As someone involved in the French tourist industry, it was interesting to hear Wolter's take, as an American experiencing France. Everything he tells you is absolutely correct by the way, but I have to add a few caviats. If you want to see Paris, go to Paris, if you want to see France, don't go to Paris. That sort of fits in with if you want to see USA, don't go to L.A. The real charm of France is not to see this or see that, it is to immerse yourself in the culture. The tick box places really are just an add-on. Sad thing is, most folks don't get that until they get back home.
I agree, and it was by chance that we did this. We stayed in Versailles at the Hotel Ibis and every night we'd hang out in the bar that was below the hotel (this was 25 years ago). We enjoyed the people and music, and after doing this for a week, the locals took us out with them to cruise and have a late-night snack. We also spent time walking around and talking with young people (we were in our mid-20s at the time, so it was easy for us) and those interactions became part of our best memories.
The trap about Disneyland is right only for people from the western hemisphere Because in Eastern Europe, for example, you just don't have the money to go to the USA, especially to Orlando. And for kids like me it was definitely not a tourist trap because it is the only Disney park we could afford
So true! In that case the reverse tip is true. If you decide to visit the US, don't go to Disney when you can go to Disney in Paris for much less money 😁
@@cbpd89 Totally True. Booking tickets here in Disneyland Paris are much less than you think. We have actually the most beautiful Disney Castle in the World
I toured the Louvre in the company of my niece and her boyfriend, both fine arts students in California. It was their first trip to Paris. My favorite quip, from the boyfriend, was: "These paintings are a LOT bigger than they looked in class."
I loved hearing you speak French :)! That’s a great tip to sit up on the hill instead of waiting in the Eiffel Tower. Also didn’t realize the Mona Lisa was so small!
You should even go up in the dome of Sacré Coeur! There's never a line and the view is even better. There are only stairs but it doesn't take that long to climb since you've already done most of the work climbing the hill.
I actually enjoyed everything about Mont St Michel. The shops (I just looked) and the walk up was fun imo. I liked everything. I just think there could be better ways to get there.
Hey mark! Just wanted to let y’all know just how much this channel means to me; every time I go anywhere I always consult your channel first and you just instill SO much more confidence than I would have if I read a few blogs. Always love the tips and the love for what you do is contagious and always gives me the travel bug. Cheers from Monte Carlo 🇲🇨!!
Go to the rooftop of the Galleries Lafayette store and get an incredible view of Paris !!! La Chapelle church was beautiful and there was a tour of the restoration of the stain glass !! I was in awe of the beautiful doors in all the buildings!! I took photos of the ceiling in the bookstore Place Des Vosges.
Yes, good idea. And if you want to see the Eiffel 🗼 tower, there is a terrace right by the road with a great view of it, especially by night. Don't remember the name of the metro station right now, sorry.
Sacre Coeur is absolutely the best viewpoint in Paris - love that city. I've visited a few times already, it'll definitely be a regular destination in my future
I would add Versailles. Definitely worth a visit, but do your research so that you don’t go when it’s crowded with a million other people, crammed shoulder to shoulder. Looking forward to going back one day in the off season. It’s truly magnificent!
Absolutely! My top is avoid weekends but also avoid the day the Louvre is closed! When the big museums have their off day, the tourists flock to Versailles.
When I went to paris I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and a guy told us to visit the Montparnasse Tower instead. He said "it's the best view in all of Paris because it's the only one that doesn't include the ugly skyscraper in it" lol. It was such a great view from up there. Perfect views of the city and Eiffel Tower.
I’m dying at Mini Mouse appearing the minute he says don’t goto Disneyland. I think Disneyland is fine but IMO it’s more for Europeans that already live here. I wouldn’t recommend going there as an “add on” to a trip about Paris
@@cjcab3158 yeah like when we were kids our mom took us because a 2h flight to Paris is easier than like 11h to Florida but we barely saw Paris. I never did it as an adult but my friend who’s American lives in Paris did and said it’s too much rushing around. It’s not quite the easy day trip of Disneyland California but not quite the size of Disney World in Orlando
Most french people, especially living around Paris, will tend to go to the Parc Asterix, rather than to Disneyland. Though the place is definitely not very english friendly x)
I did not regret going up the Eiffel Tower. Yes, very touristy. But frankly it was much bigger, taller, and more impressive in person than I ever imagined. We walked up the first part.
Seeing the Mona Lisa was an underwhelming experience. Good painting, but I was surprised at how small it was. And the room was the hottest room in the Louvre with all the tourists in that one room.
We skipped the Eiffel Tower in Paris but loved Mont St Michel. As a family we love to hike so we enjoyed the walk up to the church. The views are worth it!
WALKING the streets of Paris, taking your time, sitting at a café having a beer while people-watching at 5 o'clock... Driving the back country roads, staying at B&Bs (or the Gites de France, preferably with dinner included so you can talk with the owners there), driving stick-shift in the mountain passes, visiting WW1 cemetaries and battlefields (Vimy ridge for us canadians in particular...), just slowing down and enjoying the scenery, food, drink and general way of life and culture. That's what I remember from my few travels to France. And I've tried to reproduce that in Italy, Germany and Croatia. Do NOT do the "14 countries in 10 days" thing.... you can watch THAT from the comfort of your couch at home...
You can easily do three countries in a day when you visit one of those points where three countries meet, like DE/NL/BE, DE/BE/LU, BE/LU/FR or DE/FR/LU. The last one is in Schengen and has an interesting museum about the Schengen treaty. Free admission, and you can have your own 'Schengen 🛂 passport' and a 0€ 💸 banknote printed.
@@Rms317 This is not true . We call them the subway police and they pick different subway exits. They are not there to harass you they are looking for people who jumped the turnstile and did not pay for their ride
Mark, I have to inform you about the wine country tour I took that I really enjoyed. It left in the morning and went to the Champagne region where we visited wineries and also stopped by Reims Cathedral. It was nicely paced and thoroughly enjoyable. We got back to Paris in late afternoon which left us time to still do things in Paris. It was a bit pricey but it was a memorable experience.
I highly recommend going up the Arc de Triomphe. It's perfect height. High enough to see most of the city but also not too high that you can see the buildings really well.
Le Mont Saint-Michel is definitely worth it but I would recommend you plan your visit carefully. Avoid July and August altogether as these are the busiest months. Keep in mind that Le Mont is quite a tiny place. To enjoy it, book a hike across the bay at low tide from Genêts with a guide at La Maison de la Baie. Avoid the expensive car park and use public transport instead. Maybe you can rent a bike in nearby Pontorson too. If you can, stroll around the village after 6pm or early in the morning. I agree the main street in the village can feel a bit too much but you have to be prepared for it too. Finally, don't miss the abbey at the top! The views, the architecture and the atmosphere inside are quite unique! You can certainly spend a whole day there if you include the bare-footed excursion across the bay with a guide.
Good tips. The best one in my opinion is indeed: don't go for all of the castles of the Loire in 1 day or 5 vinyards in Bordeaux, the Champagne or where-ever. Instead: take your time, relax and enjoy life as my French neighbours do so well in their beautifull country. Greets from Belgium. Little sidenote: the castles along the Loire are almost worth one day of visit for most of them ;-) And same thing: take the time after your visit to enjoy the rest of the afternoon enjoying their gorgous gardens, absolutely worth it!
