Paris is Fancy, Filthy Chaos
THE CITY OF LOVE LIVES UP TO ITS REPUTATION, SOMETIMES
This may be a hot take . . . But I don’t like Paris very much. I went in high school on a French club trip; while I remember being so excited that I was in Europe for my first time . . . I also remember finding Paris dirty, smelly and chaotic. It’s like New York City in that it overwhelms me and that I can easily see how it enthralls others.
For the last three years, though, I’d become extremely close with one of my teammates at work who lives in Paris, but I’d never met her in person. So, I booked a short stop in Paris (two nights) to stay with her and finally get to spend some time together in person. I’m really grateful I did because it was a deep joy to get to step into her life and meet her family.
Paris itself in many ways does live up to its reputations. It seems like everyone wears black and smokes. The city has some of the best art museums in the world. Many of its parks are perfectly manicured and are among the prettiest public gardens in the world. The architecture can be truly magnificent. You’re never more than a minute or two from a Parisian cafe with cute outdoor seating.
For me, though, as a city to just walk around in and experience the day-to-day life . . . It’s not for me. It’s too busy, too packed, and too dirty.
SEE THE EIFFEL TOWER
I remember the most shocking thing for me about going to Paris for my first time was how much I fell in love with the Eiffel Tower. Somehow I always expected it would feel gaudy or tacky . . . But it is actually just breathtaking in person. The structure is so unusual that it always stands out against the skyline, and there’s something just deeply satisfying about its aesthetic. The Eiffel Tower is also on the edge of a large park - the Champ de Mars - so it is easy to experience in relative peace.
SPEND TIME IN PARIS’ BEAUTIFUL PARKS
All of my favorite moments exploring Paris were in its parks. The city has, perhaps, the most beautifully manicured public parks I’ve been to - and they offered a very needed escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Paris. My absolute favorite was Luxembourg Gardens, which is enormous, peaceful, and pristinely manicured. I also loved the Esplanade des Invalides, Champ de Mars (for its views of the Eiffel Tower), and Jardin des Tuileries (where you can see the Louvre and the Ferris wheel).
VISIT THE TOURIST HOT SPOTS
Paris’ core attractions do live up to the hype. Arc de Triumph, while in an extremely car congested area, is enormous and beautiful. The Louvre’s scale for a museum is truly breathtaking. Saint-Chapelle and the Notre Dame (when it reopens) are both magnificent cathedrals. Even its less traversed tourist spots - like the Pantheon, Invalides, the Opera House, and Sacre Cour (which offers panoramic city views) - would be a city’s masterpiece if placed outside of Paris.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Paris is one of Europe’s largest cities, so you’ll find no shortage of ways to spend your days. Here are some of the common ones:
Go to the Museums: While I didn’t go to the Louvre this time because I’ve been before, I do think the Louvre is unmissable if you go to Paris simply for its scale. Musee D’Orsay is Paris’ second most famous for having the largest collection of impressionist art in the world.
Head to Versailles: The most common day trip out of Paris, Versaille Palace is probably the most ostentatiously ornate building I’ve ever been to.
Explore some of the Neighborhoods: The two most well-known neighborhoods in Paris to explore are Le Marais, which isn’t very touristy and offers a peek into more culturally modern Paris, and Montmarte, an extremeley touristy section by Sacre Cour where you get panoramic views of the city, Moulin Rouge, and tons of shops and restaurants. I enjoyed both for very different reasons - though I’d only return to Montmarte to watch the sunset by Sacre Cour. Marais is one of the few neighborhoods in Paris I just genuinely enjoyed spending time in so I could return there many times.
See the Catacombs: In the 18th century, the remains of 6 million Parisians were moved underground to the Catacombs - now a labyrinth of tunnels full of human bones. While it’s not for me and I didn’t go, this is one of the most famous places to visit in Paris.
While it’s not a city I love, if you’re a traveler, I do think Paris is a city you should try to hit in your lifetime.