You asked, so here it is- our (semi) locals’ guide to Paris. Living in Paris for 5 months has given us an amazing opportunity to explore a city with so much to see and do- and to appreciate some of the lesser known destinations not at the top of the average tourist’s list. Whether it is your first time, or your 5th, there is plenty to enjoy.
Recommended Restaurants, Shopping, Bars, etc
Please refer to our very comprehensive Google Map here. We continually updated this during our stay, and there are links and comments for each location.
Walking the City
Make sure to pack a pair of comfortable, yet stylish shoes- Paris is best seen on foot! This way you can stop at that quaint cafe, rest on a bench in the park, or browse a local shop as you stumble upon them. If you are traveling in the shoulder seasons, an umbrella will likely also be a good companion for your stroll. Here are some of our favorite sightseeing walks that will take you to what I would consider the must see’s of Paris. The Heart of the City Starting at the Eastern side of Hotel de Ville, cross over the Seine towards the smaller I’ll de la Cité. Enjoy the incredible views from the bridges, and if it’s nice out, stop in to Berthillon for ice cream! Walk over towards Norte Dame, and admire the incredible cathedral. Continue along the Seine and then up towards the front of Notre Dame. It’s free to go inside, so cue up and take a look. Continue over to the Palais de Justice, and decide if you would like to pay a visit to the Conciergerie and/or St Chappelle. The Conciergerie almost never has a line up for tickets, so if you plan to do both, buy your dual tickets there and then getting into St Chappelle will be a breeze! Cross back over the Seine to stroll along the river walkway, and head towards the Louvre. I recommend doing the 'Highlights of the Louvre' tour if you would like to see the major art pieces inside, but also make sure to spend some time in the beautiful plazas outside as well. The Musee d'Orsay is also an incredible addition to this walk. Just head the other way across the Seine once you finish at St Chappelle.
The Big Three
Starting at the Jardin des Tuileries, walk through the garden towards the Place de la Concorde and admire the incredible Obelisk. From here, you will be able to see the the Arc de Triomphe by looking down the Champs-Élysées. The Champs-Élysées is incredibly busy, with plenty of designer shops, so be prepared for crowds and tourists. If you want to avoid the crowds, this is a pleasant walk in the morning before things get to busy and the shops open. Once you reach the Arc, you can also go up to the top for a beautiful view of the city. At a minimum, be sure to take a 360 degree walk around the famous roundabout, and admire the crazy french drivers as they weave their way through the five or six lanes. Now walk south to Trocadero plaza, where you will be treated to an incredible view of the Eiffel tower from across the Seine. This is an incredible photo stop. Continue down towards the Seine, making your way through the fountains and gardens to cross the Pont d'Iéna and approach the Eiffel tour. It is common to spend at least an hour in line waiting for the cable car up to the observation deck of the Eiffel tower. Instead, since you are already wearing good walking shoes- do the stairs. It’s more fun and you can stop at various points to see the view as you go.
The Marais Shopping Spree
The Marais has become the ultra classy hipster neighborhood in Paris, and there are numerous shops along the Rue des Rosiers. Since this area maintains it's Jewish traditions, most shops close on Saturday- but Sunday is lively and active. Start at Peloton Coffee in the morning for a pastry and hot drink, then head towards the Centre Pompidou. This museum was incredibly controversial during is construction because of it's unique design, which many argue does not fit the Parisien style. Continue along Rue Rambuteau back towards Rue Vieille du Temple, with detours onto Rue des Rosiers and any other small side streets that look charming. As you continue up Rue Vieille du Temple, the major brand stores will give way to smaller artisan shops that sell unique and one of a kind clothing you won't find anywhere else. Pick up a Falafel for lunch, or head to the Marché des Enfants Rouges for a true French market experience and grab lunch there.
Other areas that are definitely worth spending time walking around and exploring are: République and the Canal District (where we lived), Oberkampf (especially for nightlife), Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur Cathedral, St. Germain des Près, the Latin Quarter, and Opéra.
Getting around in Paris
For when your feet get tired of walking- take the metro! It's incredibly convenient and fast. The best deal is to either buy a day pass, or to buy ticket books of ten tickets each. You can get to virtually any destination via the metro.
You also have the option of using the bike share program, Velib. Though we never tried it, it would be nice to cruise the Seine pathway with one of these.
Helpful Links
If you are planning to visit many of the museums during your stay, this pass will give you a flat rate to access the sites, plus a special line for access. This can save you hours on your vacation, and allow you spend it in the museums instead of in lines.
Download this app to learn basic French phrases to help you get around
Quick rate info and updates. The best place for closures and delays is Twitter.
Sign up for a bike share account and ride!
The Peloton coffee shop in the Marais also offers bike tours of the area.
The Pompidou always has rotating exhibits and events. Check out what is showing during your trip!
As mentioned above, a great to see the important pieces in the Louvre
This blogger was a huge inspiration for me, and her book- The New Paris is an incredible showcase of Parisians and their artisan craftsmanship in food, textiles, art, and design.
This is essentially the groupon for Parisians. You can find great deals here on all kinds of events.
Happy Travels!