10 OVERRATED Things To Do in Paris (and Tourist Traps)
Discover the 10 overrated things to do and visit in Paris including some tourist traps.
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If you have a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower is it okay to bring wine? Thank you!
@Breanna.HouseOfCorgis yes you can drink wine. Check out our video on best picnic places in Paris 😊
@@LesFrenchiesTravel thank you I will!!
My tip for Musee d’Orsay (top of my list on my first time in Paris): Get there at opening time, go to the top floor and work your way down. I was alone in many rooms in the morning, and by the time I got to the main floor late afternoon, the crowds had dissipated. Just my preference - arrive at opening and stay until closing. I usually plan to spend a whole day there.
Yes.
I love this idea!
Brilliant!!!
Yeah, I think the biggest tip anywhere from Graceland to Paris is get there when it opens, all the tour busses are still getting their clientele to breakfast and/or getting everyone organized, you'll be finishing up just as they are showing up.
Adding: don't miss the salle des fêtes (reception room) which many tourists miss because it's tucked away and not particularly advertised, but it's absolutely stunning!
The only five-star rating that can happen here is for this informative and amusing video you guys put together - great work! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Glad you enjoyed it!
Agreed❤
Back in Paris and enjoying your videos…but… of course the Mona Lisa is overrated, but it’s the Mona Lisa. You have to see it and then watch other people doing selfies in front of it, unless you are one of those people. The Eiffel Tower? Of course you have to go up… I think of people post trip asking you why are you didn’t go off the Eiffel tower. Would you say because I watched a KZhead that said I shouldn’t? Actually I’m booked and I can’t wait. The view is spectacular. And you’re certainly right about the rest… but, the Eiffel Tower in the Mona Lisa. You’ve got to go.
@@kvncrwif someone is rude enough to ask me why I did not go to or experience something on a trip, I tell them I wasn’t interested . Its my trip not theirs.
You guys are the REAL deal!! You put these other shallow “influencers” to shame. I don’t know why it took me so long to find your channel and so glad that I did. Can’t wait to visit France, thank you and keep up the great work. Love your no-nonsense, honest style of providing very useful information🙌🏼⭐️
Very good advice, but I must say that my daughter and I enjoyed climbing the stairs to the second level of the Eiffel Tower. We had no advance tickets, but there were only 10 people waiting to climb the stairs, while hundreds of tourists were in the queue for the elevator. It was a surprisingly easy and rewarding climb, and I was 63 years old at the time. We had a great time hanging out on the first and second levels, waited a short time for an elevator to the top, and, despite being shoulder to shoulder with others at the top, enjoyed the view there. It was far more fun than I thought it would be!
Absolutely one of my favorite things to do every time I visit Paris. Climb up and get a view inside the tower that you just can’t get if you take the lift. It’s beautiful being inside the structure. And really not that hard to do.
As a Frenchman I absolutely agree, I had not climbed it since I was 10, which was 24 years ago, and went again recently on a beautiful Saturday at the end of spring. Overcrowded you may think, not at all, we queued for about 30 minutes to buy our tickets, sure, then we never queued to climb up the stairs, ground to 1, and 1 to 2, neither did we queue for the elevator to the top. The climbing was not even challenging even for my better half who usually has short breath easily, and we had an amazing time. It depends what's your sensibility, for my part, I loved the view, loved remembering that time when I was 10 and notice the changes, loved walking the see-through floors and get the chills, loved thinking this damn thing was inaugurated 134 years ago and built with revolutionary techniques at the time (look up how they leveled the 4 feet to make sure they are even, just mind-blowing), was once the tallest building in the world back in a time automobiles were a curiosity for rich eccentrics, and thinking the father of my great grandfather had admired it as I do, and possibly climbed it too. No really, imo, not overrated at all :)
We have claimed the tower many times. Loved it every time. Also I'm not sure whether you mean the church or just restaurants near Montmartre. We are back in Paris for a month in February and I appreciate your posts.
I also loved the Eiffel tower. Only went because my brother was in town. Another wonderful view is Notre Dame. You get to see the gargoyles up close too 😊
As always, on point! I am a Parisian and I LOVE your videos! I agree with all these, especially with the so-called "love locks", please if you visit Paris, don't put them on our bridges! thank you for the great work Les Frenchies!
