I had never painted a mural before. I’m not an artist. The most illegal thing I’d ever done was drinking underage in college. Yet there I found myself, in front of a graffiti wall with a can of spray paint in my hand.

Here’s the thing: Painting graffiti in Paris—at least in this one spot—is free for anyone to do! It was the most unusual thing I did in Paris, and you can do it, too. Below, I share where to paint graffiti in Paris, where to buy the spray paint, and how to make the leap—even if you’ve never done anything like this before.

How to paint graffiti in Paris

Bear with me a second: I’ll get to the details of precisely how and where to paint graffiti in Paris.

First, though, a tad bit about the experience:

Finding inspiration on a creativity retreat

When I went to Paris, I didn’t go with the determination and dream to create my own street art. But a friend forwarded me a link to an AirBnB Experience of creating street art, and I was intrigued.

After all, the Paris trip was part of a workshop I was leading on creativity for a group on women I know. The foundation of the workshop was tapping into our creativity in a new space, finding inspiration, and challenging ourselves to push beyond our comfort zones.

Painting graffiti in Paris would definitely be pushing beyond my comfort zone.

So of course I signed up for the experience!

Unfortunately, our guide had to cancel. But instead of giving up on our plans to paint our own graffiti in Paris, two friends and I decided to channel the spirit of street art—to go our own way.

We decided to paint graffiti in Paris on our own, no guide needed.

Painting graffiti in the Parc de Bercy, Paris

My two friends, Kristen and Victoria, and I met at the Do-It-Yourself-Shop, a wonderful Parisian mix between IKEA and Home Depot. There, we bought spray paint and all the supplies we’d need to paint our own graffiti. Then we walked to the Parc de Bercy, where we’d planned to meet our street art guide.

We wandered the park, trying to figure out where, exactly, we were allowed to spray paint the walls. I was nervous: I didn’t want to start painting a place where it wasn’t allowed and end up in jail in Paris. I also didn’t want to inadvertently paint over a gang’s tag and end up on the wrong side of someone’s turf rivalry.

After some wandering, though, we bumped into another street art instructor, who gave us the lowdown:

There is a wall against the skate park in Parc de Bercy where people are allowed to graffiti as much as they like. The wall is constantly changing as people paint over what was there. Every day, there is something new, and everyone is free to paint.

We’d found our spot!

We hadn’t sketched out our ideas for street art beforehand, but I knew what I wanted to do.

For the creativity workshop I led, I created prompts for each day of the retreat. One of the prompts was to create a self-portrait. I had intentionally left it open-ended so people could photograph, paint, sketch, collage or write about themselves.

I chose to graffiti my self-portrait.

So I picked a spot on the wall near Kristen and Victoria and got to painting. I didn’t want to be super-literal and had chosen my spray paint colors accordingly.

As I worked on my graffiti in Paris, I became totally immersed. I didn’t pay attention to the kids walking by with their skate boards, the people snapping pictures of us as they strolled through the park, or the parkour team that was practicing vaulting over benches and bike racks. I settled into a flow state.

That said, painting my own mural was fun! I used to draw and sketch a bunch, though I haven’t tapped into my artistic side as much as an adult—especially since having kids. So working on a huge scale with spray paint, no less, was totally different in a good way!

The creativity workshop in Paris was all about finding inspiration and giving yourself the permission to make something all your own. I definitely did that as I painted graffiti in Paris.

Here’s how to paint graffiti in Paris—you can do it, too!

If I guess right, you probably want to paint your own graffiti on your next trip to Paris! Here’s how to do it.

Buying supplies for painting graffiti

The Do-It-Yourself-Store has a huge selection of spray paint and everything else you’ll need. Here’s what to buy.

