The 8+ Things that Surprised Me Most About Paris

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.

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Planning a trip to Paris?

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!

My first view of the Eiffel Tower (JSB)

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

​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

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

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

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 (JSB)

Surprising fact about Paris:
The ​French are not rude

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

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!

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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