Visa Process:
I definitely needed a visa for this trip; however, as I had already received my Schengen visa for my trip to Spain (here), I was able to use it for entry into France. France is part of the Schengen zone so my visa to Spain applied. Wohoo here’s to small wins and money saved!
Overall:
- I love Paris. Anyone who says Paris isn’t a good idea is lying … plain and simple.
- The food was so good – had the best Nutella crêpes there and it changed my life.
- The people were convivial. I love the fact that it’s such a cosmopolitan city!
- It’s slightly pricier than the states – especially when buying merchandise (purses, shoes etc).
Would I go back?
- Absolutely – I never quite understood why people loved Paris until I visited last summer. Going again this summer solidified how romantic and historic the city is. Did you follow my trip on Instagram?
Recommendations:
- Withdraw money from the ATM at the airport – don’t change money at the Bureau d’Exchange. The rates are never comparable to what’s online so the dollar ends up being worth less than the online/day rate.
- Go to the historical sites first thing in the morning to avoid long lines. My advice is to always visit the touristy locations in the morning then enjoy the food and neighborhoods in the afternoon.
- Bloggers will get the best shots before 9am – the sun isn’t as high and there aren’t as many tourists.
- Use the metro. I recommend getting a pass – it’s definitely worth it especially if you are trying to see multiple sights in a day. The train is the fastest and cheapest way to get around.
- Use Google Maps to estimate the distance between locations especially if you are only visiting in the city for a couple of hours.
