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The biggest challenge on a first visit to Paris is what to see and do.
There are so many things to see in the City of Lights, how can you not see at least one?
You can't. You can't see everything in Paris.
Let's do it in a different way. If you are going to Paris for the first time, you need to have some essential experiences.
If you are going to visit Paris for the first time, it is advisable to sit in a Parisian cafe and watch the world go by.
If you want to recreate the era of Left Bank intellectuals, a few hours spent watching Paris-watching in a cafe is a must.
Which coffee shop? The city of Paris has over 1500.
You can start with the most famous ones.
Many cafés are restaurants and prices can change quickly. People watch at reasonable prices when you sit in the morning or afternoon.
The best way to get a sense of Paris is from the river that slices through it.
This is the best way to discover Paris for the first time even if you aren't much of a cruiser.
There are many of the city's best attractions along the water, including the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais, and the Musee d'Orsay.
If you want to go on a longer dinner cruise, there are many companies that offer it. Depending on the company, you can catch boats from multiple locations.
They are among the most popular, but not the only ones.
If you are traveling in the high season, make sure you get your tickets in advance, and confirm your departure point, because each company's boats leave from different wharves.
There is an organization into neighbourhoods in Paris. Some of these have numbers from 1 to 20 and others are better known by their names.
Montmartre is part of Paris even though it still feels like a village. The area has been photographed so many times that you will be familiar with some of the more popular corners.
There are a lot of walking tours of Montmartre and you can either take a tour or just wander.
You can visit the Sacré- Coeur Basilica, see the portrait painters on the Place du Tertre, or embrace the artistic vibe that has been part of Montmartre since the 19th century.
The Moulin Rouge is located at the foot of Montmartre and was the site of the French can-can invention.
Many of the museums in Paris have great reputations.
You will have to make difficult decisions when visiting Paris for the first time, because each offers different things.
You might think about it for the first time.
One of the more unusual museums in Paris is the Museum of Counterfeiting, or the Arts et Métiers for industry and inventions, both of which are small.
It is possible to eat your way through Paris for a year and still not taste everything, but there are some things you have to try at least once.
Breakfast in Paris is usually a slice of baguette with butter and jam spread lightly on top, but you need to grab a coffee and a delicious croissant at least once. Parisians stand in line at boulangeries.
It's possible to have lunch in a restaurant, but why not save that for dinner and do something different in the afternoon?
A very Parisian experience is to grab the makings of a picnic from a grocery store or food market and eat it on the river. There are a lot of Parisians grabbing a few rays of sunshine, with their jambon-beurre filled with butter and ham.
You can bring a bottle of wine with you to your picnic but beware, the rules are getting more strict and glass bottles are no longer allowed.
You can eat a thin French pancake with a filling of cheese, ham, or mushrooms, followed by a sweet one with fruit or jam for dessert at a crperie.
You can find ice cream cones in Paris.
If you don't know much about Paris, a food walking tour is a great way to get a feel for the city.
The Catacombs of Paris are interesting and full of surprises.
If you go to the famous tombs of Jim Morrison or Edith Piaf, you will see that Paris has a good relationship with its dead.
Back to the catames. The history of Paris is etched into the tunnels, even though they are wallpapered with skulls and bones.
The first bones were transported to the ossuary in 1786 and this would continue for nearly a century.
Many unauthorized parties have taken place in the catacombs' hidden corners, but the feeling is more cool and quiet than death.
Even if it's your first visit to Paris, seeing something unusual should be part of the experience.
Do you have any other tips for first-timers to Paris?
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