Stories from Paris
Long-form writing on Paris and the region beyond it — excursions, food culture, local life and the practicalities of travel around the French capital.
More stories
Can you do the Loire Valley in a day from Paris?
Can you drink tap water in Paris?
Can you use contactless on the Paris metro?
Can you visit Mont-Saint-Michel in a day from Paris?
Do people speak English in Paris?
Do you need cash in Paris?
Do you need ETIAS to visit Paris?
Do you need to book the Louvre in advance?
How far ahead to book Eiffel Tower tickets
How many days should you spend at Disneyland Paris?
How much to tip in Paris
The friendship bracelet scam near Sacré-Cœur, and other Paris scams to know
How to get a tax refund in Paris
How to get from Orly to Paris by metro line 14
How to order coffee in a Paris cafe
Is a Seine dinner cruise worth it?
Is Disneyland Paris worth it on a Paris trip?
Is Notre-Dame open to visitors?
Is Paris expensive?
Is Paris good for kids?
Is Paris safe at night?
Is Paris worth visiting in winter?
Is the Eiffel Tower worth climbing?
Is the Moulin Rouge worth it?
Is the Paris metro safe?
Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?
Is Versailles worth a day trip from Paris?
Notre-Dame after the fire
My honest Paris bucket list for a first visit
Where to catch sunrise in Paris for photos without crowds
Quiet corners of Paris away from the crowds
RER B or taxi from CDG airport
Souvenirs from Paris that are actually worth bringing home
The impressionists in Paris, from the Musée d'Orsay to Monet's garden in Giverny
The story of the Eiffel Tower
Things to know before visiting Paris
What day is the Louvre closed?
What is a Paris bouillon restaurant?
What is Paris like in August?
What to do in Paris on a Sunday
What to eat for breakfast in Paris
What to wear to the Moulin Rouge
When are Monet's gardens in Giverny open?
When are the Paris Christmas lights on?
When are the sales in Paris?
When do the Versailles fountains run?
Who was Baron Haussmann?
Why Paris has 20 arrondissements (and why it matters for your trip)
Good to know about the Paris Spirit blog
The blog collects honest, first-hand accounts of what actually works in and around Paris — and what doesn’t. Expect notes on queue times at the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, whether a Seine dinner cruise lives up to its billing, how the pickpocket hotspots around metro line 1, RER B, and the crowds near the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Sacre-Coeur steps actually feel in practice, and common scams to watch for, from the friendship-bracelet approach at Sacre-Coeur to fake petitions and the found-ring trick.
Posts also cover longer excursions honestly: whether the Mont-Saint-Michel’s long travel time is worth it, how crowded Versailles gets on a summer weekend, and whether Giverny’s seasonal opening is worth timing a trip around. The goal throughout is the same as the rest of the site: name what’s overrated, flag what needs advance booking, and say plainly when a trip is too long for a single day.
Frequently asked questions about the Paris Spirit blog
Where are pickpockets most active in Paris?
Crowded spots like metro line 1, RER B, and the areas around the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Sacre-Coeur steps.
What is the friendship-bracelet scam?
A common trick near Sacre-Coeur where someone ties a bracelet onto your wrist and then demands payment; it’s best avoided entirely.
Are Seine dinner cruises worth it based on blog reviews?
Experiences vary, so posts weigh the view and atmosphere against the price and food quality rather than giving a blanket yes.
Does the blog recommend the Mont-Saint-Michel day trip?
It depends on your stay length; posts are candid that the travel time is long and only suits travelers with a spare full day.
What scams besides the bracelet trick should I know about?
Fake petitions, the found-gold-ring trick, and the shell game (bonneteau) played on bridges are all documented recurring scams.
Louvre, Orsay and Paris museum tours on GetYourGuide
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