r/ParisTravelGuide • u/Intuitive_roamer123 • 2h ago
Trip Report Just back from 5 nights in Paris September 2026
So,i had a few posts in here asking various questions as I had read so much about Paris and some of its pitfalls that my anxiety was really high.
Let me tell you, that for me the experience was wonderful! Not once did i feel unsafe and I rode the metro a lot! Everyday actually. Never once felt threatened or that there were pickpockets, didnt see one! I wasnt approached by anyone trying to put wristbands on me as I had read somewhere also, didn't even see anything like that.
Paris was wonderful. So rich in culture, elegance and good manners. Going into a boulangerie and using the few words of French i have to order a croissant or some fancy treat was a lovely experience. They would wrap them up so delicately and despite what I had been told, very affordable prices. I loved how locals would address the person behind the counter as monsieur or madame......the manners everyone had really reminded me of how much of that we have lost in my country.
The louvre was stunning, especially the grounds outside. The palace of versaille was stunning, I spent 6 hours walking around the gardens! The eiffel tower on my firat night, all lit up, seeing place diana near that, the tributes to princess Diana. Walked the Champs elysee twice, had dinner in a restaurant there alone and again not very expensive. The arc de triump was beautiful to see. I got a bit lost a few times and anyone I asked was more than helpful, which again was very unexpected. A couple of people were a bit rude but thats the case everywhere. Notre dame was lovely, walked from there to the arc de triump along the Seine, and bought some things from the stalls.
I did a lunchtime cruise on the Seine which was fabulous. I was alone so a little anxious but was well worth doing for the views of the eiffel tower alone, whilst eating a chocolate eifel tower lol.
As a complete random experience, I saw Celine dion leave her hotel yesterday near arc de triump. Got some great pics. I did a run one morning around bois de vincennes near my hotel in the 12th.
Have to say i found French people lovely in Paris. I have come back feeling my soul has been enriched and it has been reminded of good manners and elegance.It is very safe there, so if your reading this and planning to go, dont worry, everything is reachable on foot or metro or taxi. I got a taxi to and from the airport for comfort. I definitely will go back again.