How to Avoid Tourist Traps: Four Overrated Parisian Attractions
There’s so much to see and do in the city of lights! Whether you’re planning to spend a week or a lifetime in Paris, you’ll want to avoid tourist traps, throwing away your money, and wasting your time. Jalen and I have visited Paris a time or two and want to help everyone make the most of their experience in the French capital. Here’s what not to see in Paris – and what we recommend you do instead.
1. The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is France’s most iconic structure and one of the most visited tourist attractions worldwide. However, the best way to see the Eiffel Tower is not to visit it at all! Waiting in line at the secure perimeter wall, at the ticket booth, at the tower itself, and at the elevators can take hours. Once you’re in the tower, you get a nice, but incomplete, view of Paris. After all, what’s the Parisian skyline without the Eiffel Tower?
Instead of wasting your day waiting for a mediocre view of Paris, we suggest heading to the Place du Trocadéro, known for its beautiful vantage point of the Eiffel Tower. Though it can be crowded at times, Le Trocadéro costs nothing, has no wait time, and includes a beautiful green space with plants and fountains to enjoy.
2. The Champs-Elysées
The Champs-Elysées, famous for its designer shops and location of the Arc de Triomphe, isn’t all the classic song makes it out to be! Unless you’re ready to spend a hefty sum at luxury stores like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, or Cartier, the large crowds, expensive shops, and tourist-trap restaurants aren’t the best way to discover Parisian culture.
We don’t suggest avoiding the Champs-Elysées altogether – we would never advise against a visit to the Arc de Triomphe! Instead of buying an overpriced croissant after you’ve seen the Arc, stroll down to the Jardin des Champs-Elysées. Beautiful fountains, trees, flowers, and statues punctuate the public park and provide a moment of calm in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle.
3. The Place Vendôme
The Place Vendôme, located in the middle of the city, is considered one of the most expensive places in Paris. Extremely high-end hotels, like the Ritz, and shops, like Charvet, might look nice from the outside, but, much like the Champs-Elysées, you have to be prepared to spend a pretty penny to enjoy any shopping! Besides the Vendôme Column, which can be seen in a matter of minutes, there’s not much for the average visitor to do.
If you want to get a taste of luxury fashion without leaving empty-handed, check out the Galeries Lafayette. Touting thousands of brands, a large price range, and a stunning stained-glass ceiling, this department store has something for everyone. From luxury fashion to affordable souvenirs, the Galeries Lafayette are a great place for Parisian retail therapy!
4. The Louvre
The Louvre is a gigantic museum containing everything from paintings to archeological exhibits. It’s known for its large glass pyramids and for housing world-renowned works of art, like the Mona Lisa. However, the Louvre experience isn’t always as magical as its artwork. The hours-long wait times, the abundance of pickpockets, and the overwhelming size of the museum often make visits to the Louvre less than ideal.
If you want to see stunning works of art while avoiding the crowds, check out the Musée de l’Orangerie, a smaller museum containing impressionist and postimpressionist art. One of the most stunning exhibits is Claude Monet’s Water Lillies. Two oval rooms showcase eight massive paintings and offer enough seating and space to truly admire Monet’s masterpieces.
What’s your favorite spot in Paris? Which destinations aren’t worth a visit? Let us know in a comment!
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