My husband and I returned from Paris on Wednesday and here are some thoughts...
Pre-booking the Eiffel Tower – don’t do it if your trip is in the winter. We pre-booked online our time to ascend to all three stages but due to climate they closed the top level.
Weather. This trip was my 40th birthday trip. I’m considering doing like the Queen and having an “official birthday” later in the spring. It was unseasonably cold, especially on day one and three. It did cut into the enjoyment of the trip. Although I have to say sitting down to a meal of pot au feu or cassoulet after a long day in the cold is quite nice! I would have to really think about going to Europe in February again. It didn’t keep the crowds away either. It was winter break not only for kids but apparently for lots of adults as well and some places were overrun by tourists from Spain and elsewhere in France. We didn’t run into very many North Americans. I’ve now travelled in various parts of Europe in February, June, July, October, and December. October was probably the best time in our opinion, with June being a close second.
Parisian attitude. What attitude? Almost everyone was exceedingly helpful and polite. We were even told by a cheerful waiter that we were good customers and he gave us each a complimentary cognac. The man at the ticket wicket at Montparnasse went out of his way to make sure we knew how to get the train for Chartres.
Language. Much to my dismay I butchered that language everywhere I went, but it didn’t seem to bother anyone. I was quite disappointed as I studied French from age 11 all the way through high school, and then started again with night classes for adults a few years ago. Technically I can apply to stand a test to be declared “bilingual” but it seems ridiculous, I was pathetic. My husband says I was just too nervous about making mistakes and that with confidence I could have done better.
Thanks for reading!