“Get Out There” is a column for people with wanderlust, written by a long-time Paste employee Blake Snow. Today we explore what not to do in one of our favorite cities, Paris.
Paris is always a good idea. That much is true.
There are several reasons for this. The capital of France is arguably the most pedestrian-friendly city in the world, not to mention one of the most promising. It’s unique how the commercial, industrial and business side of the city (aka the uglier west side) is isolated from the parks, monuments, restaurants and residential buildings on the dreamier east side of the city (aka what the city is famous for).
Although there is a lot to do in Paris – eating, people watching, visiting famous art museums and buildings, picnicking in the park, shopping, eating some more – there are some things you should not do when you travel to Paris. After visiting a half a dozen times This is at the top of my list of Paris bans for the last decade.
1. See the Eiffel Tower only once.
That’s a big mistake. You should visit the Eiffel Tower at least twice during your stay: once by day to see it towering over the enchanting landscape, and once at night to watch it silently twinkle like the most romantic thing ever. I’d also recommend looking at it from all angles. The best views are from Trocadero Square. The best picnics and power lounges can be found in Champ de Mars park. If you really want to go all out, visiting the top at least once is a fun diversion, and lunch or dinner at the restaurants on the second or third floors (or both!) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
2. View of the north side of the Seine.
If I could name just one of the most dreamy views in all of Paris, it would be walking along the Seine Promenade on the Right Bank. This is where you get the best views of the tower, museums, bridges, and churches. It’s just amazing to walk in either direction, day or night. While you should definitely explore the popular Left Bank (or the south of Paris, including the lush Latin Quarter), stick to the north side of the Seine for the best views. And don’t miss a one-hour Seine cruise, either.
3. Only eat in expensive cafes.
Eating out in Paris is prohibitively expensive, especially in the crowded cafes that rip off foreign visitors. So what’s the best way to eat cheaply and amazingly? First, don’t underestimate the power of Franprix or Monoprix, the two most famous grocery stores in the city. There you can buy amazing baguettes, cheese, wine, mousse and other goodies and then sit on a nearby park bench to enjoy it all. Second, don’t miss the popular 3 euro crepe or panini and drink combos in the Latin Quarter that you can take to the nearby Jardin du Luxembourg. Third, Bouillon Pigalle is a great and cheap local restaurant that you shouldn’t miss. And finally, remember that even OK French food is usually Great according to international standards.
4. Jump over the roof of the Arc de Triomphe.
While the roof of Galeries Lafayette offers fantastic and free views of Paris, the best view of the city is from the Arc de Triomphe, with panoramic views of the tourist and business districts in the distance. For maximum impact, come just before sunset and stay for an hour to see the city by day and by night. I was wrong to skip this outstanding attraction on my first few visits to Paris. After seeing it for the first time, I will never make that mistake again.
5. Don’t walk.
I get it. Lots of people don’t like to walk on vacation. But if you only explore one city on foot in your life, it’s this one. There are no hills (except one that leads up to the beautiful Sacré-Cœur Basilica). There are laws in place to ensure that basically no building can be ugly, which means you’ll see charming architecture everywhere, never taller than the city’s biggest monuments. There are sidewalks and fountains and gardens and rivers and cafes everywhere. It’s safe. There are people-watching opportunities everywhere. And it’s pretty much the most romantic thing you can do in the most romantic city in the world.
Blake Snow is a prolific writer for hire and regular travel columnist for high-end publications and Fortune 500 companies. He lives in Provo, Utah with his wife, five children, and a wild Chihuahua.
