The Olympics are upon Paris, and whether you’re visiting just before, during, or after, some things are going to be a little different.
If you haven’t already booked, prices are going to be sky-high–during the event in particular. But even in the weeks before and after, you can expect a surge of tourists hoping to avoid the Olympics and Paralympics. It’s best to anticipate summer prices soaring across the board.
It’s also going to be incredibly busy and, with so many individual events taking place around the city, there’s no telling what that will do to public transport and other ways of getting around. Picking a strategic location for your accommodation might be worth the extra cash in this case. Make sure to check out developments in the city in regard to trains, roads, and public access.
And, it should go without saying, make reservations at any restaurants you’re keen on trying out or you’ll wind up disappointed.
Give the Tourist Districts a Wide Berth When Food Finding
Paris is extremely touristy. If you’ve traveled anywhere on that spectrum, you’ll understand that means many things, and they’re usually not good for you.
That doesn’t mean you avoid tourist attractions–quite the opposite. You should see and do all the city has the offer. But you should be wary of nearby restaurants and bars. As they have a constant stream of tourists, the prices are sky-high, and the quality is rock bottom.
As a general rule of thumb, embrace the three-block rule. If you’re at the Eiffel Tower and don’t feel like rummaging through Trip Advisor reviews to find somewhere, take a little walk at least three blocks, and you’ll discover things level out. With the Olympics on, it’s even more important to take this advice.
That’s not to say there aren’t any good places near tourist attractions. Just do your research to avoid disappointment.
Essential Dos and Don’ts
Parisians are known to be a little…colder than we’re used to. Don’t mistake them for being bad people. They just have certain expectations that aren’t hard to follow as tourists. Here are some basics for dealing with day-to-day experiences
- Do learn a little French. This is the difference between a pleasant server and one that can’t wait to get rid of you. Bonjour, s’il vous-plait, merci. Learn a few more if you’re brave.
- Don’t get annoyed at what seems like a lack of service. The rest of the world’s restaurants aren’t as relentless as US eateries. You’ll need to ask for more water and wave someone down for the check.
- Do book ahead at restaurants. They fill up fast.
- Don’t tip needlessly. Adding 20% as you do back home won’t get you better service. They’re paid well.