The most overrated tourist attractions in Paris, France – Part 2

If not overrated, would they still be tourist attractions at all? Like every must see city in the world, there are token icons in Paris that are a must during a visit. At least for the first visit anyway.

Paris is home to several iconic tourist attractions that are known world wide. Possibly the most famous of all would definitely be the Eiffel Tower. When we think of France, often an image of the breath-taking phallic symbol is planted firmly in our minds, and why not? It is as startling and unique to behold as you expect it to be. And we simply cannot stop at just seeing the tower once. We need to see it at different times of the day. The Eiffel Tower during the day. The Eiffel Tower at night. Yes, this is certainly the most famous tourist attraction in all of Paris, but that does not necessarily mean it is over rated. Of course for some, a large tower that holds no real purpose might be a disappointment, but for most, it will live up to expectation.

Thanks to the recent fame of Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code, the Louvre museum has shot to massive popularity. This museum, which is home to some of the worlds most famous paintings was already popular prior to the book, but now so many tourists are flocking there just to see for themselves the amazing glass pyramid. I have certainly heard on more than one occasion that the Louvre’s glass pyramid is by far one of the most overrated tourist attractions of all time, and that instead it is a disappointment that such a project was even allowed in the city of romance. However, for others, this dome is truly remarkable and much worth the visit, as is the massive museum that would take days to truly explore in detail.

Paris is full of art galleries and museums. To some, the thought of spending days exploring the masterpieces and history of these places is very appealing, but to others, the whole concept is very overrated and downright boring.

There is also the Notre Dame Cathedral. This cathedral is among the most famous in the world and another of the must-see tourist stops. But does it really deliver? The cathedral offers remarkable gothic architecture and design, but compared to cathedrals in other parts of the world, it really does not measure up quite so well.

So yes, Paris is filled with overrated tourist attractions, but usually an attraction is overrated for a reason. For every person who finds them unsatisfactory, its quite likely there will be another ten who were completely spellbound. There are overrated tourist attractions in every country, but not taking the time to see them leaves your journey to these cities incomplete. So do the tourist thing, kiss under the Eiffel Tower, take photos outside the Louvre and marvel at the Notre Dame architecture. Its okay to enjoy them, even if they are overrated.

The most overrated tourist attractions in Paris, France – Part 6

Paris is an amazing city. There is so much to see, and generally, there isn’t enough time to see everything on your list of “must sees”. It makes sense to cut out the tourist attractions that are overrated and go find the real Paris for yourself.

You have been waiting all of your life to see the landmarks that make Paris real for you. On your first visit to Paris, you may need to see the obvious attractions once. My best tip to first-timers is to take the big, double-decker, open-air bus for a day. You can visit all of the tourist attractions in a single day, then you’ll be free to have fun doing the other things that Paris has to offer. If you are interested in one of the places that you see on the tour, you can go back and see it at your own convenience.

By far, one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard came from a friend on one of our trips to Paris. This couple had seen a museum in the morning, did a planned lunch at a pricey restaurant, then changed clothes and went on the tour-are you ready for this? OF THE PARIS SEWERS! You can’t make this stuff up. Why in God’s name anyone would want to see or would care about Paris’ sewers, is way beyond me. I’d rather sit in my Paris apartment and stare out the window than tour the sewers. But, that’s just me.

If anyone, ever again, drags me to the LOUVRE to see the Mona Lisa, I’m going to kiss them goodbye at the door and point them in the right direction, but I refuse to get into the fray one more time to see MONA. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Louvre. I go almost every time I’m in Paris. However, there is so much more to see than the Mona Lisa. I love the Egyptian collection. The Roman collection is pretty amazing also. Those are just two exhibits well worth seeing, and the wings where they are situated are rarely crowded. Why? Because everybody’s crowded into the little room where MONA hangs!

Place du Tetre on Montmartre makes me crazy. Although I love the Sacre Coeur and the hill, itself,(known as the Butte de Montmartre) Place du Tetre is a great big “pass” for me. This place is the consummate tourist trap. Dozens of artists are crowded into the square, hawkers bug you to come and have your portrait done, tacky, over-priced cafes line the square. Unless they live there, I can’t imagine any Parisian setting foot in this area. Beyond the crowded, touristy area of Montmartre, there are some very pretty residential areas to stroll through.

I have a friend who told me that