Tip #6: Avoid Crowds by visiting Paris in Low Season
I went during February which is considered a low season (November to March) in Paris. If you visit Paris during Spring and Summer time, you will hit into hordes of tourists from all over the world. Visiting Paris during off-season will mean budget accommodations are easier to find, shorter queues at major places of interests and also a cooler climate to walk along Seine River.
Off-season also means shorter queues at the branded boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Longchamp. I did not encounter any snaking queue outside the main LV store in Champ Elysees. Another plus point is there will be a shorter waiting time at the tax refund counters at CDG airport. Even then, I still had to wait for about 45 minutes for my tax refund. Can’t imagine how long I would have to stand in line if I visit Paris during the peak season!
Free Public Toilets in Paris
There are not many free public toilets in Paris unless you step into McDonald’s or a huge shopping center like Printemps and Galleries Lafayette. To start with, there are not many McDonald’s or fast food chains in Paris in the first place! So a trick is to make use of the Paris Museum Pass. Paris is dotted with many museums along both banks of Seine River, if you need to pee, just flash your pass and go into any museum. At any museum, there are toilets available and they are usually clean and some even come with benches outside to rest your tired legs.