I was in Paris 3 weeks ago. Your City is beautiful. Tourists are disrespectful with the locks, in my opinion. Put a lock in your home for all of the places you've visited. Be inspired by the art in the City. Sorry people are destroying the infrastructure. 😢
I so agree with you!
Was watching The Honest Guide a few weeks ago and he managed to get touristscetc to cut the locks off one of the bridges in Prague. They are just an eyesore, the tourists that do it, don't have the brains to realise they're damaging beautiful architecture
Love your channel! I agree with all of your attractions on your list except one, the Chateau of Versailles. Yes, it is crowded, yes it is a lot of walking, but I think it is totally appropriate for the absolute grandeur, opulence, beauty, and history that you will see there. I suggest just reading up on which days of the week are a little less crowded, be prepared with appropriate walking shoes and clothes for the weather, and maybe even book a small or private tour. It truly is one of the most interesting places I have ever seen in my life so I would hate for people to skip it thinking it's not worth the hype! :)
A great museum in Paris is Musée Carnavalet. You can spend half a day there and it is free and not crowded. It is about the history of Paris since the first humans until now. A lot of art.
My favorite museum!!
I love the Musee Carnavalet!
Highly agree with visiting the chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte instead! Stunning and more manageable size, and the three key figures Louis Le Vau (architect), Andre Le Notre (gardener) and Charles Le Brun (painter) all went on to be involved with the creation of Versailles. If you saw the tv series Versailles, they did a lot of filming here, both interior and exterior shots.
I love how honest you both are. Many popular tourist attractions are overrated, underwhelming and too busy. So many other gems deserve your time
Great video ! As a Parisian, I kind of agree with all the points apart from the last one. The Saint Ouen flea market is great and it seems that you haven't been in the real, original part of it. The counterfeit area is all around it, but once you get past these shops, it's nice and definitely less crowdy. However, I really think there are many much more exciting things to do before visiting the flea market, don't do it if it's your first time in Paris and you stay for a short period of time.
Just came back from a 5 day trip to Paris, and already want to go back! This time to explore the less tourist things and eateries!!! Love your videos!
Putting those padlocks on the bridges is nothing short of vandalism- I don’t know when it started but it has spread to other places now and needs to stop! I’m glad I visited a lot of these places (Le Louvre, Versailles etc) long before they got so crowded- looks hellish now! x
Very helpful and practical tips. I feel lucky that I was able to experience many of the places you highlighted when I first went to (and lived in) Paris over 50 years ago. Once I went to Versailles on a weekday in November for a conférencier tour. Only three visitors showed up for the tour, and the palace was practically empty, so the guide took us into some back rooms not often seen by the public. I saw Louis XIV’s toilet! But in all these years, I’ve never gone up the Eiffel Tower. Back then I was a poor student who enjoyed the view from the rooftop of La Samaritaine. Now, I avoid crowds. Keep up the great work. Much appreciated.
🇲🇫Some Paris thoughts: perhaps what you are looking for when you visit Paris: the exquisite good restos & bakeries, the richness of daily French life, the cobblestone streets, helpful and happy French people is better found in the fabulous cities of Bordeaux, Tours, Toulouse, Fontainebleau etc. It's something to consider: the Paris you dream of is now outside of Paris. Having lived and worked in Paris in the 70s, I return each year. Paris has changed. It once was charming every minute, now one must work hard and smart to find the charm. I am presently in Tours, France after a week visiting Paris, and Tours oozes charm and friendly French. And yes, cobblestone streets and ancient timbered homes. Streets filled with music and joy. Follow Antoine and Colleen's Paris suggestions. They really work. I think now its the only guidance I would follow. But then plan at least a week in a smaller city.❤️❤️❤️
Agree 100%. And my best experiences in Paris were November (chestnuts roasting) and January ( no crowds). Would never want to repeat the July visit during World Cup.
I would offer a slight disagreement to the Eiffel Tower summit. I would say it’s an experience everyone should do ONCE. I went in August with my wife and our son (3). August is a busy time of the year for Paris but we booked in advance and went on the first possible time available (early in the morning), and our lines looked nothing like what you showed in your video. We got there 15 minutes before and we were maybe 8th in line. The views from the top of the Eiffel Tower are pretty spectacular, but even better, it was so incredible to see all the gears and wheels turn as the industrial era elevator takes you up to the top. Would I pay to do it again? Probably not. But I’m glad I went that one time. Just my $0.02.
