If your debating whether to take a trip to Paris , an expert claims there are a number of things "no-one tells you" about the City of Love that may help sway your decision. Tonya Bullock of Crossroads Travel Agency, who has visited the French capital on eight occasions, took to TikTok to share her advice.
She began by pointing out that whilst Parisian shops and restaurants take card payments, you should still take Euros in cash "just in case". Tonya added that unlike some countries, tipping is optional as a service charge is usually included in the cost within a bill.
No doubt if you are heading to Paris, you will be keen to snap up some authentic French breads and pastries - and if that's the case, Tonya suggests avoiding any "Instagram hype" and instead look for local, independent boulangeries.
When it comes to the city's many museums, meanwhile, Tonya advised that entry to these is free of charge on the first Sunday of every month, whilst EU residents under the age of 26 can take advantage of not having to pay whatsoever. "Many museums offer evening hours - smaller crowds and magical light," she added.
Of course Paris' most famous sight and attraction is the Eifel Tower - another "magical" experience Tonya suggests, advising that it "sparkles every hour after sunset - but only for five minutes".
As an alternative, however, Tonya recommends visiting the "less crowded" Notre Dame Cathedral towers or those of Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre to get that perfect city view.
In addition, you take in the cityscape free of charge from the rooftop at Galeries Lafayette - an upmarket department store found on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.
As for the Arc de Triomphe monument, meanwhile, the expert urges visitors to "use the walkway tunnel" and avoid trying to cross the Champs-Élysées avenue street.
More tourism tips followed in the form of Louvre Museum - where queues can be "skipped" should you use the "lesser-known" Carrousel entrance underground, according to Tonya.
When dining out, meanwhile, she has a simple suggestion to save you more money. "Water is free in most restaurants and cafes," she said. "As for 'une carafe d'eau' [a carafe of water]'."
However, she continued: "Coffee culture is different - espresso is standard, whereas cappuccinos are "mostly for tourists". And when it comes to your meal, you are better off dining inside any restaurant as outside seats tend to be "pricier".
Writing in response, one TikTok user sought further advice from Tonya, asking: "What is the best thing to carry your money/ID/ cards to prevent pickpocketing?"
To which she revealed: "The biggest thing is try to keep items on your front! NEVER wear your backpack on back or have a basic purse on shoulder. Keep things out of your back pockets too."
Whilst a second person asked: "How do I tell who are locals? I’m totally clueless. I’ve seen multiple posts saying they dress to blend in and not stand out."
Tonya explained: "I’d say fashion is a big one. We always like to play a game while sitting outside at a brasserie to identify if the person walking in front of us was Parisian or an American tourist. Not hard and fast rules but: no shorts/capris no athleisure layers - scarves, blazers, heavy jackets, etc.
"Especially when temperatures start to get a little cooler it’s crazy how they bundle up. For where to eat, I’d avoid anything near a major tourist attraction - all the restaurants will mark up and not good. Find a boulangerie off the beaten path that is literally just a counter - the best ones will typically be busy in the morning and mostly speaking in French."
