Paris First-Timers, RS Seven-Day Tour or on our own for Spring 2026. Paris intimidates me!

If you use Facebook or You tube, you will find Les Frenchies perfect for addressing your concerns. Their FB page is insightful and learning about being in Paris and having a great experience. Their you tubes are loaded with great advice, tips and tricks. I highly encourage you to check them out and put together your trip based on your observations and interests.

Hi Pat, I’m thinking of going to Paris too in 2026. Maybe we can use the swiss travel pass. :-)

If I can do it, you can do it. I was so worried about London, and that turned out to be easy. Now, I’m ready to tackle paris.

Here is the link to the you tube channel mentioned above:

https://www.youtube.com/@LesFrenchiesTravel

You don’t need a sense of direction, just a maps app on your phone. I use mine all the time.

Paris is very doable on your own, think how much you’ve already done on your own. I’ve been to Paris solo several times but I did later take the RS city tour just for the great experience I expected it to be after I had taken several other RS tours. I had a terrific time and learned a lot. After the tour I spent another week in Paris on my own. I was 69 at that time.

You do get a great grounding on using public transportation on the tour, btw. But carefully read the how to tips in the tour book and watch videos on getting around and you should be fine. Paris is a wonderful place. If you have issues with getting up early or find staying up with the group in the evening difficult, why do it?

Les Frenchies YouTube videos are indeed excellent. And so is Rick's Paris guidebook, when it comes to it.

Given the many years you've been on this site, I'm surprised at your trepidation over visiting Paris, which is one of the easier major cities in Europe to visit independently. After London.

Getting out of the airport? Follow the signs and take a taxi from the official queue. Simple. Yes, Rick was pickpocketed in Paris. And he admitted that he had been careless with his wallet on that occasion. Yes its a huge city with lots of moving parts in its public transportation system (no pun intended). But there's an app for that. More than 1, in fact, which can guide you easily from place to place.

I've been to Paris, usually for 5-7 days at a time, 5 times in the last couple of decades and have never felt the need for a guide or a tour. And if you have difficulty getting up early and eating later in the evening, then I think you've answered the tour question right there.

Do a search here for excellent hotel recommendations. You can have delicious meals at every price point in Paris, and certainly without going near a Michelin star restaurant.

Paris is really not difficult, as long as you do your homework. And I know you will.

Add Jay Swanson to your list of YouTubes. He is a friend of the Les Frenchies and with both channels and Ricks Paris book you will be well prepared. Paris is no harder to see then Chicago or San Deigo. I live 5 miles from the loop, and I will take Paris any day. Their public transportation cannot be beat. Sightseeing, shopping, eating, relaxing, it is all there.

I'd vote for the Best of Paris tour. I did it precisely for the reasons you mention PLUS I'd been to Paris in the 1970's and it just didn't click with me. I wanted to see what I was missing!

Pros: My guide was fantastic and taught us a lot about how to manage transit and interpersonal interactions which has served me to this day.

Cons: I fell in love with Paris. I HAVE to keep going back. This can get expensive, hahaha! Truly have lost my heart to this city which is fairly peculiar since I am really an outdoors non-city kind of gal! Ooops!!

You CAN do it on your own but the tour is really a good way to get yourself grounded.

BTW, If your husband doesn't have as much interest would you consider doing the Paris tour solo and staying on for another week? Or sending him home after the Paris tour and staying on your own for another week? You can definitely do Belgium or Eastern France after the Best of Paris tour. For Eastern France, I'd come back to Paris to fly home. For Belgium, I'd leave either from Brussels if those flights are reasonable to get you back to San Diego OR take the train to Amsterdam and leave from there. For myself, living in the Inland Northwest, Amsterdam works better because there are direct flights to Seattle and Salt Lake City.

I think you have more than proven that you can handle this on you own! I do not find Paris intimidating at all.

The Metro is easy, but often we find buses to be more interesting and feel like we can be more aware of where we are. With the money you save by not doing the tour, you could use taxis whenever you want. The phone apps for directions practically take you by the hand and get you there. And your hotel front desk will be more than willing to help you plan your outings.

