Is Paris Worth Visiting?

You may have been wondering, is Paris worth visiting?

There are many reasons why the French capital city sees millions of visitors yearly. Tourists travel from all corners of the world to explore Paris and see its famous landmarks for themselves.

Is your idea of a city break ticking off all the top attractions, shopping until you drop, or wandering leisurely around the picturesque streets? If one of these sounds sublime, there is a high chance you will adore Paris.

However, Paris isn’t for everyone. Thus, if you’re considering a trip to the world’s most romantic city, consider the pros and cons first.

To help you make the right decision, we’re sharing the top reasons to visit Paris and why you may want to avoid it.

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The Pros Of Visiting Paris: Reasons To Visit

Is it worth visiting Paris? Finding a reason to visit Paris is easy, as this French city has many pros.

Here are some main reasons why France’s capital should be your next city break.

It Has Iconic Landmarks

Of course, one of the top reasons people visit Paris is to see its world-famous landmarks like The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, and Notre Dame.

If you’ve dreamed of standing in front of the Eiffel Tower since you were a child, this reason alone is enough to book a trip.

While seeing these iconic buildings closeup will create an everlasting imprint in your mind, you’ll take your experience to the next level by going up to the top of them.

For example, the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe offer incredible panoramic views over the city. From here, you’ll see all of Paris’s most famous buildings from a different perspective.

Suppose you don’t fancy waiting in line to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower or want to avoid splashing out on expensive tickets.

In that case, a cheaper and quieter yet equally wonderful experience is Sacré-Coeur. Sacré-Coeur sits atop the city’s highest hill in Montmartre and gives incredible views of the city, including “The Iron Lady.”

It Has A Rich Culture

Paris is so much more than famous buildings, and any trip to this French city is sure to be jam-packed with activities. From art to theatre to music, whatever you are into, you’re bound to find something you enjoy here.

Paris also has some of the world’s most famous cultural spaces, such as the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, and the Opéra, which all still host shows, concerts, and screenings.

So if you love to explore culture in other cities and countries, be sure to align your trip to dates when there is something on in one of these venues.

However, cultural venues in Paris aren’t limited to the few most famous ones. The city has many contemporary galleries and museums that are well worth a visit.

For example, the hip Palais de Tokyo is Europe’s largest cultural center for contemporary art. It even has an in-house club, The Yoyo.

It Has Incredible Food

Food in Paris is also part of the city’s culture, particularly the cafe culture scene. Enjoying a morning coffee and croissant at one of the many pavement cafes is a crucial part of daily life for many Parisians and is a long-held tradition.

You won’t have to stroll far from your hotel to see one of the authentic cafes with tables and chairs spread along the sidewalk. The alfresco street atmosphere creates the perfect spot for people-watching.

Moreover, many of the brasseries and bistros in Paris also have this alfresco dining set up.

Like all countries, France is renowned for specific foods and dishes, including bread, pastries, and wine. Head to one of the many small bistros outside the tourist areas for the cheapest and most authentic French cuisine.

It’s well known the closer you are to the famous landmarks, the more expensive the food is. So, as a general rule for Paris and other popular European cities, don’t eat anywhere within three blocks of a famous landmark.

It’s A Shopper’s Paradise

Another thing Paris is renowned for is its fashion. So if you like to stay up with the latest trends, you shouldn’t definitely visit France’s capital city.

Here you can enjoy a wide variety of shopping. First, check out famous French designer brands like Louis Vuitton to Dior on Champs-Élysées avenue.

Then head to the hip district of Le Marais for independent boutiques, many of which have a lower price tag. Grands Boulevards also has tons of shopping, including local and international brands.

Being in Paris during Paris Fashion Week is a must if you’re a real fashionista.

The world-famous semi-annual event happens during February/March and again in September/October. It showcases some of the most creative and “out-there” designs you will ever see!

It Is Incredibly Romantic

There is a reason why Paris is named the most romantic city in the world.

You can’t help but notice the charming and amorous ambiance as you walk down the ancient streets, seeing couples enjoy candlelit dinners with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Moreover, the river Seine has an equally romantic feel and is the perfect place to stroll hand-to-hand with your lover as the sun sets over the city.

Thus, if you’re looking for a city break that will allow you to reconnect with your partner, Paris is undoubtedly the top choice.

For the reasons mentioned above, eloping in Paris has become popular.

The Cons Of Visiting Paris: Reasons To Skip It

Although there are many pros to visiting Paris, no city is without its cons.

Here are a few reasons why you might decide to skip Paris and visit another French or European destination instead.

It’s A Touristy Spot

As one of the most famous cities worldwide, it is not surprising that Paris is incredibly touristy. It is popular all year round but particularly crowded during the summer.

Thus, if you decide to visit this French capital, mentally prepare yourself for the crowds you’ll encounter.

Also note that if you visit in the summer or other busy periods, you’ll likely have to book attractions and tours in advance rather than turn up and pay on the day.

Moreover, because of its touristy nature, some say that Paris, particularly the areas with the biggest attractions, does not show the “real France.”

It’s Expensive

Another reason you may want to skip Paris or choose another French city is to save money. Paris is commonly known to be a costly city, both for living and for visiting.

So there are better choices than Paris if you’re looking for a low-budget trip.

Not only are hotels, attractions, and restaurants expensive here, but flights to Paris from outside Europe can be very pricey too. Thus, if you’re visiting from the US or Canada, expect to fork out a small fortune.

The Locals Are Not So Friendly

Lastly, Parisians don’t have the best reputation, and there is some truth in the claim that they are unfriendly. However, it’s all relative depending on where you live and other cities you have visited in the past.

For example, if you’re coming from London, you might not feel that Parisians are particularly unfriendly. However, you’ll notice the difference if you’ve just been somewhere like Mexico or Spain.

Secondly, it’s not so much that locals are rude in Paris. Instead, the city is fast-paced, and Parisians are more concerned with getting to work than helping a lost tourist.

However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t encounter kindness here.

Even so, if you want to visit somewhere where the locals will welcome you with open arms and take you under your wing, Paris probably isn’t the place.

The Final Verdict: Is Paris Worth Visiting?

After reading this article, you should better understand whether Paris is worth visiting.

Some people fall in love with Paris’s charm and return year after year, while others find it too busy, touristy, and expensive.

Whether or not you should visit Paris depends on your personal preferences and interest. That said, we believe Paris is worth visiting at least once in your life.

But with so many pros, if you decide to visit, you’ll likely love at least one thing about this city!

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