There are so many of these places that look great in pictures but there's no depth or substance to them in terms of the experience you have there. We run into these all the time but we're learning :)
To be fair , there’s nothing wrong with Disneyland Paris - just depends where you’re located - if you’re in Europe then realistically Paris in the only Disney you can afford to go to . I’ve done both Florida and Paris twice and will admit Florida is so much better , but , if you live in Europe and don’t have the money for the Disney’s further away , then Paris is perfectly fine too :)
I love that you just met a fan/subscriber while filming! I hope that I see you filming next time I’m in Paris. My plan is to visit Paris for a 3X in 2023. I LOVE Paris! 💃🏽😍
At age 20, on our first day in Paris, my friend and I got up at 6 am, had our hot chocolate and croissants at the little student inn, then walked along the Seine with the mist rising off it until we reached the Eiffel Tower. We looked straight up from the bottom and were the first in line to go to the top. I remember saying to her, "This is a tourist attraction for a reason!" I would not recommend getting in line for it in the middle of the day. Also, every savvy traveller knows that you do not go to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. You go to see the Nike statue. 🙂
I must say that for the Eiffel Tower, I went down the STAIRS!!! Oh boy that was beautiful yet so LONG!!! Sacre-Couer gets forgotten so easily!! And when you go alone like I did....You get to meet so many girls!!! Like, so many girl duo's who see one guy and are like, You want to join us? Hell yes!!! I went to the Louvre and forgot the Mona Lisa until I stumbled upon the line. Didn't know it was encased in glass AND so small!! It is a rip-off. SEE the Claude Lorraine collection instead!! Beautiful Landscape Paintings!!
BTW, I only did Paris my first time because I only did the sleeper train to Venice, to Pisa and then to Rome. Next time, I'm doing the branch out sections!
The one item I disagree with is that Mount Saint Michelle is a tourist trap. It is well worth the trip there. I recommend renting a car and seeing the French countryside. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
I would tweak your advice just a bit about Mont St. Michel. You're right about the main drag as you enter. It's the worst of commercialism. However, if you arrive later in the day and stay the night, it's a different experience entirely. Much nicer.
As one who has been to France 14 times, I can give advice on these "Tourist Traps". Mont St. Michel is Wonderful! Well worth it. BUT; time your visit to get to the top for sunset, the crowds will be gone and the views from the western terraces are magnificent. Hustle past the snack and souvenir shops; go for the Abbey. Dine and sleep at one of the hotels on the landward end of the causeway. The Eiffel tower is also spectacular. Most people don't know there is an excellent, elegant restaurant about halfway up. Book on-line 3-6 months in advance. Again; time it for arrival just before sunset. Inside the tower, the giant metal beams and their giant rivets make you feel you're dining in a Buck Rogers space ship! St. Tropez is lovely, if you can afford it. I's not easy to get to, so you want to go for more than 2-3 days. We stayed at La Ferme d'Augustin - walking distance to Tahiti beach. Loved it. It was a 3 star then, but it's been spruced up bumped up in price. I'll comment further after watching the rest of this video.
Mona Lisa.... I remember I was alone in front of her in 1988. But 2016, the last time I saw her, it was only from the distance because of the crowds. And there are so many other more beautiful and interesting paintings in the Louvre.
And I'm another Frenchman who agrees with you. Paris and the Riviera are huge tourist's traps. I've worked in Paris for ten years and I passed by the Eiffel Tower many times, but I've never visited it. And I've only seen the French Riviera twice and off season each time; the French Riviera in summer is hell - unless you're very snobbish or/and you do like crowds (including overcrowded beaches) and traffic jams, and to pay for everything at ripoff prices.
@@jfrancobelge My experience is that La douce France is best enjoyed slowly. And especially in the smaller towns and villages. Lots of things to see, do and experience. France is so much bigger than the tourist hot-spots, and in my view even better. I particularly love Normandie and Bretagne.
As a french who barely never went to paris, it remain useful to me. But i have to disagree with the mont st michel part because dispit the amount of tourist and the price, it's still an absolute banger to me (I include the village). The historical value is amazing because the church come from the old merovingian dynasty time and it's being constantly upgraded through all the middle age and after. Also brittany is underated and alsace is amazing too.
Ok...so your "guests" reminded me of an incident a friend and I had at the EAA a few years back. I knew he spoke fluent French, but never heard him do it. Well these two gentlemen from France were having credit card troubles and could not communicate with the cashier as neither knew the others language. My friend stepped in straight away and it really took me back for a moment. We lost him last year, so this brought back a great memory. Perhaps you thought of editing that and something told you to leave it in. If that was the case, now you know why. I want to thank you for that.
My group was debating going up in the tower a couple weeks ago, and we decided not to because the line was ridiculous (and kinda pricey). Instead, we went over to the park to watch the tower light up (this was after 10 pm).
1) Paris Pass with most important museums is a good buy! Online or buy it at Sainte-Chapelle as your first station in the morning. 2) Eiffel Tower go only to the first level via stairs. 3) In Louvre there are museum maps with the main highlights all the other famous art that you should see while you are there. Like Venus de Milo.
Makes me think of something my fiance says about the Louvre. How disappointing she found it people line up in droves for the Mona Lisa and ignore the Code of Hamurabi that's so close to it. Such an important historical artefact ignored for a painting that's only become super beloved relatively recently. I mean it's an amazing painting and given time I"d go see it (sadly my time in Paris in the next few weeks is relegated to plane layovers maybe another time) but like you say there are other amazing and important works there.
Best way to tour chateaux, castles and vineyards? Book a 6-8 day bike tour with a company like Back Roads, Freewheeling or Vermont Bike Tours. We've done the Loire valley, Brittany and The Dordogne (which seems to be the favourite among those who have done more than one) as well as tours in Hungary, Austria and New Zealand. After skiing, it's the most fun you can have with your pants on ;->
Your videos are always great. We head to Ireland here soon and then later driving into Paris with a stop in Normandy. All your tips are helpful, thank you
Top tip in Normandy. Go to Bayeux (near Caen) nice old town and they have a nice museum around the famous tapistry. Or, a must for any US tourist, visit the American war cemetery and museum near Omaha Beach.If you are a Brit, visit Arromanches-les-Bains. The remnants of the Mulberry harbour of WWII are still there. All between Cherbourg where the ferry from Ireland lands and Paris.
I was in Paris in April and we stayed in an apartment at the foot of the Sacre Coeur. Great view every day and mostly quiet in the evenings (though bright due to the lighting.)
Good advice and things to think about! I have been to France a few times. My first time to Paris I did go up the Eiffel Tower, but it was late at night so there was no line to buy the ticket and go up. I am super glad I did it. I phoned my brother and dad, who I was caregiver for, to say "Guess where I am calling you from!". They were tickled to hear I was calling them from. It was a dream for me to be up there at night. Your advice about the chateau region is very true. My friend and I rented a car. We had planned to go to Leonardo DiVinci’s home nearby after visiting a couple chateaus, but we ended up spending so much time at one chateau we never made it to his home. I would not waste time at any Disneyland in any country. I could make a trip back home to the States, from where I live in Europe now, for what I would spend in one day there.
