Ten More Things To Do In Paris
Why should you visit Paris? Well, why on earth not?
One of the most sophisticated, charming, cultured, ancient yet modern cities in the world. Once the city that started revolutions; that gave birth to liberty, equality and fraternity; with its architecture moulded by history, it is now a multicultural, buzzing world capital.
This city has everything. If you are obsessed by fashion, Paris is still at centre stage of world fashion; if you are in love, Paris is the “city of love”; if you want to party – well, there is nowhere better.
Also, it is ridiculously easy to get to from UK, and pretty easy to have a stopover from anywhere else in the world, so it is perfect for a weekend away.
So, you have booked a weekend trip to Paris (or longer). What are you going to do?
Let me give you a list. Not of the “once in a life-time destinations” like seeing the Mona Lisa, climbing the Eiffel Tower, going to see Notre Dame. No – you already know this otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this post. Although I do recommend going to the Eiffel tower when you can, to get gorgeous romantic shots like this one.
This list is of things to do is much more serendipitous. Leaving a bit to chance (what major exhibitions will be visiting when you happen to be there?) and playing things by ear. But this is what I love. Being a bit unplanned and spontaneous but knowing enough not to get lost.
So, here’s a list of 10 things to do in Paris. Or at least my own list. So look down it, check out some of the things I suggest, and then make your own.
Ten more things to do in Paris.
- Paris invented the restaurant. And in Paris restaurants are good. I don’t mean just the push the boat out places but just good food places. You can eat anything, from good bourgeois food in traditional neighbourhood bistros to food from any country you name. You can try lots of fusion food as well as eat in bistros specialising in single dishes like chicken. Two of my newest finds are the Restaurant L’ami Jean with its simple rustic atmostphere. Their signature award winning dish is their pork belly, cavier lentils, marinated scallops and apple. If you can then please try their 7 course tasting menu. Go for the ‘picked by the chef option’ and pray very very hard that you end up with the amazing strawberry and olive oil pudding. Alternatively visit Le Bagnard, which has got to be one of my favourite ever eating places. This warm and cosy spot is run by the enthusiastic Yoni Saada. The concept is simple street food from the South of `France with more flavours from the Mediterranean. Try one of their Pan Bagnats. So, so good.
- Relax and talk. Paris invented café culture. Take advantage of it. It doesn’t have to be in the Champs–Elysées but any café will be perfect for you to sit, watch the world go by, and put the world to rights over coffee or an aperitif or two. Do feel free to try the most indulgent hot chocolate made with real chocolate at the Deux Mageux Cafe whilst seeking out the two statues the café was named after. Hey, if it was good enough for Earnest Hemmingway then it is good enough for us all.
Credit – Elsbro, The Whinery Credit – Elsbro, The Whinery - Wander around. Paris invented the flaneur. The person who wanders around observing society – otherwise known as people-watching. But don’t just people watch – soak up all that Parisian architecture, look for one of a kind doors and keep an eye on all the interesting street art that populates the place. You really can easily spend 2 or 3 days wandering about in a state of wow, I looooooooove this, and this, and this, and this…….
- Visit other places – the places less visited. Like the Grand Mosque of Paris. Or the Cimetière de Montmartre. Or the catacombs – ancient quarries (where do you think all the fine buildings got their stone from after all?) which tunnel under what is a lot of modern Paris. These are an early example of environmental management. To be specific, Paris in the 18th Century had a big problem with graveyards. They were completely full. So full, that they were a health hazard. So, in 1786 they started moving bones from the Cemetery des Innocents (near what is now Les Halles) to the old quarries. Which became renamed the catacombs to follow Rome’s rather more ancient ones. Go. Seriously. They retain a lot of majesty and actually have quite a spiritual quality – they are certainly a good place to reflect on your mortality.
Credit – Elsbro, The Whinery - Sample the bars – after the thoughts of mortality in the catacombs, cheer yourself up by having a quick cognac in a bar round the corner, and think of life in a different way by going to:
- An art gallery or museum – there are some world-beating exhibitions on this year, from Rubens at the Musee du Luxembourg to Gaugin at the Grand Palais, or modern ones such as David Hockney and Anselem Kiefer or landmark art shows Fiac and Art Paris Art Fair.
Credit – Elsbro, The Whinery Musée Rodin. Credit – Elsbro, The Whinery Musée Rodin. - Have a picnic – go to a market and pick up some cheese, a freshly baked baguette, some rilletes or pate, croissants, fresh fruits – yes please to figs and apricots, and have a picnic somewhere in the sun. Maybe on the banks of the Seine? Maybe in a square? Maybe in the Buttes Chaumont or the Bois de Bolougne? Or a hidden spot in the Jardin des Tuileries. Do remember to grab some French wine, a blanket and maybe a book or two. Then you are good to go.
Credit – Elsbro, The Whinery Credit – Elsbro, The Whinery - Go for a bike ride. Paris was one of the first cities to have a city-wide bike hire scheme – the internationally famous velib (these inspired London’s Boris bikes). With more than 20,000 bikes and rental starting at only €1,70 per day there is no excuse not to. Bikes are a good way to see stunning sights, beautiful green parks, hidden treasures or to find quite spot if you need to. Plus, the health benefits of biking only make this a win win. Go on, try one and see Paris in a whole new way.
