Kasterwey
Every place has its traditional, mainstream, orthodox attractions, which yes or yes must be visited: those unmissable itineraries that every tourist MUST do. If not, it is as if you have not traveled.
For example, if you go to Rome, you must visit the Colosseum; in Peru, travel to Machu Picchu; in London, set the clock to Big Ben time; in Paris, seeing the view from the Eiffel Tower, of course.
But wait … do you always have to do these things?
When you have the privilege of living in a city, you end up discovering alternatives to traditionally tourist spots.
In this way, when he travels to visit his friends, he ends up being taken to those more local places … they can be more original, more interesting, cheaper options.
Since not everyone has a friend who lives in Paris, who can take you to alternative attractions out there, here are some suggestions for you:
Typical Program # 1: Climbing the Eiffel Tower
Yes, everyone wants to see the Eiffel Tower. And we are not suggesting that you skip that all-important city frame! But honestly, there is too much queue to climb the Tower.
There is no point in waiting hours. Also, the biggest problem with the Eiffel Tower view is that … it does not include the Eiffel Tower! Alternative: Climb the Montparnasse tower One of the tallest buildings in Paris, it has a magnificent view of the city that includes the Eiffel Tower, with the advantage of not having even a third of the queues.
In addition, the elevator is super fast and very modern, avoiding the fatigue of climbing the stairs of the Arc de Triomphe or Notredame.
Typical program # 2: Eating Macaroni
These colored sweets won over the world and every tourist wants to try one. We also surrender to the charms of macarons. But the French do not live on macaroni only. Alternative: Eat Chou The current craze for desserts in Paris is Chou, with several specialty shops popping up everywhere.
Candy can be as colorful and photogenic as macaroon, with the advantage that the price per unit is lower. Besides that it is the typical dessert of French weddings.
Typical program # 3: Visit to the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is wonderful. So wonderful that it deserves days and days of visits. And it is there where the problem dwells. A common tourist does not have so much time to dedicate only to a museum.
So what happens is that he stays in line for an hour or two, enters the museum, arrives at Monalisa, fights with some others to see the Venus de Milo and leaves. You don’t have enough time to appreciate all the art that exists inside the building.
Alternative: Visit the Museo d’Orsay It will still have queues, but they are generally much smaller, and the size of the museum is easier to manage. It will give you time to see much more. The Impressionists’ wing is unmissable. And the fact that the building was a train station also helps to make the visit even more interesting.
Typical program # 4: walk through the narrow streets of Montmartre
I am going to tell the truth: it is not that walking through the narrow streets of Montmartre is a bad program. It is not. It can be a very fun program and it is extremely Parisian.
The problem is that it is not easy to walk in Montmartre. It has a lot of hillside, which makes the show exhausting, plus many small, gnarly ruins, making it a bit confusing. And it is always full of tourists. That is to say: it takes time and willingness to find cool corners and run away from inflated shops and restaurants, made especially for tourists.
Alternative: Walk along Montorgueil street
A picturesque street in the heart of Paris, full of restaurants, cafes, restaurants and the like. Always crowded, but never overly full, this street generally goes unnoticed by tourists. As it is only one street, it is much easier to walk than Montmartre.
Typical program # 5: Visit to the Luxembourg Gardens
Nothing against the Luxembourg garden. In fact, it seems very good to me: it is a bit of calm in the midst of the city’s tumult. But if you ask any Parisian which is the best park in the city, the answer will be another …
Alternative: Visit to Parc Buttes Chaumont Parc Buttes Chaumont is considered the most charming city park.
The location is a bit far from typical tourist attractions, but worth it for those who really want to enjoy a park: lots of green space, waterfalls, beautiful views of the Sacre Coeur and a very trendy restaurant / bar in the summer .
Typical program # 6: Eating in Saint Germain
The Saint Germain neighborhood is central and very striking, full of restaurants and cafes with large terraces to see the past time. Several of these cafes, even, are historical, and were frequented by famous artists. But? Today, the prices are compatible with fame (who would buy a hot chocolate for 8 euros?) And the biggest clientele are tourists who are only in the city of transit.
Alternative: Dinner at the 11ème Today, 11ème is the neighborhood of the moment. Parisians frequent the neighborhood mainly at night, both for dining in trendy restaurants and for a drink in one of the region’s bleak bars. Typical Program
# 7: Shop at Lafayette Galleries
Is Lafayette Galleries worth a visit? Of course it’s worth it. The dome is beautiful and the free view of Paris from the 7th floor is spectacular. But do you shop? Only if you have many and many euros left over in your checking account.
Alternative: Shopping in Au Printemps The Au Printemps store is a good alternative.
Practically on the side of the Galeries Lafayette, with a similar view from the terrace and prices more on account. But what does not mean cheap! In reality, Paris is not the shopping paradise that the United States can be, it is good to remember this detail.
Typical program # 8: Ride a Taxi
It is very convenient for a tourist to simply take a taxi: you do not have to worry about the road. But, as I am warning, the taxi in Paris is not so abundant. Most of the time, you need a lot of luck, or ordering over the phone. That is why I generally recommend …
Alternative: Walking
Paris is a relatively small city. It’s worth putting a map under your arm (or using your phone’s GPS) and trying to tackle it on foot. You will see many more hidden and charming details in this way. If the distances are very long, the city’s metro system works very well and reaches almost any corner.
Typical program # 9: Hop-on Hop-off buses
Many people like to use one of these tourist buses that will give an «overview» of the city and see all the main points in a few hours. But if the intention is, why not a … Alternative: boat trip on the River Seine Great attractions of Paris are on the border of the Seine.
A much more charming way to see everything at once is by taking a boat trip on the river. Not to mention that you are still going to get a different angle for your photos! Typical program
# 10: Euro Disney
Many people who come to Paris decide to take a whole day to go to Euro Disney. Nothing against. Euro Disney is pretty. Only when you have limited time in the city, why waste so much time on a typically American attraction?
Alternative: Parc Asterix If you really want to include an amusement park on your trip, there are more French alternatives like Parc Asterix.
Based on the Asterix and Obelix comic, the park is a lot of fun and much more original than Disney. And you, dear reader, do you prefer typical or alternative programs? Which of these programs have you experienced in Paris? What do you recommend?
