Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Paris, France! I think Paris is probably the most beautiful city in Europe and quite possibly the world. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit Paris.
Hate #1: Pickpockets in Paris
One of the worst things about visiting Paris is being a target of pickpockets and aggressive beggars. You really have to be careful, especially at the busy metro stops and train stations. People will follow you through a turnstile and steal your wallet in the commotion.
Read: How to Avoid Travel Scams & Ripoffs
Hate #2: Strikes in Paris
You might get lucky and avoid any strikes, but they are a pretty common occurrence these days and they can affect your Paris travel, whether it’s the metro or the buses or the airports. If you are concerned, talk to the staff at your hotel ahead of time and ask them what to expect. In general, they try to ensure that strikes don’t affect the tourism industry too heavily.
Hate #3: Paris is Expensive
When you see the prices in Paris, you will be expecting a lot more than what you get. For comparison, your hotel will be more expensive than in Rome, for a room half the size. Just remember, the point of Paris is to explore Paris and not stay in your room. So, if you set your expectations for a small room with possibly a shared bathroom, then you won’t be disappointed.
Hate #4: Tourists in Paris
Expect to wait in a lot of lines in Paris due to crowds of tourists, especially at the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. The lines for some of the best Paris sightseeing spots might scare you off, and that’s OK. Paris is so beautiful, you can easily explore it from the street and admire the outside of the buildings. To help alleviate some of the wait times, try to buy timed tickets ahead of time and visit the big museums mid-week, saving the smaller museums for the weekend.
Hate #5: Service in Paris
For whatever reason, the service industry seems to ruin French people who are otherwise very pleasant. For a big city, the people of Paris are very friendly and helpful, but most interactions with someone in a service capacity are not positive. This is what gives travelers the impression that French people are rude because they are only interacting with people in the service industry. Be prepared for that, and try to meet some locals so you can have a better impression of Parisians.
Love #1: Food in Paris
The food in Paris is amazing! The food all over France is great, but Paris also has great international cuisine on top of fantastic French cuisine. You will eat very well in Paris; I recommend getting the daily special which includes a starter, entree, and dessert for anywhere from 10 to 30 Euros. It’s a great deal and you get to sample several dishes. Some traditional food includes escargot or frog legs, plus the amazing desserts and pastries and let’s not forget about the wine!
Love #2: Public Transportation in Paris
No matter where you are in Paris, there’s a Metro stop within 500 meters. It’s so easy to get around Paris and you don’t have to worry about spending money on taxis all the time. I do recommend walking as much as possible so you can take in all the sights, but when your feet get tired, it’s easy to hop on a train. One note of caution, though: not all stations have lifts, so if you travel with a wheelchair or a stroller, it may be a little more difficult.
Read: Disabled Travel in Europe
Love #3: Paris Museums
There are so many cool museums in Paris. The ones you know, like the Louvre with the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and Venus de Milo, or the Musee d’Orsay with Monet, Manet, and Degas. And then there are tons of smaller, lesser-known museums in Paris that would take you years to explore.
Love #4: Strolling Through Paris
The best part of visiting Paris is just wandering around. The architecture is amazing, and a stroll along the Seine and the many bridges will have you in love with Paris in no time. No matter how many times you have been to Paris, about 20 times for me, you’ll still catch your breath when you see the Eiffel Tower. It’s just such an iconic sight, you can’t believe it’s real.
Love #5: Parisian Cafes
Another quintessential Paris experience is to sit at a cafe and people watch. You can really soak in the atmosphere of the city when you take a moment to sit down, relax with a cup of cafe au lait and watch the world go by. It’s a great chance to take off your tourist hat and blend in with the locals for a bit.
Paris is a great city and we love visiting over and over again. The “hates” are really just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to visit Paris. Are you ready to start planning a trip to Paris? Check out these other blog posts: