Tips for a short-stay in Paris

After spending weeks bracing for the rudeness I had been frequently warned of, the conversation with the waitress shocked me. She was open and friendly, telling me about work and her experience learning English. When we left the café, I turned to my parents, who were as pleasantly surprised as I was. The stereotype was entirely misplaced: servers and locals alike were equally, if not more, friendly. It took the trip from enjoyable to unforgettable.

 The wisdom I aim to impart in this article may not be news to the more experienced, rather a few hints I discovered to help those hoping to visit for the first time.

During the summer months you may have to trade the glittering lights for a stunning sunset

When visiting a city there is so much to do, yet never enough time to cram everything in. The best advice I have is to prioritise where you want to visit most and focus on that first: having a rough schedule to make the most of your time pays off. It doesn’t need to be precise: plans will change so if you don’t manage to visit, say, Versailles (like I didn’t, much to my chagrin). At least you’ve got something to look forward to next time.

Additionally, when planning your itinerary, being mindful of what day and time you visit an attraction is crucial. For instance, it is better to see the Eiffel Tower in the early mornings (before 9am) or late at night to avoid the crowds. Bear in mind that the monument sparkles on the hour after sunset until midnight. During the summer months you may have to trade the glittering lights for a stunning sunset – not too upsetting!

Lesson learned: the Louvre needs at least half a day to be fully enjoyed

Also, it’s recommended to avoid the Louvre on weekends, opting for Wednesdays or Friday evenings when it stays open late. I learned this the hard way and visited on a Saturday evening. It was a whistle-stop tour, with only an hour and a half to see as much as possible – the ‘Mona Lisa’ was practically a blur the way I whizzed past it. Lesson learned: the Louvre needs at least half a day to be fully enjoyed.

On a lighter note, the discovery of visiting the Notre Dame half an hour before it closed was accidentally brilliant: the queue was quick and at golden hour, the blues and purples in the stained glass windows shone with impressive radiance.

Most importantly, when considering visiting the more popular attractions, BOOK AHEAD. A month in advance is usually best, particularly in the summer months when Paris is at its most busy. Spaces do run out fast so keep this in mind to make sure you get a place.

Next up, the most valuable suggestion I can give to you is a boat cruise on the Seine

 Next up, the most valuable suggestion I can give to you is a boat cruise on the Seine. I am not joking when I say it saved my life, or at least, my feet. I love visiting a city, walking through the streets, and the surprise of discovering a hidden gem that didn’t make the tourist guide. However, I do not love blisters.

In my research, many influencers recommended hiring  bicycles, extolling their many virtues – to which I say do so at your own risk and only if you are apathetic about traffic collisions.

The metro, while good for protecting your feet, doesn’t show much of Parisian culture besides the odd mime and half the cast of Ratatouille. While taking the metro was more efficient, on a boat you can actually see Paris while you travel from one end of the city to the other. With a cooling breeze from the water and tickets starting at only €15, this was easily the best decision I made. Plus it forces you to rest: a rare commodity on a city break.

That is my final recommendation to you: others say spring or autumn is the best time to visit Paris, but for me summer will always be my favourite

Towards the end of my trip, I brought up how the city dispelled my fears of angry Parisians who hated tourists to the receptionist at Hôtel Bleu de Granelle, where I stayed. She told me: “It’s sunny. Everyone is happier when the sun is out.” That is my final recommendation to you: others say spring or autumn is the best time to visit Paris, but for me summer will always be my favourite.

In the end, the city surprised me. I arrived bracing for rudeness, left with sore feet, and in between discovered that light planning, and making the most of the summer daylight, is the secret to enjoying the City of Light.