Agreed, this was a high season statement
OK, gotta jump in here and say that we truly enjoyed going up the Eiffel Tower. It’s been a bucket list item for years and we were pretty thrilled to finally be there. But we went during shoulder season and had skip-the-line tickets, so all we had to do was pass security, which was quick. We really enjoyed reading the informative plaques and gazing up through the ironwork. It was a nice leisurely morning. Also went up the Arc de Triomphe, and yes, the view from there was just wonderful. Agree about Place Tertre though. Fortunately our little hotel was in walking distance of Montmartre, and a treasured memory is us just walking around the area. We *almost* went to Le Sanglier Bleu! Can’t remember why we didn’t.
Gutsy picks! I agree somewhat about the Eiffel Tower and it being enjoyable. There's just something very French about all the precision and beauty in the ironwork, and you have to go up and in it to see that. It's got that 19th century feel that you get all over Paris (though I didn't have to wait long to see it when I went.) And the views are really nice (though I agree the one from the top of the Arc de Triomphe is my favorite). Shopping on the Champs Elysees-just walking there- used to be on my list to do first when getting to Paris, and probably still is. The Virgin Records store there was a great megastore for French books, multi-media etc. though its gone. FNAC there isn't bad, though- at least last time I was there. I can also see why Versailles is on the list- a pain to get to, etc. I went for the fountains with music and fireworks at night and it was unforgettable! Really highly recommend, though yes, it was hard to get back to Paris that late. I guess I can't say enough for the shoulder seasons. Cheers, thanks, much appreciated.
My family had a similar experience at the Eiffel Tower. Sipping champagne with my son at the top of the tower and enjoying the lights of the city was one of the highlights of that trip. ❤
My friend that lives in Paris said that the shops & restaurants down side streets are much better than the famous ones, so this video was spot on 😎
true
January and February are better times to visit these tourist places as there are hardly any queues. Musée d'Orsay has various styles of artwork unlike the Louvre. I totally agree with Antoine about climbing the Eiffel Tower, Paris isn't Paris if you can't see the Eiffel Tower!! I've been here 40 years and still never climbed it!
We climbed by accident, we bought elevator ticket but missed the time frame. But it was the most memorable activity for the kids and the adults. We appreciated the view more that way.
I think when you have easy access to Paris and its attractions your perspective is totally different. Being ripped off is no fun anywhere, but you HAVE to expérience seeing La Gioconde. Everyone knows she's tiny and popular. Also climbing up the Eiffel tower (because it's impossible to get elevator tickets sometimes) was a super exhausting yet fun experience, especially if you're in good company -who's in good shape and can handle the almost 700 steps). One thing though: The Eiffel tower is more romantic from afar. Haha. Great video!
It's this kind of content that I first followed Les Frenchies for. Authentic, based on true experience, and giving helpful advice. Thank you Les Frenchies. You've no idea what a difference your videos and advice make for us amateur travelers.
Great and helpful tips, thanks! I fully agree that the last time I was at Versailles, I couldn’t wait to get outside. However, the gardens and fountains are wonderful, and we had lunch in a garden setting under the trees, visited the Queen’s Play Village, which was so charming and really enjoyed just wandering throughout the beautiful grounds! Skip the interior, head outdoors and enjoy all there is to savour on the Versaille’s estate! Thanks for your suggestions, and I really enjoy your videos!
❤Yes, Versailles is like being in the Paris Metro in Rush hour! However, the best guidance I got and then followed worked beautifully: arrive by 9 or 9:30, quickly walk through and skip all the rooms until you get to Hall of Mirrors, you will virtually have the room with a few tourists, and surrounding historical rooms will stll be mangeable or near empty. And then really fun, rent a golf cart just outside the palace and drive through the beautiful gardens with plenty of champagne stops along the way visiting the Trianons, and Hamlet. Thank you, Colleen and Antoine, I ate at many of the restaurants you recommended and they were perfect!
Thank you for this great piece of advice!