1. Spray paint. For spray paint, buy 3-4 colors, keeping in mind you’ll want an accent and/or outline color. I used black sparingly and focused on pink, teal and gold. If you paint graffiti in Paris with friends, you can share accent colors.
2. Latex gloves. Your fingers and hands will get painty. If you don’t want to end up with multicolored skin, buy a pack of disposable gloves.
3. Plastic drop cloth. You’ll want to keep your stuff covered so you don’t end up with spray paint on your jacket or bag.

Where to paint graffiti in Paris

The wall on the skate park in Parc de Bercy was the perfect spot for newbies like me to paint graffiti in Paris: It’s fairly commonplace for random people to come spray paint a mural, I gather, so people didn’t seem that surprised by our presence.

This spot is easy to find, once you know what you’re looking for. Get to the Parc de Bercy, which is right next to a major train station in Paris. Then walk to the skate park, which is toward the River Seine. Google Maps recognizes “Skatepark de Bercy” so you can always save the location and follow your phone!

If you’re looking at the entrance of the skate park, the graffiti wall that’s free to paint is on your left.

Put paint to wall: It’s time to make street art!

Now you’re prepped. You’re in the right place. You have your supplies. It’s time to make street art in Paris!

There’s no way to start except to make your first mark. So shake that can of spray paint and do it!

Since the scale of making graffiti is completely different than sketching on a piece of paper, I recommend adding some guiding marks at the beginning. For example, I was going to paint a face. To make sure I didn’t paint it totally lopsided, I sprayed just a tiny bit where I’d draw the chin, top of the head, ears, and corners of the eyes. That way I was “aiming” for something while I painted my lines.

If you’re feeling self-conscious, know that your back will be to everyone else: You’re facing a wall, so you can ignore anyone who might be walking by. Pretend they’re not there. After a while, you’ll forget about them anyway.

This is about you painting street art in graffiti in Paris—definitely an experience that’s off the beaten tourist track!

The unusual thing to do in Paris you’ll never, ever forget

Most people who go to Paris tick off the usual tourist attractions: Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe. Those destinations are amazing; after all, I recently wrote all about the touristy things in Paris that are entirely worthwhile.

But when you visit a city as amazing as Paris, you also want to see a side of the city others might not see. No, scratch that. You want to live a side of the city others don’t experience.

Painting graffiti in Paris is exactly that.

When you get home from France, people will ask about your trip. You’ll tell them about eating macarons and wandering down the River Seine. They’ll ooh and ahh. But when you tell them you painted graffiti in Paris? They’ll demand to know all about it—right now!

So if you’re looking for unusual things to do in Paris, spend a few euros on spray paint and head to the Parc de Bercy. My mural won’t be there anymore, but use the idea of it as inspiration. You can leave your mark on Paris, too.

PS – If you’re heading to Paris, you’ll want to check out my other posts on the City of Lights. Read the 5 Things that will Ruin your Trip to Paris as well as the Touristy Things to do in Paris that are 100% Worth It!

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What’s more, I’ll share tips on how to hit the highlights of Paris without dealing with the most obnoxious parts of the tourist attractions. That way you can truly enjoy your time, leaving more hours in the day for sipping red wine on sidewalk cafes. Right? Right.

So when you’re planning a trip to Paris, don’t skip out on these activities just because other tourists are going there. These touristy attractions in Paris truly are worth it.

The 5 tourist attractions in Paris you don’t want to miss

Whether you’re making an itinerary, pinning things to do in Paris on a google map or creating a Pinterest board, here are the touristy things to do in Paris you should definitely add.

1. Ride a Seine cruise at night

When I’m traveling, any tourist activities that involve someone handing out flyers and trying to get me to do it gets a hard pass from me. These tourist attractions tend to be overrun with people, and there’s generally an upsell somewhere in there. But I made an exception for a Seine cruise at night, precisely because three trusted friends told me it was one tourist attraction in Paris that was actually worthwhile.

So on my last night in Paris, I followed my google map to where the Seine cruise boats launch and climbed aboard. I didn’t really know what to expect. A guide spoke about the important buildings we passed in both English and French, making jokes along the way. Then I gasped: We made it to the Eiffel Tower just in time for its nighttime light show.