Pick a central location and walking will be your go to for much of your time. If you like the guidance and the company, look into some fun half day tours. I agree that on full tours, sometimes they can be too structured and frustrating. Enjoy!

We did the Best of Paris tour several years ago. First, I don’t remember the Paris airport being any harder to navigate than any other large airport, just follow the signs. The tour itself was great and sounds like just what you might need to get over your nervousness about Paris. I’m not a morning person but being on the street at 8:30 am was so worth it when it’s quiet and not so crowded. Our guide Roberta was wonderful, spending quite a bit of time explaining the Metro (and buses) and I have to admit getting on a very crowded Metro was a bit daunting but she warned us ahead of time and we all did it. As far as late group dinners, no they aren’t at 5 but rather after 7 but you can always leave when you want. We’ve been on numerous RS tours and I feel no obligation anymore to wait til someone else decides it’s time to leave, in fact being the first to stand up usually ends up with a lot of the group following.

I vote for the tour first. I have just returned from 1 week tours of London (Rick Steves) and Paris (Sarah Murdoch). I have been to London numerous times and wanted a solid grounding in, even repetition of, some of the must do sites. I am glad I did this as 1) I learned so much from the guides; 2) I reinforced my acquaintance with some sites; and 3) I learned about and experienced some places as a newbie - Windsor at Christmas, for instance. Going into it, I felt I knew London. Well, now I know it a little better and come away with a list of where to visit on my own next time. Satisfactory visit (though too crowded for me at Christmas).

For Paris, I was more hesitant and intimidated. Post tour, I view it as an introduction I can build on. I find the metro in Paris more confusing than the London tube - no idea why, but there it is. Our hotel was centrally located, very cute. We were very close to Notre Dame and visited more than once. At the end, I felt we had just touched the surface of what Paris has to offer, but enough so I can at least identify some things I want to visit in the future. Again, the Christmas season was too crowded for me. However, the trip gave me a grounding I can build on. Paris is soooo big. I would really like to explore not just museums but neighborhoods where people live.

While I went into the tours knowing one location better than the other, I believe the structure offered by both was beneficial in providing the basis of future visits. If you take the RS Paris tour, it sounds like a great idea to explore further afield afterwards. I vote tour first.

I'm sure my hesitation is unfounded...

You are correct. Paris is a very easy city to manage on one's own; especialy considering the places you've visited without a tour. If you're not big on late dinners and early mornings, then make the trip without a tour.

As mentioned above, getting from the airport to the hotel is a breeze. Just use the official taxi rank and pay the preset flat rate. A sense of direction isn't needed to use the Metro. The signage and "maps" are very easy to follow.

Wiith over a year to do your research, you shouldn't have any problems. As you've learned from experience, the people on the forum have tons of knowledge that will make doing it without a tour something you can handle.

Of course you could always do the tour for a week to get the lay of the land, and then spend a week afterward see the places that interest you that weren't covered by the tour.

Keep in mind too, that if you do decide on the tour, you will have to navigate the airport, getting to the hotel, and getting around Paris on your own for a day or two before the tour would start. So, I’m not sure the tour will really help with some of your concerns. By the time the tour starts, you’ll already be an expert on getting around Paris.

Your self portrait is one of travelers who are researched, prepared, and self-motivated. It seems clear that’s how you prefer traveling and that is how you should continue. You’re only considering the tour because the logistics appear stressful, but also it’s not like the tour isolates you from that element either. (You’re still going to have to go through CDG.)

Paris is one of those places where being prepared pays huge dividends. I’ve NEVER waited in line to see the Louvre. Versailles? Went late in the afternoon and walked right in. You’ll turn from intimidated to feeling like a boss when you walk past a mob of tourists struggling because they weren’t prepared. Having a plan is a big stress reducer.

