You know the drill: start with a croissant and a bitter black coffee, glimpse at the Eiffel Tower, visit the Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, have an overpriced dinner at a restaurant that looks like a proper ‘French’ place, stay in an overpriced hotel and head home.
Yawn.
If it’s your first time in Paris, you’ll naturally want to check a whole load of items off a bucket list – and, I might add, the Eiffel Tower is pretty spectacular.
But, having lived in Paris for four years of my life, I can safely say there’s so much more to see in the city – things that often get missed by tourists.
The thing is, the Paris of the weekend visitor is not the same as the Paris of the resident. Not just in terms of cost – although doing Paris a la Parisienne is absolutely cheaper than hitting all the tourist hotspots – but also in terms of food quality, cultural experiences, and so much more.
Here’s my guide to the best places to see and things to do in the French capital – and for seasoned visitors and newbies alike, I hope there’s something new to reignite your, well, love for the city of love.
Around 50 million tourists explore Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region each year, according to Road Genius. As one of the most visited cities in the world, it pulls in so many tourists for plenty of reasons.
First and foremost is its status as a leader in terms of history, art and culture, with some of the most recognisable landmarks in the whole world.
Erin Waks (pictured) lived in Paris for four years. She reveals her guide to the best places to see and things to do in the French capital
If it’s your first time in Paris, you’ll naturally want to check a whole load of bucket list items off – and, I might add, the Eiffel Tower is pretty spectacular
But the city has so much more to offer, and less well-known places could provide your cultural fix, including the Rodin Museum (pictured), my favourite in Paris
But the city has so much more to offer, and less well-known places could provide your cultural fix.
My favourite museum in Paris, the Rodin Museum, features works by the famous sculptor, and is a peaceful haven in the city. The queues won’t be nearly as bad as at the Louvre or Musee d’Orsay.
Similarly, the Catacombs, located in the 14th arrondissement, are a unique – if slightly terrifying – option, just a little out of the more touristy areas.
The Perfume museum, as well as the Ateliers des Lumières and Institut du Monde Arabe (Arab Institute), are also great options for quirky ways to spend a few hours.
Of course, plenty of Paris visitors are there for one reason and one reason alone: the cuisine.
In terms of bakeries, you really can’t go too wrong – but, I might add, don’t be lured in by expensive, chic-looking boulangeries in touristy areas.
Yes, the baked goods will be great, but they could cost almost double, and are never quite as good as the small, independent local options found in residential areas.
If you want to have a real taste of Paris like the locals, head to a residential arrondissement – I like the 15th and 9th – and find a local boulangerie.
The Rodin Museum (pictured) features works by the famous sculptor, and is a peaceful haven in the city
Around 50 million tourists explore Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region each year
If it looks run down and almost closed, or more akin to a UK Gregg’s than a fancy bespoke patisserie shop, you’re in for a treat.
Bonus tip – if you’re able to go as the bakeries start to open (around 7am), you might be there in time to get a croissant straight out of the oven.
There is little better than an almond croissant that is still hot to the touch.
Paris also has some great bars – for me, nothing is better than Le Pavillon des Canaux located on the Canal Saint Martin, definitely worth a visit both day and night.
Serving brunch by day and turning into almost a house party venue by night, this is where locals in the area will go for drinks, dinner, brunch or even just a coffee.
What’s more, Rue du Faubourg Poissoniere is lined with some of the best food in the city – from Asian food to classic French spots, there’s something here for every taste.
In the warmer months, Paris parks can be great for picnics. But don’t bother with the grass-free gardens in the city centre such as the Jardin des Tuileries or Jardin du Luxembourg.
While they’re pretty, the absence of picnic spots makes them highly impractical – and often busy.
Paris snapped at sunrise from the top of Montmartre – the city is best early in the morning
Place des Vosges is also beautiful – but can get busy, especially in the summer months
Above all, Paris is one of the best places to just meander around. ‘Flâner’, as the French say, meaning to wander aimlessly through a city, is something of a national pastime
Instead, the Buttes Chaumont in the far east of the city is your best bet. With a lake at the centre and Jurassic Park-style rock formations, there’s plenty to explore.
And, with the area becoming more popular with wealthy professionals, a whole host of artisan coffee shops and bakeries have been popping up nearby – including Oh My Cappuccino, which I love.
Above all, Paris is one of the best places to just meander around. ‘Flâner’, as the French say, meaning to wander aimlessly through a city, is something of a national pastime.
So if you’d like to do as the French do, pick your spot to mooch carefully.
Trade the Eiffel Tower for the big boulevards of the 9th; swap the chaos of the 1st for the outer arrondissements; shop in the Marais, rather than the Champs Elysees.
And don’t forget your croissant – but please, don’t pay any more than €2 (£1.75) for it.
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