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I followed a lot of this advice when I went to Paris for a term break trip when I was studying in England. Really enjoyed myself. And I really don't understand where the stereotype of Parisians being rude comes from, because everyone was so friendly and helpful.

This is probably going to sound really weird, but one of the things my wife and I love to do when in Europe is shop in the small, local grocery stores. We were staying in the Ourcq region of Paris and just loved the little store that we passed every day. So different that the stores in the US and that is one of the main reasons to travel......to experience the differences.

1:44 I agree. I was surprised to find that what i found most enjoyable, was basically strolling, people watching, sitting at a cafe and sipping a coffee, enjoying the sidewalk markets and back streets.

I realize that people don’t eat escargot every day but…skipping it is a mistake. It’s absolutely fabulous. As you said, people should be adventurous in their diet and experience.

I've been to Paris twice and my favorite thing to do there is simply walk around the neighborhoods and soak it all in. The very first time I went we were staying down in the Port de Orleans area. On the morning we were leaving to head back to the US I got up early and got out before the sun came up and walked about two K's from our hotel and just watched the people getting their shops ready for opening time. I waltched them wash the sidewalks. There for a short while I was a local and I loved it. We were there in January and no one was rude to us at all, in fact, the people at the boulangerie next to our hotel were some of the warmest, friendliest people that we have ever encountered. The US could use some of that warmth and friendliness.

I would recommend the Louvres, it's not only a monument, but a concentrate of the finest art of Europe from all period, from Antiquity to 19th c., superior to British museum and more diverse than Florence museum. The greatest season is probably spring, light is brighter than in Summer, weather mild, and days are longer in June. Also, the regions with the strongest cultural identities and stunning landscapes in France are Pays Basque (Basque culture, Atlantic Spanish border), Brittany (Celtic, Western cape), Alsace (Germanic, Rhine valley), Corsica (Latine, Mediterranean island). They are all far from Paris, so if you want a pleasant countryside with fine meals and beautiful places, you can consider Loire Valley, 2 hours from Paris by train or car.

I ran a marathon in the UK last week and decided to add three days to my trip so I could visit Paris. Your videos really helped. Instead of staying at a hotel I rented an AirBnB in the 20th Arrondissements. I spent most of my time simply walking around looking at buildings and people watching. I ate at local bakeries in the morning and neighborhood cafes in the evening. I found the people to be very police and pleasant. I always greeted them with "bonjour" which they really appreciated. Mostly everyone spoke English but again they appreciated my badly spoken bonjour, and merci. I did walk around to see some of the famous sites but the most fun thing was walking several blocks from those places and discovering a park with Parisians sitting around eating or talking. I will definitely come back next year

One of my favorite trips to Paris was when I decided to just randomly get off the train and walk around the neighborhood I found myself each day. I found so many neat things, enjoyed amazing food, and just wandered around having a relaxing week.

What visitors, especially Americans, should do before coming is read up on French history and culture so that they understand a little more about what they will see and encounter. They will it much more rewarding.

I have been fortunate to have visited Paris 10+ times and still have not seen it all. I was there last October and will be returning in May. I love Paris!!

I'm Australian and I'm heading to Europe for the first time in May. First stop is four days in Paris. I can't wait! Your videos have been great preparation, Lucile. Merci!

Every single video you make is informative also I enjoy your beautiful voice thank you so much L.

I have been to France 14 times and Paris, 12 of those. Lucile is spot on in her recommendations. We would definitely have an awesome time walking, talking, people watching, and, not least, eating. Some of us would say that the beginning of the journey into the heart of a culture is through its cuisine. The French make eating and food an art. The displays of their food alone can be breathtaking. I do love escargot and pates and could eat them every day, as wells as Roquefort and any of their 350 plus national cheeses. Bring on the cheese cart, s’il vous plait! The one recommendation I would add has to do with Paris’s 2000 year old history. Remember, Julius Caesar camped out on the left bank. Parisians tend to be very proud of their city and it’s history. Tourists are sometimes unknowledgeable of that history and believe the people of Paris to be rude or snobbish. I’ve not had one horrible experience of that in my many trips. If one can appreciate, respect and celebrate another culture, one will almost always be treated well in return. I’ll never tire of Paris, nor Provence, Dordogne, Loire, the Languedoc. If you’ve never been to Paris and can, please go. If you went and had a bad experience, you might be surprised, if you try again. Every time I leave, I’m already wishing to return. Grand video, Lucile. Merci beaucoup!