That's great advice. I always get there at opening. For me, the Hall of Mirrors is pretty, but nothing spectacular. It's the gardens here that are spectacular and they cannot be missed.
I did this just a few days ago. Had tickets for 9AM and we walked quickly to the hall of mirrors. We had the room almost to ourselves for maybe 10 min. I did not think the crowd was bad when I went there, but it got more crowded later in the day.
Hi, totally agree, especially about the Mona Lisa painting. I couldn’t believe how crowded it was but the best part was when I turned around and saw the largest painting on the opposite wall. I enjoyed that. So many of your points are spot on! Thank you. Stay well
I'm so glad I went up the Eiffel Tower. I will remember it always. I went early in the morning with a tour group and didn't wait in any Que. I bought an Eiffel Tower ornament up there and its one of my favorite things..
As a former Parisian, I agree with your advices. There are lots of very interesting rooms in Le Louvre (I love the antiquities and the Italian Renaissance rooms, but there are plenty other rooms). If you really want to view the Joconde, you have to be there very early in the morning (by your ticket in advance and go there first). Vaux le Vicomte is amazing, as is Fontainebleau. Vaux le Vicomte was the inspiration for Versailles ! If you want to see the Eiffel Tower, go to Trocadero, not to the Eiffel Tower. The view to the Eiffel Tower is the best here, and in Summer you can make a nap on the grass... Climbing the stairs is a far better experience than the elevator (and the queue is way smaller !). If two floors are too much for you, you can climb to the first one, the view is nice, and the stairs are very impressive (don't go if you are very subject to vertigo) .
As always, you tell it as it should be told! There is no mistake that you are what every visitor to Paris needs. Love your videos. Thanks.
You’re so right about these things! We were at the Eiffel Tower one day and it wasn’t busy, so we decided to go to the top. We could hardly see a thing because of the black metal mesh screening and it was a really tight claustrophobic space. I can’t imagine enjoying it when it’s really crowded. On the other hand, going to the top of Montparnasse tower was wonderful with its wide open terrace and amazing views that included, of course, the Eiffel Tower. It’s a good overview of the layout of the city.
I am doing a binge watch on all your videos and they are fantastic! My daughter and I are headed to Paris next month!♥😃
Thank you! Bon Voyage!!!
Omg I’m going Paris on Wednesday I hope it doesn’t rain allot can’t wait
It was so sad to see how crowded everything was. We lived in Paris from 1980-93 then went down south. The Louve was not crowded like in your video. Wow, I have been looking forward to returning but... things change. Thanks so much for this video. We really enjoy them.
I have been in Paris dozen times since 1998, the last one this year. Each time everything was a little different. So yeh, in general everything is more crowded since the internet, but you can not generalize so much. The insight about the hyped restaurants however was very good.
Thank you so much for your videos! We have been nervous about traveling to Paris but your videos are giving us confidence.
A+++!!! A honest, helpful and truthful video for all travelers going to Paris. Be smart & watch Les Frenchies every week for the best information!
Thank you
Thank you for your wonderful videos! I am off to Paris for the first time and your videos have helped so much in planning my trip. So informative and enjoyable to watch. Merci!
Heading to Paris on Friday. Your videos are great! Thank you both for all your local wisdom and advice. Planning to avoid crowds and enjoy the local fair! And the Google Lens App!!! Whaaaaat! Merci!!!
All good recommendations, especially when visiting in the summer, but #6 has to be done. I went up to the mid-level of the Eiffel Tower, watched the sunset and the light show, then walked down the stairs and it was a MAGICAL experience. Lines weren't too bad either and that was in July. Next time I go back to Paris, it'll be for the Christmas markets!
Super vidéo! as a Parisian, everything is so true
Instead of Versailles Castle, we did a bike ride of the gardens. We got a tour with Le Peloton Cafe in the 4th. The guide took us on the train, picked up our bikes next to the station, went to the open air market nearby bought wine and food. We biked for some time without seeing anyone. Beautiful. Then we picnicked by the canal looking up towards the Castle. Then we biked some more. We walked through some of the apartments and gardens. If you wanted to take the castle tour it was included in the price and guide dropped yo off at the gates and took your bike back to the station. I highly recommend it!!!!!
