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The 8+ Things that Surprised Me Most About Paris

1/6/2025

13 Comments

 
Reflecting on our first trip to Paris, I'm thinking back about a few things that surprised me during our time in that lovely city.
Luxembourg Gardens. 5 Things That Surprised Me About Paris
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Planning a trip to Paris?

5 Things that Surprised Me About Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower (SPC)
After seeing countless pictures of Paris for, well, my entire life, and studying French language and culture all the way through college (10+ years), I thought I had a fairly good sense of what visiting France would be like, especially Paris, when I finally got to see it.

Ironically, Paris wasn't the first major European city I visited. Even after all of that academic preparation, and all of my other travels throughout other major European cities, I was still very pleasantly surprised by so many aspects of Paris. Paris truly was everything I imagined it would be...but a few things surprised me - and I thought they were worth sharing! So let's discuss - 5 things that surprised me about Paris!
5 Things That Surprised Me About Paris.
My first view of the Eiffel Tower (JSB)

Surprising fact about Paris:
​October is the perfect time to visit

Picture


​With all the talk of "shoulder season," I wasn't sure there would be such a lull in tourism in Paris. As one of the most visited cities in the world, I assumed - and feared- that every, single time of year would be super, duper, over-the-top-awful crowded.
I was pleasantly surprised to be very, very wrong! We visited Paris in mid-October, which was absolutely *perfect.* The weather was amazing and the crowds just simply were not there. This was the latest fall trip we've ever done, and I would 100% repeat that time of year! If you have the luxury of traveling in the fall, I would definitely strongly consider it.

We did not have to wait in line to enter Sainte-Chapelle. At all.  When we got back, some family members asked us if we had to wait in "that awful, hours long line to get into Sainte-Chapelle" and we hastily changed to subject!
Nope - October, friends, October.
For more on why you should visit Europe in the Fall, check out the full post!

Surprising fact about Paris:
​Paris is...overwhelming

It's...huge

5 Things that Surprised Me About Paris, France
View of the Eiffel Tower (SPC)
Paris the ninth largest city in the EU, but it tops the list of most densely populated cities in the EU, and squeezes a lot of people in to its beautiful streets! And, as a tourist, when you're visiting the historic city center, a city that densely populated definitely feels huge.

...full of history

5 Things that Surprised Me About Paris, France
Crowds in Paris (SPC)
In addition to the size of Paris is the sheer amount of history focused in one place. I found it could be a bit overwhelming, even though we were fully researched, scheduled, and planned in advance. And that's certainly not to say that the other countries/cities I listed earlier don't have the same feeling; most of them do. But with the dense concentration of sights, sounds, people, history, and beauty, Paris can be a lot!

...expensive

5 Things that Surprised Me About Paris, France
Cheers! (SPC)
Paris is the second most expensive city in the world. We've all seen the sort of stereotypical posters of "Paris luxury" in whatever craft store, depicting Parisian architecture. And that luxury doesn't come cheap! Meals, lodgings, drinks, shopping - all cost more than you'd expect!
Check out 10 Romantic Things to do in Paris on a Budget!

...and gorgeous

Nothing could have prepared me for the amount of architectural beauty that city holds, even with all the hype. It's not just a few historic streets, full of tourists, surrounded by blocks of boring - Paris is street after street of architectural marvels. Random corners where the trash cans go are more beautiful and historic than what most of us are looking at on a daily basis! Prepare to be amazed. I suppose it goes without saying, but there's a reason Paris has epitomized the artistic and cultural milieu for centuries. It's phenomenal.
Looking toward the Eiffel Tower from the Paris Pantheon
Looking toward the Eiffel Tower from the Paris Pantheon (JSB)

Surprising fact about Paris:
The ​French are not rude

5 Things that Surprised Me About Paris, France
Fireworks over the Eiffel Tower (SPC)
I hate to say it, but the reason we didn't go to Paris earlier in our European adventures, even with my French language skills, was because multiple people told me how rude "the French" were and that I would have a "horrible experience," as they had had. I say this, not to shame people who had a bad experience, but to offer my experience to give some hope to people looking to visit France, who have been given this erroneous advice.

I did not have a single negative interaction with the French people during my time in France, including in Paris. 

Not one. Every, single person I dealt with was perfectly polite and actually quite welcoming, particularly for a touristy area.

I was further surprised at how willing the French were to let me attempt to speak French with them - no one ever switched to English due to my failings (unless I *only* knew a vocabulary word in English, in which case they'd each me to say it in French and then keep going in French) and certainly, no one mocked me for erroneous pronunciation. Twice I was taught how to pronounce a word correctly, but that's not rude, that's teaching! And now I say it properly!

I would also advise anyone, French-speaking or not, to check out my Tips to Charm the French, to get all interactions off on the right foot and avoid accidental cultural miscommunications. So many perceptions of rudeness are based in innocent misunderstanding and can be avoided!

