American travel expert Raimee has revealed her seven top tips when visiting a popular romantic European city. She shared this information in a TikTok video
A seasoned travel guru has revealed her seven top trips for visiting a popular romantic city in Europe.
Raimee, uses her online platforms to offer advice for those wanting to “travel smarter and for less”, having travelled to more than 40 countries herself. She uploaded a TikTok clip dishing out the insider knowledge she’s gathered on Paris.
After visiting Paris ten times now, she’s compiled a crucial list for anyone eyeing up a trip to the city, especially considering her initial loathing for the city turned to adoration over time. Opening her video, she said: “I desperately wish I knew these things before my first trip to Paris because I hated it. Now I actually love it after visiting over ten times so here’s what you need to know!”.
1. Take a secret entrance to the Louvre
She tips off: “First: To avoid the crazy lines at the Louvre take one of the many secret entrances, not the main pyramid. My favourite is the one through the subway.”
Raimee goes on to say: “Take Metro Line 1 or 7 to this stop (Le Carrousel de Louvre) and you can enter the Louvre from underground.” She even shared a visual aid in her TikTok post, revealing a map with alternative entries to the museum such as Porte des Lions, Passage Richelieu, and Palais Royal.
2. Pick the right Metro card zone
The travel expert further clarified that when purchasing a Metro card for public transport in Paris, you’ll be asked to select your desired travel zone. Most travellers will only require access to Zone 1, which covers central Paris and includes landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Galeries Lafayette.
3. Be prepared for strange reactions when you request oat/almond milk
In terms of dietary preferences, Raimee advised being ready for some strange reactions if you request oat or almond milk for your coffee in Paris. She amusingly recalled: “I asked one cafe what kind of milk they had and they said ‘cow’ and I thought that was pretty funny.”
She noted that while alternative milks are becoming more prevalent, you might find, like her, that regular milk doesn’t upset your stomach in Europe. Medium revealed that eight out of the ten countries with the lowest lactose intolerance rates are European.
The United States didn’t make the cut, as Americans are “less likely to possess the gene that processes lactose” and there are notable differences in milk production between America and Europe.
4. Don’t wait in line for the Shakespeare and Company bookshop
Next, Raimee advised against queuing for the Shakespeare and Company bookshop. While acknowledging it as “a cool bookstore”, she doesn’t believe it’s worth enduring a lengthy wait.
In the comment section of TikTok video, Raimee revealed that her last four visits to the shop were marred by overcrowding, leading her to question whether it’s “worth it to be crammed in there.” Shakespeare and Company is an English-language bookshop nestled in the heart of Paris, perched on the banks of the River Seine and opposite Notre-Dame.
Since its doors first opened in 1951, it has served as a hub for anglophone writers and readers, earning its stripes as a Left Bank literary institution, according to the official website. The bookshop, housed in a 17th-century building, limits the number of customers allowed inside at any given time. Although queues can form during peak times, the website assures they “generally move quickly.”
5. Dine at restaurants away from major nearby tourist sites
Avoid dining near major tourist attractions. She suggests walking five to ten blocks away from such sites before settling down for a meal, promising the food will be “better and cheaper.”
6. Have a picnic by the River Seine like the locals
She encourages visitors to embrace the local way of life: “The best way to have a good time in Paris is to do as the locals do, have a little picnic by the Seine. Go to a local market and grab some cheese, a cheap bottle of wine and a baguette and just lounge around and people watch.”
Devour has compiled a blog post on how to dine like a true Parisian. They suggest indulging in an apéro, an “early evening bite” typically enjoyed with beer or wine.
This social event often takes place at someone’s home but can also be held in public spaces, such as along the Seine.
7. View the Eiffel Tower from the second floor
If you’re planning a trip to the Eiffel Tower, Raimee suggests that the “view from the second level is much better than the view from the third” (the very top). The Eiffel Tower comprises three floors: the first floor, second floor and top.
According to the Tour Eiffel website, the upper level of second floor offers the most unobstructed view and houses the Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Jules Verne. Raimee’s TikTok video offering these tips has garnered an impressive 3.6 million views, 296,600 likes and over 700 comments.
One viewer enthused: “Love these tips! I just went to Paris in May. I loved it!”
A Paris resident chimed in: “I’ve been living in Paris for 3 years and I must say, you gave pretty good advice!”
Another user shared their experience, saying: “Great tips! I was so disappointed when we went. I had such high expectations my whole life and it was a let down. I’m excited to go back and try again though.”