Paris is also a city of neighborhoods, and it’s remarkably easy to make a bit of a home for yourself in the block or so around wherever you’re staying. Suddenly, this big crazy city feels small. You’ll have your favorite cafe spot in no time, and you’ll have your metro stop. Generally speaking, you’ll rarely change trains more than once on any trip and you’ll find the same couple lines take you where you need to go. When you view the metro from the perspective of “your home base” it’s easier to digest.

Yes, there’s pickpockets and you’ll need to be careful. More so than some places maybe, but they’re everywhere you go these days. You’re also experienced travelers, and you know what to watch out for. Trust me, you’ll be fine.

Your personal tipping point on whether to take the BOP tour may be how much you value guidance over autonomy. Being a repeat tour member you do know the RST drill and the plentiful benefits and value for being professionally guided especially in an experience-rich location. Still with the ample internet info you can access and willingness to arm yourself with good intel, you so most definitely can enjoy the City of Light in a manner to your own liking. Either way, Bon Voyage!

My first European trip was taking my sixteen year old and his friend to Paris on my own way before the internet. Armed with lots of research at the library and Ricks Europe thru the back door and his Paris book we navigated all types of transportation and never got lost. We saw all.the big sites, got pickpocketed once poor man he only got my used tissue and we had a fantastic time. Based of your previous travels you can certainly handle this on your own. Best of luck!

Thank you all for the confidence boost.
So many good points, such as-
We have to deal with the airport no matter what choice we make. Carrie & Margie
Buses are fun sightseeing modes. Sunny22
If we get lost, or overwhelmed with transportation modes, just get a cab. Sunny22, TC
You all beat the crowds and lines. awrzesinski
All of you veterans reporting your high comfort levels and enjoyment of being in the city, and reporting it's easier than London. (I wasn't intimidated by London at all.)
So many of you visit Paris over and over. Pam, Lyndash, CJean
And thanks for the resources. CJean, MoR, Lifetime Travels

I'll have to watch old episodes of Emily in Paris (wink emoji) to keep boosting my confidence, but I think we will plan the trip on our own. I think......
You have left me so many resources, and I do have the time.
I welcome any further tips, shared experiences, and votes of confidence, and thanks so much!
Ps Carrie Maybe I'll have your Trip Report to rely on, like with the NL and Belgium.

YAY! Well here's what I was going to say... This was such a fun read, with some interesting advice / opinions on whether or not you would be better off taking a tour. I just want to add, I bookmarked your Netherlands / Belgium TR and can't imagine THAT woman needs a tour to visit Paris! https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/the-netherlands-belgium-april-2024-brought-the-rain-pants-needed-the-rain-pants.

If hubby likes to leave sooner from museums, what does he like to do? We're lucky in that we both like to exhaust ourselves in museums HA, so that works, but I could imagine there's a nice cafe to go visit while you continue in a museum, or perhaps one day he would like to go see the battlefields of Normandy while you go back to the Louvre?? I'm sure you will have a fabulous time!! And BTW, there are always those wonderful 1/2 day tours, such as a walking food tour, which even if you're not a foodie I bet are fabulous in Paris!! Can't imagine you won't find wine tasting opportunities either. Perhaps a day trip to Champagne for ummmm, champagne & to see the Reims Cathedral??

(I first visited Paris around 1990, did a lot, took the metro, wandered into little bistros and ate well, went to the Louvre several times, I just don't recall it being very onerous, though I do recall getting a big kick out of the taxi driver yelling at other taxis on the way in from the airport... )

Barbara N is a big fan of Paris, here's a recent TR - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-paris-lyon-dordogne-lot-toulouse

PS, We're going to be talking about Paris on our RS Zoom Feb 8, 2025 11am - 1pm PST. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/travel-meetings/sf-east-bay-hosts-travel-talk-let-s-talk-about-italy-jan-11-online-everyone-welcome

I'll throw my hat in with the others voting for doing Paris independently. We found the metro system to be very easy to use (and I HATE trying to figure out transport systems) and it's wonderful city to walk so we didn't even use the metro all that often over our week there. Outside of a bus (Roissybus) we took from the airport, we didn't use any of those at all.

