15 thing YOU need to know about Paris

Parlez vous Engle?
The French have a reputation for not speaking any other languages – pretty much like us lazy Brits. But for Parisians this isn’t true and most of them speak pretty good English, particularly younger people.
If you ask if they speak English they’ll undoubtedly say ‘no’ but this is because they don’t want to be embarrassed by their not-so-perfect language skills.
Ask them if they speak just a little English and you’re more likely to be met with a positive response.
Paris is stylish
The people of Paris are so stylish. They have a classic elegance that goes beyond fashion and it can make you feel like a badly dresses heffalump in comparison. The way they walk, talk, eat, drink, smoke and breeze through crowds is just so damn sexy.
Pack stylish but casual clothes to fit in. Or, better yet, shop till you drop when you arrive.
Paris is sexy
Not only are the people sexy but the city is sexy. Everything about it oozes sex appeal from the beautiful buildings to the smoking hot bars and cafes.
Parisians are slim
Not only are they well dressed but the Parisians also have amazing figures. Both men and women are slim and look really healthy. You might not notice this until you spot a tourist waddling down the street and you’ll see that they stand out like a sore thumb.
Paris isn’t just a city for young people
I often feel like London is a young person’s city. Maybe this is because I’m young myself but people often tire of London and move away eventually.
But Paris seems to be a huge mixture of ages and it’s often the older people who seem to be the most interesting. Many of them are impeccably dressed and often have an eccentric style that makes you want to follow them around and find out more about their lives.
That makes me sound like a crazy old-person-stalker but I just mean they look interesting and as though they have some good stories to tell.
The street music is amazing
The street musicians aren’t just buskers like they are in many cities. Not that buskers aren’t talented but the musicians here are professionals and take it to a whole new level. There are often bands or orchestras playing in squares and parks and it’s well worth pulling up a chair to stop and listen.
Chairs
OK, this is a weird one but in parks they don’t have benches, they have chairs. Everyone will pick up two chairs (one for their feet) and drag them to their perfect spot to relax for a few hours. It actually makes more sense because you can sit where you like.
It’s easy to get lost
Paris is like a labyrinth of narrow streets crisscrossing and winding and turning into different streets with no warning.
I recommend using Google Maps on your smart phone and dropping pins in all the places you want to go. You can then use GPS on your phone to track where you are. It’s all well and good having a map but they’re pretty useless if you don’t know where you actually are.
Paris is inspiring
There’s something about Paris that inspires me. It makes me want to get up early in the morning and explore. But it also makes me want to sit in the shade and write while I take in everything Parisian around me. It’s something about the mixture between being bustling yet relaxing that helps you to get stuff done.
Paris is romantic
I took a trip up to Montparnasse Tower last night. At 210 meters high it offers one of the best views in the city and at sunset it’s incredible. And romantic. Sickeningly romantic. I was surrounded by happy couples kissing and canoodling and muttering sweet nothings in each other’s ears.
This is the city of love so be prepared for in-your-face PDAs. (If you’re travelling alone, cover your eyes.)
The shopping
First of all, I never shop when I travel. I can shop in London, why would I want to shop when I’m somewhere new and exciting with so much to explore? But shopping in Paris is something else. Every shop window is like a magnet that pulls you back to drool over shoes and handbags and jewelry and clothes.
Don’t try and resist it, just prepare you credit card in advance.
Parisians aren’t rude
I know, surprising, right? I have no idea where the idea comes from that French people are rude but I can honestly say this couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone I’ve met so far has been lovely and people are courteous and patient in the street.
Paris is a city for night owls
If you think Paris is beautiful in the day, just wait for the night. The city changes as the sun sets and the Eiffel Tower lights up and puts on a twinkling display. Cool cafes turn into even cooler wine bars and candle lit restaurants appear on streets you hadn’t even noticed.
So. Many. Museums
Museum lovers will be in heaven in Paris. There are so many. (According to Wikipedia there are 153!)
The architecture
You won’t be surprised by this one when I say the buildings are beautiful. I love the way many of the buildings are white so the city feels brighter and cleaner than London where everything is grey and dull. I think it helped that it was beautifully sunny while I was in Paris and, let’s face it, everywhere looks stunning when the sun is out. Even everyday buildings are stunning and it feels like a lot of thought and effort has been put into each one.