Eiffel Tower light show from the Seine from Catherine Ryan Gregory on Vimeo.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower’s light show from the Seine was pure magic. The twinkle lights reflected off the dark water, and all of us passengers oohed and awed the whole time. I’m so glad I got over my aversion to tours to take a Seine cruise.

Level 10 travel tip: If you go to the Notre Dame Cathedral during the day, there is always a person handing out flyers with discounts for a Seine cruise. Pick one up—you’ll save a few Euros—and take a picture of the boat launch schedule on your phone so you won’t have to look it up on the internet later.

2. Hang out at the Eiffel Tower

Ok, this is one tourist attraction in Paris you probably never intended to skip. And for good reason! The Eiffel Tower is the most recognizable landmark in Paris, and visiting it is free. Why not go?

One of my favorite things to do in Paris was hang out on a bench next to the Eiffel Tower and people watch. While I sat and sketched in my travel journal, I happened to see a young man go up to a light pole, pry open a compartment in the metal pole, and stash a bottle of champagne inside. What was he doing? Was he planning a surprise toast or even a proposal for later? I have no idea—and I’d never have spied his secret shenanigans if I had been rushing all over the place, trying to see everything. So for this tourist attraction in Paris, take your time: You never know what you’ll witness!

Level 10 travel tip: If you want to minimize the time you wait in lines in Paris, skip going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Yes, you’d get a great view from up there, but you do have to wait a long time (not to mention spend the money).

3. Drink champagne in a park

If you like wine, drink wine. If bubbly is your thang, pop a bottle. If you’re sober, drink some eau pétillante (that’s sparkling water in French—I googled it so it must be true).

Buy some baguette with cheese or a hot crepe from a food cart and make a picnic out of it!

I did this with several friends in the Jardin du Luxembourg one day in Paris, and I felt only slightly dorky. And you know what? Hanging out in the sunshine with friends and a bottle of champagne was one of my best memories in France. I also came to realize it doesn’t actually count as touristy if most of the people around you doing the same thing are actually French.

4. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral

Yes, this touristy thing to do in Paris can get crowded, and you have to wait in line to enter the Gothic cathedral. But once you get inside, everything is hushed, and your jaw will drop.

Notre Dame took 200 years to construct, and the dedication shows: Every detail is perfect. Take your time while you walk through Notre Dame: Get close, crane your head to look up, turn around and look behind you. There is something awe-inspiring to see from every perspective. You won’t regret visiting this touristy attraction in Paris!

Level 10 travel tip: A short tour will take you to the tower of the Notre Dame Cathedral, where you’ll get a closer look at gargoyles and a view of the Siene. But waiting in line to get a ticket only to get a return time might not fit in your plans to see the most of Paris! Instead, download the free Jefile App to select a time to do the Notre Dame tower tour that day.

5. Eat all the pain au chocolate

The pastries! everyone squealed when I told friends I was going to Paris for the first time. I sort of rolled my eyes internally. But it turns out their breathless love for pastries is totally right on.

It seems like every tourist in Paris takes an Instagram photo with their croissant. That’s ok. Whether you take pictures of pastries or not, do not miss eating a delicious pain au chocolate (that’s a chocolate-filled croissant) from a good Parisian bakery. And if you don’t want any #fomo regrets, eat (at least) one every day.

What to do on your first trip to Paris

Those were the five attractions in Paris I originally thought would be cliched and lame but actually turned out to be some of my best memories from my trip to France.

Remember: When you do the touristy things in Paris, make them your own. You don’t have to explore a landmark the same way as everyone else, and you definitely don’t always have to wait in line!

With these tips, I know you’ll make the most of your trip to Paris.

Tell me: What did I miss? What tourist attractions in Paris did you love? Comment below!