- Treasure hunt around Paris. Geocaching is about seeking out carefully hidden geocache (containers) using GPS-enabled devices. If you find yourself a cache, it usually contains a logbook to record your visit and “treasure,” that you can swap. You will visit places you would never have visited, you will probably bump into people you would never have met and much, much more. Please read Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary Palais de Justice including her meeting with the most helpful policeman in France, and being smuggled into the Palais de Justice. Lucky her.
- See sports – Paris hosts a huge range of sporting events with something for everyone. For example, you could watch the French Open, which is one of the world’s five grand slam tennis matches. Or maybe you can see Paris Eiffel jumping in action. Or off course you can check out the Tour de France which finishes here.
So much of Paris still to do, so little time and so very exciting.
I visited Paris Courtesy of Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau, Atout France and Travel Insight. Find out more about the campaigns using the hashtag #yummyparis.
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I love paris. I guess I am the ultimate flaneur as that is what I do when I visit. I used to stop over on the way to New York and I particularly love people watching at Les Deux Magot. Such an historic site.
I want to drink hot chocolate everyday at Les Deux Magot for a whole year.
We did nearly all the typical tourist things you mentioned at the beginning when we were in Paris. I wish we had spent more time doing the relaxing things on your list here. Wandering, eating, exploring. Maybe next time.
I hope you get to go back and see a different Paris.
These are wonderful suggestions that I would love to do. I am curious about geocaching. I have not met anyone who has done this. It sounds really interesting and fun especially if you’d discover something new.
I have it on my list of things to do much more of.
I used to live in Paris so I loved your list of fun things to do. Believe it or not I never had a coffee at Les Deux Magots, I need to return. L’Ami Jean sounds like a great find too!
I used to visit Paris so often when I was a young adult – so many of my first trips without parents were to Paris and I au-paired an hour’s train away from Paris before I went to uni, so visited Paris every weekend! Until this trip I’d not been for ages, so it was so good to reconnect and it was wonderful that those in our group who hadn’t been before fell in love with Paris too. I love your selection of other things to do in Paris than the obvious!
Thanks Kavey. You lucky thing having been to Paris so much. I feel like I have barely scratched the surface.
As an expat living in France, I think one of the best things in France is the high quality wine. And people might not think of Paris as a French wine destination, but what is now a sprawling city was once covered in vineyards. Just one remains within the city. But there are a lot of incredible wine bars and places to samples France’s world renowned wines. So I’d add that to your list, especially when the focus is yummy Paris!
I did not realise it was once covered in vineyards. I have to go back to explore more 🙂
I’ve only been once ~ you’ve made me want to pick up the phone and make reservations, gorgeous photos!
Oh how magical it is! It’s always been at the top of my travel list, and I’ll use this post as a guide, should I ever find myself there!
Paris really is a wonderful city and you do sum it up nicely. Thank you for sharing some great tips.
Paris is on my bucket list, and just moved a few ticks closer to the top. I can’t imagine anything dreamier than enjoying a bourgeois meal at a neighborhood bistro—or having a gourmet picnic on the banks of the Seine. That’s it: I’m checking plane fares NOW.
Hahahaha – THAT is the reaction that I was hoping for. Fingers crossed you go.
I haven’t been to Paris for about 5 years, but your post is really making me want to go back. Your photos are awesome too.
Thanks Dannii
I’m so jealous, looks like you’ve have an incredible trip!
I did have a fabulous time.
One of my dreams is to visit Paris… Lovely pictures.
Fingers crossed you get to go.
I adore Paris and I love all of your great tips of things to see. Lovely photos too!
Absolutely gorgeous photos! I have been to Paris once, but I was very young and don’t remember much. I would love to spend a weekend exploring restaurants, cafes, and markets. I love how you included things that people don’t tend to flock to.
Thanks Tara, and I hope you manage to go back at some point.
I found myself nodding along to the majority of this list but it was when I got to ‘Go for a Picnic’ that I was totally smitten by the idea. I SO want to do that now. Have only been in Paris for a day so would love to make a proper visit.
Paris has soooooooo many stunning picnic spots with amazing views. You would love it.
Everything looks so pretty!! Wow!!!
It was rather beautiful.
I adore Paris and this is so useful! It looks like you ate so well whilst you were there, I think I’ll have to go back soon and try some of these places out!
Seriosuly paris is absolutely one of the best places to visit.
Paris has got to be my most favourite city I’ve ever visited. Love that you’ve photographed one of the spray painted vans – what is with those? They’re all over the city too! I reckon it’s because they parked too long in one place. 😉 Fantastic post that brings me back to the city with every morsel.
I know right? I saw the vans everywhere but did not have enough camara space to photograph them all.
Paris is a magical city! I had so much fun there last week, and the most important thing is that it’s such a great foodie city. Great post.
I miss all that delicous food. I can’t wait to go back with my family so they too can try it.