We drove through Monaco three years ago and couldn't even be bothered to get out of the car. Never touched the ground there. But St. Tropez and Nice can be quite nice.
Agree about the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, although we went to the Eiffel Tower a couple of Decembers ago during a metro strike so there was no line and we were *alone* in the elevator. Yes, that happened! But in general, I avoid those. I think that if you go to Sacré Coeur you should make sure to climb the dome. It's such a unique view (more special than just from the hill itself) and very peaceful. Plus you get a great breeze when you need a respite on a hot day. P.S. I love that you left in the little "cameo" by those French folks!
I agree with Eiffel Tower to the simple fact that when you are ON the tower, you don't see the Eiffel Tower in your view anymore, and that's essentially what makes Paris skyline so iconic, without it, the view is pretty but nothing special. So, i would suggest go to Montparnasse Tower, the ugly office building that actually located not far from Eiffel. You get a 360 view of Paris WITH the Eiffel Tower. It's beautiful.
Can anyone tell me why Europe looks so amazing compared to the rest of the world? Not to dig but...Outside of Japan, I have no drive to see Asia or Africa
I'm a European, so maybe I'm used to it. But there is lots of stuff to see outside Europe. I have been lucky to visit other continents. I still vividly remember Yucatan, Mexico, S.E. Asia and the nature of Africa. All very special in their own right. Please don't discard any place up front. Most places will surptise you.
My favorite part of seeing the Mona Lisa was taking pictures of people taking pictures of the Mona Lisa. They were all so entranced, they didn’t even notice me.
Do my eyes deceive me or was the Eiffel leaning? Great tip on how much to see or try to cram in while on tour. Less is always more in my book (don't miss the experience of just being there).
I almost laughed when we got to the Mona Lisa, like “where is it - oh...” I wouldn’t go up the Eiffel again but it truly felt higher than it was. My legs were shaking but the view was incredible. I’d love to see Mt. St. Michel, and you’ve confirmed my instincts that it’s arguably not worth going into it! We didn’t have to foresight to go as a day trip from Paris, which would have been smart! We saw the Palace of Versailles though, which was gorgeous :)
I,ve been to Paris 6 times since 2016 and everytime I take a different person and we always take the Paris City Visions trip to MSM No One has ever complained about the 4 hour bus ride or the walk to the top. In Oct 2021 we even ate at a restaurant with a view of the Bay. It was pricey,but if you are going to Paris spend the cash to enjoy it.
The Louvre is fine, but our fave Parisian gallery is just across the river; The Musee d'Orsay, the gorgeous re-purposed train station that holds the magical works of impressionists like Van Gogh, Monet and Matisse. I go every time I visit Paris, even if it's just to enjoy the view of the Louvre and the rest of Paris from it's rooftop outdoor restaurant tables. One more sunset tip; go to the roof of the Arc de Triomphe at sunset!! But do it like this; buy your ticket first thing in the morning - 9:30 a.m. - when the line is short and then go back for sunset. The line for people with tickets is much shorter. Have dinner at Fouquet or George V - both usually have outdoor tables in warm weather.
Not for everyone, but I think if you want to go up into the Eiffel Tower, take the stairs if you can. It's A LOT, so don't do it if you have bad knees or are scared of heights, but it's a lot cheaper, less crowded, and more hands on than the elevator. If I remember right it's about 720 steps to get to the second level. Subtract ~200 for the first level.
The secret to Mont St Michel is to stay the night. we did this a few years ago and it was the best thing ever. No tourists after 6.00 pm so we could eat dinner wherever. We got up at 8 am and saw the abbey with very few people. We left at 11.30 am and it was bedlam. Take my advice and stay the night.
As a former resident of Côte d'Azur: Go to Antibes, Nice, Saint Paul de Vence, Èze. Stay in either Antibes or Nice. The french riviera os the best place in the world for me, but in summer there's too many people indeed
I also drove in Spain. Very similar to France. As someone mentioned, toll roads in France on the main highways so if you need to use cash, carry coins.
Hi! I went up the Eiffel Tower, and my friend and I used the stairs! Got me so bushed, I almost gave up! It was worth it, though! Had fun! But I’ll take the lift next time.
So, Mark....if a non-American was to ask me for an itinerary to visit the USA - this odd & frustrating republic we call home - for two weeks, and their only directive was to immerse themselves in our culture, i'd tell them to spend a minimal amount of time in big cities like NYC for fine art & performance, then visit a handful of National Parks and charming small towns/cities (Lenox, MA, Richmond, VA, Poulsbo, WA, Newport, OR, Overland Park, KS, Lockhart, TX...to name a few)...but, pretty sure that would take more than two weeks! SO, if I wanted to immerse myself in FRENCH culture for a few weeks, how should I spend my time??
I would just say to pick lesser known (by Americans) cities and towns, such as Lyon, Nantes, La Rochelle, Grenoble, Lille, Montpellier, Rennes,....the list goes on. I've been to all of those but Nantes (and lived in Montpellier, Paris, and Lille), and I can tell you it's a totally different experience. It's not that there are no tourists, but there are very few American tourists, and actually sometimes a lot of French tourists (such as in La Rochelle). I would also try to see some smaller towns if possible, either as day trips from those cities on public transportation or by renting a car. And if you do still want to spend time in Paris, make sure to stay in one of the arrondissements that's not so close to the main center. (Although do your homework because not all areas are nice.) I lived in the 12th and I was definitely the only American in my neighborhood.
@@Rachel-rs7jn and don't forget Toulouse. Good museums, great food and the architecture is just amazing. And take in a rugby match if you can, Toulousains love their rugby.
If you have some time, just get lost in the French countryside with all its towns and villages. A friend of mine has a little campervan and the plan to drive from Paris to the Côte d'Azur via the old Route National 7. He didn't even make it beyond the river Loire because he liked it so much. Then he just turned west and stayed at Nantes, Rennes and slowly made his way back up the west coast via Normandie and Picardie.
I like Disneyland Paris for a day-what makes the park (the main park with the castle-don't bother with the other Studios one, and certainly don't stay there) worth seeing is that everything is more elaborate and detailed than the US parks, and there are many rides that are different from the ones in the US-not exactly the same. Paris' Big Thunder Mountain? Fantastic! Paris' Space Mountain? There's loops! Paris' Haunted Mansion? Totally different storyline! So I'd say if you like the Disney parks, go for a day. It may have less to do than Florida, but it's also much less chaotic and somewhat more affordable. BUT don't spend multiple days here and don't go to the Studios park unless you're a true Disney diehard. The Eiffel Tower was a miserable experience. Not so much going up, because we went late at night, but going down was a nightmare of being in this claustrophobic hallway and trying to navigate around all the people in line, all the people not in line, etc. It was a chaotic and claustrophobic event. Very happy that I did it (and did it pre-covid!), so that I never have to do it again. And of course the other, ultimate, just-outside-of-Paris tourist trap: Versailles. If you want to go, go super super early, because I ended up waiting in a line that took about three hours just to get inside, and when I did, even though the rooms were massive, every square inch was choked with people. You can't even see or really enjoy half of it just because you're drowning in a sea of humanity at every moment of your experience.
