My Unfiltered Thoughts On Visiting Paris As An American
These are my unfiltered thoughts about visiting Paris as an American. These are just a few of my observations after spending time in Paris over the last few years.
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Interaction with the police if you're Black or Latino : there is casual racism like everywhere unfortunately; but they will not suppose you're a criminal because you're not white. Enjoy some equivalent of white privilege : you're Black Americans, which to the locals is JUST Americans, whatever your colour.
Two things to finish :
Try to do nothing when you're in Paris. Take an afternoon off, sit in a café far from the tourist sites (try the 11th or 10th arrondissement) and just let the town drift by you.
Parisians don't suffer too much from tourists. The crowds are mainly in the same tourist spots, where we seldom go. And the tourists we see in our neigbourhoods have made the effort to get off the beaten tracks and come see what our life is like. So we rather like them for it.
Don’t expect things to be the same as they are at home. Just accept that Paris is the center of the universe and go from there.
Camden, I’m a local. I can give you some info. HMU, I would be happy to help you.
Hey Cameron. I enjoy your videos and appreciate both your humility and transparency. I noticed this here and in your Nice video as well. It seems like you have a romanticized notion in your mind about how these places are. I've lived in Paris for many many years and it is a big city with an incredible history. Most of us hardly make it to the tourist sites frequently… we see it differently than a tourist does. In any case, as a 140 country traveler, you're just at the beginning of your travels and that's a wonderful thing. Keep your eyes open, take it all in. Feel the discomfort, both when you go abroad and when you go home… because you will feel that. Travel is beautiful- and also a challenge. Which is also what makes it so rewarding.
Poverty in the streets? Have you ever visited Los Angeles? San Francisco?
I went to France a long time ago, and was really impressed. I speak a little French, and people were always kind. It is a beautiful country with a lot of diversity. There are problems and prejudices, just like in the States. The history, music, arts, Opera-Ballet, food are outstanding. I would always say: visit, but take your time, and give it time. Bring a reasonable amount of money, and dress-groom respectably. I liked your travel response, and will follow your posts. Always say Bon Jour, when you enter a store. Curb your loudness. Accept the business-restaurant hours, and meal style. Get used to walking more.
I'm overall very surprised that most Westerners don't understand the concept of a "touristic area", which are very different from "locals' areas", that you distinguish saying "a difference between seeing the culture and living the culture".
But I'm also not surprised because, as a world traveler, I've often been flabergasted by the shocking ignorance Western tourists display back home of foreign cultures they visit aside of positive stereotypes and "what the ministry of tourism wants you to see".
I love Paris, but I stayed in the fashion district and ate at the local upscale restaurants. I bought starving artists’ paintings and learned some French prior to going . I am going back next spring.🥰
The gap between the affluent and the poor is just as, if not more, apparent in cities like San Francisco and New York.
Public transport: NYC is the exception. Everyone uses it.
Paris
I hated it the first time, loved it all the other times.
Like in any other place, go with the flow – not on the time you are use to. And yes learning 2-3 words french opens doors. And yes Ive seen english speaking people getting the cold shoulder, while a little french made them treat you as a regular costumer that has shopes/aten there for decades
Some michelin restaurants have a lunch offer. Most expensive museums have free days
If you stay more than 2 weeks, get local friends
As for the heavy police presence during the Olympic Games, yes, the number of police around the Olympic venues and Paris in general has increased _considerably_. Like never before, because the authorities are terrified of possible terrorist attacks. I think that explains why they seemed so willing to help: from what I saw, they don't have much work to do and it seems that they are way more relaxed that they could be in normal time (also, many of them probably come from outside Paris) 🙂 I think Parisian policemen usually have a way more stressful job to do on a daily basis when they are almost understaffed.
I am spending a month in Paris and I have found the Metro clean efficient and ontime. Food is fresh. French are friendly outside the tourist zones. Start with bonjour and the friendliness oozes. Start with English and you will be labeled as self centered tourist.
Paris is a city… if you dont like cities don’t come. It is not logical to compare suburban life to central city life….
If you want to have incredible food from every nation on the planet with incredible art, parks, and food then youll love it.
One more tip… if you want authenticity try arrondisements 10,11,12,3,19,20…
Great content…well told! I strongly agree with your observations. Having been to Paris many times, I am obviously a lover of the city and I can assure everyone, the good totally outweighs the bad. Nice job young man!
I visited Paris in 2018 because it was always on my bucket list. I didn’t have any high or unrealistic expectations. Being from NYC I already knew the downsides of city life, so I wasn’t starry eyed when I got there. Paris is absolutely beautiful and I loved it. What caught me off guard was the amount of people that I was able to communicate with in English. I always tried using a bit of French but most who I interacted with easily switched to English for my comfort. I thoroughly enjoyed just walking the city and observing the architecture, the boulevards, the parks and taking in the history. Everyone was kind and accommodating. I did encounter a lot of homelessness even on the Champs Elysees. It was nothing unexpected as, well I’m from NYC and have seen homelessness. Paris is one of the few cities I will visit more than once and never tire of it.