This is all great advice. By some freak of fate my wife and I followed most of these rules without knowing about most of them (if only we'd known to say "bonjour" more!) and we had a magnificent time. We were also approached by a "help me with this map" scammer, but somehow he didn't get ahold of any of our possessions. We were truly lucky in all kinds of ways in the most beautiful city in the world. Follow Lucile's advice and you will also have a marvelous trip.

I like your relaxed manner, and I enjoy videos that focus on just z as few fragrances at a time.

I visited Paris with my mom and brother when I was maybe 12 years old and am one of those people who didn't have a great experience, partly because we didn't know what we were doing and partly because I felt sick from jetlag (I was sensitive to the 9-hour time zone difference) and walking so much. I always think it is such a pity that we didn't check out more arrondissements and try better food. My mom also didn't seem to understand that making a kid who's not athletic by any means walk for hours every day would lead to a lot of pain and swelling. I went to the popular attractions and gardens, but didn't get to really enjoy myself. Watching your video makes me reflect on my experience there and want to give the city another shot in the future. I know more French now after taking classes in school, and plan to brush up on my speaking skills and to go with friends who share similar interests and travel paces. Great video!

Brilliant advice for visiting Paris. There is so much to see and it is so beautiful. These are great tips to ensure people have a wonderful experience

Thank you for the incredible videos Lucile, I will use several of your tips for my trip in May.

Merci beaucoup, Lucile! My goal for our trip to Paris is to knock some fashion sense and food taste into my 18-year-old daughter. LOL. She has a very slender build, is 151cm and 50kgs but lives in hoodies, jogging bottoms and trainers - she is from Scotland and it's very rainy here, eats appallingly. I'm originally from the US, came to Scotland 22 years ago, and I think people try to cram things in because they do not have a lot of holiday leave.

Bonjour, Lucile. Thank you for the excellent advice!

Going to Paris in 10 weeks, your channel has been super helpful! thanks a bunch!

I just found your Vlog and I’m very happy I did. It’s very informative and you’re very easy to listen to. There are so many vlogs that are just horrible. I delete them immediately. You get right to the point, and you inform your subscribers about the French culture. I have always traveled during the winter. My wonderful father advised me never to travel during the summer. Too many people. I want to be with Parisians and experience all the local culture. I am learning French and getting very good at it. I want to be able to speak the language when I come. That’s a sign of respect. My sister is fluent in three languages and she’s helping me with my French every day. I want to visit all the local eateries where the locals go. I do not want to be with tourists. I have traveled all over and I have always wanted to visit Paris and the beautiful countryside by train. I love Monet and Renoir. I listen to Edith Piaf all the time. She was France. Her voice is so recognizable. One of a kind. I’m looking forward to all the wonderful cuisine, and all the great little restaurants where the locals go. I’m an extrovert and I meet people very easily so I don’t believe what these people say. You have to experience it yourself. Thanks again for all the wonderful videos. I will keep watching until my trip next January. Au revoir 🇫🇷🍷🥂

Thank you! Love seeing this side and parts of Paris & France :D Makes me want to visit lol

Learning a lot about the country and Paris, thank you 🙏

Merci pour les conseilles ,Lucile !

Your French accent is just so beautiful! Thanks for the tips.

I am in love with Lucile's videos 😍

Mistake#1 NOT visiting Batignolles... It was on my list too. I was in Paris for February and part of March but attended language school in the morning and the month escaped me. I also missed out on Canal Saint-Martin & Fontainebleau. I guess a month is still not enough time? I love St Germain and typically stay there or the Latin Quarter. I appreciate your channel and love watching your videos! Hope to be back in the fall AFTER the Olympics and want to be near Parc des Buttes Chaumont for the colors.

