So you’re planning a trip to the City of Lights! Très bien! Whether you’re going alone or with a special someone, if it’s your first time, you’ll want to make the most of your trip. Here are a few helpful tips on how to truly enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Be Willing to Get Lost
You won’t get lost in Paris, as it’s easy to look at a map and get around by walking or taking the Metro, but be willing to get lost. That’s the only way you’ll ever be brave enough to go anywhere! Should you take a wrong turn, the locals are friendly (especially if you learn a few words of French and make a good attempt at using them) and will help get you turned back in the right direction.
Eat and Drink – Then Eat and Drink Some More
Paris is home to some of the best food in the world, so make sure you experience it all while you’re there. Get fresh baguettes and buttery, flaky croissants. Enjoy a hunk of stinky cheese with a bottle of French wine. Pop into a brasserie or small cafe and enjoy their specialty. Wherever you go, be willing to eat – you never know what new flavors you might find!
Don’t Fill Your Itinerary with Tourist Destinations
I know this is hard to do, but don’t make it all about the “must-see” things. Yes, it’s obligatory that every visitor to Paris MUST go to the Louvre and see the Mona Lisa (it’s smaller in real life than you’d expect!) and wait in line to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but some of the most rewarding things you’ll experience in Paris aren’t the typical touristy sights. Which brings me to my final tip…
Simply Stroll
Some of the best places you’ll find in Paris won’t be in any tourist guides. They’ll be shops, restaurants, and quiet parks you find as you allow yourself to put your map away and simply stroll around the city. Let the cobblestones lead you wherever they will as you take in the sights, sounds, and smells of beautiful Paris.