I think the tourist trap is july and august. I have made a 15 days trip in france in early september and it was beautifull. From bordeaux to mt Saint michel, Paris, Loire valey and the pirenees….. oh and by the way buy your tickets in advance in the internet It saved me a lot of time
Comment turned off on Liam's video, this is for him.....LOVE Flying Tiger Copenhagen. Went in DK 3 yrs ago, and there used to be one 15 minutes from my house, but they closed all of them in US.😣 My Danish friend here so bummed. And so am I!! Didn't go when I was there in May in DK. Next time...good job
When I went to Paris, we skipped going up the Eiffel Tower and instead went up the Arc d’Triomph , there is no elevator, but the view is beautiful with the streets all stemming from that point and the Eiffel Tower gets included in your cityscape photo. Also, we are not really crazy into art and having only a couple days in Paris we decided not go into the Louvre, but I do love architecture so we did go to the outside to see the glass pyramid
Pretty good advices overall, and there's a good reason for that : France is one of the topmost tourist destinations in the world. So yeah, you gonna get squeezed, pushed, disturbed and annoyed. It's a latin country after all, not to mention local attitudes in some cities. Not to excuse nor justify anything, you know. On the same page, I remember that organized trip in Florida where I spent 10 days around the state. And guess what: squeezed pushed disturbed annoyed just the same. Probably a bit more well-managed though. What I mean is, if you can, try and go off-track people, as stated in this video: I totally agree with what's was said here. You'd be surprised. In every continent. Side note: nice french Wolter. As little as you might think it is, it's good in this short exchange :)
When I was in Paris in 1988 there was a serious problem avec les merdes des chiens. I hope it's better now. Speaking of dog crap another place for great views of Paris is probably the Tour Montparnasse visible at 1:55 but if you do visit, I as an architect am obligated to disown you.
Not going to lie, I go to the Mona Lisa every time I go to the Louvre and I've been six or seven times now. But not to see the Mona Lisa. I go to take a photo of the masses of people crowding round to see a glimpse of it. Year on year the crowd seems to get bigger and bigger. The first photo I have has maybe fifteen people in line, in the most recent the entire room is crammed.
I've been trying to psycho-analyze these folks too, from afar though...why do you suppose there are so many bandwagon jumpers? Worse lately (many years) because of social media & they want to flex on their "friends" perhaps??
Mona was not even popular or well known till she was stolen . Think of the poor guy who commissioned Da Vinci and never got his painting.Leo brought it to France when King Francis I invited Leo to retire at Amboise in Loire Valley. On his death Francis bought it from Leonardo's assistant
There is some truth to your comments. First of all, don’t visit Paris in the summer when everyone else does and the lines are impossible. Secondly, the best view of the Eiffel Tower is from the top of Le Tour Montparnasse and it’s free. Go at night. The best time to go up the Eiffel Tower is so you can see sunset from the top. The Louvre is enormous and you can’t possibly see all the art in one visit. A good substitute is Le Musée d’Orsay. Less crowded and has many Impressionist paintings as well as other fabulous displays. I have been to Paris innumerable times since I was 15 (going on 80 now), lived in France on and off from 15 on, and teach French. Take his advice with a grain of salt except for DisneyParis. It’s nowhere near Paris, and a waste of time and money.
I don't have too much experience travelling in France. But something i was really disappointed about was dining. I know everyone acts as if the french cuisine would be top notch and yes they have great gourmet restaurants, but overall it's shitty. I've probably had 9/10 of my worst meals there.
As someone involved in the French tourist industry, it was interesting to hear Wolter's take, as an American experiencing France.
Everything he tells you is absolutely correct by the way, but I have to add a few caviats.
If you want to see Paris, go to Paris, if you want to see France, don't go to Paris. That sort of fits in with if you want to see USA, don't go to L.A.
The real charm of France is not to see this or see that, it is to immerse yourself in the culture. The tick box places really are just an add-on. Sad thing is, most folks don't get that until they get back home.
Right ! taking your time and enjoying it. That's what France is all about.
I agree, and it was by chance that we did this. We stayed in Versailles at the Hotel Ibis and every night we'd hang out in the bar that was below the hotel (this was 25 years ago). We enjoyed the people and music, and after doing this for a week, the locals took us out with them to cruise and have a late-night snack. We also spent time walking around and talking with young people (we were in our mid-20s at the time, so it was easy for us) and those interactions became part of our best memories.
I agree about taking time to just see Paris. There is so much to see in France that there's no way anyone will see it all in a short period of time.
As a Frenchman I can confirm that there's Paris and the "real" France. I'm not Parisian 😊.
So true.
The trap about Disneyland is right only for people from the western hemisphere
Because in Eastern Europe, for example, you just don't have the money to go to the USA, especially to Orlando. And for kids like me it was definitely not a tourist trap because it is the only Disney park we could afford
So true! In that case the reverse tip is true. If you decide to visit the US, don't go to Disney when you can go to Disney in Paris for much less money 😁
@@cbpd89 Totally True. Booking tickets here in Disneyland Paris are much less than you think.
We have actually the most beautiful Disney Castle in the World
I toured the Louvre in the company of my niece and her boyfriend, both fine arts students in California. It was their first trip to Paris. My favorite quip, from the boyfriend, was: "These paintings are a LOT bigger than they looked in class."
I loved hearing you speak French :)! That’s a great tip to sit up on the hill instead of waiting in the Eiffel Tower. Also didn’t realize the Mona Lisa was so small!
You should even go up in the dome of Sacré Coeur! There's never a line and the view is even better. There are only stairs but it doesn't take that long to climb since you've already done most of the work climbing the hill.
His French is mediocre at best.
@@cmlazar yeah, good thing we heard this from you, the humble French expert....
@@Rachel-rs7jn Yes 279 steps to the top of the dome,but not just continuous stairs rest spots along the way. 7euros in October 2021
I actually enjoyed everything about Mont St Michel. The shops (I just looked) and the walk up was fun imo. I liked everything. I just think there could be better ways to get there.
I think the point he makes is that you should not stay longer than half a day there.
Hey mark! Just wanted to let y’all know just how much this channel means to me; every time I go anywhere I always consult your channel first and you just instill SO much more confidence than I would have if I read a few blogs. Always love the tips and the love for what you do is contagious and always gives me the travel bug. Cheers from Monte Carlo 🇲🇨!!
Thank you so much!!
Couldn't agree more!!!
SAME!! I have been following your channel for six years now. Love it !! Cheers from Israel.
Go to the rooftop of the Galleries Lafayette store and get an incredible view of Paris !!! La Chapelle church was beautiful and there was a tour of the restoration of the stain glass !! I was in awe of the beautiful doors in all the buildings!! I took photos of the ceiling in the bookstore Place Des Vosges.
