Paris is a place that had always captured my interest when I was younger. I think the way the city was Romanticised in films and literature held a certain allure for me. I have now visited Paris four times and my love for the city continues to grow.
My favourite thing to do in Paris is to walk. Around every corner is a gorgeous lamppost, the scent of crepes or bread, the sound of the french tongue. The most recent time I've been was late July and can honestly say that I feel at home there. Nothing phases me about Paris, I have enough conversational French to get me by, the Metro confuses me less than the Underground and I really love Parisians. My experience of city-dwellers is that they are very friendly, very charming and very helpful. I think they have a brilliant sense of what it is to live and how to enjoy life which is something I've been trying to do lately.
Tips.
If you're planning a visit yourself, there are a few things I'd say. Don't get too caught up in finding a hotel with amazing food, the best wifi or a really swish bathroom. Honestly, all you need is a bed and a shower. The location is what matters. Make sure you are in a good location to be able to get where you need. This leads me onto my next point. Metro, or walk. The metro system is incredible and pretty cheap. Just buy a book of 10 tickets (less than 15 euro) and hop on and off as you please. If your hotel is near to a good metro line with access to larger stations if you need to change, you really won't go wrong and will see everything you want to without stressful travelling. Next, food is expensive. Everywhere. So budget for this. Look out for lunch menus which may have the odd deal and also look out for how expensive drinks can be. My advice would be to just have one nice meal in a restaurant each day. Like I said, food is expensive and if you just have a nice meal, you'll appreciate it more and feel less annoyed. For other food, go to a supermarket and buy some snacky essentials and water. Lots of water. Next, if you are under 25, keep some ID with you. Many tourist places are discounted, if not free, for those ages 18-25. Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame are free and the rest (including some museums) come at a really good discount. Be wary of people on the street trying to get you to sign things. Just don't, they want money.
In my opinion, Paris should be on everyone's list. Maybe because I'm a soppy Romantic who breathes literature and art but it's just a place like no other in my opinion. I understand that the prices of food and drink may be a little bit annoying and some things can be seen as a bit of a rip off but in all honesty you can walk around not spending a penny and gain a cultural experience - which is what it's all about, right?
A x