Pickpockets? LOL, you'll find them in nearly every tourist-magnet location including right here in the U.S. They're nothing to worry about if you take the same precautions with your valuables that you've taken on any other big trip where you'll be carrying stuff that would be a pain to lose. As already mentioned above, Rick fell victim to light fingers because he was admittedly careless...and not just in Paris. Travelers on the forum have offered up more personal methods of thwarting those fingers than you can shake a stick at!
https://www.explore.com/1520648/rick-steves-reveals-three-destinations-europe-pickpocketed/

Hotels? There are tons of good ones that never make the RS books at all; not enough room for them all. Again, nothing to worry about, and you can browse recommendations others have made on the Paris forum, on booking.com, and some other resources.

You'll have a great time. :O)

BTW, do you like to ride bikes? In 2017 we found some parts of Paris to be really easy to bike from one bike stand to the next, (download the app, blah blah) then drop off your bike and go to the attraction, go back and pick up another bike. And they added a lot of bike paths during the pandemic, so I imagine it's even easier to get around now than it was.

Kathy thanks, and yes, walking is a known and comfortable mode. Thanks for the support.
Sandancisco, I never thought of bikes, that's a great idea, which I haven't seen before. I appreciate the tip.
I once again appreciate the wealth of this Forum!

I am going to throw out that independent travel and traveling with a tour group are two different experiences. There are advantages of each.

Too many on this forum view tours as something that people do if they don't feel capable of travel, etc. I'm not saying this is the position of the OP, but it shows up in some of the comments. I am a fairly seasoned traveler. I travel in a variety of ways and sometimes that includes tours. Tours provide certain advantages that you don't get in independent travel. First of all, there is the valuable input from the guide. I learn so much when a guide is present vs. looking it up on my own. Next, there is a well thought out itinerary that often has unique experiences built in that may not be as accessible for the independent traveler. For me, I also enjoy the companionship of meeting new people and experiencing what is being explored as a shared experience.

I think the most important thing here is to decide what type of experience you would like to have and then go for it. I am sure you will be happy with either option. Neither choice is "better" than the other, they are just different. Choose the one that matches your goals.

My problem is that organized tours often miss places I'd like to see, and (my biggest complaint) is they are time structured. I understand the need for this, but I don't like it. On the other hand, I have taken guided tours, and often they are good at showing me things I'd have missed on my own.

Paris is not hard to get around (although driving/parking sucks). The metro is efficient and inexpensive, and the city is fairly flat. It does help to be able to read a map, because you can get turned around underground and will need to know where you are headed towards or away from.

Don't worry about food, there's everything to choose from and the only way you could possibly starve is to be flat broke or pickier than a 3 year old.

For hotels you can always fall back on the major chains if striking out on your own upsets your stability. Every major (and many minor) chain in the world has multiple places in Paris.

Too many on this forum view tours as something that people do if they
don't feel capable of travel, etc.

I think one could easily fill a multi-volume book with the pros and cons to taking a tour. :-) But, I read Pat’s question as more narrow. Should she take the tour because she is nervous about the travel logistics of this big city. That’s why the comments here focus on that aspect of taking a tour. Of course, there are many other reasons one might take a tour and taking a tour is a great option for a variety of reasons. I myself plan to take my first RS tour in 2026.

You are correct. Paris is a very easy city to manage on one's own;

But sometimes one might not feel like bothering...