Yes, good idea. And if you want to see the Eiffel 🗼 tower, there is a terrace right by the road with a great view of it, especially by night. Don't remember the name of the metro station right now, sorry.
Sacre Coeur is absolutely the best viewpoint in Paris - love that city. I've visited a few times already, it'll definitely be a regular destination in my future
Do versaille to
I would add Versailles. Definitely worth a visit, but do your research so that you don’t go when it’s crowded with a million other people, crammed shoulder to shoulder. Looking forward to going back one day in the off season. It’s truly magnificent!
And the gardens are a must, arguably better than the palce.
We loved the gardens, but palace was ok
Absolutely! My top is avoid weekends but also avoid the day the Louvre is closed! When the big museums have their off day, the tourists flock to Versailles.
@@tompiper9276 I adored the gardens and we easily spent 4 hours walking around.
The kitchen garden is great, too, if you like gardening.
When I went to paris I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and a guy told us to visit the Montparnasse Tower instead. He said "it's the best view in all of Paris because it's the only one that doesn't include the ugly skyscraper in it" lol. It was such a great view from up there. Perfect views of the city and Eiffel Tower.
I’m dying at Mini Mouse appearing the minute he says don’t goto Disneyland. I think Disneyland is fine but IMO it’s more for Europeans that already live here. I wouldn’t recommend going there as an “add on” to a trip about Paris
Thanks for the insight because I was definitely think about adding it on to my trip but it definitely will kill valuable time.
@@cjcab3158 yeah like when we were kids our mom took us because a 2h flight to Paris is easier than like 11h to Florida but we barely saw Paris. I never did it as an adult but my friend who’s American lives in Paris did and said it’s too much rushing around. It’s not quite the easy day trip of Disneyland California but not quite the size of Disney World in Orlando
Most french people, especially living around Paris, will tend to go to the Parc Asterix, rather than to Disneyland. Though the place is definitely not very english friendly x)
Yeah "just go to Florida" doesn't really make sense for Europeans XD But Parc Astérix sounds nice :)
I did not regret going up the Eiffel Tower. Yes, very touristy. But frankly it was much bigger, taller, and more impressive in person than I ever imagined. We walked up the first part.
Agreed! I would not do it again, but I don't regret the first time :)
Seeing the Mona Lisa was an underwhelming experience. Good painting, but I was surprised at how small it was. And the room was the hottest room in the Louvre with all the tourists in that one room.
We skipped the Eiffel Tower in Paris but loved Mont St Michel. As a family we love to hike so we enjoyed the walk up to the church. The views are worth it!
I loved visiting Mont St Michel. Walking the old streets on the way to the top was great fun! Also spending some time on the city walls was enjoyable.
Just go to the Eiffel Tower first thing in the morning. My wife and I spent 5 peaceful minutes at the top alone before anyone else joined us up there.
Catacombs of Paris
And claustrophobic.
I'm visiting Toulouse, Frayssinet and surrounding villages. So excited. I'm avoiding Paris.😊
On the Eiffel tower, just take the stairs. Much less crowded and you get more of a sense of achievement once you reach the top.
Go early and take the stairs, this puts you at the front of the queue for the lift to the top.
From the Tour de Montparnasse you have an excellent view of the city and the Eiffel tower at the same time.
WALKING the streets of Paris, taking your time, sitting at a café having a beer while people-watching at 5 o'clock... Driving the back country roads, staying at B&Bs (or the Gites de France, preferably with dinner included so you can talk with the owners there), driving stick-shift in the mountain passes, visiting WW1 cemetaries and battlefields (Vimy ridge for us canadians in particular...), just slowing down and enjoying the scenery, food, drink and general way of life and culture. That's what I remember from my few travels to France. And I've tried to reproduce that in Italy, Germany and Croatia. Do NOT do the "14 countries in 10 days" thing.... you can watch THAT from the comfort of your couch at home...
You can easily do three countries in a day when you visit one of those points where three countries meet, like DE/NL/BE, DE/BE/LU, BE/LU/FR or DE/FR/LU. The last one is in Schengen and has an interesting museum about the Schengen treaty. Free admission, and you can have your own 'Schengen 🛂 passport' and a 0€ 💸 banknote printed.
No need to convince me to not go to Disneyland anywhere. Lol.
I'm with you 😉
Villefranche-sur-mer....Beautiful, friendly and right in between Nice and Monaco and easily done by train......Also, the beach is amazing and free!
Le Lavandou is also a great spot along the coast!
Mont St. Michel was my favorite part of my France trip. I highly recommend staying the night on the island if there are any rooms available.
If you ride the metro, keep your ticket with you. Transportation workers will ask you for it and if you threw it away it’s a 50 euro fine.
That's applicable to any tube/metro/L/subway, for those who don't know.
That is not a tourist trap 😂
@@cookiemonster-20 it is when they only set up at the subway exit to the Louvre. It’s a tourist tax.
@@Rms317 This is not true . We call them the subway police and they pick different subway exits. They are not there to harass you they are looking for people who jumped the turnstile and did not pay for their ride
I like that you kept the french tourists who crashed your filming. 😂
They were so sweet too. They came up after as well and we chatted for awhile. They were too nice to take out :)
Couldn’t agree more about south France
Mark, I have to inform you about the wine country tour I took that I really enjoyed. It left in the morning and went to the Champagne region where we visited wineries and also stopped by Reims Cathedral. It was nicely paced and thoroughly enjoyable.
We got back to Paris in late afternoon which left us time to still do things in Paris. It was a bit pricey but it was a memorable experience.
That's awesome!
Tu seras toujours la bienvenue dans notre beau pays avec ta belle famille 🤗
I highly recommend going up the Arc de Triomphe. It's perfect height. High enough to see most of the city but also not too high that you can see the buildings really well.
Le Mont Saint-Michel is definitely worth it but I would recommend you plan your visit carefully.
Avoid July and August altogether as these are the busiest months. Keep in mind that Le Mont is quite a tiny place.
To enjoy it, book a hike across the bay at low tide from Genêts with a guide at La Maison de la Baie.
Avoid the expensive car park and use public transport instead. Maybe you can rent a bike in nearby Pontorson too.
If you can, stroll around the village after 6pm or early in the morning.
I agree the main street in the village can feel a bit too much but you have to be prepared for it too.
Finally, don't miss the abbey at the top! The views, the architecture and the atmosphere inside are quite unique!
You can certainly spend a whole day there if you include the bare-footed excursion across the bay with a guide.
ouais... went there in july and... well... y'know, the buses, the awful service in the restaurants... too many people.
Good tips. The best one in my opinion is indeed: don't go for all of the castles of the Loire in 1 day or 5 vinyards in Bordeaux, the Champagne or where-ever. Instead: take your time, relax and enjoy life as my French neighbours do so well in their beautifull country. Greets from Belgium.
Little sidenote: the castles along the Loire are almost worth one day of visit for most of them ;-) And same thing: take the time after your visit to enjoy the rest of the afternoon enjoying their gorgous gardens, absolutely worth it!
