Four Best Ways to Prepare for a Paris Vacation

Paris - elusive for some, a yearly vacation for others. For me, it's fallen into the elusive category thus far. But for anyone fortunate enough to be preparing for a trip to Paris, an elusive vacation isn't the problem - it's getting ready for it. I'm not just talking about getting the passport and exchanging your currency. You need to prepare your time in Paris so you get the most out of your trip and don't come home wishing you'd seen this attraction or visited that museum. Here I'm going to make a few suggestions as to how you can prepare your mind and budget for a trip to Paris, France.

Get Accustomed to the Language

Don't fool yourself - a majority of people who are planning a trip to Paris swear they're going to learn French before they leave. Does that ever happen? They spend a week listening to expensive French CD's and lose interest. Then they get to Paris and realize the only words they remember are "Merci beaucoup" and "S'il vous plait." Essential, but not entirely helpful when you're looking for the nearest bathroom or trying to find your way around Paris.

So instead of trying to learn the entire language in a crash course, I suggest you simply get acclimated to hearing the dialect as spoken by native French and picking up a few words along the way. This way, when you read a sign or listen to someone speaking, you'll recognize what they're saying rather than trying to fish for the words to say back to them. After all, even if you learned the language, chances are you won't be pronouncing the words right, anyway.

The best way to do this is to download podcasts from iTunes. Even if you don't own an iPod, you can download the iTunes software onto your computer, create an account and download podcasts right into the software to listen to whenever you like. I recommend the "Learn French by Podcast" subscription, which is free. It comes in five to fifteen minute sections, and instead of dicing the words up into individual lessons, they speak fluent French in full sentences several times over, so you'll be able to pick up the language more quickly than trying to learn in its entirety.

Look at French Books

One of my favorite French books is not a tourist book, but rather a visual gallery of the most amazing vistas Paris has to offer. It's called "Paris: City of Light" by Jean-Marie Boelle, Ian Trickett and Xavier Richer. I highly recommend going to Barnes and Noble and at least trying to look through the book if not purchase it. I refer to it often for pictures of famous landmarks and descriptions you won't find in a history book or typical French literature.

This will help you decide where you want to go (besides the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre) while you're in Paris. It's broken up into the various city sections of Paris and couldn't be any more comprehensive unless it gave step by step walking directions!

Decide Where You'll Be Lodging

Paris offers more than just hotels - you can stay at a villa, condo, apartment (flat) or bed and breakfast. Don't take typical American amenities for granted - their electrical sockets could be different (sometimes the website will specify if the rooms will accommodate American electronics), you might not get your own bathroom and you might not be able to park near your hotel if you're renting a car. Air conditioning might not even be present everywhere. You must take many of these considerations into account when choosing a place to lodge.

Also, consider the vicinity of your hotel to the attractions you want to see. Paris is a busy place - it could take a long time to get from one side to the other in heavy traffic.

Consider Lesser-known Attractions

Don't be a stereotypical American tourist who's just going to Paris for the monuments. Take a walk through the beautiful Monceau Park, which has been called the Parisian Garden of Eden, or take a walking tour of key WWII sites. Parislogue.com suggests taking a trip to Le Petit Palais, home of the 1900 Universal Exposition and a collection of Renaissance art. If Renaissance art really isn't your thing, think about heading to La Maison Rouge instead, where you can explore contemporary art (and perhaps not see so many sculptures and paintings of ugly nudes)!

France is also known for its fine jewelery and clothing boutiques. I, for one, am not real big on shopping, but just looking at some of the boutiques is worth your while. Don't forget to stop at a patisserie (bakery) for a French pastry delight or at a cafe for a warm mocha.

Sources:
parislogue.com