You’ve dreamed of traveling to Paris for years, and it’s finally happening. You can’t wait to experience the beauty and charm of the city—but you want to do it right.
What apps should you download? How can you communicate effectively with the locals? Which restaurants are actually worth your time, and which ones are tourist traps?
We’re here to help you prep for your trip so that you can make the most of this amazing adventure. We’ve gathered our favorite apps for communicating, navigating, eating well, and exploring the city like a local. Take a look at our list below!
Best Apps For Paris
Knowing where to begin when exploring a city like Paris can be a daunting prospect. Luckily, there are a number of fantastic apps that make it easier to navigate, eat, and enjoy the city. Here are a few of our top picks for apps to help you get around Paris.
© Citymapper/ Hattie Ditton
Citymapper
Citymapper is truly a cut above the multitude of route-planning apps that saturate the market. Not only will it give you a number of different options of public transport that will get you where you need to go, factoring in delays, but also includes the walking and taxi journey time. The best feature of all is that it will give you a cycle route, with Vélib (Paris bike system) points marked on the map, along with the distance you will cover, number of calories you will consume in doing so, alongside a hilarious conversion into its equivalent in French food. Seriously, you will wonder how you ever managed without it. The app cannot be used offline, so make sure you plan your journeys before and take screenshots to refer to later. You can download on iTunes and Google Play.
Heetch
Based on a similar principle to Uber, French taxi app Heetch is aimed solely at the late-night travelers and operates between the hours of 8pm and 6am. For this reason, you will not encounter the late-night high-demand inflation. The price remains standard for every journey. It is ideal for those who are out later than the metro opening hours and are not quite feeling up to a long convoluted night bus journey home or reluctant to pay Paris taxi prices. There is the option to pay in cash, which avoids the argument of whose card to charge it to if you are in a group. Get it on iTunes and Google Play.
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Paris, early morning | © Henry_Marion/Flickr
Yandex – Translate
For those emergency scenarios when you are struggling to make sense of a menu, or you need to ask for something in a shop – Yandex is the perfect app. Thanks to the fact that it functions offline, you do not even need to worry about finding a wi-fi spot before making yourself understood! It can translate from an image or sound recording too, which can come in incredibly handy. Get it on iTunes and Google Play.
Yandex App | ©Vimeo
The Culture Trip App
The easiest part about traveling in a city is seeing the tourist attractions. The hardest part? Experiencing the place like a local. With The Culture Trip App, visitors have the best of art, food, culture, and local tips at the touch of a finger. It’s very easy to use: just select your location and choose from the “I Want” menu, which offers a range of options, including art, music, history, food, film, design, travel and more. Best of all, the app covers every city in the world – so you can always be in the know, no matter where you are. Get it on iTunes and Google Play
Eating Out In Paris | © Zdenko Zivkovic/Flickr
© Ulmon/ Hattie Ditton
Ulmon (City Maps to go)
This is a very handy little app, which not only allows you to access detailed maps of the city offline but also provides articles and travel tips based on your interests. When you download, you will be asked to highlight your interests from a list of options and then personalize accordingly. With each attraction listed, comes a link to nearby hotels, reviews from other visitors and information about that place. If you are someone who really likes to plan ahead, there is also the option to create a bucket list, bringing everything you want to do into one place. Get it on iTunes and Google Play.
Le Fooding
This app is every foodie’s dream come true. No matter where you are in the city, you can open up its map which has recommended restaurants plotted all over it, along with reviews and price guidelines, all accessible offline. Le Fooding Guide is written by Parisians, for Parisians, and they specialize in contemporary and creative restaurants, so you can be sure that their suggestions will take you somewhere exciting, and you will be dining with the locals. You can search by location, price or food type, and it also has a ‘chance’ feature, which gives you a completely surprise suggestion when you shake your phone – go on, live a little! Get it on iTunes and Google Play.
© Le fooding/ Hattie Ditton
La Fourchette/The Fork
This is one for foodies on a budget: it can be used to both find and book a restaurant, providing offers of up to 50 percent off when you book through the app, making dining in the city quite a bit more affordable. Each option comes with a link to TripAdvisor reviews and a menu, so you can be sure you are making the right choice. Get it on iTunes andGoogle Play.