There are so many of these places that look great in pictures but there's no depth or substance to them in terms of the experience you have there. We run into these all the time but we're learning :)
3:39 He's not only a adorable tour guide.....HE SPEAK FRENCH...!!!!!!!!!! 😃
Just like Las Vegas, New York, Miami , tourist traps are everywhere.
Great advice!
To be fair , there’s nothing wrong with Disneyland Paris - just depends where you’re located - if you’re in Europe then realistically Paris in the only Disney you can afford to go to . I’ve done both Florida and Paris twice and will admit Florida is so much better , but , if you live in Europe and don’t have the money for the Disney’s further away , then Paris is perfectly fine too :)
I love that you just met a fan/subscriber while filming! I hope that I see you filming next time I’m in Paris. My plan is to visit Paris for a 3X in 2023. I LOVE Paris! 💃🏽😍
NICEEEEEEEEEE👌👌❤❤👌👌👌👌
At age 20, on our first day in Paris, my friend and I got up at 6 am, had our hot chocolate and croissants at the little student inn, then walked along the Seine with the mist rising off it until we reached the Eiffel Tower. We looked straight up from the bottom and were the first in line to go to the top. I remember saying to her, "This is a tourist attraction for a reason!" I would not recommend getting in line for it in the middle of the day. Also, every savvy traveller knows that you do not go to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. You go to see the Nike statue. 🙂
That is the trick with popular destinations, be there early to avoid the long queue. I did the same with the TV-tower in Berlin.
Go in the basement of the Louvre to see the old foundations of the original fort!
I must say that for the Eiffel Tower, I went down the STAIRS!!! Oh boy that was beautiful yet so LONG!!! Sacre-Couer gets forgotten so easily!! And when you go alone like I did....You get to meet so many girls!!! Like, so many girl duo's who see one guy and are like, You want to join us? Hell yes!!! I went to the Louvre and forgot the Mona Lisa until I stumbled upon the line.
Didn't know it was encased in glass AND so small!! It is a rip-off. SEE the Claude Lorraine collection instead!! Beautiful Landscape Paintings!!
BTW, I only did Paris my first time because I only did the sleeper train to Venice, to Pisa and then to Rome. Next time, I'm doing the branch out sections!
The one item I disagree with is that Mount Saint Michelle is a tourist trap. It is well worth the trip there. I recommend renting a car and seeing the French countryside. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
ah, the freedom of driving and making your own itinerary... also, get a stick shift! roaming the alps on manual transmission was a great kick for me!
오! 에펠탑, 가고 싶어요. 매우 아름다워요.
This is good to know. Mont St. Michel is definitely on my list of places to visit.
I would tweak your advice just a bit about Mont St. Michel. You're right about the main drag as you enter. It's the worst of commercialism. However, if you arrive later in the day and stay the night, it's a different experience entirely. Much nicer.
As one who has been to France 14 times, I can give advice on these "Tourist Traps".
Mont St. Michel is Wonderful! Well worth it. BUT; time your visit to get to the top for sunset, the crowds will be gone and the views from the western terraces are magnificent. Hustle past the snack and souvenir shops; go for the Abbey. Dine and sleep at one of the hotels on the landward end of the causeway.
The Eiffel tower is also spectacular. Most people don't know there is an excellent, elegant restaurant about halfway up. Book on-line 3-6 months in advance. Again; time it for arrival just before sunset. Inside the tower, the giant metal beams and their giant rivets make you feel you're dining in a Buck Rogers space ship!
St. Tropez is lovely, if you can afford it. I's not easy to get to, so you want to go for more than 2-3 days. We stayed at La Ferme d'Augustin - walking distance to Tahiti beach. Loved it. It was a 3 star then, but it's been spruced up bumped up in price.
I'll comment further after watching the rest of this video.
Great info. Leaving for Saint Remy next week
Awesome! Have fun!
Apart from Eurodisney, I’ve been to all the locations you ran through. I think I agree with all of your observations in this one, Mark.
It's not Eurodisney. It's DisneyLand Paris nowaydays
I agree with your French tourist traps I went in 2019 and the guides said what was in this video.
Mona Lisa.... I remember I was alone in front of her in 1988. But 2016, the last time I saw her, it was only from the distance because of the crowds.
And there are so many other more beautiful and interesting paintings in the Louvre.
As a french, I 100% agree !! lol
Exactement ! 😅
And I'm another Frenchman who agrees with you. Paris and the Riviera are huge tourist's traps. I've worked in Paris for ten years and I passed by the Eiffel Tower many times, but I've never visited it. And I've only seen the French Riviera twice and off season each time; the French Riviera in summer is hell - unless you're very snobbish or/and you do like crowds (including overcrowded beaches) and traffic jams, and to pay for everything at ripoff prices.
@@jfrancobelge My experience is that La douce France is best enjoyed slowly. And especially in the smaller towns and villages. Lots of things to see, do and experience. France is so much bigger than the tourist hot-spots, and in my view even better. I particularly love Normandie and Bretagne.
As a french who barely never went to paris, it remain useful to me. But i have to disagree with the mont st michel part because dispit the amount of tourist and the price, it's still an absolute banger to me (I include the village). The historical value is amazing because the church come from the old merovingian dynasty time and it's being constantly upgraded through all the middle age and after. Also brittany is underated and alsace is amazing too.
Ok...so your "guests" reminded me of an incident a friend and I had at the EAA a few years back. I knew he spoke fluent French, but never heard him do it. Well these two gentlemen from France were having credit card troubles and could not communicate with the cashier as neither knew the others language. My friend stepped in straight away and it really took me back for a moment.
We lost him last year, so this brought back a great memory. Perhaps you thought of editing that and something told you to leave it in. If that was the case, now you know why. I want to thank you for that.
It sounds like he was a lovely guy. I hope his memory will continue to brighten your days for a long time to come.
My group was debating going up in the tower a couple weeks ago, and we decided not to because the line was ridiculous (and kinda pricey). Instead, we went over to the park to watch the tower light up (this was after 10 pm).
Mont St-Michel is amazing. I would recommend the full day. You can walk on the bay, go around the old town and the abbey.
1) Paris Pass with most important museums is a good buy! Online or buy it at Sainte-Chapelle as your first station in the morning.
2) Eiffel Tower go only to the first level via stairs.
3) In Louvre there are museum maps with the main highlights all the other famous art that you should see while you are there. Like Venus de Milo.
Great video and awesome tips
Glad you enjoyed!
@@woltersworld I always enjoy watching your videos
Makes me think of something my fiance says about the Louvre. How disappointing she found it people line up in droves for the Mona Lisa and ignore the Code of Hamurabi that's so close to it. Such an important historical artefact ignored for a painting that's only become super beloved relatively recently. I mean it's an amazing painting and given time I"d go see it (sadly my time in Paris in the next few weeks is relegated to plane layovers maybe another time) but like you say there are other amazing and important works there.
An alternative to going up the eiffel tower is to go up the montparnasse tower (the ugly one, so you can still see the eiffel tower from there)
Agree! I actually love the view from up there (plus you can enjoy a drink)!