Bonjour Lucile,😀 good advice as always! We will be in Paris at least 3 times this year and will avoid all the big attractions... but for first timers who must see them its best not to try for more than 1 big ticket a day (Eifel Tower, Louvre, Versailles) or 2 if doing lesser attractions ( d'Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle, Carnavalet, etc...) Paris is full of ventage and antique shops that can make a great day of shopping instead.

Bonjour Lucile, Hi frm Australia☺️. Thank you for all your helpful advice over your various videos☺️.

Thanks for sharing! I'll be in Paris for a week this coming Friday.

Omg thank you Lucile!!!

Great video thanks!

great video Lucile

Fan of Trappist Rochefort beer, and Blue Cheese ... so you've capture my interest !

Eat - walk - people watching, great advice, I love to do that, one has to learn to slow down a bit! And leave unexplored spots so you have an excuse to come back!

I was in Paris a few weeks ago and was glad I did not get pickpocketed or robbed. But I must say I had a really enjoyable time taking photos of everything and had such good food!

Awesome advice

Thank you for your advice. Your video is very beautiful.

When I went to Paris for the first time, I loved it. Even only able to speak a couple words of French, everyone was so kind to me. The only place I went to see was Versailles. It was beautiful. I mostly enjoyed just wondering about and walking everywhere. I'm going back again in a couple months.

As a world wide travel content creator, whose only done the big ticket items but also lived in some of those areas.. I hope you continue this with places you've lived in outside of 🇫🇷

Great video! Cheers from Brazil

Excellent video! 🙂

J’adore ces trucs! On visited Paris de Montreal au mois de juin. Tes videos mon bcp aidee🎉

the red sweater in the thumbnail gets me every time. Great video, Lu!

Another Great videos for those unlucky not to have visited this Wonderful City. I’m back in Versailles in a couple of weeks Lucille as we are going to the Café de la Danse again, Lovely little Music venue do you know it? BTW My Favourite French Fromage is Petit Basque Mmmm although I do Love a piece of Roquefort in conjunction with a glass of Good vin rouge as IMO they complement each other perfectly ♥️😋

Love your videos. Great advice. One thing should be mentioned, though, taxi fare from CDG airport into Paris is a flat fee, even if you get stuck in traffic.

Travelling is expensive especially Paris. I think I will still visit the top places like the Lourve Museum, Museum Orsays, the Eiffel Tower, the river seine cruises and the palace of versailles...etc., not because they are the "top things to do" but I really want to experience those.

Last year i took a taxi from CDG into Paris downtown and we were stuck pretty much as soon as we approach central Paris. The driver said it's because of the newer policies that restrict roads to 1 lane and prioritizing bike lanes. So if you don't mind walking a bit with your luggage, get the taxi to drop you off at the outskirts but at a metro station to save you a lot of money.

I'd add : come to Paris in the summer if you don't plan to/already visited all tourist attractions. Summer in Paris is pretty nice if you wanna party or take long strolls along the Seine, it's just very packed for visiting tourist attractions. But if you just wanna walk around and enjoy life, food and architecture, sure.

Paris is a wonderful city especially when you get away from the tourist crowds.

So Wise!

Went to Paris first time last July and will go again this July. I love it so much that I’m willing to go knowing Olympics is happening = a lot of ppl in general.

In 2026, I plan on doing a Christmas market tour. Landing in Paris and spending a few days there before going to Strasbourg and colmar, then Cologne and Frankfurt where I fly home. I didn't want to hit a third country and stress myself. Just like you say! I like popping into shops, eating what sounds good though I don't think I'm brave enough for the things you mentioned 😂

Sold. The thing that made my brain say, Oh, yes, she absolutely knows what she is talking about? I have been to France once. I flew into Paris. Hopped in a rental car. Drove past the Arc and the Tower--because one does not land at De Gaulle and Not see those two things. And then I spent a week in Alsace. Alsace is wonderful! So, I am thinking next France trip, I'm going to park myself in the Batignolle and wander around the 17th through 20th. See what I can see. Merci, Lucile!

