When faced with the question of where to go on my year abroad, where else in the French-speaking world is better than Paris? The city of love, lights, great food, great views, and, if you know where to go, great fun.
We all know that there are plenty of things to do in Paris, but for those of you who are thinking of heading out there for your years abroad, this list is for the definitive things to see and do that perhaps aren't so obvious to you.
From where to go at certain times of the year, to what to buy, to how you're likely to feel at certain points in the year, it's all below, so be sure to check it out.
Things To Do And See On A Year Abroad In Paris
Buy a Beret(01 of19)
So after months of waiting, you're finally here; the City of Lights! To get into the French spirit right away, you must immediately go out and buy a beret and a baguette. And cheese. Lots of cheese. (credit:Izabela Habur via Getty Images)
Now, throw the beret away.(02 of19)
After a mere few days however, you unfortunately realise that you're the only person wearing a beret and very few people are wearing stripy tops. Try not to become disillusioned with the entire idea of being en France and start to subconsciously rebel. Making yourself more English and banging on about Shakespeare and Dickens 24/7 won't do you any favours. *Note - the French do eat a lot of cheese though* (credit:Alija via Getty Images)
Try Not to Panic(03 of19)
Panic generally sets in after a couple of weeks there. You become convinced that you've forgotten every word of French you know, and everyone is denying the fact that they speak English (seriously, most Parisians do). Paris is one of the best places in France to do this though, because with all the things to do, you can escape so easily. (credit:cheminsnumeriques via Getty Images)
Visit Shakespeare and Company(04 of19)
One way of combatting the panic that sets in when you realise your French perhaps isn't as great as it could be, is to visit Shakespeare and Company. This is an English bookshop on the banks of the Seine, just across the road from Notre Dame Cathedral. The shop is not only incredibly beautiful, it also has a small reading room on the upper floor with a great view across the Latin Quarter and Le Marais. (credit:Lonely Planet via Getty Images)
Go into denial(05 of19)
Now that you've opened the metaphorical tourism floodgates, you manage to convince yourself that you're not actually there in any other capacity than as a tourist, and spend every day wandering along the banks of the Seine and through art galleries. Great for your cultural knowledge, not so great for that pesky Year Abroad mark that your home-university is waiting for. (credit:Hans-Peter Merten via Getty Images)
Disneyland(06 of19)
Can anybody actually think of a better way to spend the day than by walking around Disneyland? Although the resort was created to attract children, some of the best rides are for adults only (or quite brave children). Try Space Mountain and Indiana Jones' Temple of Peril in the main Disneyland park, and the Aerosmith Rock 'n' Rollercoaster and the Hollywood Tower or Terror in the Walt Disney Studios park. (credit:Pawel Libera via Getty Images)
Make a French Friend(07 of19)
With all this wandering around the city that you've been doing (hopefully in between your classes), you're sure to have met some interesting people. Parisians love sitting outside cafes having a chat, so make sure you do this at least once (or every day, it's up to you). (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Pere Lachaise Cemetery(08 of19)
Pere Lachaise cemetery is the perfect place to wander around on a cold winter morning. Admittedly rather morbid, but containing the graves of some rather famous people - Oscar Wilde (grave pictured), Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Moliere - it's great to walk around and see who you can spot. (credit:Briquet Nicolas/ABACA)
Keep Buying Cheese Despite Lack of Money(09 of19)
The money will really start to run out around January time, even if you're sure you've only been spending the bare minimum to survive! Then you see the amount of cheese in your fridge...Don't even try to limit the amount of cheese you buy however, it won't work (trust me) (credit:Frans Schalekamp via Getty Images)
Jump A Metro Barrier(10 of19)
For the sake of not-promoting crime, only do this once. But when that money is running out, or you're just feeling a bit cheeky, do as most young Parisians do and jump the metro barriers. But watch out, if a Traffic Officer sees you, you'll get a minimum €30 fine for skipping a €1.40 ticket. (credit:Lindewall, Ingemar via Getty Images)
Check Out The Views(11 of19)
Once spring has arrived and the days are starting to get clearer, why not head up one of the many landmarks to get a better view of the city? The rule with Paris is generally that the most obvious place isn't the best - so instead of the Eiffel Tower, why not head up Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, or even La Grande Arche? There's nothing better than looking out over the city that is now your home. (credit:karamanis via Getty Images)
Have a Picnic in the Jardin de Luxembourg(12 of19)
The Jardin de Luxembourg is the perfect place to have a picnic - just watch out for the pigeons! This is obviously a great thing to do in the spring or summer, but having a breakfast picnic on a crisp winter morning is also a great way to relax. (credit:Oh Paris/Flickr)
Use Every Metro Line At Least Once(13 of19)
The rules of this are very simple; over the course of the year, you have to use every metro line at least once. There are limitations however. You have to use each line for an actual purpose, rather than switching lines to switch back just so you can tick it off. Nobody likes a cheater. (credit:Dan Moore via Getty Images)
Put a Lock on the Pont des Arts(14 of19)
The Pont des Arts is one bridge along from the famous Pont Neuf (shown in the picture), but has become even more famous due to a romantic tradition.Couples come to the bridge with a padlock with their names either written or (for the more elaborate couples) embellished onto it. They then lock the padlock on the bridge, and throw the key into the Seine below. Symbolic of their love which cannot be broken (unless someone trawls the bottom of the river and finds the key), why not get a padlock with your name and 'Paris' written on? (credit:Nathan Blaney via Getty Images)
Walk Through The Tuileries on a Sunday Morning(15 of19)
Grab a coffee to go from a nearby cafe, and head over to The Tuileries to blow away the cobwebs on a Sunday morning. If it's a nice day, why not sit and read for a while on the grass or around one of the fountains? (credit:Maremagnum via Getty Images)
Visit the Catacombes de Paris(16 of19)
There is literally nothing creepier than the Catacombs. The tunnels were originally made as part of a mine to quarry stone for the churches around Paris, and is now the final resting place of numerous bodies from an old graveyard - the Graveyard of the Innocents. The tunnels are filled with bones and skulls, so perhaps don't go down there alone, but it's definitely a must-see. (credit:Natalie Tipping/Facebook)
Walk Down the Champs Elysees at Night(17 of19)
Night-time is the best time to walk down the Champs Elysees. There's nowhere near as much hustle and bustle as during the day, so the street almost becomes quite calm, and the length and lighting of it makes it absolutely stunning. A great time of year to do this is definitely Christmas, when the trees lining the street are full of lights, and the shops have their Christmas window displays. (credit:Natalie Tipping/Facebook)
Realise You've Improved(18 of19)
There will come a point in the year where you realise that your French actually isn't as bad as you thought it was. This will ideally be followed by another trip to Disneyland to celebrate - you're still a tourist at heart after all. (credit:John Sones Singing Bowl Media via Getty Images)
Homecoming(19 of19)
Much like when you started abroad, upon your return to England you're amazed to find that people don't walk around with bowler hats on, and there aren't Union flags everywhere. We do drink a lot of tea though...You almost find yourself missing French life, but it may well just be the lack of cheese and wine. (credit:oversnap via Getty Images)