© La fourchette/ Hattie Ditton
Spotted By Locals
This app is not exclusive to Paris, but it is an incredible tool for those who like to explore a little beyond the main tourist spots. Although it is not free, it is absolutely worth the few dollars you will pay for it, with honest, insider advice from Parisian journalists who genuinely seem to care about their audience. Get it on iTunes and Google Play.
Seeing the Best of Paris | © Florian Plag/Flickr
Paris Guide Monument Tracker
Paris boasts some of the most beautiful monuments and buildings in the world. So much so that it is often difficult to keep track of what they all are and their significance. This app is genius, listing every monument with a concise and palatable description of its history. It also includes a quiz and treasure hunt, a fun little way to get to know the city as well as information and prices on events and activities. A word of warning though, you may want to turn off location tracking since it will drain your battery… fast! Get it on iTunes and Google Play.
must-have apps in france
Have you recently arrived in France? Make life easier in your new home by downloading these top 10 must-have French apps.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a student in St. Etienne or a working parent in Perpignan, everyday life in a new country can be challenging. However, if you’re living in France, downloading the right French apps onto your phone in France can make things a whole lot easier.
From knowing how to navigate the local transit system to ordering the best local takeout from your phone, apps can make expat life much easier. To ensure you download with confidence, here’s our list of the top 10 must-have apps in France.
- France.tv
Looking for a quick and easy way to accelerate your French learning while integrating yourself into the local culture? Well, what better way to do so than by catching up with all the latest French news, sports, and TV shows. Not only will you hit the ground running when it comes to learning the lingo, but you’ll also get a unique insight into the way your new home country thinks.
The France.tv app is a streaming and catch-up service from France Télévisions, the French public broadcaster. The app carries a range of TV shows, from the latest current affairs to French dramas and international series. Most of the shows are in French, but some will be in their original version. You can watch at home or save your favorite shows for your daily commute on public transport.
Other must-have French entertainment apps:
Radio France – listen to your favorite French shows, music, and more
Disney+ – the latest releases and family favorites are available on Disney’s streaming service
- Babbel
If you’re not quite ready to sit down and tune into the latest French TV dramas, you might need to fine-tune those all-important French language skills. For some expats, the prospect of learning French can be daunting. But it shouldn’t be. These days, there are plenty of language learning options and an app can be a great way to complement your busy lifestyle so you can learn at a time that suits you.
Babbel is a language learning app that can help you get to grips with French in a simple, manageable manner. It has a range of French courses that have been designed by professionals to ensure you get the most out of the app. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on a train in Toulouse or taking a quick breather in Brittany, you can always find time to learn with Babbel.
Other must-have French language apps:
Duolingo – learn French and other languages easily with Duo the owl
Tandem – chat with local French-speakers to improve your skills
- Citymapper
Finding your way around a new city is always challenging. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned expat or simply visiting for a long weekend, knowing which train to catch or when the last tram leaves can be tough. Luckily, these days there are plenty of apps that can help you find your way from A to B without any hiccups.
Citymapper is a public transit app operating in Paris, Lyon, and just across the border in Monaco. It allows you to plan your route using all possible modes of transport, from walking and cycling to metro trains and carshares. The app will also keep track of all your personal transit activity, letting you see how much money you save and how far you’ve traveled.
Other must-have French transport apps:
SNCF – French national railway operator’s app for tickets and information
RATP – everything you need to know about travel in Paris from the state-owned operator
- N26
If you’ve just arrived in France, one of the first things you’ll need to do is set up a French bank account. Not only will this make your everyday life that little bit easier, but you’ll also feel more settled without having to worry about overseas transaction fees. Whether you’re treating your family to a meal out or have a relaxing glass of wine with colleagues on a sun-drenched terrace, having a bank account can make your life in France run smoothly.
Read our guide to mobile banking in France
N26 is a mobile bank operating in France that lets you apply for an account in minutes from your own phone. The app offers a range of banking options, including a free current account, credit cards, instant payments, and more. You’ll also find the latest mobile payment options included in the app, including Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Other must-have French financial apps:
bunq – mobile bank letting you pay, move money, and save easily
Wise – transfer money internationally with ease from your phone
- Tookki
As an expat exploring a new country, making greener life choices might not be at the top of your to-do list. However, just because everything is new and in a different language doesn’t mean you need to compromise on your green credentials. From recycling properly to shopping organically, there are plenty of options for living environmentally-friendly in France.