The post Touristy attractions in Paris that are totally worth it appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

As a matter of fact, when I booked my flight from Paris to Bari, Italy, I had no idea the Beauvais-Tille airport was so far from the Paris city center. It’s a very good thing I looked into it before the morning of my flight!

So if you’re considering flying Ryan Air from Paris Beauvais-Tille, read this post first. You’ll learn the pros, the cons and all the logistics details you need to decide to fly Ryan Air from Paris Beauvais-Tille.

The pros and cons of flying Ryan Air from Paris Beauvais-Tille

Pros of flying Beauvais-Tille:

Tickets are cheaper. Ryan Air is known as Europe’s cheap airline for a reason: You save beaucoup euros.

The airport is tiny. Beauvais-Tille is itty bitty, which means short security lines and zero confusion. It took me about 5 minutes to get through security there.

Most Ryan Air flights are short. Personally, I don’t need luxury when my flight is less than 2 hours long. I can get by just fine with the basic airline amenities. I’d rather save some money.

Buses don’t need reservations. The shuttle bus leaves 25 minutes after each arriving flight, and there are multiple buses, so you don’t have to worry about being left behind.

It’s easy to find the shuttle. If you’re flying back through Beauvais-Tille, it’s super-easy to find the shuttle back to Paris. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the baggage claim to the bus.

Level 10 travel tip: There’s a Starbucks where the bus picks you up at Beauvais-Tille. I was thrilled to see it and order a 20-ounce hot tea. (Why is it so hard to get decent tea in Paris?)

Cons of flying Beauvais-Tille:

There’s no direct public transportation to Beauvais-Tille. You can take the metro directly to Orly, but not so for Beauvais-Tille. You’ll have to take the metro (or a taxi/Uber) to the Beauvais-Tille shuttle bus stop, then ride the bus the rest of the way.

Beauvais-Tille is far from the Paris city center. It’ll take you about two hours to get to Beauvais-Tille, as opposed to about 30 minutes to Orly. (Make sure to look up directions and time estimates early, as trip times will vary depending on where you’re staying in Paris.)

Ryan Air charges for everything. There’s a reason Ryan Air is cheap: they’re cheap! You won’t get snacks, drinks or water on the flight, and you’ll have to pay for any carry-on bigger than a day backpack.

If you’re late, you’ll pay a fortune. If you miscalculate and end up having to take a taxi, expect to pay between 150-200 euros for a cab ride. It’s far!

Beauvais-Tille is bare bones. As I mentioned before, this Paris airport is small, so don’t expect a ton of services, shops and amenities. There was one cafe and one duty-free shop next to my Ryan Air gate and that was it.

How to make the most of flying Ryan Air from Paris Beauvais-Tille

Now that you’ve researched if it’s worth it to fly Ryan Air from Paris Beauvais-Tille, you might have decided to do what I did and click “buy” on those cheap flights! If that’s the case, follow these tips to make the most of flying Ryan Airport from Beauvais-Tille.

Watch out for upcharges on Ryan Air

When you check in, Ryan Air wants to charge you for all sorts of extras: picking your seat, walking through priority lines, an extra carry-on, etc etc etc. If you choose all these add-ons, your flight will be just as expensive as other airlines.

Be mindful of your carry-on

Ryan Air has strict rules about carry-ons: You can bring only one carry-on bag for free. And these are not American-sized carry-ons; they’re talking about a backpack or purse. If you want to bring two bags on, you have to pay extra.

Know where you’re going to catch the airport bus

I didn’t know exactly where the pickup spot for the Beauvais-Tille bus was, so I ended up wandering around with my roll-aboard for a while. Use this address in your google maps on your phone: 22-24 Boulevard Pershing, Paris. Or download this image onto your phone and navigate from there. The bus stop is within easy walking distance from the Porte Maillot stop on the metro and the RER.

