Photograph The Eiffel Tower With No Crowds And Other Paris Travel Tips

I moved to Paris at the age of 19 to pursue studies in art. Seventeen years and at least 7,000 croissants later, I'm like a walking Paris travel guide. While I no longer live a Euro’s throw from the Eiffel Tower and enjoy my daily serving of bread, I visit every year, even if it’s just to get my hair cut.

Between my hairdressers and friends who pay rent in the City of Light, I’ve accumulated enough Paris hacks to fill the Louvre — and possibly Versailles too! For example, if I’m in Paris in August (air-conditioning is not as prevalent as in the U.S.), I hang out in Picard, a grocery store chain that specializes in frozen foods. Some locations have stools by the windows where you can sit and people-watch in ice-cold peace.

In this article, I share the most clever tips I know for an unforgettable Paris adventure.

It may seem counterintuitive, but the best vantage points for capturing the Iron Lady aren’t from the lawn in front or the Trocadéro. Instead, take your photos from streets like Avenue de Camoens and Rue de l’Université.

Rooftop bars are also great spots. Highstay concierge Miguel Ontavilla sends his clients to the rooftop bar of Hôtel Dame des Arts. Sip a glass of wine as you take epic Eiffel Tower sunset pics sans photo bombers.

Opt for a small boat tour of the Seine

Paris’ signature bateaux mouche boat tours aren’t bad, per se. However, I often struggle to hear the audio commentary. Plus, the boats are always packed with people, even in February! (They ferry 2.5 million tourists per year.) If you can afford it, splurge for a private cruise in a small boat. When you go in a small group and break down the cost per person, it can be affordable.

Eat at fancy restaurants for lunch, not dinner

To save money and secure a coveted sidewalk table, make lunch your most expensive meal of the day. Many Parisian eateries offer prix fixe menus between noon and 2 p.m. that feature the same salad Nicoise or steak frites you’d pay double for at dinner time. This Paris hack also works for Michelin-rated restaurants, like Aldehyde.

Invest in the Paris Pass

Paris Pass by Go City usually pays for itself if you plan to visit three or more attractions. The standard Paris Pass is great if you’re only going to be in town for two or three days. However, if you’re staying longer and are especially interested in art and historic landmarks, it’s worth upgrading to the Paris Pass Plus. It comes with the Paris Museum Pass, which grants entry to over 50 museums.

Skip the Louvre’s Pyramid entrance

Yes, it’s the most picturesque, but the Louvre’s iconic Pyramid entrance is also where you can find yourself waiting in line for hours. Fortunately, there are other entrances.

Raisa Anwar, the front desk manager at Boudoir des Muses, instructs her hotel guests to enter via the Carrousel du Louvre (99 Rue de Rivoli). Heads up! You'll need a reservation to enter this way. When I was a college student in Paris, our class used the Richelieu entrance, reserved for groups. Check online in advance to confirm that the alternative entrances are open.

I’m more of an early bird versus a night owl, but in Paris, I make an exception for museum hopping. Anwar encourages her guests to take advantage of exhibits that are open late. What is late? After 6 p.m., crowds start to wane as tourists either get tired, hungry, or a combination of both.

Some museums, such as the Palais de Tokyo, are open until 9 or 10 p.m. most nights, while others offer extended hours only on certain nights. For example, Musée d'Orsay, which closes at 6 p.m., stays open until 9:45 p.m. on Thursdays.

Pass on the expensive hotel breakfast

For breakfast, most Parisians stop by a boulangerie or pâtisserie to pick up a croissant or pain au chocolat. “Not only is it cheaper, but it gets you on your way, so you can spend more time exploring the city,” says Mickael Reis, who works at Go City.

Reis, who has lived in Paris for many years, also suggests hitting up Le Gourmet — inside Galeries Lafayette — where you can find grab-and-go pastries from the city’s top chefs.

While Centre Pompidou — one of my favorite museums in the entire world — is closed for major renovations through 2030, you can see some of its best exhibitions temporarily displayed at other city sites, including the Grand Palais.

There are 400 public toilets scattered throughout the city. Download the ICI Toilettes App to find the nearest one, but keep in mind that they may be located on a sidewalk and aren't always clean or open. When nature calls, I usually use the restrooms inside department stores like Le Bon Marché, Galleries Lafayette, and BHV Marais.