When it comes to exploring your new home, the Tookki app can help. Operating in Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, and Paris, the app helps you connect to those sustainability-minded enterprises in your local neighborhood. From vegan cafés to slow fashion boutiques, you’ll be able to ensure your money goes green and even pick up some new eco-friendly hobbies.
Other must-have French sustainability apps:
Too Good To Go – cut down on food waste by snapping up cheap and delicious local treats
Good on you – the latest eco-friendly clothing trends in the capital of world fashion
- Whoomies
Whether you’re fresh off the boat or simply looking for somewhere new to call home, finding a flatshare in France can be tricky. Not only do you have the language barrier to contend with, but you also don’t know how the local housing market works. However, modern technology is on hand to help out, and with the right app, you can get access to hundreds of potential new homes.
Looking for a room? Read our guide to renting in France
Whoomies is a flat-sharing app with a difference. Instead of the standard flat-hunting experience, it specializes in matching potential flatmates together in the home of their dreams. The app has rooms and flats across France, meaning all you have to do is sign up and search for your new home. You can filter by your specific needs, which helps to ensure that you have a more efficient search.
Other must-have French housing apps:
Spotahome – search and visit rental properties online
Airbnb – short and long-term rents across France and beyond
- HelloFresh
When it comes to international cuisines, there are very few that get people excited quite like French food. From humble neighborhood bistros to world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurants, France has it all. But, how about bringing all those French recipes into your kitchen? Whether this means exploring your local French supermarket or signing up for recipe box deliveries, you have plenty of options.
HelloFresh delivers meal-kit boxes directly to your front door, combining fresh ingredients with innovative recipe ideas. You can choose from a wide menu of dinner ideas that cater to various tastes and dietary needs. Boxes can be delivered anywhere on the French mainland, meaning you could be closer than you think to creating restaurant-worthy meals in your kitchen.
Other must-have French food apps:
The Fork – discover and book tables at the best French restaurants
Deliveroo – your favorite restaurant food delivered straight to your door
- Time Out
If there’s one thing you won’t be short of in France, it’s things to do. Whether it’s checking out an exhibition in Paris, going wine tasting in Burgundy, or taking a cookery class in Lyon, there’s something for everyone. However, keeping up-to-date with everything going on can be challenging, especially as an expat who wants to experience it all.
Discover the best places to visit in Paris
Thankfully, the Time Out app can help. As part of the global culture and entertainment guide, the app is a great way of keeping track of what’s hot in France and the capital. You can find reviews of the latest restaurants, gig listings, and all those quirky events that make Paris such a fun place to live.
Other must-have French socializing apps:
Ticketmaster – get tickets for the latest shows across France and beyond
MeetUp – meet new friends and try new experiences with this popular social app
- Lime
Want to do your bit for the environment by leaving your car at home? Recent years have seen many French cities undergo something of a green mobility revolution, with walking and cycling booming as locals look beyond four wheels. And while these are both great options for you and the planet, you might also want to consider commuting by scooter.
That’s right, with Lime you can get around the city while riding a state-of-the-art electric scooter. Operating in Paris and Lyon, Lime is an e-scooter sharing platform. The app lets you locate your nearest dockless scooter, meaning you can simply jump on board and head off to your next destination. It’s a great alternative for short journeys around the city center.
Other must-have French mobility apps:
Vélib’ Métropole – a bike-share app in Paris that offers e-bikes and regular rides
FREENOW – a ride-sharing app operating in several French cities
- Omio
When it comes to international tourists, France is the most-visited country in the world. And it’s easy to see why. From the elegance of Paris to the crisp Alpine ski-resorts, there’s something for everyone in France. But that’s not all. If you’re an expat living in France, you’re also well-placed to explore the rest of Europe. Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, and Milan are all just a train ride away.
To help you get more out of Europe, the Omio travel app allows you to buy tickets for your next trip. It lists a whole host of transport options, including planes, trains, and coaches. You’ll get alerts about price changes and be able to quickly and conveniently compare options. Wherever you’re planning to explore in Europe, Omio can help get you there.
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