Paris
City Tours · Île-de-France
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© 2023
After many years, I am returning to Paris. To the same campsite. With the same expectations. Full of curiosity about what has changed in this city over more than thirty years.
To put it bluntly: a lot has changed. Especially for those driving with a trailer, the city has become more inconvenient. Parking fees have now reached a level that makes careful planning essential.
Despite my skepticism toward public transport, the Metro system convinced me. Nevertheless, for campers, taking the shuttle bus from the Bois de Boulogne campsite to Porte Maillot is almost the only sensible option to escape the traffic and parking chaos.
Montmartre & Sacré Cœur
Montmartre, crowned by the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, was once a village of painters and winegrowers. Today, crowds of tourists push through the Rue des Saules. Unfortunately, the charm of the Place du Tertre suffers from the massive restaurant pavilions that push the artists to the edge. Still, the view from the basilica's dome (after climbing over 300 steps) remains spectacular.
The Eiffel Tower
In the past, you just bought a ticket and went up. Today, there are security checks and bulletproof glass barriers. The "iron asparagus," as it was once mockingly called, was actually supposed to be demolished in 1909. Today, it is the symbol of the city and is preparing for the future with a new golden-brown coat of paint.
Pro-Tip: The best view for a photo that shows the tower in its full glory is from the Jardins du Trocadéro on the other side of the Seine.
Personal Conclusion
Paris has become more hectic. The planlessness of the past hardly works today. Anyone wishing to visit the city should park their trailer safely at the campsite and scout their own interests exactly in advance.
