Travel tips: Planning a summer trip to the ‘City of Love’? Well, hold your horses! Despite its enduring charm and romantic appeal, Paris might not be the ideal summer destination for 2023. Here are five compelling reasons to reconsider your travel plans and potentially explore the lesser-known gems of France.
A City Overbrimming: The Crowd Crisis of Paris
The dream of sipping wine by the Seine or ascending the Eiffel Tower may have to be put on hold this summer. One of Europe’s prime cultural hotspots, Paris, is struggling with an unmanageable influx of tourists. So severe is the crowding, France’s Tourism Minister, Olivia Gregoire, is requesting travellers to reconsider visiting the country’s most frequented sites. With overcrowding concerns making the city less enjoyable for both residents and visitors, it may be wise to explore the less known, yet equally charming parts of France.
Staggering Demand: Major Attractions Harder to Access
If you do decide to brave the crowds and make it to Paris, some of the city’s flagship attractions may still be off-limits. High demand coupled with limited ticket availability means that you might not be able to visit places like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower. So, rather than spending your vacation queuing for tickets, consider spending it exploring the lesser-known gems of France.
Travel Unrest: Strike Woes Looming over Summer
Adding to the woes of tourists planning a Parisian summer are the ongoing strikes in response to government plans to raise the retirement age. The strikes have been causing travel disruptions since the start of the year, and the situation doesn’t look promising for the summer. With no foreseeable agreement between the unions and the government, further strikes are expected to wreak havoc on travel plans, turning a dream vacation into a logistical nightmare.
Eye-watering Costs: High Demand Elevates Prices
As if crowds and strikes were not enough, the skyrocketing prices of flights, accommodation, and attractions in Paris might make you reconsider your travel plans. Hotel rates in Paris have always been steeper compared to other European capitals due to its popularity among tourists. This summer, however, the cost seems to be hitting new heights, largely driven by affluent tourists indifferent to the price tag, leaving budget travellers in a tight spot.
Unpleasant Odours: A Smelly Deterrent
Surprisingly, the infamous Parisian summer smell is another factor making the city less appealing. During the hotter months, certain parts of the city are known to emanate a less than pleasant odour. On the other hand, a summer trip to Provence promises a sensory treat, with the soothing scent of lavender fields filling the air.
In conclusion, if your heart is set on a French getaway this summer, perhaps consider a lesser-known but equally captivating part of France. Not only will you avoid the crowds, strikes and high costs, but you might also discover the less-explored beauty the country has to offer. Paris may be the City of Love, but this summer, it might be worth playing hard to get.
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