I enjoy your videos they are very informative thank you!! Could you recommend a few vegetarian restaurants in Paris .

There’s something to be said by seeing a famous object, such as Eiffel Tower, in person. It’s like meeting a celebrity.

Wish i had moved to france while we were in the euro. Maybe one day

I’m traveling to Paris from Austin Texas just for a couple of days but I expect to visit Paris many times ; I can not visit all the places I plan . I’ll stroll around and be thankful for my trip . Merci et bises ! Claudia

Have the mindset that you will return one day and do the other things. It makes it easier.

When I visited Europe, people asked me for directions on 6 occasions. A couple of French men in a car did look a bit irritated when I answered in English. Irritating locals could potentially be funnier, like asking for "ketchup" in a posh restaurant.😂

I'm going to have to disagree on not seeing the famous landmarks. I was a tour guide in Paris and most of my groups did not have the money to ever come back a second time, and they had such a huge feeling of awe and satisfaction when they visited the Eiffel Tower up close, or the Louvre (and calling the Louvre touristy is ludicrous since it happens to be full of the best art in the world!). This woman and others like her that live there take being in Paris for granted.

I agree with the idea of some people having a consumeristic approach to traveling.

Thank yiu🎉

i have been to Paris tons and I avoid the tourist spots and go off the beaten track I have visited most lovely churches and had them to myself for example and i speak French and have had the best time

Went to mass at Notre Dane de Paris early. Was really nice. Had quick breakfast of a ham sandwich afterwards. Parisians know how to make a simple and perfect ham sandwich.

I have visited France (from Australia) a few times and always enjoyed my time there. I'll disagree with you on one small matter; we had a tiny flat for a week in Montmarte and loved staying in that suburb. You only have to be a block off the main tourist trail. I recommend the Dali Paris, the Salvidor Dali museum in Montmarte. It gave me a whole new view of the artist. I also recommend to anyone that they try to take in an opera or ballet at the Palais Garnier. You'll feel like a part of nobility or a millionaire just by being there, after which you can go back to reality and catch the Metro back to your accommodation.

Hi French guy here, in France we ate snails only once a year, by exemple for Christmas and a lot of French doesn’t like it. The first time I ate frogs legs was when I was around 30 in a French restaurant in Munich, Germany… For me it was just an “OK” experience…

What do they call a week in Paris? (answer). a pretty good start. The next time I come to Paris I am going to stay a minimum of ten days. I will see how many neighborhoods I can wander through in ten days.

We have Roquefort in the U.S. It's one of my favorite cheeses.

I always wanted to go to Camargue where there are wild horses. Have you been there?

Awesome job Lucia drop a like

Love your furry mouse microphone. :)

(from Sharon in Australia) Thank you for your vlogs, I am really enjoying them as a self confessed Francophile. Just a little comment if I may ... please don't make the assumption that only Americans come to visit Paris. You mention the States and Americans throughout your video. It can become a little frustrating always hearing KZfaqrs directing their advice to people from America. We have been to your beautiful France 4 or 5 times and each time we grow more in love with your country:))

You live in Europe that's why you recommend to visit few countries (Europe is a small continent so going from 1 country to the others might take some few hours driving) but you forget that many tourists have very limited time to view and feel a little bit from each country. Keep in mind that for many people in America (I'm talking the complete continent not just what people from USA think is America) the economy is quite different and vacation time is also different. So for many going to Europe represents a 1 in a time-life experience, for others with better economy, it might take several trips and years to complete your recommendation. Think the opposite way, do you think it might take just 2 o 3 weeks to visit completely Canada or USA or Mexico or Brazil or Argentina ??? Do you think you will have enough time to do that?

Ah! Roquefort is a favorite!