Another great video! Feel nostalgic from our trip this summer... I'm agree with you, except for the Eiffel Tower if you buy your tickets in advance and get soon you won't wait and the cruise was fun. I tought it will be a trap, but finally it was fun and cheaper for a family :)
Terrific video! I've been to Paris a few times and have done a lot of that, and I agree with all your points and even got some ideas for the next trip.
If I’m a first timer in Paris and I can do one thing, it would be Eiffel Tower. On top and at night. It is worth every single minute, especially you can only appreciate how beautifully the city laid out when you are on the top floor, it’s stunning. No city I visited can compare.
Yes, go and do it! These people have done all these "don'ts". Their perspective is from people who have visited Paris multiple times, apparently in the high season. I agree with them because I've visited many times over the years, and I have experienced nearly all of their "don'ts", but they're only expressing their opinion, so if you're a first timer, go and do it! And find out for yourself what you like. It's similar to a parent not liking a certain food and telling their child, "oh.. yucky!" And then of course the child won't like it. 🙂
Hi Frechies , thanks for calling them as you see them. We were in town the same days as King Charley and the place was total gridlock in a sea of humanity. Took your travel tips down to Normandy with us and had a blast being LOST in the beautiful French countryside. (Thanks for that one) We’ve been visiting Paris for over 30 years, but that was our last trip. Way way too many people and they ain’t going away anytime soon. France is a amazing country with tons of other things to see and do. Hope you guys do some more out of town adventures? Thanks for what you do. Stay well.🥂
There is a reason most of the french hate Paris and don't visit it more than once in a lifetime. The diversity of the country makes it way more interesting than the capital, you have the beaches, the mountains, the grassland, the swampland, the caves ... with lots of traditions and types of food/alcool. It's way better to rent a car then visit cities and sites that are visited by actual french people.
You two are wonderful to share your time and vast information on touring Paris.
Thank you for this amazing advice! I did visit Versailles a few years ago and loved it. Spent a whole day there exploring not just the main palace, but the other two smaller palaces and the vast grounds as well. The other small palaces and grounds are crowded at all. I'll recommend visiting Versailles at least once!
I must have gotten really lucky when I visited Versailles. I went twice within a two week trip because I was slow and didn't want to rush it all in one day, there were plenty of people there but nowhere near the crowds in your video! Perhaps it was the time of year, mid September. I spent two whole days wandering the palace and the gardens, it's one of my favourite memories!
We also enjoyed and were impressed by Versailles when visiting in May, but our favorite part was the Queen's hamlet, a part of the park I had never seen! Beautiful medieval village, a tram ride ("les petits trains") away from the main palace.
I couldn’t agree more so glad I visited Versailles!
You two are fabulous! Thanks for doing this work! ❤
Totally agree with your assessment. Some bucket list items like going up the Eiffel Tower you can't help, but know what to expect and be prepared. We've actually taken the stairs up to the second level twice and there hasn't been a line and just as fun for the kids. Also we absolutely loved Vaux-le-Vicomte A++. We avoid Cafe's anywhere near "the action".
I am so glad I saw Paris several times over 30 years ago. I remember just my husband and myself standing alone in front of the Mona Lisa. Incredible.
I went 20 years ago and it was packed.
one thing not overrated is waking up and going early with pre-purchased tickets. You can definitely beat the crowds that show up much later, we were able to see Mona Lisa and easily moved to the front, had short lines to get to the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower (purchased on site), and got out of the Palace of Versailles before the after noon crowds (was busy but you could definitely see it getting more packed at the end), crowds do get packed later
You guys are so helpful. On our trip in April we did go to the Louvre and Versailles--I guess must sees for first timers. The Louvre was INSANE, but my sister was traveling with a cane, so we got in easily. But, we felt like we were just rushing through a checklist with the art. We did Versailles with a tour, so that made it a little better, but it was still crowded. The grounds are lovely, but huge! We skipped Angelina because of an earlier show you did on hot chocolate. However, we did eat at Lauderee on Champs Elysee, and I was quite disappointed. As for dinner "cruises," look into the Bustronome--excellent!!!
Totally agree with you about the mona lisa...very underwhelming and surprisingly small in real life. I went to see it about 20 years ago before the mobile phone was in every pocket ...so glad I missed that ridiculousness. The Louvre has so many amazing paintings...so much more to see.
