites. It’s located around several universities so you might even end up having class around there making the location even more perfect. You can find several bistros in the area serving tarts, different kinds of cheese, and pastries to die for.
Another great place to go to eat is the L’Os A Moelle. This bistro is located right near the Eiffel Tower which obviously is on any person’s site to see list. If you’re feeling adventurous you can even try a snail here. The L’Os A Moelle isn’t exactly the cheapest place to go to eat but if you’re feeling like a classy night out with the roommates it’s perfect.
If you’re just in Paris for a few days, there are plenty of hostels to fit any kind of budget. My friends that have gone to Paris recommended the Absolute Hotel. It’s located in a prime spot in the city and you can literally get to most tourist spots within 15 minutes. The good thing about it is they offer save boxes so you don’t have to worry about your personal belongings being stolen if you leave them there.
Now that you have somewhere to stay, it’s time to start looking into where to party in Paris. Fortunately, you should be able to find a club or bar that fits any kind of mood/lifestyle. The best district to go to for the best nightlife is the Bastille. It’s perfect for college students looking for a good time and there are plenty of bar and clubs to keep you occupied all night long in fact bar hopping down rue de Lappe or rue de la Roquette are your best options for the perfect pregame to a long night of dancing.
If you’re looking to do some typical site seeing then you have to go to the Louvre Museum. This is where you’ll get to see the world famous Mona Lisa painting. For the best view in Paris besides the Eiffel Tower, you have to go to the Arc de Triomphe. Not only will you get to see all of the city, but you’ll get a good workout for all the food you’ve been eating.
That was your what-to-know guide for going abroad to Paris, France. With so much to do, so many places to go, and so much food to eat, you have a busy trip on your hands.
