I like Paris the way I like my burgers: cheap and a little bougie. A lot of the more traditional tourist "to-dos", such as visiting the Eiffel Tower and diving head first into a quiche hold up visit after visit, while other activities, like walking through Saint Germain, watching mimes, and visiting the Love Bridge make you feel like you're at Epcot.
Here are some unique things I like to do in Paris that don't scream tourist (and a fun spin on some traditional touristy things.)
#1. Meet An Artist In Montmarte
One of my favorite things in Paris is meeting the artists. While a lot of people perceive the Montmarte street artists as a tourist trap, a ton of them have very interesting stories to tell. They're also all pretty talented. The one I went to charged me 30 euro for a beautiful portrait (which was great), but I also got a lot from our conversation.
He had been living in the neighborhood for ten years, and said while it's grown and become a little touristy, he would never leave. He also gave me a few recommendations of places to check out.
She's (the portrait) still displayed in my living room. As good as it is, I'll admit that it looks less like me and more like 2007 Kristen Stewart. But it's a nice piece of art that's 100% unique. Sometimes I swear I see her smiling.
75018 Paris, France
#2. Eat A Lot of Cheese
The French love cheese, just like Americans. They're just better at cheese. Their little cheese shops, fromageries, will put your grocery store Kraft singles to shame.
(Even though a lot of French people have told me these shops are basically to serve tourists. Whatever.)
No matter where you buy your cheese in Paris, charming overpriced fromagerie or grocery store, just buy it and go crazy. Their cheese is amazing.
Here's a few fromageries to get started.
Fromagerie Quatrehomme
62 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
Fromagerie Laurent Dubois
47 Ter Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris, France
Fromagerie Beillevaire
118 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris, France
If anything, do it for the 'gram. No one can pass up liking a picture of some sexy brie.
#3. Explore Musée d'Orsay
The Lourve is great and good and all, but have you ever been to a museum in a former train station? The Musée d'Orsay stands where the Beaux-Arts railway station, Gare d'Orsay, once stood. And while there's stunning art to behold, one of the most magical things about Musée d'Orsay is the architecture.
The Musee d'Orsay Clock alone is worth the visit. Another Instagram worthy adventure, or just a quiet place to spend a few hours. Oh yeah, and there's a few paintings by a few guys you might know (Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh.)
1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
#4. Be A Beautiful Little Cliche
Why? Because you're in Paris. Go to the Eiffel Tower, but instead of standing in line, be like me and lie underneath in a pile of dirty leaves. The locals won't judge you for it (maybe), and it's a nice (and free) way to burn time while you're waiting for all that cheese you just ate to settle.
While I've never been to the top of the Eiffel Tower (I'm petrified of heights), laying in it's shadow is one of the most humbling experiences I've ever had. I didn't really feel like I was in Europe until I was there.
Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
#5. Celebrate A Local Holiday
When I was in Paris in 2016 with my sister, we celebrated Three Kings Day with my local friends Marion and Laurent. Three Kings Day is a holiday in Paris, but also, a fantastic reason to get drunk on a Wednesday night.
To partake in this particular holiday, you buy a rich, thick cake at the grocery store. Each one has a hidden toy and the person who finds the toy is the "king." During our celebration, Erica found the little Buzz Lightyear hiding in our cake.
I still resent her for it, obviously.
Even if you miss Three Kings, Bastille Day is another holiday that you can check out in Paris.
(It's also my birthday, so if you want to send me a gift, I have a few lists on Amazon.)
#6. Have Lunch At Shakespeare & Co.
This is one of the best bookstores in Paris, despite being a little touristy. After browsing the shop, and weaving in and out of the shelves, I bought a tote bag for my friend Chris. A lot of tourists go here to shop for books, but what you can't miss is the little cafe next door.
I spent some time there, eating avocado toast, sipping coffee, and listening to the bells of Notre Dame. I daydreamed and filled out The Proust Questionnaire, that they have printed out on their menu. I found it months later, completed, and neatly folded in a secret pocket in my purse.
37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
#7. Dance at Le Caveau de la Huchette
This jazzy little place is one of the best finds in the city. In the day, it can pass as the entrance of a theme park attraction. But at night, it comes alive.
I met a man named Jean Claude there, inspiring one of my favorite travel stories to date. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. It was something similar to that Audrey Hepburn scene from Funny Face. Music and dancing. And me, spinning - twirling across the floor, much more elegantly than I ever have before.
5 Rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris, France
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