Paris: Why Everything You Know is Wrong

Paris is an experience that is sort of hard to describe. There’s a reason it is the backdrop of so many books and movies; it is the city for everyone.

But a lot of tourists (American ones, at least) seem concerned they won’t enjoy visiting because of the locals. Parisians in particular have gotten a poor reputation for being rude, snobby, and condescending.

I think this stereotype stems from outsider jealousy. We think that Parisians must have a superiority complex because we have romanticized them to such a point that it would be impossible not to have some sense of superiority.

Off the top of my head, I can probably name a hundred different article I’ve seen that feed this idea that Parisians are the end-all, be-all of grace and elegance.

“Channel Effortless Parisian Style With This One Trick”

“The Parisian Guide to Being Chic”

etc.

We’ve all heard of that famous “French Girl Style”. There’s even a section on of Vogue dedicated to it.

But are Parisians really that snobby? Will they ignore someone when they ask for directions to the nearest boulangerie?

Maybe.

When I travel, I have a very general idea of the sites I’d like to see. I use this as a basic guide, but I usually try to immerse myself in the city I’m visiting by getting out and walking. In one day, I walked 15 miles exploring the streets of Paris!

When you walk that much, you’re bound to get lost a few times. Paris, with its winding streets and endless parks, is no exception. I got lost multiple times in a day and had to ask for directions (well, I could have used Google Maps, but what fun is that?).

Before visiting Paris, I brushed up on my French by watching French news every day. I already had a decent grasp of the language but the reminder definitely helped me later on.

If you aren’t fluent in the language of the country you’re visiting, it’s always a good idea to learn a few phrases to help you get by. Yes, our phones can translate everything for us and it’s a great tool to use if we’re lost. But it is polite to at least be able to say excuse me, please, and thank you when asking a local for help. It isn’t polite to assume everyone speaks English (although so many people do), and they will appreciate the effort.

Back to getting lost in Paris: One evening it was starting to get dark and I was trying to find my way back to my friend’s apartment. My phone was dead so I spotted a bar that wasn’t too busy and stopped by. The bartender was very friendly. We spoke a mixture of French and English and he ended up drawing me a map to find my way back, but more importantly introduced me to my new favourite drink, Kir!

Another time I got lost in Paris, I ended up in a cute cafe, Le Pavillon Des Canaux, located on the Seine. There happened to be a swim race going on so I sat outside with some coffee to watch. A man joined me and told me his friends were competing in the race. I ended up meeting his friends and they invited me to a picnic in the park nearby after the race. These friends ended up showing me around Paris for the rest of my stay. They showed me the best pizza place and even took me up to the rooftop of one of their apartments to see the incredible view.

Their friendliness and hospitality was something I never expected based on the typical Parisian stereotypes. They simply wanted to share the beauty of Paris with an outsider.

And isn’t it beautiful? Something happens in the afternoons that makes the light turn this warm, pink colour. And a few hours later, it turns into a stunning sunset best enjoyed from the top of La Grande Arche. It just adds to the magic of the city.

(P.S. Sometimes they have free yoga classes on top of La Grande Arche! They don’t really advertise them, but ask around and someone may be able to get you in.)

Paris is a city of risks. It is unpredictable just like the people who live there. To make the most of it, we have to be willing to take risks there as well. Be open to conversations with friendly strangers. Try foods even if you aren’t sure you’ll like them. See the major sites, but take the time to find the hidden treasures as well.

And most importantly, leave stereotypes and any pre-conceived ideas at the airport. You’re in for an adventure!