I’m a traveler and these are the things I wish I had known before going to Paris. I hated my first visit, but now I’ve fallen in love with the city…

A traveler who describes herself as a former ‘certified Paris hater’ has posted a video with tips to help tourists fall in love with the French capital – just as she has.

The video is titled “Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Paris (I Hated My First Visit)” and was posted by Raimee Iacofano (@raimeetravel), from Michigan to TikTok, where it has amassed 256,000 likes to date.

In the video, the 30-year-old first explains that there are multiple entrances to the Louvre that can help tourists avoid the “crazy lines” at the gallery’s Pyramid entrance.

The experienced traveler also advises tourists to be careful when purchasing their metro ticket.

She notes that visitors are asked which zone they want to travel through and notes that most only need a ticket for Zone 1, where the main tourist attractions are.

Like the clip is playingRaimee warns tourists to “be prepared for strange looks” if they ask for oat or almond milk in their coffee. She recalls: “I asked a cafe what kind of milk they had and they said ‘cow’.” However, she adds that she has found that “plain milk” in Europe “doesn’t really upset her stomach.”

It may be popular, but Raimee recommends giving the city’s famous Shakespeare and Co bookstore a miss, explaining that “it’s a cool bookstore,” but not one worth standing in long lines for.

When it comes to eating out, Raimee recommends walking “five to ten blocks away from a major tourist attraction” to find “better and cheaper” food, but he also explains that the “best way to find a to have a good time in Paris’ is ‘doing as the locals do’. She recommends going to a “local market,” grabbing “some cheese, a cheap bottle of wine and a baguette and just hanging out and people watching.”

Raimee Iacofano (pictured above in Paris) describes herself as a former ‘certified Paris hater’ – and has posted a video with tips to help tourists fall in love with the French capital

Raimee’s video is titled “Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Paris (I Hated My First Visit).” So far, it has amassed 256,000 likes

Finally, of all the tourists who visit the Eiffel Tower, the traveler says she finds the view from the second level “much better” than the view from the third level.

Raimee separately explained to MailOnline Travel that part of the reason for her initial dislike of Paris was having high expectations.

She said: ‘I subconsciously had high expectations of Paris before I visited for the first time. We’ve been told all our lives that Paris is this magical city of love, delicious food, art and history.

“And while it’s certainly all of these things, I made the mistake of only visiting the super touristy sights of Paris on my first trip.

‘I found myself pushing through crowds, constantly saying no to scams and eating overpriced food that just wasn’t good. I remember feeling like I was in an amusement park and swearing I would never come back. I was a real Paris hater.’

How did it finally win her over?

She revealed: ‘Fate brought me back to Paris for a month-long business trip and I had no choice but to give the city another chance. This time I spent time in neighborhoods outside of the tourist areas, meeting locals who showed me around and experiencing what it might feel like to live in Paris.

‘That convinced me. I wasn’t checking off sights from a list. I lived the Parisian life far away from the hustle and bustle, eating the best local food and walking the beautiful streets to work every day. I finally understood why this would be one of the greatest cities in the world!’

The traveler advises visitors to ‘step even a little bit off the tourist route’

Raimee (left and right) says, “I finally understand why this is one of the greatest cities in the world!” She thinks the view from the second floor of the Eiffel Tower is “much better” than the view from the third floor

What are Raimee’s favorite things to do in Paris?

She said: ‘I love grabbing a baguette, cheese and wine from a local market and having a picnic in a park or along the Seine. I also love strolling through the Canal St. Martin and Montmartre neighborhoods and just walking into a restaurant or shop that looks nice.”

Raimee revealed that she likes to stay in Le Marais or Canal St Martin – and has some restaurant recommendations too.

Raimee said, “I love Le Barav in Le Marais. Buy the cheese and meat board and you’ll get a glass of wine for just €5 (£4.16/$5.39). If you’re from the United States, that’s a lot.”

Does she find the locals hospitable? It’s a resounding ‘oui’.

“Honestly, yes,” Raimee said. ‘I’ve never really had bad experiences with Parisians. I met many locals who were excited to show me around the city, and a few who made fun of me for wanting oat milk with my lattes! “I wouldn’t say I felt the most welcomed by Parisians compared to other cities or countries, but I still didn’t experience the ‘rudeness’ that people so often associate with the culture.”

What are the biggest mistakes tourists make when they come to Paris?

Raimee commented, “I think if you have too high expectations for Paris, or any destination for that matter, that’s a big mistake.

“It’s best to go into an experience with neutral feelings and an open mind.”

‘I also think that if you only visit Paris to see the top attractions, you won’t experience the true magic of the city that you find in the small alleys and in the neighborhoods outside the city center. If you step even a little bit off the tourist trail, you will have a much better experience in the city.”

Sticking out like a sore thumb is another mistake.

Raimee added, “Be respectful. Don’t be loud. Try to blend in and do like the locals! You will find yourself in a different culture and in one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world. Make sure you respect the country and its people.”