A traveller who describes herself as a former ‘certified Paris hater’ has posted a tips video to help tourists fall in love with the French capital – just as she has done.
The video is entitled ‘Things I wish I knew before going to Paris (I hated my first visit)’ and was posted by Raimee Iacofano (@raimeetravel), from Michigan, to TikTok, where to date it has garnered 256,000 likes.
In the clip, the 30-year-old explains first of all that there are multiple entrances to the Louvre that can help tourists avoid the ‘crazy lines’ at the gallery’s Pyramid entrance.
The experienced traveller also advises tourists to be careful when they buy their metro ticket.
She notes that visitors are asked which zone they want to travel through and remarks that most will only need a ticket for Zone 1, where the main tourist attractions are.
As the clip plays, Raimee warns tourists they need ‘to be prepared to get strange looks’ if they ask for oat or almond milk in their coffee. She recalls: ‘I asked one cafe what type of milk they had and they said “cow”.’ However, she adds that she’s found ‘regular milk’ doesn’t ‘actually upset her stomach’ in Europe.
It might be popular, but Raimee advises giving the city’s famous Shakespeare and Co bookshop a miss, explaining ‘it is a cool bookstore’, but not one that’s worth enduring the long lines for.
When it comes to eating out, Raimee recommends walking ‘five to 10 blocks away from any major tourist site’ to find ‘better and cheaper’ food, but also explains the ‘best way to have a good time in Paris’ is ‘to do as the locals do’. She advises going to a ‘local market’, ‘grabbing some cheese, a cheap bottle of wine and a baguette and just lounging around and people watching’.
Raimee Iacofano (pictured above in Paris) describes herself as a former ‘certified Paris hater’ – and has posted a tips video to help tourists fall in love with the French capital
Raimee’s video is entitled ‘Things I wish I knew before going to Paris (I hated my first visit)’. To date it has garnered 256,000 likes
Finally, for any tourists visiting the Eiffel Tower, the traveller says she thinks the view from the second level ‘is much better’ than the view from the third level.
Raimee explained separately to MailOnline Travel that part of the reason for her initial dislike of Paris was having high expectations.
She said: ‘I had subconscious high expectations about Paris before I visited for the first time. For our entire lives, we’re told Paris is this magical city of love, delicious food, art and history.
‘And while it is definitely all of those things, I made the mistake of only visiting the super-touristic sights of Paris on my first trip there.
‘I found myself shoving through crowds, saying no to scams constantly, and eating overpriced food that simply wasn’t good. I remember feeling like I was at an amusement park and I swore I would never return. I was a certified Paris hater.’
How did it win her over in the end?
She revealed: ‘Fate brought me back to Paris for a month-long work trip and I had no choice but to give the city another chance. This time around, I spent time in neighbourhoods outside of the touristic areas, met locals who showed me around, and got to experience what it might feel like to live in Paris.
‘That’s what won me over. I wasn’t checking off sights from a list. I was living the Parisian life away from the crowds, eating the best local food, and walking the beautiful streets to work every day. I finally understood why this is said to be one of the greatest cities in the world!’
The traveller recommends visitors ‘step outside the tourist trail even just a little’
Raimee (left and right) says: ‘I finally understand why this is said to be one of the greatest cities in the world!’ She thinks the view from the second level of the Eiffel Tower ‘is much better’ than the view from the third level
What are Raimee’s favourite things to do in Paris?
She said: ‘I love grabbing a baguette, cheese, and wine from a local market and going to have a picnic in a park or along the Seine. I also love strolling around the Canal St Martin and Montmartre neighbourhoods and just popping into any restaurant or store that looks cool.’
Raimee revealed that she loves to stay in Le Marais or Canal St Martin – and has some restaurant recommendations, too.
Raimee said: ‘I love Le Barav in Le Marais. Get the cheese and meat board and you can get a glass of wine for just €5 (£4.16/$5.39). When coming from the States, that’s a great deal.’
Does she find the locals welcoming? It’s a resounding ‘oui’.
‘Honestly, yes,’ said Raimee. ‘I’ve never had a truly bad experience with Parisians. I met many locals who were excited to show me around town, and a few who made fun of me for wanting oat milk with my lattes! I wouldn’t say I felt the most welcomed by Parisians compared to other cities or countries, but I still didn’t experience the “rudeness” people so often associate with the culture.’
What are the biggest mistakes tourists make when they come to Paris?
Raimee remarked: ‘I think when you have expectations for Paris, or any destination, that are too high, that’s a big mistake.
‘It’s best to go into an experience with neutral feelings and an open mind.
‘I also think if you only visit Paris to see the top sights, you’re not experiencing the true magic of the city that you’ll find in little alleyways and in the neighbourhoods outside of the central city. Step outside the tourist trail even just a little, and you’ll have a much better experience in the city.’
Sticking out like a sore thumb is another mistake.
Raimee added: ‘Be respectful. Don’t be loud. Try to blend in and do as the locals do! You’re in another culture and one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world. Make sure you respect it and its people.’