Best way to tour chateaux, castles and vineyards? Book a 6-8 day bike tour with a company like Back Roads, Freewheeling or Vermont Bike Tours. We've done the Loire valley, Brittany and The Dordogne (which seems to be the favourite among those who have done more than one) as well as tours in Hungary, Austria and New Zealand. After skiing, it's the most fun you can have with your pants on ;->
Your videos are always great. We head to Ireland here soon and then later driving into Paris with a stop in Normandy. All your tips are helpful, thank you
Have fun!
Top tip in Normandy. Go to Bayeux (near Caen) nice old town and they have a nice museum around the famous tapistry. Or, a must for any US tourist, visit the American war cemetery and museum near Omaha Beach.If you are a Brit, visit Arromanches-les-Bains. The remnants of the Mulberry harbour of WWII are still there.
All between Cherbourg where the ferry from Ireland lands and Paris.
Rouen is delightful. Notre Dame de Rouen cathedral, Jean D'Arc Historial, and restaurants! 🇫🇷
Really informative. Love Paris.
Thank you Ami!
I was in Paris in April and we stayed in an apartment at the foot of the Sacre Coeur. Great view every day and mostly quiet in the evenings (though bright due to the lighting.)
When you are in the park around the Eiffel tower 🗼, I recommend visiting the monument with the declaration of human rights. It's really fascinating!
I would love to go to Disneyland Florida, but that's a 10 hour flight, while Disneyland Paris is a 4 hour drive.
Good advice and things to think about! I have been to France a few times. My first time to Paris I did go up the Eiffel Tower, but it was late at night so there was no line to buy the ticket and go up. I am super glad I did it. I phoned my brother and dad, who I was caregiver for, to say "Guess where I am calling you from!". They were tickled to hear I was calling them from. It was a dream for me to be up there at night. Your advice about the chateau region is very true. My friend and I rented a car. We had planned to go to Leonardo DiVinci’s home nearby after visiting a couple chateaus, but we ended up spending so much time at one chateau we never made it to his home. I would not waste time at any Disneyland in any country. I could make a trip back home to the States, from where I live in Europe now, for what I would spend in one day there.
We drove through Monaco three years ago and couldn't even be bothered to get out of the car. Never touched the ground there. But St. Tropez and Nice can be quite nice.
Agree about the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, although we went to the Eiffel Tower a couple of Decembers ago during a metro strike so there was no line and we were *alone* in the elevator. Yes, that happened! But in general, I avoid those. I think that if you go to Sacré Coeur you should make sure to climb the dome. It's such a unique view (more special than just from the hill itself) and very peaceful. Plus you get a great breeze when you need a respite on a hot day.
P.S. I love that you left in the little "cameo" by those French folks!
I agree with Eiffel Tower to the simple fact that when you are ON the tower, you don't see the Eiffel Tower in your view anymore, and that's essentially what makes Paris skyline so iconic, without it, the view is pretty but nothing special. So, i would suggest go to Montparnasse Tower, the ugly office building that actually located not far from Eiffel. You get a 360 view of Paris WITH the Eiffel Tower. It's beautiful.
Your French is really good. Your list was spot on.
Merci!
Tips for the eiffel tower: go in the late afternoon/early evening because its less busy and also walk up the tower rather than waiting for the lifts.
Travel, for most part, is also a test of common sense. That's why they say you can learn a lot travelling.
Can anyone tell me why Europe looks so amazing compared to the rest of the world? Not to dig but...Outside of Japan, I have no drive to see Asia or Africa
I'm a European, so maybe I'm used to it. But there is lots of stuff to see outside Europe. I have been lucky to visit other continents. I still vividly remember Yucatan, Mexico, S.E. Asia and the nature of Africa. All very special in their own right. Please don't discard any place up front. Most places will surptise you.
Europe has had a rich history, many languages, many peoples with their various cultures, and all of this in a relatively small area.
In Paris, I strongly recommend the Saint-Denis Basilica.
My favorite part of seeing the Mona Lisa was taking pictures of people taking pictures of the Mona Lisa. They were all so entranced, they didn’t even notice me.
Do my eyes deceive me or was the Eiffel leaning? Great tip on how much to see or try to cram in while on tour. Less is always more in my book (don't miss the experience of just being there).
yes, well they're competing with Pisa for reasons of fame... :^P
you've been drinking tommye!!! ;)
As a French person I totally agree !
Merci!
Old Bay seasoning is a Maryland spice it’s not native to Pennsylvania
I almost laughed when we got to the Mona Lisa, like “where is it - oh...” I wouldn’t go up the Eiffel again but it truly felt higher than it was. My legs were shaking but the view was incredible. I’d love to see Mt. St. Michel, and you’ve confirmed my instincts that it’s arguably not worth going into it! We didn’t have to foresight to go as a day trip from Paris, which would have been smart! We saw the Palace of Versailles though, which was gorgeous :)
I,ve been to Paris 6 times since 2016 and everytime I take a different person and we always take the Paris City Visions trip to MSM No One has ever complained about the 4 hour bus ride or the walk to the top. In Oct 2021 we even ate at a restaurant with a view of the Bay. It was pricey,but if you are going to Paris spend the cash to enjoy it.
The Louvre is fine, but our fave Parisian gallery is just across the river; The Musee d'Orsay, the gorgeous re-purposed train station that holds the magical works of impressionists like Van Gogh, Monet and Matisse. I go every time I visit Paris, even if it's just to enjoy the view of the Louvre and the rest of Paris from it's rooftop outdoor restaurant tables.
One more sunset tip; go to the roof of the Arc de Triomphe at sunset!! But do it like this; buy your ticket first thing in the morning - 9:30 a.m. - when the line is short and then go back for sunset. The line for people with tickets is much shorter. Have dinner at Fouquet or George V - both usually have outdoor tables in warm weather.
Totally agree on the D"Orsay
Not for everyone, but I think if you want to go up into the Eiffel Tower, take the stairs if you can. It's A LOT, so don't do it if you have bad knees or are scared of heights, but it's a lot cheaper, less crowded, and more hands on than the elevator. If I remember right it's about 720 steps to get to the second level. Subtract ~200 for the first level.
The secret to Mont St Michel is to stay the night. we did this a few years ago and it was the best thing ever. No tourists after 6.00 pm so we could eat dinner wherever. We got up at 8 am and saw the abbey with very few people. We left at 11.30 am and it was bedlam. Take my advice and stay the night.
Seeing Mona Lisa was very disappointing considering all the other art in the Louvre.
As a former resident of Côte d'Azur:
Go to Antibes, Nice, Saint Paul de Vence, Èze. Stay in either Antibes or Nice. The french riviera os the best place in the world for me, but in summer there's too many people indeed
I'm going to paris for 3 days, Saturday to Tuesday. How do you recommend I route my trip?
I also drove in Spain. Very similar to France. As someone mentioned, toll roads in France on the main highways so if you need to use cash, carry coins.
Good point! The coins!
They do take credit cards!
Hi! I went up the Eiffel Tower, and my friend and I used the stairs! Got me so bushed, I almost gave up! It was worth it, though! Had fun! But I’ll take the lift next time.