Love your informative and entertaining videos! Have you ever considered doing any travel videos regarding Montreal or Quebec City?
Great information, thanks! 👍😀
Outstanding video! You nailed it. This is brilliant.
Another great video. I was at Le Bistrot de Paris last night. A couple of Frenchies were there too. Good to see you take your own advice. I was disappointed not to see you at La Creperie at lunchtime 😁
Great information. Thanks so much.
I agree with almost eveything you said , hated most the Chateau de Versailles but enjoyed the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower . Allow me to add to your list Le marche des enfants rouges , La Defense , the Rue de Rivoli and the River Cruise .Thanks for a very honest and enjoyable video !
Living in Versailles, I can only agree about visiting the inside of the Chateau. However, the gardens are amazing to see, especially when fountains are turned on. And the park is a good place to spend some time under the trees, walking, cycling or just for a small lunch. But be aware that everything's prices can be a little bit high.
Hi from Australia! this is hilarious, thanks. luv this video. sorry we missed ÿour meèt up while we were in France, but your videos were invaluable for us while planning our trip ❤❤❤😂😂
Glad you enjoyed it!
My wife and I just returned from Paris, we watched several of your videos beforehand which helped us have an amazing time there. Cannot wait to return. Keep up the fantastic work.
Thank you.
Thank you so much! Love to travel to Paris from Vietnam 🇻🇳
Excellent information saving time, effort and energy with wonderful alternatives that look far, far better! Thanks, as always, Antoine and Colleen. Would you consider doing a video on the established flea markets like Les Puces saint Ouen? ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨❤❤
That was one of their top ten in this video. ?
Right on with all the great tips!
Brutally honest reviews but totally helpful.. thanks...
Glad it was helpful!
@@LesFrenchiesTravel all your videos are help to people and extra knowledge as well...
As always, you hit another one out of the park. Your videos are a must for visiting Paris, especially first timers. I agree with all but one of your recommendations/warnings. Guess which one!!?? 😂😂😊
We just returned from Paris yesterday. We hired a guide for the Louvre and Versailles. Definitely worth it! Our Louvre guide knew how to navigate to see the top attractions including the medieval castle discovered when excavating for the pyramid. With her background in art history (phD), she gave us the history of what we saw. So much better than reading a guide book. And yes, the Mona Lisa is overrated. Our Versailles guide was equally outstanding. We learned more about Louis XIV than we expected. We were expecting the crowds, so we mentally prepared ourselves. The biggest disappointment was Monmartre. So crowded we could barely walk through the streets, and at 10:30 in the morning. Never again. Walking the streets off the beaten path was the best!
Here's a hint for anyone who reads this. Get the 40 bus in Rue des Martyrs just down from Pigalle. This gives you a whole bus tour of Montmartre and totally save your legs. Maybe go back and investigate bits you've seen from the bus. Starting at the top and going downhill! You'll have to get off the bus at the Square where the Town Hall is but you just walk to the other side for the rest of the "scenic tour" past all those famous flights of steps. It's just a normal bus service for local people so inexpensive yet works as a "scenic tour".
Watching your videos in preparation for our family vacation in Paris made our visit so much better. Great tips. Hope to come back soon.
😊❤️👍
Brilliant as always ❤😊
One of my most memorable experiences, in my many years of visiting Paris, is Saturday/Sunday Lunch at the One Michelin Star Jules Verne restaurant located high in the Eiffel Tower. It has a separate entrance and elevator, and spectacular views. If you ask nicely, after you eat, they will open the side door and let you outside for the view. €135/person al la carte‼️
I agree with all of these except one. My only trip to Paris was for our 40th anniversary. The cork and photos from our pink champagne toast on the Eiffel Tower are still a reminder of a happy trip, BUT we were fortunate in our day. The wait was not very long and the crowd was light when we went. If it had not been so, we were prepared to skip it. I am glad we went to check.
I went to Paris this past August to visit my cousin. It was my first time outside North America. The evening I arrived we went to the top of Tour Montparnasse and I loved the views because all the major landmarks are all within 180° view from the top. The next day me and my cousin went to the Louvre after she got off work. We saw the Mona Lisa but I only took pictures of it with the 10x zoom on my phone. I was more fascinated by the Wedding Feast at Cana which is literally in the same room. We went to Versailles on my last full day at though it was impressive and magnificent, it was still quite packed (it was a Sunday afterall) and the gardens and fountains were more relaxing.
