Paris Travel Guide 2026 | Arrondissements Explained, Metro Hacks, Scams & What to Do First

Описание: Paris is the heavyweight champion of travel destinations — and also one of the easiest cities in the world to do badly.

In this episode of The Audio Travel Guide, you get a practical “operating manual” for Paris: why the city looks the way it does, how to read the famous snail-shaped layout, which neighborhoods to target, and the survival tips that prevent the classic tourist experience (lines, scams, confusion, and feeling like locals are annoyed).

You’ll learn:
• The real story behind Haussmann’s boulevards (beauty + control)
• The WWII moment Paris was nearly destroyed — and why it wasn’t
• The 20 arrondissements “snail” and the simple postal code hack (750xx)
• Which areas to choose: Louvre/Marais, Latin Quarter, Eiffel Tower zone, Champs-Élysées, Montmartre
• Eiffel Tower tip: stairs to level 2 to skip the worst lines
• Louvre vs Musée d’Orsay (and how not to museum-burnout)
• Catacombs: why they exist + how to avoid the 4-hour line
• Flea markets: the world’s biggest antique treasure hunt
• Metro vs RER (and the ticket mistake that gets tourists fined)
• CDG airport taxi scams — and the official flat rates
• Polite phrases that make every interaction smoother
• Restaurant basics: free tap water (carafe), tipping, and how to ask for the bill
• Safety: pickpockets, Metro Line 1, petition scam, gold ring scam

If you want more France beyond Paris, check the channel for our France country overview and the food & culture episode.

Chapters
00:00 Paris Without the Clichés (Mission)
01:28 Paris Origins: Île de la Cité to Medieval Maze
02:27 Haussmann & the Boulevards (Beauty + Control)
03:24 Belle Époque: Lights & the Metro
03:31 Why Paris Survived WWII (1944)
04:17 Paris Today: Multicultural & More Bike-Friendly
04:59 The “Snail” Map: 20 Arrondissements Explained
05:34 The Postal Code Hack (750xx)
05:54 Where to Stay: Central Paris (1st–4th)
06:24 Left Bank: Latin Quarter + Iconic 7th
06:53 Right Bank Luxury: The 8th
07:15 Montmartre & the 18th
07:33 Eiffel Tower: How to Skip the Worst Lines
08:09 Louvre vs Musée d’Orsay
08:54 Catacombs: What They Are + Booking Warning
09:52 Flea Markets (Antique Treasure Hunt)
10:08 Transport: Don’t Drive, Use Metro/RER
10:45 RER Ticket Mistake (Keep It Until Exit)
11:02 Airport Taxis: CDG Flat Rates & Scam Avoidance
11:26 Paris Etiquette: The Key Social Rule
12:28 The Magic Phrase to Ask for Help
13:08 Dining: Carafe d’eau, Tipping, and the Check
14:04 Safety: Pickpockets + Common Scams
14:45 The Real Paris: Slow Down and Savor It
15:21 What to Listen to Next (France + Food & Culture)