Six of the best apps to use when visiting Paris, France
Paris is recognised as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world - pre-pandemic it welcomed nearly 29 million visitors to the city. With the capital boasting a number of historic heritage sites, museums and iconic monuments like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral - it’s easy to see why. And let’s not forget the Parisian streets are dotted with restaurants and cafes serving delicious food and wine, as well as boutiques and shopping centres to indulge in some retail therapy. To make your next Paris trip even better, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite Paris apps that can help you get the most from the City of Lights. A lot of these apps will also be beneficial if you plan to widen your trip to include travel in France.
App one: Book a ride with AlloCab
If Uber is one of your favourite apps for getting a taxi then take a look at AlloCab which you can use in the same way to book a fixed price ride in Paris. It’s also available in several other French cities too. Just like Uber you can track your driver on a map and get a message when they are close by. Getting around Paris has never been simpler.
Price: Free to use the app itself
AlloCab
App two: Learn the lingo with Duolingo
A trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without visiting a pâtisserie but rather than just pointing at your selection in the display, why not learn a couple of simple phrases to make shopping a bit easier? There are lots of language learning apps out there but we really rate Duolingo for its simplicity and ability to adapt to your skill level and the best part of it - it’s free! Ok, so you do get some occasional adverts and some functions are limited unless you go for the premium version, but all in all it’s a great tool to brush up on your language skills before you visit. Of course, if you’re really struggling with learning a new language, you can always rely on Google translate to get you out of trouble!
Price: Free, premium version available as a subscription
Duolingo
App three: Explore the capital with Citymapper
Another method to avoid looking like a lost tourist is by downloading the Citymapper app. It will help you work out the best route to your destination and suggest options for public transport. If you’d prefer to see the city on two wheels it also supports the Paris bike system by marking it on the map and even estimates how many calories you’ll burn if you cycle that route. Just bear in mind the app can’t be used offline so you may need to plan the journey ahead and take screenshots.
Price: Free
Citymapper: All Your Transport on the App Store (apple.com)
Citymapper: The Ultimate Transport App - Apps on Google Play
Citymapper
App four: Discover more with The Culture Trip App
Of course before you plan your route, you’ll need to work out where you’d like to go and that’s where The Culture Trip App comes in. Select your location and choose from numerous options such as art, music, fashion, food, history, film and more and the app will suggest something to match your mood. Or, if you prefer there’s also a handy ‘near me’ option to find local recommendations.
Price: Free, contains ads
Culture Trip
App five: Get your foodie fix with The Fork
When you’re looking for the best place to eat, check out the reviews on The Fork. It has more than 17 million verified diner reviews so you can be assured of the review being genuine. You can search for your next foodie fix by area, cuisine, restaurant type, average price and by ratings of fellow diners. You can also use the app to book a table and save money as it often features discounts for lots of restaurants. Special discount offers of up to 50% off the food bill are released daily on a large number of restaurants and members can earn points on every booking thanks to its new Yums loyalty program. It’s also not just for Paris and can be used to find a great restaurant in whatever city or place you’re visiting.
Price: Free
The Fork
App six - Save money with Wevat
Speaking of tax free shopping for non-EU residents, we’ve saved the best app for last. With the Wevat app you can reclaim the tax on eligible purchases made in France that you take home. It applies to jewellery, cosmetics, technology, wine and spirits and so much more. You can check out the full list on our other blog here.
Compared to traditional in-store VAT refund providers, Wevat gives you up to 23% more VAT back. There’s also no minimum amount per purchase, as long as your spend over the whole trip is more than €100 euros, you can claim! Just make sure you download Wevat before your trip so it’s ready for use and remember to ask for ‘Facture’ the French word for invoice when shopping. If you’re nervous about this step, the app has a handy walkthrough that can be shown to the cashier. Then simply snap a picture of your purchase invoices, and generate and scan your barcode when you leave France.
There are no paper forms, repeated scanning or dropping off forms required with Wevat. The super-friendly, multilingual customer support team are also on hand to support you throughout your trip via the app. It’s also fully regulated by both French and UK customs.
Price: Free to download, commission charged on successful claims but is lower than in-store competitors so you get more of your eligible refund back
Wevat App
For more help on using the Wevat app, check out our video explanation below. Be sure to check out our HOW TO and FAQ page for a step by step guide on using the Wevat app. Just make sure you have downloaded the Wevap app and completed the sign up before heading to France.
Check this article for more tips on how to use the internet as a tool for vacation planning, including making reservations online and using technology for travel safety. Bon Voyage!
About Wevat App:
Wevat - a new digital tax refund app that makes it easy for travellers to save money on their shopping in France! We are a community of people who love travelling, shopping and saving money. Since our launch in 2019, we've helped refund travellers from 88 countries more than €18 million on their shopping!
Compared with in-store VAT refund providers, Wevat gives you up to 23% more VAT back and with no minimum spending requirements on each purchase. With Wevat, you can simply snap a picture of your purchase invoices then generate and scan your barcode when you leave France. There are no paper forms, repeated scanning or dropping off forms required with us. Our super-friendly, multilingual customer support team will be always on hand to support you throughout your trip via our app.
We are fully regulated by both French and UK customs.
Download our app now to start saving money on your shopping in France!
Please download before purchase to validate shopping.