Spot on on the Mona Lisa, turn around and appreciate the painting on the opposing wall. As for the padlocks, I remember when the pont des art became unbearable because of them, such a pity, save your money, buy a bottle of wine and drink up the night instead ... still hopping for a Butte Aux cailles tour ... so much street art and legacy bar ... Thank you for the videos
Great advice! I agree about the Louvre but cut down on crowds by arriving late on a weekday. Still plenty of people, but was able to get close the Mona Lisa and had other nearby da Vinci paintings mostly to myself.
Recent subscriber. Getting ready for my trip to Paris in September and absolutely ❤️ your channel. Such great information about what to do (and what not to do), presented in a fun and interesting way. Maybe I will see you two when enjoying a profiterole at one of your recommended bistros! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Awesome! Thank you!
Great video with great advices! Remebers me of the "Let´s Go" books of the 80´s.
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Absolutely nice, thanks for sharing
thank you
Great content as always guys. Question, what video editing software do you use? Thanks
I lived in Paris for 5 yrs & I agree with all your assessments...For one, Eiffel Tower back then was not fenced up & where my yorkie pup & I enjoyed our morning walks & relaxation right underneath the tower..Place d'Aligre flea market is a favorite go- to & still is..
My main goal, when traveling is to do and see things that I can’t do and see where I live. We went to the top of the Eiffel Tower when we visited, and it was perfect weather, no wind, no rain, great temperature, looking out over Europe, my first time there, I just can’t do anything like that in the Midwest. Going inside buildings of museums and things even though the displays might be different, I can go to museums here. I can’t take a boat ride like the ones in Paris. I can’t experience public transportation via the train or buses to get me to and from different places. we don’t have celebrity cemeteries like the one in Paris. Nor the Sacre Cour. Those are the things that I can’t do here so I do them when I travel.
Yeah, I have a problem with skipping the super touristy places, I think the first time you go, just be a tourist, if you want to climb the Eiffel tower, then climb the Eiffel tower get it out of your system. There are tips, of course, go off-season, or be there at opening. Can't remember what I did at Versailles but the place was empty on a nice day, maybe I was there in November? There was a horse display out on the grounds and apparently the Minister of Culture was there. One thing about the Eiffel tower, is don't go to the tippity top, the first level is just fine for looking at things, the top is like looking out your airplane window. Also, loved the Arc de Triomphe, just watching all the traffic chaos below ;&) Of course they have all these tips, they've been there many times, didn't quite understand why she visited Versaille four times if she hated it every time. weird. (I wasn't crazy about it just on general principle but been there and done that.)
Thank you, we went to the Louvre and did the Big Bus. Our tower view was from the Galeries Lafayette. Had great fun.
Spot on advice , well done
The sites you mention, such as Versailles, Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower, can very much feel like an underwhelming tourist trap if you come on your own. Because you'll just wander and look around aimlessly and not understand the history or see the little things. Get a licensed tour guide and I can guarantee you that you will not come out disappointed. I am a Parisian (and a tour guide) and a huge fan of the Eiffel Tower. I am still blown away whenever I go and climb it. Because it's not just for the symbol or the view, it's how truly awesome a work of engineering it is. I always proudly tell my groups that the Eiffel Tower remains my favorite monument in Paris, because I can't get over how awesome it is (and because I also got to try out the Zipline they had for Perrier and Rolland Garros in 2019 😅). And Versailles without a licensed tour guide will feel the same. Because you'll juste wait in line to go from room to room. However, I do very much agree that the lines and the crowds have just gone out of hand (the Eiffel Tower especially since they built the glass wall). Especially if you come during high season, at peak hour. You're better off visiting those places as early or late in the day as possible, or during lunch time. As for the Louvre, the Napoleon III appartments are closed for renovation until Spring.
As a fellow Parisian and tourist guide, I cannot agree more! great insights... I love the Eiffel Tower! Last August I brought my nephew and we took the stairs, he loved the experience!