Budget time to arrive to Beauvais-Tille

Plan ahead to figure out when you should leave for Paris Beauvais-Tille. Start at the time you want to arrive at the Paris airport and work backwards from there. Build in a time cushion for any hiccups (like the metro stop that stopped service without warning when I was headed to my Ryan Air flight).

Buy your shuttle bus ticket

There’s no need to buy your shuttle ticket ahead of time; you can buy your ticket from the automatic kiosk at the bus stop. When I arrived at the shuttle stop, there was quite a long line to buy a ticket from the cashier, who accepted cash, so pay with a card instead at the automatic kiosk. You’ll save a ton of time.

Level 10 travel tip: You can buy a round-trip ticket if you like, though you won’t save any money. (It’s the same price as two one-ways.) If you don’t buy a round-trip (which I didn’t—I was afraid of losing the paper ticket by accident), you can buy your return bus ticket in the baggage claim at Beauvais-Tille when you land.

Use free public wifi

The Beauvais-Tille shuttle bus doesn’t have wifi, but the airport does. I was able to log on to the free public wifi and work for a bit before flying Ryan Air from Beauvais-Tille.

Bottom line: Beauvais-Tille saves money but not time

The beginning of this blog post was a spoiler alert: I did end up flying Ryan Air from Paris Beauvais-Tille. I was traveling solo, and Ryan Air had a cheap direct flight to Bari, where I was meeting my friend. That doesn’t mean I’d recommend this route for everyone.

Go ahead and fly Ryan Air from Paris Beauvais-Tille if:

• you’re on a tight budget
• you’re flying alone or with a small group of other adventurous travelers
• Ryan Air offers a better, more direct route to your destination
• you have time to kill or can use the transportation time well, e.g. by working

But don’t fly Ryan Air from Paris Beauvais-Tille if:

• you’re on a tight timeline
• you’re traveling with young children
• you can get a similarly priced flight from Charles de Gaulle or Orly
• you have a lot of luggage

Regardless of how you fly, travel safely, and bon voyage!

Have you ever flown Ryan Air? What did you think about the European discount airline?

The post Flying Ryan Air from Paris Beauvais-Tille: Is it worth it? appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

Paris is a city where all the romantic things you’ve ever heard actually come true. On my first day in Paris, I sat outside at a café and sipped my tea while church bells beckoned the faithful. A couple kissed on a nearby park bench. And then a woman pedaled by on a bicycle, two baguettes perched in the basket.

For real.

Despite the romance of Paris, though, you’re not guaranteed to have a wonderful time. In fact, how you approach your vacation to Paris can make or break your trip.

I traveled to Paris for the first time this fall and fell in love, partly because I didn’t make common mistakes of a first-time visit to Paris.

If you’ve been to France a million times or you’re planning your first trip to Paris, don’t leave the City of Lights feeling disappointed; here’s what not to do in Paris.

This post may contain affiliate links, at no extra expense to you. Clicking through may earn me a small amount of income, which helps me bring family travel tips to you for free.

What not to do in Paris (and how to actually enjoy your vacation)

1. Overplan your trip

There is so much to do, see and eat in Paris, so you might think the best way to take advantage of your vacation there is to plan everything out to the minute. You might buy a guide book, pin like crazy and scour the internet for the must-do highlights of Paris. (I totally did this, too; see my Europe Travel board on Pinterest for ideas, if you like!)

This is a classic example of what not to do in Paris.

One day in Paris, I was leaving the Parthenon when I spotted a library. Instead of focusing on what landmark to see next, I popped inside for a moment. I made my way upstairs. There, I met a Frenchman who spoke Italian and, being an American who speaks Spanish, we sort of understood each other. He told me about academics who came to the library centuries ago and read as much as they could before the sun went down, and how the architect designed the ceiling and windows to allow for as much natural light as possible.

You won’t find this library in any guidebook, and it’s not on any list of must-do highlights in Paris. But I treasured the simple connection between strangers. In a time of bucket lists and a world of information at your fingertips, it’s easy to try to “curate” the perfect trip—but I’d rather experience small, authentic moments like this.

