What to do in Paris?
📋 The essentials to remember: Paris remains one of the most visited cities in the world (44 million tourists in 2023). My must-sees beyond the classics: Marais (rue des Rosiers, place des Vosges), Canal Saint-Martin, Buttes-Chaumont, Belleville for street art, and the Petite Ceinture for urbex. Plan for at least 4 to 6 days. Budget: 100-150 €/day in standard mode excluding hotel.
Having lived in Paris since I was born, I know this city like the back of my hand.
When I traveled around the world and said I lived in Paris, there were always sparks in the eyes of foreigners. For many tourists, Paris is “the most beautiful city in the world,” it has a very beautiful image abroad because Paris is the capital of Fashion, the capital of glamour and romance.
A little reference about Paris
When I was in Seoul, there were French bakeries with signs like Paris and the Eiffel Tower. There are few cities in the world that generate so much interest and have such a strong brand image worldwide. Let’s not hide it, but Paris makes foreigners dream! When you see the Chanel advertisement with the Eiffel Tower in the background, you quickly understand that Paris is associated with luxury and prestige.
I had a standard phrase to introduce my city when I started a conversation with other travelers when they asked me where I lived. I said “the most beautiful city in the world.”
It’s easier to say you live in Paris when you live in the Paris region because foreigners know “Paris” and they don’t care if you live in Seine-Saint-Denis!
Let’s get back to the topic of the article “Paris”
I am not going to tell you in this article where to go but rather talk about my brother Rocky’s blog, expo paris.
You can find about sixty articles on Paris.
🌍 Did you know?
The Eiffel Tower grows by 15 cm in summer due to the thermal expansion of iron. Conversely, it shrinks by 6 cm in winter. It weighs 10,100 tons and has welcomed more than 320 million visitors since 1889, making it the most visited paid monument in the world.
It is a blog that talks about several topics:
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Exhibitions in Paris
In this section, you will find information about current and upcoming exhibitions in Paris. If you enjoy visiting exhibitions like me, go check it out.
🗣️ My experience: To rediscover Paris like a local, I recommend Buttes-Chaumont in May at sunrise. No tourists, clear view of Montmartre, and the park is one of the most beautiful in Paris (unknown to foreign visitors). Then a coffee downstairs in the 19th or head to Belleville for street art. A morning in Paris away from the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower, and you rediscover the city.
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Museums in Paris
A brief overview of the museums in Paris with the activities and specialties of each.
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Visit to Paris
This section gathers articles about the most beautiful monuments and must-see activities that can be done in the city of Paris.
| Neighborhood | Atmosphere | To see |
|---|---|---|
| Le Marais | Historic, trendy | Place des Vosges, rue des Rosiers, Picasso Museum |
| Montmartre | Bohemian, panoramic | Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre, secret alleys |
| Canal Saint-Martin | Trendy, local | Lively quays, brunches, secondhand booksellers |
| Saint-Germain | Literary, chic | Legendary cafés, bookstores, galleries |
| Belleville | Multicultural, street art | Rue Denoyez, Belleville park, food |
| Bercy / 12th | Family-friendly, green | Bois de Vincennes, Promenade plantée |
| Latin Quarter | Student, historic | Panthéon, Luxembourg Garden, Shakespeare & Co |
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Good deals in Paris
🍀 Paris
- Exceptional cultural density
- Very dense metro (16 lines)
- World-renowned gastronomy
- Unique Haussmannian architecture
🔻 Limits
- Expensive hotels (130-300 €/night)
- Metro crowded during rush hours
- Pickpockets in tourist areas
- Sometimes cold reception in restaurants
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Art galleries in Paris
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Shows in Paris
Paris is a city with many activities, and shows are part of them. In this section, you will find the shows currently in Paris.
⚠️ Classic trap
Eating on the Champs-Élysées or around the Trocadéro. Mediocre restaurants at high prices (15-20 € for a basic dish). Move at least 200 m away from tourist monuments to find real cuisine at 12-18 € per dish. Prefer bistros in the 11th, 12th, 14th, 18th, or 20th arrondissement.
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Hotels
A listing of recommended and tested hotels by Expo Paris in Paris; a broader selection can be found on the Expedia site where you can also find user reviews of hotels.
This site can be very useful for people wishing to learn about activities that can be done in Paris because it offers practical advice and provides an overview of Paris seen through the eyes of a Parisian.
To compare with other European capitals, the most beautiful cities in Europe ranks my favorites. Weekend ideas in Europe offers short formats. And for budget considerations, cheap destinations in Europe provides more affordable alternatives.
You can also find his interview about Finland in the section: Europe travel advice