I avoided the Louvre and Pompidou, but hit 3 other museums and they were not crowded. I spent time in Pere Lachaise, Hugo's house, Shakespeare & Co,, the sites of the barricades in 1832, 1848 and 1870; found the HQ of the French Revolution on the Left Bank, visiting a library to look at Proust's manuscripts and walked Montmartre's steps, art square, residents of famous painters and Le Chat Noir. I took the train for De Gaulle and the bus from Orly. Got a 4 day pass for the metro and stayed at a hostel. I don't eat cheese or meat so found vegan and vegetarian places. Wonderful trip and will be back!

God, I'd love to not hit any of the tourist spots and just take it easy, but sometimes the people you travel with have that consumerist angle and it wouldn't be fair to deny them that either.

I really like to ride a bike in Paris😁

Hey Lucille 👋 your the best I love ❤️ you buddy jamie 😊

Your boyfriend is the luckiest guy in the world because he's with YOU

Bonjour voisine! ❤️ les Batignolles.

Please if I may, however, Lucile, a question. In the UK in many major cities, we can refill reusable water bottles for free from fountains that are in the wall in train stations, airports and the like. Can you do that in France? If not, it is 'une bouteille de l'eau, svp?' or 'une bouteille d'eau, svp?' Thank you.

I have been there 4 times and left my appendix at the Hôpital Necker when I was 10. Great city!

Hmmm… I just wanna eat. Oh, and drink, too.

I have to see the Mona Lisa!😁

Good news! None of these mistakes are HUGE.

I'll be doing most of these mistakes willingly lol

I'm the anti-Maupassant. I've never been up the Eiffel Tower, I'm happy just to see it in the background wherever I go.

I love you

Actually I don’t agree. I think August in Paris is amazing. Yes it can be hot. Maybe, maybe not like last summer. But the city is empty. Same for Versailles. No calmer time than the first 2 weeks in August.

3:40 where’s that ?

First!!!!

The stinkier the cheese the more delicious it is to eat!

I’d like to go But I hear Paris looks like a 3rd country and it’s not safe. Is that true?

can't wun say 'bel jour' insted'v 'bon jour' ?

The autofocus is very distracting. Otherwise, I enjoy your videos

Tourists should be told as much as possible to use common sense. They totally lack common sense it's so bizarre. I grew up using Bir Hakeim station everyday to go to school. But used the entrance near the bridge. There were always tourists but mostly locals people. I didn't even know there was another entrance. Now I learned about that entrance because I use a e scooter and the elevators are on that entrance which is to get to the Eiffel Tower. A total nightmare. A sea of tourists acting irrationally and blocking the entire area. Queuing forever to by a single ticket when there are countless CHEAPER options to avoid doing that. When you tell them they simply don't care. The Head of Paris already warned and the single ticket would be increased to 4 euros for the Olympics and those paying for that anyway instead of using the pass or their phone with normal fares can only blame themselves. On the automatic gates there is a bigger one dedicated for strollers, wheelchairs and big stuff like my e scooter. You see tourists using that gate instead of using the other gates for people who don't carry anything heavy and where they could go faster. And if that's not bad enough, instead of exiting as a group like they are allowed to, they exit one by one! 🤦 What's the point of using a larger door they shouldn't be using in the first place if it's to go one person at a time? Don't be on the way and use the regular gates if you want to do that! Tourists carrying strollers and baby in it in the stairs when there are elevators. That Eiffel Tower entrance at Bir Hakeim is a real nightmare. And they always stay on the way of everything like they don't know people need to circulate.

“Consumeristic approach to traveling”, is staying in the best hotels and eating at the best restaurants. Going to a French museum or a French national monument or taking in some historic architecture is _not_ going to kill you. These things just _might_ help you grasp the history that underpins the culture everyone is so eager for you to absorb. You are not going to figure out who’s sleeping with whom in the country by standing around practicing gratitude and manifesting abundance. I mean, life _is_ a highway but don’t put your nose in the air and end up getting run over by a tractor-trailer rig.