2. Hurry from one destination to the next

If you’re on a tight schedule, you miss the happy accidents of wandering. That’s why making a bee-line from one destination to another is on my list of what not to do in Paris.

As you walk from place to place, you find narrow, winding streets and interesting shops and maybe even an old man playing French classics on a violin. You’ll also find Paris landmarks—it’s hard to be in this city without bumping into a cathedral or monument you’ve seen on postcards. But when you just happen upon one, it’s a surprise of discovery.

Pursuing your list of things to do in Paris will mean you see and do more than the person who travels at a leisurely pace. But whose experience will be more pleasant?

Paris’s pace is relaxed—you’ll find Parisians lingering over coffee or wine and sitting in a park, face to the sun. Parisians never seem to be in a hurry, so why should you?

“A Parisienne always has a good reason to be sitting on a bench.” –How to be Parisian Wherever You Are

3. Visit every must-do highlight of Paris

I love art, and everyone pointed to the Louvre as a must-do highlight of Paris. Naturally, then,  the art museum was on my short list for things to do in Paris. Before I made it to the Louvre, though, I went to the Musee d’Orsay. And although the art was magnificent, I had a terrible time.

The museum was packed. Half the floors were under renovation. And the remaining galleries were so hot and stuffy that I felt claustrophobic. A line of people moved past the paintings in a never-ending queue.

I left without seeing a single Picasso, Monet or Van Goh. The crush of people made me feel like I needed an escape, so I wouldn’t have appreciated the art anyway. I also learned that forcing myself to go to art museums because I should is a classic example of what not to do in Paris.

So instead of visiting the Louvre, I spent an hour or two relaxing in the Jardins du Luxembourg, where I ate an éclair, shared a bottle of champagne with friends and people watched. (Doesn’t that sound nicer than fighting crowds to see a Rodin?)

You can bet that changing plans—and skipping the one thing everyone told me to do—made for a much happier trip to Paris.

4. Expect the most magical vacation ever

First-time visitors to Paris can hype up the City of Lights in their head. You’re going to eat baguette by the Seine while wearing a beret! You’re going to kiss your beloved below the Eiffel Tower! You’re going to have the most magical vacation ever!

But then it rains. Or you feel jet lagged. Or the Metro employees go on strike.

And the letdown from your crashing expectations make you want to weep dramatically like a wronged heroine in a black and white film.

This experience of what not to do in Paris is common enough that it has a name: Paris Syndrome.

(n) Paris Syndrome – the disappointment and let-down when your experience of Paris does not meet your expectations.

So before you set yourself up for a case of Paris Syndrome, check your expectations. Know that travel is never guaranteed to be perfect (but with the right attitude it can be an adventure).

So when the Catacombs are closed for renovations, or the airline loses your bag, or you catch a cold, take a deep breath and ask yourself: How can this be a part of my Paris story?

Your vacation in Paris won’t be perfect, but it will be memorable.

5. Search for the best

Ask a group of people for the best bakery, café or macaron in Paris and you’ll get a different answer from everyone. It’s tempting to plan your trip to Paris around the best croissant/steak frites/espresso/whatever, but the stress of maximizing every bite and sip you take isn’t worth it.

Take for example my friend’s mom. When she travels internationally, she looks up dozens of articles and reviews to find the best places to go. Yet when she arrives, there’s always something lacking.

You know what? Paris is full of wonderful places to eat. You don’t need to go to The Best to have a wonderful meal. Pick a place and enjoy it—without the stress of the research and reviews.

Now that you know what not to do in Paris, you’re ready to truly enjoy this city. With an open mind and an openness to adventure, you’re sure to have a beautiful and memorable stay.

Do you have any tips for a first-time visit to Paris? Anything to add to my list of what not to do in Paris?

The post 5 ways to ruin your trip to Paris (and what to do instead) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.