-I have been to Paris at least 5 times since 1976. During this almost 50 year period, I have traveled in a group 3 times. I upped my amount of travel greatly between 2000 and 2020. Since 2015, I have traveled mostly solo. I have taken one RS tour (Greece), 2017. Loved it. Learned more than I do on my own, even as a huge reader. I was surprised the high value that I got for my money. I say all this because taking a tour does not make one less of a traveler as some people infer, it is just different than being totally on ones own. There is no right or wrong.
-I decided to return to France this spring and I am taking Paris and the Heart of France tour. I don't know what I don't know so I will join in. LOL Most, if not all, of the places in Paris the tour is going to see, I have already seen. However, I still plan to take advantage of all the knowledge the guides in Paris will impart. I will likely drop out of the day's activity at some point to go where I haven't been, but then there are afternoons for that or for people watching and roaming. For example, I've been to the Louvre at least three times, I will drop out before the Louvre to do my own thing. Nonetheless, as I haven't been to Paris for over 10 years, I will enjoy the refresher and information and lack of having to stress and think too much for a change. I look forward to meeting the tour members as well. It's nice to meet new people. And it is nice to sometimes not have to think, but to just absorb.
-I am also not a morning person, but I will be at breakfast at 7:00 and ready to go. Sometimes it is nice to be pushed into being a morning person for a little while. I would also have no qualms about leaving dinner when I want to go to bed. LOL
-Also, if there are days on a tour that I feel like treating it as a My Way Tour, I have no qualms about that either.
-I have looked at the Paris tour as I think it would be fun, but I've just been there too many times for it. I think. But you never know... Yes, you could easily do this on your own, but maybe it would be a nice change not to do so.

Pat, thanks for starting this thread. I'm going to follow along as I'm starting to think about Paris too.

I'll add my endorsement for the Les Frenchies YouTube channel - I wouldn't rely on their restaurant and hotel recommendations as they are sponsored, but their practical videos are really helpful. They also have a website with information so you don't have to pause the video and take notes.

Metro: https://lesfrenchiestravel.com/paris-metro/

Airport to city: https://lesfrenchiestravel.com/paris-airport-to-city-center/

Pat, you may want to consider an afternoon concert at Sainte Chappelle. It was sublime and if you choose late afternoon, the sun will shine through the stained glass.

All of the responses have been good.
When I was a completely novice and nervous traveler solo traveler, I took tours. (CIE Ireland, RS Scandinavia, RS BoItaly, RS Turkey). Then I acquired a travel companinon and started making my own plans. I, so far, haven't moved from city to city as a solo.

For my first trip to Paris, I took the RS city tour. I was comfortable making my way from CDG to the hotel on my own. I had 2 days before the tour started. After the tour, I moved hotels and stayed another 6 days. This was the right decision for me. The main thing I love about RS tours are the guides. On the tour you get a guide for the Louvre and d'Orsay. There are neighborhood walks as well. Since that trip, I have been back to Paris for a few days with my travel companion and I spent another 12 days completely on my own.

Whatever you decide is the correct choice. They will both work out beautifully.

But using busy urban transportation systems on our own??? I also have absolutely NO sense of direction.
So my support group, you all have never led me astray - do we visit Paris on our own or with the RS Tour?

You have perhaps overestimated how much you'll be with the guide on the RS Paris tour, a bit surprising since you've taken other RS tours. You'll have plenty of free time on the tour (quite a few free afternoons) and you'll need to take the Metro or bus system to get around. It also sounds like the group takes the train out to Versailles but then you make your way back by train on your own.

Thanks for all the valuable input. It will take me awhile to absorb all this priceless info.
Today and tomorrow, my focus will be the fire danger conditions here in Southern California. The San Diego area is safe so far, but with these fierce winds, a fire could start in an instant.
I'm so grateful for you all and the time and energy invested in your posts! Thanks again!

Pat - best wishes on avoiding the fires!

Assuming you use a smart phone, if you want to practice using the Paris public transport system before arriving, I suggest downloading a transport app and becoming familiar with it. I often use Bonjour RAPT, other options include IDF Mobiliites, CityMapper, even Google and Apple Maps. Pick a location for departure and arrival and see the options for bus and metro. You could track the suggestions with Google Maps and learn some generalities of Paris geography. All the apps are easy to use.

Oh Pat! Yes do get yourselves organized even if fire is not near you. Work on your bug-out bags and formulate a plan. Sending you the very best wishes for the safety of you and your loved ones as well as the safety of your property.

A tour is a good way to get an overview of the city and see the various neighborhoods, especially in a city as large as Paris. Then you can figure out what areas you want to go back to in order to explore more and spend more time. I would do a guided tour for a few days, then break out on your own. We love Paris and just wandering around finding little cafes, etc. You'll love it!