Surprising Discoveries to Make in Paris

Great cities carry great reputations and while this is usually a drawcard, it can also be somewhat of a burden. When a visitor comes to a place like London, Paris or New York, they already often know what they are going to see. These expectations can often draw a veil over many of the lesser-known features of a destination in the hurry to tick things off a list.

However, the adventurous traveller knows that an open heart and an open mind are their greatest assets. When you book into any of the hostels in Paris, why not seek out some of these hidden surprises that may be waiting just around the corner?

Culture, Melting

So many travellers are turning on to the benefits of staying in any of the hostels in Paris, and you're likely to share a dorm, kitchen or common area with dozens of people poring over their maps of the usual suspects – the Eiffel Tower, the Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame and the Louvre – as they plan their itinerary. But the city of romance is also a city of surprises and a key to the surprise factor lies in its diverse culture.

Images of the French capital have been dominated by its reputation for fine wine, fashion flair and superior cuisine, but there is far more to the country's modern culture if you are prepared to scratch the surface. Immigration from places like the Middle East and North Africa has added to the cultural melting pot that exists around the locations of the hostels in Paris, from the Seine to the suburbs. The years of intermingling of peoples, sub-cultures, religions, tastes and styles has led to a delightful, if at times confounding, sense that the city's true identity is still waiting to be discovered.

Arms, Open

The people of any great city develop a certain reputation: New Yorkers are stereotypically curt; Londoners are presented as cold; and the French are often portrayed as standoffish. But a stay in any of the hostels in Paris, whether you are situated on the side streets by the Arc de Triumph or in the suburbs of Malakoff, will help you to break down this stereotype. You will no doubt be surprised to realise that the French have open arms for those whose arms are open themselves. You'll be presented with myriad opportunities to meet new people and make new friends, if you're willing to look beyond what you thought you knew.

Clichés without disappointment

All that said, however, there can also be an irony in seeking out surprises. You go to a new place for a new experience that is quite unlike anything at home, but you can be disappointed if your expectations are not met. Sometimes the cliché is what is longed for, and here, perhaps more than any other city on earth, the clichés ring true. From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, the Seine to the Champs Elysees, the surprise may actually be that all these famous landmarks really do live up to your expectations!

Looking for a dream travel experience? Jason H. Cunningham works for Hostelling International, a company with more than 4,000 hostels worldwide in fantastic locations. For the best hostels in Paris, or, join our global community and say hi to the world. From quality, affordable accommodation and backpacker tips, to meaningful volunteer opportunities and enriching our eco footprint, we are the world’s local hostelling hub.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.