10 Lies Everyone Tells You About Paris

10 Lies Everyone Tells You About Paris

We adore Paris, we really do. It's mesmerizingly beautiful, full of secret gardens and delicious treats that look so utterly chic at first glance.

But let's be real: After a visit, most of us come to find Paris is NOT everything we imagined. Which makes us wonder: Why has everyone been spreading fabulous rumors about Paris all our lives?

It's time to come clean, people. Don't believe the lies. Most notably:

"Paris is the most romantic city in the world."
Actually, it's not. A recent survey found that travelers consider Venice most romantic. Plus, kissing in the rain is kind of difficult.
469354409

"The food is AMAZING."
Oh really? Are cold, overpriced frog legs AMAZING?!
paris frog legs

"Ah, nothing is more beautiful than a trip to the Eiffel Tower."
Correction: Nothing is more beautiful than making it down from the doom that is the Eiffel on Saturdays.
142660801

"Baguette and cheese picnics are the best!"
Or they were, until 4,000 other couples decided to have one, too.
477447935

"You'll pick up fresh croissants every day for breakfast."
Until you find out they cost 4 euros, aka half your daily budget.
paris croissants

""Parisians aren't rude -- they just don't know English!"
If you had to deal with THIS, you'd feign ignorance too.
532877313

"French women don't get fat."
Native French women might not get fat, but women who visit DEFINITELY do -- macarons are a serious barrier to fitness.
106947819

"The Mona Lisa is so striking when you see it in person."
You know who we'd like to strike? The hoards of people trying to cram up close to this thing.
148759567

"You'll feel so feminine in Paris."
Hmm, "sweaty" and "trampled" might be better adjectives.
456141348

"He's totally going to propose there!"
Life isn't always what we plan, people.

Before You Go

1
Le Marché des Enfants Rouges
Yelp/Jeffrey C.
Le marché des Enfants Rouges is the oldest covered market in Paris. Built in 1615, it is a bustling and loud market and food hall in the Marais, where you can find pretty much anything you'd want to eat, from Lebanese food to Japanese. It may be visited by tourists, but that doesn't mean it's strictly a tourist destination. Locals love and frequent Le Marché des Enfants Rouges too.
2
Popelini
Facebook/Popelini
Popelini is a small pâtisserie where you can only buy cream puffs. The legendary cream puffs are one of the best things one of Le Huffington Post's editors have ever eaten in Paris. Need we say more?
3
L' Eclair de Génie
Facebook/L' Eclair de Génie,
As if it weren't enough that Paris is home to a store where you can only buy cream puffs, it is also home to a store where you can only buy eclairs. L' Eclair de Génie is partly responsible for the revival of this classic 19th-century pastry that may have been eclipsed by the macaron in recent years. Thank you, L' Eclair de Génie, for reminding us of the glory of this fantastic dessert.
4
Balls
Facebook/Balls
There is a trendy new restaurant in Paris called Balls, it serves primarily meatballs, and we need to go there. Plus, the waiters wear T-shirts that read, "Eat My Balls," or so we hear.
5
La Candelaria
Facebook/Candelaria
If you're looking for a bar that's trendy with Parisians, head to La Candelaria. (You'll have to walk through a taqueria to get there.)
6
Chez Jeannette
Facebook/Chez Jeannette
For French and Mediterranean cuisine favored by Parisians, Chez Jeanette is the place to go.
7
Dédé la frite
Facebook/Dédé la frite
Dédé la frite is where to go to get your French fry overdose. We're in.
8
Big Fernand
Facebook/Big Fernand
Burgers are trendy in Paris right now and one of the most popular places to get them is Big Fernand. There are five house burgers, or you can build your own in true American style.
9
Little Fernand
Facebook/Little Fernand
If you're looking for a hot dog, Big Fernand's little brother, Little Fernand, is here to fulfill your American dreams. You can also get a bag of chips, coleslaw, brownies and Dr. Pepper with your hot dog.
10
Racines
Yelp
A favorite Paris wine bar, Racines serves market-driven food with simple ingredients. It's situated in a 19th-century shopping arcade and is known for its natural wines. A location has just opened in New York City.
11
Pho 14
Trip Advisor/Churrrr
Our French editors think the best Pho and Bo bun (a noodle bowl) in Paris come from Pho 14. Locals love it. As food blog Paris By Mouth says, "It’s easy to find Pho 14. Just look for the line."
12
Le Petit Cambodge
Facebook/Le Petit Cambodge
Cambodian restaurant Le Petit Cambodge is home to the second best "bo bun" (noodle bowl) in Paris, our editors tell us.
13
Café des Musées
Yelp
Café des Musées is a charming restaurant serving classic French dishes like entrecôte steak and house-made pâtés.
14
La Butte Aux Piafs
Facebook/La Butte Aux Piafs
La Butte Aux Piafs opened last summer and is already a favorite among local students who go to school in the area. One of our French editors tells us the bistro sells a special squid ink burger.

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE