13 Things That Surprised Us During Our First Week in Paris
A couple recently shared a detailed account of their six-day trip to Paris. Their itinerary looked organized on paper, but the real experience included surprises, small frustrations, and a lot of unexpected discoveries. Here are some of the things that stood out during their first week in the city.
Some medications require prescriptions in France
One of the first surprises happened on arrival day. They felt unwell after the flight and tried to find medicine at a pharmacy. Some common medications that are easy to buy in other countries require a prescription in France.
They had also not realized how difficult it can be to find an open pharmacy on a Sunday.
Jet lag can derail the first day
Their original plan included several landmarks after arriving in the morning. In reality, exhaustion, stomach issues from airplane food, and sinus pressure made it hard to follow the plan. A long lunch and several rest stops replaced part of the itinerary.
Paris involves far more walking than expected
By the second day they had already logged more than 25,000 steps. Even travelers who are used to walking may find the pace tiring after several days of sightseeing.
Walking along the Seine quickly becomes a favorite activity
They had planned one walk along the river on the first day. In reality, they returned to the Seine again and again during the trip because it was such an enjoyable way to move between neighborhoods.
Some markets and attractions close on specific days
They planned to visit the Marché couvert des Enfants Rouges but discovered it was closed that Monday. Checking opening days carefully became an important lesson for the rest of the trip.
The Eiffel Tower can impress even skeptical visitors
Even though they admitted they did not expect to care much about the Eiffel Tower, seeing it in person changed their mind immediately.
Museum fatigue is real
The Louvre was one of the highlights of the trip, but after hours inside they felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of art. By the time they reached the lower levels, they were too tired to keep concentrating.
The Mona Lisa still impresses visitors
Despite hearing many comments online that the Mona Lisa is overrated, they found the painting striking in person and worth seeing.
Montmartre is a mix of crowded and peaceful spots
The area around Sacré-Cœur was crowded and full of souvenir shops. But a short walk away, streets like Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Rue Lepic felt calm and enjoyable.
Cobblestone hills become slippery in rain
A rainy day in Montmartre made the steep streets tricky to walk. Good shoes with grip turned out to be essential.
Versailles takes much longer than expected
They planned a straightforward visit but ended up spending most of the day there. The palace, gardens, bike rides, Petit Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet filled the entire schedule.
Among everything they saw at Versailles, the quiet area around the Queen’s Hamlet stood out as their favorite part.
Stores stop letting customers in before closing time
They arrived at a Monoprix about ten minutes before closing and were refused entry. Some stores close their doors early to make sure everyone leaves before the official closing time.
Paris gardens close strictly at the end of the day
They tried to enter Luxembourg Garden in the evening but were already being asked to leave. Closing times are taken seriously.
Backup transport apps can save the day
On departure day they planned to reach the airport by train, but their station was closed. A last-minute G7 taxi ride solved the problem. Having a ride-hailing app installed turned out to be very helpful.
Paris delivered many of the experiences they hoped for, but also plenty of surprises. Some of those surprises ended up being the most memorable parts of the trip!