Paris is home to the most breathtaking of sites. There is the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Arc de Triomphe just to name a few. Romance continually blooms in the city of lights. There are however, some useful and handy tips to keep in mind before your very own romance starts to blossom.
Escape Paris!
There is much more to see in France other than Paris. So many travelers will encourage you to venture beyond the city limits to see the rest of the country if you have the chance.
Tours in Centre is charming with things to do and see.
Nice and Marseille are equally stunning and right on the French Riviera. This is perfect for lying on the beach to sunbathe all day long!
Bordeaux and Rennes in both the southwest and west of the country are not the usual hotspots with tourists, but add a bit of variety and difference to your vacation.
- http://www.virtourist.com/europe/bordeaux/index.html - Bordeaux
- http://web.france.com/Cities/Rennes - Rennes
All of these places and the scenery that comes with them is equally as inspiring as staying in Paris.
Right, Not Left!
They do drive on the right side of the road in France. In fact, all of Europe does with the exception of the UK. Keep in mind however, that the speed limit is in kilometers. Also know that the roads are very narrow. If you do plan on taking a trip across France, driving would be a good option. However, having a migraine is more appealing than driving in Paris! Walk, or use the metro.
Métro de Paris
BusinessWeek named Paris one of the world’s best subway systems. Paris, behind Moscow holds the title of being the second busiest metro in Europe. For anyone who has been on the Paris Metro, they will tell you how efficient it is, but also how confusing it can be. This is when knowing where you are going, what part of the city you need to be in, and knowing those fancy French names come in very handy!
La Belle et le Bad Boy
Paris is a tourist destination for many Americans. A lot of people traveling anywhere overseas generally go with some friends or with a big group of people. Be sure to know where you are going always in any big foreign city. Do the research on what hotels are big with tourists and know what parts of Paris you should stay out of! Even though some of us in the world have a wild hair, the rule of thumb is to generally stay with the tourists and not to drift!
Cheese and plenty of Wine!
Culinary wonders are all over Paris! Be sure to check as many café’s out as you can. Wine is frequently consumed, and you will have plenty of coffee at your disposal. With the breads, wines, and amazing food alone, you will have a blissful little vacation!
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/may/06/top-10-cafes-paris
- http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204616504577172490313584140.html
Oui Oui!
Knowing a bit of French is useful when traveling to France. (This is shocking, I know) It’s better to know certain phrases and be able to understand what you will hear back to make the trip easier. “Où est le Louvre?” (Where is Louvre?) That will help when needing directions or getting lost. Not many can navigate like Christopher Columbus in foreign cities easily, so knowing a little of the language is almost a necessity!
Surely you will give yourself away as an American tourist at some point. Most French don’t mind, but understand that just eating properly, being courteous, and not disrespecting their culture goes a long way! You’re sure to have a fantastic trip!
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