As we all know, things are rarely what they look like in the movies or in romanticized novels. We learn so much more about the world around us when we experience things first hand. Here are some everyday things that surprised me about Paris when I first arrived. These aren’t necessarily culture shocks, just things that stood out to me in my initial observations.
Are you planning a trip to Paris? You might want to rethink that. Honestly, it’s not worth it. Take it from someone who lives here.
Troyes, the city of a thousand colors, is an often overlooked gem of France, but worth a visit for the architecture, churches, museums, food, and champagne (of course). Check out this guide to plan your day or weekend trip to Troyes.
Looking to get in the Christmas spirit? Fortunately, not even a pandemic can stop the City of Light from putting on a festive show. I love Paris during the holidays. Here are some of my favorite places to see the best Christmas lights and decorations in Paris. So, grab a vin chaud and bundle up.
You don’t have to go to a museum to explore art in Paris—just head out on the streets, which is where a lot of artists first start out.
Packing for a day trip should be easy, but forgetting one little essential can make for an uncomfortable and stressful day. Here’s my checklist of what to pack on a day trip.
With well over 100 museums in Paris, it can be hard to decide which ones to see and where to start. Here are my top 3 favorite museums in Paris. I consider all three to be small enough to navigate, even if you don’t know art very well. Additionally, they all have on-site cafés and offer free admission on certain days.
Ah, Paris, the City of Light! What comes to mind? Let me guess: sparkly Eiffel Tower, flashy Moulin Rouge, wide boulevards, designer shopping, iconic churches, and beneath it all… the underground resting place of millions. That is what you were thinking, right? All at once macabre, somber and astonishing, the Paris Catacombs are a labyrinth of tunnels worth exploring.
This is Paris, and it’s going to rain. No matter what the season, it is very likely that you will deal with gray skies and the threat of rain at least once during your stay in Paris. No need to worry! I have plenty of suggestions.
Sure, Paris can get a bit crowded during the holidays. And let’s face it, the sidewalks are even more congested this holiday season with the current indefinite strike. Adding to this charm is the fact that Paris gets “cold” (it’s all relative when you’re from New England) and more gray than usual by the time December rolls around. But if you can look past all that, there are plenty of things to keep your spirits up during the holidays in Paris.