Since coming over to the UK, France was the one other country that I planned on visiting. I know some French after studying it for 4 years and plus it is such a quick trip from London to Paris on the Eurostar train (about two and half hours). When I told my UK friends about my plan they all rolled their eyes and told me I should go somewhere else. They exclaimed that Paris is not what it seems and that out of the European cities they’ve been to Paris was the worst. Yet I wouldn’t let them talk me out of going. How could it be that bad?
Le Montclair
My hostel and the french hostel breakfast with croissants and jams.
In Paris I stayed at the Le Montclair Hostel in the Montmartre neighborhood. Montmartre is known as the classic, bohemian part of Paris. Montmartre is known for the Sacre-Coeur church that sits at the highest point with a beautiful view over the city. After exploring Paris, Montmartre was by far the most interesting area.
Eiffel Tower
It was always so foggy in Paris that I rarely saw the top of the Eiffel Tower during my time there. It was kind of cool to see because it is such an iconic so much more massive in person. Yet I actually found the Peace Memorial by the tower far more interesting.
Unfortunately my memories of the Eiffel Tower aren’t great and I would never want to go near it again. There are all these guys that walk around the park with mini Eiffel Tower figuerines on giant rings that carry and shake trying to sell to visitors. I was sitting on a bench by the tower when two guys got right in my face shaking these rings speaking fast french as they tried to sell me the figurines. I ignored them and they only got more aggressive. I got up and walked closer to the tower when I passed a guy selling bracelets. He came up to me asking me if I’d want one and I say “no thanks”. Yet he grabbed me by the wrist and continued to ask if he could put one on me. So freaky!
Musee D’art Moderne
Welcome to Paris’s Modern Art Museum? I was shocked to see all the graffiti on it’s foyer along with dirty scattered mattress where the homeless slept.
After running away from the Eiffel Tower I crossed the River and went to the Musee D’art Moderne. Unfortunately their was some technical issue so only the special exhibition gallery was open. The exhibition featured sculptures by David Altmejd and this cheered me up tremendously. It was by far my favorite art I saw in Europe.
Montmartre
1)This graffiti style is all over the UK and Europe with kids dancing in confetti 2) Every subway car in Paris has graffiti like this on the seats
So if you are ever have to go to Paris, I’d recommend checking out Montmartre. It has a beautiful view over the city, galleries, nice shops and a square full or artists at work.
Stairs going down from Montmartre and the artist square
Shop in Montmartre
Although Montmartre is really lovely with cute shops and a lively, artsy atmosphere it is super touristy and kind of kitschy.
And as for my friends’ warnings about Paris . . . they were true. Out of the cities I’ve visited in Europe Paris was the worst. It was the only city with bad experiences and the only cone where I didn’t feel safe. I also wasn’t a fan of the notorious “grande boulevards;” they were too wide with too much pavement that took away from the cities potential beauty. And as far as knowing french, it didn’t help much. As soon as I began talking locals automatically knew I wasn’t french with my shitty accent and would often be rude in return. Although it was great to go to Paris to see what it is all about, I would never ever go back there or recommend anyone to go.