Paris is an incredible city that everyone dreams of seeing! The French capital has so much interesting stuff, but unfortunately, there are many people who want to enjoy the city's atmosphere and local attractions. Every year, millions of tourists from around the world visit Paris. Therefore, when planning a weekend trip to France's capital, don't expect to wander its picturesque boulevards, palaces, and museums all by yourself.
In the world's most romantic city, tourists everywhere are chased by queues, with some top sights, such as the Louvre, gathering hundreds at its doors who wish to see the immortal creations of artists.
But what to do if your trip time is limited and you don't want to spend it waiting in endless queues? We've prepared several effective tips that will help you plan your trip properly and see all the iconic attractions of Paris without being stuck in long lines
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower in Paris has been an enduring symbol of the city for more than 130 years. When a three hundred meters high metal structure appeared in the center of the French capital in 1887, the locals were outraged and found the tower unattractive. Over time, the views of the city residents, the French, and guests of the city have fundamentally changed, and today the Eiffel Tower is rightfully considered a remarkable creation of humanity. It is the most romantic place in the world. Millions of lovers dream of visiting here with their significant others and declaring their love at the observation deck.
The buzz around the Eiffel Tower affects its visitation and results in constant queues. The first rule of visiting the tower is to calculate the optimal time to visit. The largest crowd is observed during the warm season from April to August. During this period, you might wait in line for up to two hours. There are significantly fewer visitors in the autumn-winter season, except for the New Year holidays and Valentine's Day.
However, the tower is never empty, so it's best to buy tickets online. The order is placed on the official website of the attraction. It's worth taking care of online purchase in advance because tickets are sold out a month ahead. Moreover, you need to know the exact dates of your stay in the city before ordering because the online ticket specifies both the day and the time of your visit to the tower. There is a separate queue for tourists with online tickets near the elevators. It's significantly shorter than other queues. Thus, you can get to the observation deck within twenty to thirty minutes. Agree, it is a considerable time saving.
flickr / Francesco
The Louvre Museum
The Louvre is no less popular than the Eiffel Tower. Inside its walls, it holds humanity's precious heritage in the form of paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from different eras. It is enough to say that the world-famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, "Mona Lisa" (La Gioconda), is displayed in the Louvre. All city guests want to see the timeless treasures, so it is also advisable to buy tickets online and in advance. On specialized websites, you can purchase a pass with an exact date and time of your visit. For such ticket holders, there is a separate queue, which is much shorter than the one leading to the museum's ticket office.
Another tip for tourists - come to the Louvre early in the morning, in the first hours after it opens, or in the evening before it closes, when there are the fewest visitors. Also, consider other factors. The largest inflow of visitors is observed during school holidays (spring, summer), when groups of children come to Paris and mandatorily visit the Louvre.
flickr / ♫♪ Yoly ♫♪
Notre-Dame de Paris
Notre-Dame Cathedral ranks in the TOP-5 most visited places in Paris. Unsurprisingly, tourist queues extend far beyond the cathedral walls.
It is impossible to buy tickets online to ascend the towers of Notre-Dame de Paris. This is due to the very low capacity of the towers. In an hour, no more than 120 people can ascend to the observation deck. The only solution in this situation is to arrive early, before the cathedral opens, and be one of the first in line. There is also an option to purchase an evening tour to the top of the towers after the cathedral closes as part of a tour group. This option will cost you several times more than a regular ticket, but you will be able to enjoy the view of nighttime Paris without any queues and overcrowding.
flickr / Wong Way Photo
Moulin Rouge Cabaret
Moulin Rouge, which translates from French as "red mill," is the most famous cabaret venue in France, where the can-can has been danced since 1889. This unique form of dance art attracts many fans among both guests and residents of the city. It's practically impossible to get into a show off the street. You could spend an entire evening in line and still not get inside for a concert. Time, nerves, and money can be saved if you buy a ticket online. This way, you can reserve your preferred table and choose additional services, such as a table with champagne or dinner.
flickr / David Forster
Disneyland
Disneyland is a fairy-tale paradise coveted not just by children but their parents as well. Incredible attractions, performances, shows, all styled in the beloved cartoons of Walt Disney. Spending a day in Disneyland is the best holiday for the family. This view is shared by millions of families from around the world who travel here annually. It's obvious to everyone that entrance tickets should be bought online in advance, but what about the queues for attractions inside the park?
Here are a few tips on that matter. In the amusement park, there's a concept known as the "FastPass." This option is available on the most popular attractions. You just need to present your entry ticket and get an additional ticket with an exact time. This way, you can enjoy other attractions while waiting for your time slot. You can also use the services of a private guide, who will help you avoid all the queues. If you're planning to rely solely on yourself, schedule your visit for early spring or autumn. The highest influx of tourists is observed in the summer months, especially in August.
flickr / MatthewSandell