Hello again. Like your unfiltered vids! What you shared about Paris and London were pretty spot on for me. I've lived in Portugal for 5 years (I have EU passport) and am ready for a change. If you and your wife/gf wanted to move somewhere full-time, what would be your top 3 choices? THANKS!
It would have been useful to know what part of Paris you are staying in. It makes a lot of difference. I consider the center of the city to be the tourist ghetto, and we have a much better (and cheaper) life in the outer arrondissementss;
Attention spans are getting shorter and shorter. I recommend getting to the point on your video.
From a local :
Paris is glamorised when it is in fact a dump thousands of people dream to leave.
Thing is……most of the country’s jobs are in Paris
I visited Paris for the first time in November. It was never a bucket list destination for me. I was itching to go to Europe, and the trip just fell in my lap. I like to say that I fell in LIKE with Paris. I met up with a couple of YouTubers living in Paris, and those meetings were highlights. I watched a ton of videos, read books, and researched, and I had realistic expectations of the city. I knew to plan lightly and wanted to experience the city more like a local. I had some challenges and learned what I would do differently. There is so much more that I want to experience in Paris so I knew I wanted to return for a bit of a do-over. The first trip paved the way for the possibility of falling in LOVE with the city.
What is very often a bit disappointing with too many "american" tourists (and other tourists) is that they only come for the "great monuments", "the great food", "the great beauty of the city"… never for the "great popular culture", "the great French language"…
In a sense I prefer someone living at the other end of the world who has a deep love for the French language, culture and history but cannot afford the travel and never set foot in France…
That's just a personal view on a trend of "tourism without real interest in the local language and culture"
I moved to Paris about 6 months ago after living in Bordeaux (which you should really visit if you haven't), Zürich and Helsinki. At first I was a bit disoriented, but after a few months I understood that it was due to it being a huge city (10 mil. Metro area) and I started feeling the flow of the city. Now I find it amazing and unparalleled, and in many areas I feel like no city in the world even comes close. And it keeps making huge leaps towards improving quality of life and being a world leader on terms of public spaces, urbanism, transportation, … Paris has everything
If you follow some golden courtesy rules, you will love it:
1. Always always say bonjour when entering any shop, bakery, grocery, anywhere. It is more the greeting than what language you say it in that matters.
2. Never ever seat yourself in a restaurant, especially on a terrace. Wait for the host, say bonjour and he will seat you. It is a sin to just seat yourself and they wont be too pleased.
3. In France, waiters are supposed to leave you unbothered once you ordered and served instead of coming all the time to check on you (so exact opposite of US) because they don't want you to feel pressured, rushed or interrupt your art of doing nothing/enjoying life that is the french philosophy. If you need them, flag them saying 'monsieur' or 'madame' (not garçon!). Americans think they are being snubbed when in fact the waiter is paying respect but not bothering you.
4. Enjoy the art of flanner, just slow relaxing walking, picknicking or reading in all the beautiful parks the city has.
5. Always stand on the right hand of electric stairs in metros and shops, as the left side is left free for those in a rush who walk up.
6. Don't stop exactly at the top of the stairs of metros to check your map, blocking everyone behind you. Just walk a little further and to the side. Some goes for families/groups: dont all walk slowly or stop while all being side be side blocking the entire sideway. Be mindful ppl are trying to go to their jobs, etc and leave some space so ppl can pass. I see tourists do this all the time.
7. Download the RAPT, the official public transport app which will tell you exactly what metro, connections and even which exits to get to go anywhere. It will make using the metro, trams and buses a breeze.
8. Pages like sortir à paris and paris je t'aime, etc have daily agendas of all the shows, museum expos, events, open air cinema, music concerts, parcs, etc. Essentially a list of 'what to do in paris today' including sections of the ones completely free. It is amazing just the amount of free culture there is.
9. Why pay for bad expensive hotel breakfast when you can buy a coffee and a fresh pastry,.sandwich, bread at the local bakery and sit on a bench or park and just enjoy the start of your day taking in the sights and relaxing…and far far cheaper. An entire baguette is 1.20 euros. A.hotel breakfast with cheap cold ham will cost you 15-20 euros. 🤷♀️
10. Go to a few neighborhood (not big chain) old cinemas to discover really unique movies from all over the world you will probably never find anywhere else. I've seen some gems this last long stay in Paris (Le Moine et le Fusil is👌 and still in cinemas right now).
11. Again, the parks. So many beautiful parcs to discover and relax. Take a small blanquet, a good book, a nice jambon beurre sandwich and just spend a few splendid hours a day (jardin des plantes, parc monceau, montsouris, serres d'auteuil, bois de boulogne, tuileries, luxembourg, buttes, etc.)