As an engineer, I loved climbing the Eiffel Tower when I lived in Paris. But my husband and me were aware of all her beautiful features (from the concrete anchor to the shape, the rivets, the iron, the elevator, etc...). And almost nobody nows, but all around the Eiffel Tower are engraved the names of famous French Scientist : Lagrange, Lavoisier, Fourier, Laplace...
Thanks for the info.
glad your channel isn't overrated. Such a joy to watch you guys
Glad you enjoy it!
Excellent video! 👏👏👏
Love the funky music in the background of your videos. :- )
Glad you enjoy it!
Interesting insight into St-Ouen! **PLEASE** can you make a video on brocantes and street markets (for antiques / second-hand stuff) that you recommend?
The first time I saw the Mona Lisa was in 1984. There was no line herding people for the 6 second chance to see the painting and snap a crumby selfie. But there was a mob 30 people deep and all 5'3" of me was in the very back. I could not figure out for the life of me what the big deal was... I went back a few other times to try to see it but with elbows... Same... What's the fuss...? About 10 years ago, hubby and I were at a private party in the Louvre. I made a bee line for the Mona Lisa. I got to stand in front of this painting, for as long as I wanted, with not a single other person in the room except the security guard. It is truly a beautiful and mesmerizing painting. Since the party I have walked by it a few times, I take a glance from the side, but not much more because no 6 second look-see will replace what I experienced. The wait, the line and the crowd is annoying. I find it ridiculous that people wait an hour to spend more time to take a selfie than looking at the painting. If you can't look at the ML and appreciate it undisturbed, yes, of course it is overrated... Versailles is a misery in high season. I am lucky as my husband is from Versailles, so again I have seen it in the off season and it is beautiful. I cannot believe that crowd you showed in Versailles...!! UGH! No Thanks! I love Chantilly! There is also Vincennes. Mais c'est pas meublé... If you want a juicy brocante- Porte de Vanves. Depends what you are looking for but we always find good stuff... ; )
Great video! Fully agree with your recommendations, especially about the Eiffel Tower. Paris is a stunning city with so many fabulous things to see and do. If you really want to see the Mona Lisa, visit the Louvre during evening hours on Fridays. The room with the Mona Lisa was empty last time I went.
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No frills and straight forward honest reviews of these tourist traps, I like the way how you guys put it. Lol😂👍
We are coming to Paris in November and watched all your videos and loved them - great information for us 👍👍
Agreed, agreed, agreed! I have a friend asking for tips on a first trip to Paris and I'm glad to have this video (and all the comments) to back me up.
Nice video chaps 👍👍😎
What you say is bang on ! For a great Parisian experience, try some of the lesser known areas like Butte aux Cailles, or restaurants down in the 13th generally, where ordinary Parisians go. Even if you stay around the touristy areas, just walking a bit, as you say, can give you a much better experience. Walk around the back side of Montmartre and you can find some nice little restaurants and bistros. As for Les Champs Élysées, to paraphrase Joe Dassin, "Il y a tout ce que vous voulez ailleurs à Paris"
Same here La Jaconde is super underwhelming ...Oops for Versailles, has always been a joy, I was very young and at that time there weren't many tourists. I loved going to le petit hameau and the le petit ou grand Trianon, and strolling around the grounds, sometimes instead of entering the Palace. There was a great restaurant in the woods there too.
Great video Not long back after my second visit to Paris this summer. Stayed in Montmartre and loved it. Was welcomed everywhere even though i was on my own as a solo traveller. Plenty of great bars and restaurants at decent prices down the hill from the Basilique on the north side. Definitely recommend a visit to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Got the train from Gare de Nord to Melun and a taxi to the Château...(taxi is around 20€ each way) Beautiful place. I had it pretty much to myself, taking the audio tour and up to the dome. Well worth it. One thing i noticed in Paris is that it's completely crowded with the 'instagram generation' People just there for a photo shoot, probably not caring less about the beauty and history of these buildings in front of them. Such a waste...(or maybe I'm just old 😂)
Très magnifique et très beau vidéo touristique de Paris
You guys nailed it again. When I was at the musee d'Orsay I found everyone clamouring to see Van Gogh's Starry Night I was very underwhelmed by it
This is one terrific video, we are here in Paris now and finding this so helpful! Spot on, thank you
Thank you