How to visit Paris and avoid the crowds

Louvre

The Louvre is open late usually every Friday. This is the best time to go, towards the end of the day around 5-9 pm.  Buy tickets early. Museum is massive, plan for at least 3 hours which is considered an “express” visit. List down the main things you want to see. Get a map when you get there and sit down and mark what you want to see. You will get lost, but that’s part of the fun. Some useful youtube videos linked below.

Don’t join the large queue by the pyramids, there’s a second entrance on the far side near the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Go down the stairs and through the shopping mall.

Montmarte

Don’t go up the front steps of Sacre Coeur, start from the backside of the hill, somewhere near Buste de Dalida. Montmartre is the quintessential Paris that we have in mind, with the little shops and cobble stone streets with French artists. Please see my walking video on YouTube.

Eiffel Tower

Best views in order, purely my subjective opinion

1. River Seine cruise: not too expensive. Ask if passing Eiffel Tower while sparkling if that’s what you’re into.

2. Metro Line 6 on Bir Hakem from Passy to Bir Hakeim, go down to Bir Hakeim bridge, not crowded at all

3. Montparnasse Tower 

Good spots but FULL of Instagrammers

1. Trocadero, go early morning to avoid crowds

2. Port Debilly

3. Rue de l'Université

4. 2 Av. de Camoens

If you want to go up the Eiffel Tower, you should book your tickets several weeks in advance from the official website. The best time to go is before sunset and then wait for the city lights to come on.  If you have time, wait for the Eiffel tower to sparkle.

All the major cities were exceptionally crowded in 2023, bring lots of ZEN. Also Paris is a large city, we liked staying in Le Marais in the 3rd arrondissement, it's more central, good food in Rue de Rosiers, and 11th arrondissement. The best way to have the French speak English is to speak to them in French first. Bonjour, perdon, parlez vous Anglais, l’addition sil vou plait. Get croissants from the boulangerie, they are made in house, I miss my morning croissants!!!

How to visit the Louvre in 3 hours

Walking Videos