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Culture June 8, 2017
Paris, the City of Lights, is not only known for being the Capital of Fashion but also for being one of the top ten tourist destinations in the world.
Due to the city’s popularity, Paris is often packed with tourists. It’s crowded and sometimes overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to visit historical monuments and museums.
But fear not because there are ways to see and appreciate Paris like a local without wasting time waiting in long lines.
Here are a few suggestions to avoid frustrating tourist traps in Paris.
The famous Louvre Museum is a must-see in this romantic city. But with around 7.4 million people visiting the museum each year, it makes for a pretty crowded tourist destination.
Thankfully, there are side entrances to The Louvre that allows you to avoid the general crowd. If you’re trying to save time, don’t go to the Main Entrance located by the Glass Pyramid in the front courtyard.
Instead, enter The Porte des Lions and The Porte des Arts on the side. These two entrances can easily be found on a map of the Louvre, which the museum provides. (My favorite entrance was through Porte des Lions since it always took me five minutes to purchase my ticket and go through security.)
Though the Eiffel Tower is a majestic site to see, it’s something Parisians avoid at all costs.
If you’ve been to Paris, you know that the area is congested with tourists and pick-pocketers. So if you don’t have the time or patience, there are other places you can visit that are equally as beautiful, if not more.
If you prefer tranquil and romantic settings, go to the top of The Printemps Department Store. There, you can truly enjoy a view of Paris, its landmarks and its iconic rooftops.
Most tourists get so caught up wanting to visit popular museums like The Louvre that they totally miss out on other equally as awesome museums. Here are three we suggest:
Anybody who’s lived in Paris knows that the area to avoid the most is the famous Champs D’Elysée.
Over the years, this area has become the most touristy place in the city. It’s primarily known as a long shopping avenue of high-end boutiques. Though this may sound glamorous and fun, it might not be the best place for someone on a budget and isn’t staying in Paris very long.
If you do have time, though, it’s fun to go window shopping and enjoy the displays on some of the boutiques, such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada.
Want to get away from the fresh air and experience a spookier side of the city? If so, take a trip to find out what lies beneath the traditional Parisian beauty.
You can visit the Catacombs if you dare see thousands of piled skeletons. You can also go to the abandoned and allegedly haunted metro stops if you’d like to take your chances. Then, if your gut can handle the smell, exploring Paris’ sewer lines – or the French Underground Canals – can make for a good adventure.
Be warned, however, you should get ready to get dirty when visiting these locations.
A place that tends to always be neglected and forgotten is the beautiful Mosque of Paris, located near the Natural History Museum.
If you’ve seen all the Cathedrals of the city, make a pit stop at the Mosque to learn about a new religion and culture.
Then after spending some time looking around, there’s also a great little cafe inside the Mosque. There you can enjoy some delicious and authentic Morrocan tea.
Are you obsessed with the writing of some 18 and 19th-century French Philosophers? Why not take a look at their homes, where they once lived, breathed, wrote and created. You can start by visiting La Maison de Balzac, which is tucked away on 47 Rue Raynouard. Another famous writer’s home is La Maison de Victor Huge located right by Places Des Vosges.
All in all, visiting such a popular city doesn’t have to be a drag. If you’re looking to get the full Parisian experience, ENTITY suggests starting with these places first.
