A traveler 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 like she did.
The video is titled ‘Things I wish I knew before I went to Paris (I hated my first visit)’ and was posted by Raimee Iacofano (@raimeetravel), of Michiganon TikTokwhere it has received 256,000 likes to date.
In the clip, the 30-year-old first explains that there are several entrances to the Louvre that can help tourists avoid the ‘crazy lines’ at the gallery’s Pyramid entrance.
The experienced traveler also advises tourists to be careful when buying their metro ticket.
She notes that visitors are asked which zone they wish to travel through and notes that most will only need a ticket for Zone 1, where the main tourist attractions are.
Like the play clipRaimee warns tourists 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 has found that ‘regular milk’ doesn’t ‘actually upset her stomach’ in Europe.
It may be popular, but Raimee recommends giving the city’s famous Shakespeare and Co bookshop a miss, explaining ‘it’s a nice bookshop’, but not one worth enduring the long queues for.
When it comes to eating out, Raimee recommends ‘walking five to 10 blocks 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 recommends going to a ‘local market’, ‘grabbing cheese, a cheap bottle of wine and a baguette and just walking 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 titled ‘Things I wish I knew before I went to Paris (I hated my first visit)’. To date, it has received 256,000 likes
Finally, for any tourists visiting the Eiffel Tower, the traveler says she thinks the view from the second level ‘is much better’ than the view from the third level.
Separately, Raimee explained to MailOnline Travel that part of the reason for her initial dislike of Paris was high expectations.
She said: ‘I had subconsciously high expectations about Paris before I first visited. All our lives we are told that Paris is this magical city of love, delicious food, art and history.
‘And while it’s certainly all of those things, I made the mistake of first visiting the super-touristy sights of Paris on my first trip there.
‘I found myself pushing through crowds, constantly saying no to scams, and eating overpriced food that just 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 I spent time in neighborhoods outside the tourist 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 didn’t check attractions off a list. I lived the Parisian life away from the crowd, eating the best local food and walking the beautiful streets to work every day. I finally understood why it is said to be one of the greatest cities in the world!’
The traveler recommends that visitors ‘step even just a little off the tourist trail’
Raimee (left and right) says: ‘I finally understand why it 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 favorite things to do in Paris?
She said: ‘I like to grab a baguette, cheese and wine from a local market and have a picnic in a park or by the Seine. I also like to walk around the Canal St Martin and Montmartre neighborhoods and just pop into any restaurant or shop that looks cool.’
Raimee revealed that she likes to stay in Le Marais or Canal St Martin – and also has some restaurant recommendations.
Raimee said: ‘I love The Barav in Le Marais. Get the cheese and meat platter and you can get a glass of wine for just €5 (£4.16/$5.39). If you come from the States, that’s a lot.’
Does she find the locals welcoming? It is a sonorous ‘oui’.
“Honestly, yes,” Raimee said. ‘I’ve never had a really bad experience with Parisians. I met many locals who were excited to show me around the city, and a few who made fun of me for wanting oat milk with my lattes! I wouldn’t say that I felt the most welcomed by Parisians compared to other cities or countries, but I still didn’t experience the “rudeness” that people so often associate with the culture.’
What are the biggest mistakes tourists make when they come to Paris?
Raimee commented: ‘I think when you set expectations for Paris, or any destination, that are too high, it’s a big mistake.
‘It is best to go into an experience with neutral feelings and an open mind.
‘I also think that if you visit Paris only to see the top attractions, you are not experiencing the true magic of the city that you will find in small alleys and in the neighborhoods outside the central city. Step even just a little off the tourist trail, 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 are in a different culture and one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world. Make sure you respect it and its people.’
