Paris…the home of Croissants, Baguettes, Wine, Art and of course the Eiffel Tower. On the weekend of my 21st birthday I visited the French capital for the first time. You’re planning to go to Paris soon? Let me give you some inspiration on where to go, what to do and how to save some money!
The picture in my head vs. reality
When we think about Paris, I think we all have certain picture that comes to our mind. What pops into my head is: cute cafés, French balconies, bakeries everywhere and obviously all the famous sights. A stereotype about France I hear quite often in my home country is, that French people don‘t like to talk English to tourists. Personally, I didn‘t experience any difficulties communicating in English. I guess, this stereotype is a little outdated by now. Generally, I felt quite welcomed as a tourist. Another common stereotype about Paris is, that the streets are quite dirty. I wouldn’t really agree on that. I think in most big cities, outside the touristic centre, you will experience not so clean streets. As I expected, in the city centre, close to the famous sights, prices are pretty high. But if you walk into a side lane, away from the attractions, you can find cheaper spots. I was definitely not disappointed by the vibes and aesthetic of Paris. I really fell in love with the architecture and culture.
A hostel? Not so great, right?
My friend and I stayed in Paris from 2nd until 4th March. For me it was the first time staying in a hostel dorm. For 25€ per night we shared a room with 6 other girls (we chose an all-female dorm). If you’re young and don’t want to spend much money on an accommodation, booking a hostel is a great option. So, definitely take hostels into consideration when you book the next trip with your friends! Because saving money on your accommodation means more money for other activities and food!
What is worth to see
As it was my first time visiting Paris, obviously I had to see all the famous sights. Our first stop was Notre Dame. One of my personal highlights! „The Hunchback of Notre Dame“ is one of my favourite Disney movies, so I was impressed to see cathedral it in real life. Of course we also visited THE landmark of Paris – the Eiffel Tower. Make sure not to miss the sparkling Eiffel Tower on your trip to Paris. From 6 pm on it sparkles at the beginning of every hour. Another highlight of mine was the neighbourhood of Montmartre. I felt like I was in an old French movie. On the hill, where this neighbourhood is located, you also find the church Sacré Coeur and have a fantastic view over the whole city. Of course, we also took advantage of the free access to the museums in Paris for under 26 year olds. For my readers who are real art enthusiasts, plan enough time to visit the Louvre. It is huge! Also, I can highly recommend visiting the Musee l’Orangerie. I was so impressed by Monet’s Water Lilies. On Monday we were lucky to finally have a sunny day in Paris! It was the perfect weather to make a stop at Luxembourg Gardens and soak up some vitamin D. Comment which famous sight you would visit first on your trip to Paris!
Crêpes, coffee, wine & steak
When it comes to food, saving money is not my biggest strength. Still, my friend and I managed to treat ourselves with delicious food without spending a fortune. With TikTok and Pinterest we could find nice restaurants that weren’t super expensive. The restaurant “Bouillon Julien” was my personal favourite! It had a charming flair and the interior of the restaurant has a very expansive look. We had a steak with potatoes for only 12€! Generally, I suggest to always walk outside the touristic centre to find a place to eat.
4 out of 5 stars
From what I heard before, people either loved the city of Paris or hated it. I’m one of those who love it! The cultural aspects like the architecture, the historic sites as well as the food and language really cast a spell over me. I had an amazing time in beautiful Paris and I definitely want to go there again sometime. Let me know in the comments about your hidden gems in Paris, that I should visit on my next trip there! For more impressions about Paris check out the photo dump I posted on Instagram.