Surprising fact about Paris:
​France has a wonderful train system

5 Things that Surprised Me About Paris, France
Train in France (SPC)
Paris has the largest Metro in Europe. It seems like you never need to wait more than 2 minutes for a train to arrive. Not only do the trains come incredibly frequently, but there are also a ton of convenient stops throughout the city. The same cannot be said for some systems I've dealt with.

It's a bit shocking how easy it is to get *out* of Paris and explore France using public transit. The French train system is efficient, fast, and reasonably priced. I was amazed how easy it was just to zip out to a far-flung city on the TGV, and be back in Paris for the afternoon/evening! For more on train travel taking you outside of Paris, check out the full post, France by Train.

Between the Metro and the light-rail suburban trains, public transit will get you most places you want to see on a first visit (and beyond)!

Surprising fact about Paris:
Everyday is like watching a fashion show

It's not just the landscapes are incredible in Paris- it's also that famous je ne sais quoi  that the French seem to *all* have.

From ladies in the omnipresent scarves (tied up in the most fascinating ways) to the chicest children I have ever seen in my life, one of the best parts of a trip to Paris is people watching. It's not just a few random people - it's the vast, vast, vast majority of French people that you spot while you're out and about. You won't be disappointed.

The French bring the style every. single. day. Check out What to Wear in Paris for packing tips!

Thanks for stopping by!

5 Things that Surprised Me About Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower (SPC)
What surprised you about Paris? Let me know in the comments! And don't forget to sign-up for the blog newsletter, below, and receive my free, downloadable, carry-on packing guide for Europe!

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What you need to know about Paris
5 things that shocked me about Paris
13 Comments
Sally Wilson
8/20/2019 01:14:24 am

I agree with you on most things you mention except that the French are rude if you don't speak French. However that changes at the coast.

Reply
Pints, Pounds, and Pate link
8/20/2019 08:47:32 am

Hi Sally - Thanks for your comment! haha yes, this one has drawn a fair bit of contention, so we can agree to disagree! :) xx

Reply
Kate
9/2/2021 10:58:35 am

Interesting observations! As many times as I’ve been to France, and now living here, I have never found the French to be rude - and not nearly as rude as Americans, both in their own country and here where they are loud, pushy, tacky and entitled! If people only travel to Paris, and in August, then they are encountering French people who are fed up with tourists’ demands or who have had to stay behind when most of their compatriots are on vacation!!

Reply
Alex
8/22/2019 02:25:45 pm

Great post!

Reply
franklin spires
8/22/2019 05:50:29 pm

Nice article and all true. Paris is my favorite city with Barcelona a close 2nd. I've never had a local in Paris be anything but polite. My French is elementary and bad but they indulge me and sometimes laugh with me as I struggle with their beautiful language. We visit when we can and always in November. Best time for us!

Reply
Joan
8/25/2019 03:14:22 pm

I have been to Paris twice and have never experienced rudeness. The last time I was with my French husband. He no longer has an accent nor does he speak French to others although he's fluent, as I would not understand the conversation. I believe that your own politeness reflects back to you in how others interact with you, no matter what the language. A smile and patience, not a sense of entitlement will go a long way to enjoying new experiences.

Reply
Pat B
9/5/2019 09:46:26 am

Went for my first visit this summer. I was a little nervous of the rudeness stereotype especially since I don’t speak any French. Every person I spoke to was helpful, kind and polite!

Reply
Kim G
12/1/2019 09:36:35 pm

I completely agree with your comments about the French not being rude. I am a very rudimentary French speaker but every single person I met was very very nice and willing to help

Reply
Pints, Pounds, & Pate link
12/6/2019 11:27:39 am

Very glad to hear it! Thanks for stopping by! xx

Reply
Nora
2/20/2020 04:13:06 pm

Thanks for all you are sharing with us.I'm going first time to Paris with my husband ( both seniors) . My first language's Spanish, my "Spanglish" because Im leaving 20 yrs in USA is not good at all and I studied some French 40 yrs ago but I love it but your blog is amazing, very informative and I simply adore read it daily. Congrats.God bless you. Nora

Reply
Julianne | Pints, Pounds, & Pate link
2/20/2020 09:06:29 pm

Thank you *so much*! What a sweet comment - made my day! I hope you have a phenomenal trip to Paris! I know you'll love it! Bon voyage! xx

Reply
Penny
12/17/2024 04:43:16 pm

(Sent first comment too soon!). This was lovely and just right! We just spent a month in Paris, ending mid October. Perfect! As far as rudeness goes, learning cultural clues before traveling in a foreign country is helpful — and always say Bon Jour when entering an establishment of any kind! And au revoir, when you leave. And use merci and sil vous plait liberally. But ‘Bon jour’ was often the key that opened the lock to a pleasant time in most situations.

Reply
Lois
3/2/2025 01:54:47 pm

I loved your article. I also have been studying français all my life and adore the French culture, charm, history all of it!
My husband promised to take me to Paris when we were first married 45 years ago and we have visited over 20 times since alone and introducing Paris to friends. We were there just last week!
I would love to live near Paris. October is def a great time go, although I do find sometimes I’m in line for rides at a theme park.
I don’t care, you meet a lot of people that way.
It’s in my blood.
Salut!

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