I love Paris! ❤
You seem like a nice guy. I enjoyed your video. Here are some comments that come to mind. Quality of life is not the best in Paris. Constant noise, demonstrations all the time, terrible decisions made by the mayor… I’d like to know where you find excellent food and drink for 30€. The police are very polite and respectful in general, and it’s not because you’re white. They treat people the same way they are treated. Paris is like New York regarding the homeless. But please know there is a middle class in the city, which is much less common than in Manhattan. This is positive. I think Americans should try to be less loud, more discreet in their interactions when traveling. Try not to impose their habits on others and curb their enthusiasm. It is always a good idea to say hello or bonjour when interacting with someone. It’s considered rude otherwise. I suggest you travel to other French cities in the North and East, you will have a great time. ❤
"Don't have an agenda" Yes Camden! So true! Wander in Paris! Get lost! You will never regret it. If you don't behave like a tourist, you become a Parisian. Paris is THE multicultural city, along with NYC. People from all over the world leave in Paris. They are Parisians. A "native" Parisian is the opposite of a clannish person. I was born, raised and lived in Paris all my life, except three years in Ireland, my other country of heart. I know probably as many "non native" than native French people. To become a Parisian, you only have one thing to do: decide to be one!
I enjoyed your review, Camden. Very enthousiastic and positive, and generous with Paris. One little downside though: the amicable Police… well, only if your skin colour belongs to the right spectrum… Cheers.
An American in Paris!
Very clever and honest. 👌
A Parisian
16:12 There are now a lot of new metro cars, with AC, screens, USB plugs to charge your phone…
Yessss: "Carpe diem".
I’ve been to Paris a handful of times. My favorite times there are just walking and walking and taking in the whole experience. The culture smacks you in the face and it’s wonderful. Walking through Pere Lachaise and just meandering is heaven. There’s no better city in the world to just sit in a cafe, linger and people watch.
I agreed with everything you said. Well thought out and nicely summarized.
I'm from Paris, although I've lived abroad for decades, and this has allowed me to pay more attention to things that French people take for granted but that are not obvious for foreigners.
Greeting in French with a "bonjour" is not just about making an effort to speak French, I mean some people cannot speak French and it's fine, it's the act of greeting that matters, and it applies to everyone. So if you are really unable to learn to word "bonjour", you'd still have to say "Hello" (followed by "sorry I cannot speak French" may help), but the point is that you are greeting the person. You can't start talking to a stranger without a bonjour/hello first thing, be it at the cashier, at a stand for street food, asking for directions, not even a "excusez-moi" will do.
Until the bonjour/hello, the person doesn't acknowledge you, they don't owe you their attention, and it's rude to invade their space by talking (even if it's friendly, even if it's small talk). With bonjour, you establish contact, and they reply back with a bonjour to signifie that they approve your request, and can give you their attention. From then on you can say whatever you like.
This also applies when entering a shop, bakery, you say bonjour to the owner or shop assistant. You are in their space, it's their shop. You make yourself known with a bonjour and they reply back, it means that they acknowledge your presence and you have mutual respect.
I visited for 6 days in May and loved it. I’m an architectural historian, love food and speak French, so those may have something to do with that, but I did also educate myself on things, culturally speaking.
The problem with Paris in the movies is they show empty streets and play Parisian music. It’s idilic. When you are here it’s not like that. It’s crowded. People are loud and pushy. The sirens are constant. The people who live here are hardened because they work all the time so they can afford to live here. Today’s our last day in Paris and we did see the sights. I’m glad to check this city off my list finally.
A few nights ago, we planned to sit in the park and wait until dark to watch the Eiffel tower light up.
Instead, the entire park was boarded up and we had to sit with the crowds at the base of it. Venders were in our face every 20 seconds trying to sell us wine, beer, or trinkets. We said no a hundred times but they kept coming back! No peace in this city.
Dude where did you go in Paris and how rich are you? 25-30 euros per person per meal is EXPENSIVE in europe. Most french people arent going to pay that much for foods even if they have the money. Paris is expensive, for the french and most european, but maybe cheap for an american with american salaries.
But talking about homelessness, I think Paris is OK compared to London. And EXTREMELY OKAY compare to any major US cities like LA, SF, NYC, Chicago etc
Hey Camden, did you eat baguette and croissant everyday in Paris?😂
Paris is known every where to attract tourists. So it attracts people who think they can get things (money usually) from other person… It's sometimes almost the same in cities in the south of France, for instance Montpellier. Nice places don't only attract tourists.
Americans do not know how to travel and experience things. That is largely due to the fact Americans have so little time off. Travel slow and go to places unvisited. You will learn and experience so much more.
Love your honesty. Great tips. I have watched several Paris videos and you are the only one talking about the homelessness. Thank you for your honesty!!! I am a new subscriber now! You are the best!
hi Thank you for honest clear review…that what we need we are planning august 2025, We actually supposedly there July but due to olympics we postponed. love your detailed points.!!!!
Thank you. You come across as honest and sincere. That's a great delivery of information.
There is this thing called "Paris Syndome". For better or for worse, Paris is a very dirty city with some good sprinkled in with the bad. Personally, I like visiting Paris, but I can oly take it in moderation.