5 Things You Might Hate About Paris
It is France’s capital, and with over 2 million people living within city limits, it is also the nation’s most populous city. Among other things, Paris is known and loved for its iconic landmarks, museums and history, as well as for being a cliche romantic travel destination.
Offering a little something for everybody, Paris can be a fantastic city to visit. But before you buy your plane ticket, here are five things you might not like when visiting Paris:
1) Meals are too small, too big or too late
If you appreciate a large breakfast, brace yourself. A “big” breakfast in Paris means a small coffee and one or two eggs added to your croissant. Lunch, on the other hand, tends to be quite large. And while you may find yourself overwhelmed by the amount of food you are served at noon, eat as much as you can because in Paris, dinner is served late. To top off these quirks, restaurant service in Paris is typically slow.
2) Everything is expensive
Although it is possible to do Paris on a budget, it is not the easiest task. Everything in Paris, even that small Parisian breakfast, is expensive. Heads up — if you are looking to dine on a restaurant’s outdoor terrace, you may have to pay more than you would dining indoors. These prices should be posted.
3) Tourist traps
From Disneyland Paris and Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, you find yourself drowning in a sea of people and overpaying for what may end up being a disappointing experience. Take the time before you go to research the things you think you want to do or see, and take the reviews of others into consideration.
4) Pickpockets and scammers
It’s hard to soak in the beauty of the iconic Eiffel Tower from Parc du Champ de Mars when you have to remain aware of your belongings and dodge one scam artist after another. Even if you don’t experience it personally, it is something you will see. And it’s annoying, to say the least. You may find yourself feeling overwhelmed, weary, frustrated or outright angry.
5) More rainfall than London
When visiting Paris, be prepared for dreary days and be sure to pack some sort of rain gear. Paris is not known for perfect weather; in fact, it gets more annual rainfall than London. On the bright side, while the city may get a lot of rain, it does not see a lot of snow.
There may be a few things about Paris that you might not like, but don’t let that discourage you. Paris offers plenty of things you are sure to enjoy, as well.