I did the stairs down every time. Though not up. I'm too lazy :)
So, Mark....if a non-American was to ask me for an itinerary to visit the USA - this odd & frustrating republic we call home - for two weeks, and their only directive was to immerse themselves in our culture, i'd tell them to spend a minimal amount of time in big cities like NYC for fine art & performance, then visit a handful of National Parks and charming small towns/cities (Lenox, MA, Richmond, VA, Poulsbo, WA, Newport, OR, Overland Park, KS, Lockhart, TX...to name a few)...but, pretty sure that would take more than two weeks! SO, if I wanted to immerse myself in FRENCH culture for a few weeks, how should I spend my time??
I would just say to pick lesser known (by Americans) cities and towns, such as Lyon, Nantes, La Rochelle, Grenoble, Lille, Montpellier, Rennes,....the list goes on. I've been to all of those but Nantes (and lived in Montpellier, Paris, and Lille), and I can tell you it's a totally different experience. It's not that there are no tourists, but there are very few American tourists, and actually sometimes a lot of French tourists (such as in La Rochelle). I would also try to see some smaller towns if possible, either as day trips from those cities on public transportation or by renting a car.
And if you do still want to spend time in Paris, make sure to stay in one of the arrondissements that's not so close to the main center. (Although do your homework because not all areas are nice.) I lived in the 12th and I was definitely the only American in my neighborhood.
@@Rachel-rs7jn and don't forget Toulouse. Good museums, great food and the architecture is just amazing. And take in a rugby match if you can, Toulousains love their rugby.
If you have some time, just get lost in the French countryside with all its towns and villages. A friend of mine has a little campervan and the plan to drive from Paris to the Côte d'Azur via the old Route National 7. He didn't even make it beyond the river Loire because he liked it so much. Then he just turned west and stayed at Nantes, Rennes and slowly made his way back up the west coast via Normandie and Picardie.
@@WDH59510 Yes, good point!
NYC is America.
I like Disneyland Paris for a day-what makes the park (the main park with the castle-don't bother with the other Studios one, and certainly don't stay there) worth seeing is that everything is more elaborate and detailed than the US parks, and there are many rides that are different from the ones in the US-not exactly the same. Paris' Big Thunder Mountain? Fantastic! Paris' Space Mountain? There's loops! Paris' Haunted Mansion? Totally different storyline! So I'd say if you like the Disney parks, go for a day. It may have less to do than Florida, but it's also much less chaotic and somewhat more affordable. BUT don't spend multiple days here and don't go to the Studios park unless you're a true Disney diehard.
The Eiffel Tower was a miserable experience. Not so much going up, because we went late at night, but going down was a nightmare of being in this claustrophobic hallway and trying to navigate around all the people in line, all the people not in line, etc. It was a chaotic and claustrophobic event. Very happy that I did it (and did it pre-covid!), so that I never have to do it again.
And of course the other, ultimate, just-outside-of-Paris tourist trap: Versailles. If you want to go, go super super early, because I ended up waiting in a line that took about three hours just to get inside, and when I did, even though the rooms were massive, every square inch was choked with people. You can't even see or really enjoy half of it just because you're drowning in a sea of humanity at every moment of your experience.
I think the tourist trap is july and august. I have made a 15 days trip in france in early september and it was beautifull. From bordeaux to mt Saint michel, Paris, Loire valey and the pirenees….. oh and by the way buy your tickets in advance in the internet It saved me a lot of time
October is great also and Monet's garden at Giverny is still open and flowering without the mob
@@gingerdean1521 monet's garden and house were a great surprise!
Comment turned off on Liam's video, this is for him.....LOVE Flying Tiger Copenhagen. Went in DK 3 yrs ago, and there used to be one 15 minutes from my house, but they closed all of them in US.😣 My Danish friend here so bummed. And so am I!! Didn't go when I was there in May in DK. Next time...good job
Technically Les Baux-de-Provence isn't in Côte d'Azur but in... Provence :) Great video!
I see you beneath the archway of aerodynamics
I'm not as aerodynamic as I used to be ;)
When I went to Paris, we skipped going up the Eiffel Tower and instead went up the Arc d’Triomph , there is no elevator, but the view is beautiful with the streets all stemming from that point and the Eiffel Tower gets included in your cityscape photo.
Also, we are not really crazy into art and having only a couple days in Paris we decided not go into the Louvre, but I do love architecture so we did go to the outside to see the glass pyramid
Pretty good advices overall, and there's a good reason for that : France is one of the topmost tourist destinations in the world. So yeah, you gonna get squeezed, pushed, disturbed and annoyed. It's a latin country after all, not to mention local attitudes in some cities. Not to excuse nor justify anything, you know.
On the same page, I remember that organized trip in Florida where I spent 10 days around the state. And guess what: squeezed pushed disturbed annoyed just the same. Probably a bit more well-managed though.
What I mean is, if you can, try and go off-track people, as stated in this video: I totally agree with what's was said here. You'd be surprised. In every continent.
Side note: nice french Wolter. As little as you might think it is, it's good in this short exchange :)
25% of the visitors to France are from USA. You can spot/hear us a street away
I went to the loo in paris
Me too
When I was in Paris in 1988 there was a serious problem avec les merdes des chiens. I hope it's better now. Speaking of dog crap another place for great views of Paris is probably the Tour Montparnasse visible at 1:55 but if you do visit, I as an architect am obligated to disown you.
Well, well... je savais pas que tu parlais français! Viens à Québec, une ville à visiter quatre saisons par année!! :^D
We will get back. I'm hoping to go to winter carnival next year
Not going to lie, I go to the Mona Lisa every time I go to the Louvre and I've been six or seven times now. But not to see the Mona Lisa. I go to take a photo of the masses of people crowding round to see a glimpse of it. Year on year the crowd seems to get bigger and bigger. The first photo I have has maybe fifteen people in line, in the most recent the entire room is crammed.
I've been trying to psycho-analyze these folks too, from afar though...why do you suppose there are so many bandwagon jumpers? Worse lately (many years) because of social media & they want to flex on their "friends" perhaps??
Mona was not even popular or well known till she was stolen . Think of the poor guy who commissioned Da Vinci and never got his painting.Leo brought it to France when King Francis I invited Leo to retire at Amboise in Loire Valley. On his death Francis bought it from Leonardo's assistant
There is some truth to your comments. First of all, don’t visit Paris in the summer when everyone else does and the lines are impossible. Secondly, the best view of the Eiffel Tower is from the top of Le Tour Montparnasse and it’s free. Go at night. The best time to go up the Eiffel Tower is so you can see sunset from the top. The Louvre is enormous and you can’t possibly see all the art in one visit. A good substitute is Le Musée d’Orsay. Less crowded and has many Impressionist paintings as well as other fabulous displays. I have been to Paris innumerable times since I was 15 (going on 80 now), lived in France on and off from 15 on, and teach French. Take his advice with a grain of salt except for DisneyParis. It’s nowhere near Paris, and a waste of time and money.
I don't have too much experience travelling in France. But something i was really disappointed about was dining. I know everyone acts as if the french cuisine would be top notch and yes they have great gourmet restaurants, but overall it's shitty. I've probably had 9/10 of my worst meals there.