Unlike other destinations, when visiting Paris, you may experience the change of stations. If you stay for long enough, or depending on what time of the year you visit, the weather might start playing tricks on you and retain you from enjoying all the city of love has to offer. Fortunately for me, I traveled during the perfect time, the beginning of September. Don't worry, this post is certainly not about silly weather talk, I go from 0 to 100 - real quick!
Paris is known for its rainy gray days, but during my entire stay, the city was covered in gorgeous blue skies and plenty of sunlight. In one day, I was able to visit more than four emblematic attractions and get the most out my day. Sitting on the sidewalk of a Café enjoying some great food and visiting outdoor markets is a great Parisian experience to leave with. The temperatures were perfect to allow us to walk and explore it all.
Compared to other European cities, Paris is a big place completed with amazing places to experience. In order for you not to spend time doing uninteresting things, create a list of the top attraction you want to visit. Depending on how long you're staying, begin with your favorite places and work-down your list. The hop-on and hop-off buses are super helpful to take you around the city's most visited attractions. You'll save so much time, and will get to experience everything at a more relaxed paste.
Paris is one of the most photogenic places I've ever visited. Every corner, every monument, every building, becomes a great place to snap a memory. If visiting more than one place per day, as you should, I recommend not taking a fancy cameras - your phone will do it! When traveling from place to place and getting distracted with so many things, the risks of loosing valuables will increase. Also, if complete estrangers (usually in pairs) offers to take pictures of you, kindly decline. Paris is full of scams and thieves who are always looking for a way to take advantage of you. This applies to not purchasing illegal tickets outside of museums, decline and move on.
Other important thing note, do not sign any "petitions" on the streets. It will be very -VERY - likely that someone will approach you (at the train station, outside of a museum, at the park) and ask you if you speak English - best answer: NO - then ask you to sign a petition. After you sign, they'll tell you is actually a "fund-raiser" for a heart felt cause and tell you there's a minimum to donate. If you don't "donate" anything, based on my experience, they'll harass you, follow you, and most likely run your day while cursing you out. Charge your phone, take your charger, mind your own business, and don't engage, in any type of way, with people informally selling on the streets.
Yes, as many other big cities, Paris is dominated by garbage and graffiti. It seems like Parisian monuments are not well taken care of, structurally speaking. You can touch the layers of dirt on some of the statues and bridges. Gambling in front of the Eiffel Tour is also very predominant. As a tourist, I strongly suggest you not to engage in any of those things.
Before my trip, I wish someone would've told me these things so I would've been more cautious. I don't mean to scare you out, but because Paris is very diverse city with so many different ideologies, and apparently, a very weak police/security system for tourists, it is very possible that you'll encounter nasty people. This statement is based on my experience in other cities of Europe and round the world. Of course, you'll have a great time and will leave France with the desire to come back, but always be woke and aware of your surroundings.
