{"id":15446,"date":"2019-08-20T11:03:22","date_gmt":"2019-08-20T11:03:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devourparisfoodtours.com\/?p=2567"},"modified":"2022-02-28T20:55:06","modified_gmt":"2022-02-28T20:55:06","slug":"paris-tourist-traps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/paris-tourist-traps\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 Mistakes You Don\u2019t Want to Make in Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Paris may be one of the world\u2019s top destinations, but that doesn\u2019t mean side-stepping Paris tourist traps is easy. <\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Communicating in a new language and understanding French cultural norms is only part of the process. In evaluating the best plan for your trip to the City of Light, it\u2019s necessary to look past the clich\u00e9s and see what\u2019s actually right for your trip and your specific interests. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Luckily, falling into Paris tourist traps is easy to avoid if you\u2019re in the know. Avoid these five cringeworthy misses and see how to spend your time instead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Avoiding<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

1. Strolling the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Avenue des Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es may have once been considered the most beautiful street in the world, but there\u2019s little reason to recommend it to travelers today. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Sure, the Arc de Triomphe still strikes a majestic mood from the top of the avenue, but the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es itself is more about chain stores than charm. Overpriced caf\u00e9s, luxury brands, and commonplace chains make up the atmosphere\u2014one worth skipping entirely. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Opt for a walk along rue des Martyrs<\/a> instead. Snaking up the hill towards the butte<\/em> Montmartre, rue des Martyrs is a perfect slice of Parisian life. Specialty shops, caf\u00e9s, and independent businesses line the sidewalks, and another monument\u2014Montmartre\u2019s Basilique du Sacre Coeur\u2014takes center stage. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"The
Sorry, Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es\u2014when it comes to the authentic Paris, rue des Martyrs is where it’s at. Photo credit: David Stanley<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

2. Taking a Seine Dinner Cruise<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A Seine dinner cruise is probably one of the cheesiest Paris tourist traps there is. Overpriced and inauthentic, these cruises are not the way to learn more about the city\u2019s relationship to its central river. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Skip the organized cruises, and hit the banks of the Seine instead. Parisians and tourists alike gather for impromptu picnics along the cobbled banks of the river once the weather turns summery and bright. Bring along a bottle or two of your favorite French wine and watch the sunset paint a vivid backdrop for the elegant buildings on Ile-Saint-Louis. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"A
A Seine dinner cruise may seem glamorous, but in reality you’ll just be paying a lot of money for mediocre food and a subpar experience.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

3. Prioritizing the Mona Lisa<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Louvre is touted as the must-see at the top of every tourist\u2019s bucket list. However, with all the hype, this world-class museum quickly turns into a zoo as everyone rushes straight for Leonardo da Vinci\u2019s masterpiece. With all the pushing and shoving\u2014not to mention the glass barrier designed to keep overzealous photographers back\u2014hanging with Mona is one Paris tourist trap to miss. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Still interested in the Louvre? Skip the herd mentality and wander through the near-deserted Egyptian wing or the Napoleon III Apartments<\/a> instead. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"The
The Louvre is a classic Parisian destination for a reason, but it’s so much more than just the Mona Lisa.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

4. Shopping at Tacky Souvenir Stands<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Looking to bring back a piece of Paris in your suitcase? Shops selling cheap tchotchkes are a dime a dozen. While Eiffel tower keychains and tacky aprons come cheap, why fill your suitcase with items destined for the landfill? <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Choose meaningful souvenirs from La Super Marquette<\/a> instead. Just around the corner from Centre Pompidou, this colorful shop curates handmade products such as Breton striped shirts, needlepoint handbags, and scented soaps from small producers all over France, including one-of-a-kind vintage pieces like deadstock postcards from the 1950s. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

5. Spending Too Much Time in the Latin Quarter <\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Guidebook writers praise the 5th arrondissement\u2019s Latin Quarter for its authentic charm. But have they ever actually walked along rue de la Huchette? <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Skip the greasy kebab shops and flag-festooned restaurants here in favor of a wander through the back streets of Od\u00e9on<\/a>. Just a stone\u2019s throw away from the maze of streets considered the Latin Quarter, this area of the Left Bank is known for its independent bookshops, charming boulangeries, and stately campuses of the Sorbonne.\u00a0
You might not be able to peek inside the iconic university itself, but if you\u2019re looking for a taste of Paris\u2019s student life, grab a table at one of the many caf\u00e9s on the Place de la Sorbonne for some excellent people watching. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Paris may be one of the world\u2019s top destinations, but that doesn\u2019t mean side-stepping Paris tourist traps is easy.  Communicating in a new language and understanding French cultural norms is only part of the process. In evaluating the best plan for your trip to the City of Light, it\u2019s necessary to look past the clich\u00e9s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":2570,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[1330,1338],"tags":[1362,1363,1364,349],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDevour Tours<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/paris-tourist-traps\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Paris Tourist Traps You Really Should Avoid (And What to Do Instead)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Don't fall into these common Paris tourist traps. 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