No matter the season, Paris is always a good idea. The art, the architecture…the bread. It’s like rehab for your spirit.
But before you pack your bags in search of joie de vivre, here are some pointers for getting the most out of your first Parisian adventure.
1. Know the difference between a real croissant and an imposter
2. Ban the banette
3. Master the French art of not giving a f*ck
4. Dressing à la Parisienne
5. Supermarket lingerie (yes, it's a thing)
6. Farmer’s markets are a must
7. Avoid these dining faux-pas
8. Burgers are a thing in Paris, too
9. Cheap wine is what's up
10. Soak up the vibes at historical eateries
11. Pickpockets are too real
12. Where the hell is the bathroom?
If you need to go, ask for la toilette (the toilet), which is not the same thing as the salle de bain (the bathroom). A bathroom is where you literally bathe, and in traditional French homes and hotels, showers and bathtubs are located in a separate room from the toilet.
There’s also the bidet, which looks like a low urinal, but DO NOT relieve yourself in it; the device is actually meant for washing your private bits.