A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
If you’re staying some time in Paris, then consider a day trip outside the capital. There are plenty of picturesque locations to explore, easily accessible by train or car from the French capital. Some destinations are close enough to combine for an extended journey.
Paris may be known for its high fashion and world-renowned art museums, but it’s also a place where you can stumble on the wonderfully weird and eccentric in any number of unassuming side streets. Sometimes, odd emporiums even stand in plain sight on major streets, but too many pass by without noticing.
Every July 14th, Paris celebrates Bastille Day (referred to asLa Fête de la BastilleorLa Fête Nationalein French). This historic event commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, marking a pivotal moment in the French Revolution.
The French capital, renowned for its cultural heritage and artistic trends, offers a plethora of free and imaginative yearly events. From artistic celebrations to lively street festivities, there’s something for everyone. Plan your visit for summer or early autumn to make the most of these events.
Whether you’ve never been to Paris, are visiting for the first time, or have lived here for a decade, there’s no denying the allure of a well-made French crepe. This extra-thin Gallic-style pancake can be topped with sweet ingredients like Nutella, sugar, or fresh jam. Alternatively, the savory variety, usually made with buckwheat following a traditional Breton recipe, can feature ham, cheese, or egg. The crepe is incredibly versatile; it can be enjoyed in a posh restaurant or eaten casually while strolling down the street.
Paris might be most readily associated with espressos orcafe cremes, but a vibrant tea culture has been gaining ground in recent years. Classy, quirky, and traditional tea houses have sprung up across the city, making tea a more popular option for the sacred French afternoonpause cafe. Despite many people’s association of tea with British culture, there are genuine French tea traditions to explore. Discover these exquisite tea purveyors in Paris for a refreshing morning start, an elegant afternoon tea, or a soothing after-dinner drink.
Ah, the traditional Paris cabaret. A show that has little to do with contemporary Parisian culture and everything to do with nostalgia, a good heaping of kitschy fun, and a love for longstanding erotic codes. You won’t, admittedly, find many Parisians lined up to catch a show at one of these places. However, if you’re hankering for French cancans, Vegas-style glitz, and lots of skin, these top traditional Paris cabarets will provide delicious clichés up to your elbows– for a hefty price, of course. There are plenty of more subdued, serious, or arty cabaret-theatres in Paris, too, but the following are all cabaret classics.
Paris boasts some of the world’s largest, most glamorous, and historically rich department stores. These locations provide visitors the opportunity to browse the latest trends in designer fashion and new collections, enjoy meals on dramatic outdoor terraces, explore tempting aisles in gourmet food shops, and even attend free fashion shows. Known as “grands magasins” in French, these cherished institutions attract both locals and tourists and should undoubtedly feature on your itinerary if shopping in Paris is on your agenda.
Are you looking for something a bit off the beaten path in Paris? Are you visiting with kids? If so, the sprawling Science and Industry Museum/Center in Paris (Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie) is a delightful place to spend a morning or afternoon in pursuit of fun, learning, and discovery. Designed for children aged 2 to 18, this vast center includes numerous thematic attractions and areas, including an impressive planetarium.
Housed in a building adjoining the Louvre Museum, theMusée des Arts Décoratifs (Decorative Arts Museum)boasts some 150,000 works of decorative art, including ceramics, glass, jewelry, and toys. The collection traces decorative arts across history, beginning with the medieval period, and civilizations, from Europe to the Middle East and far Orient.
The Beaubourg neighborhood lies at the heart of the city, where you’ll discover some of the capital’s finest museums and cultural centers, as well as vibrant cafes, restaurants, and quirky boutiques.
Despite the city of light’s reputation for street fare like crepes, finding high-quality fast food in Paris can be hit-and-miss. Especially in areas with a heavy tourist presence, the risk of ending up with a stale, gummy crepe or a sandwich prepared with questionable hygiene practices is present. Luckily, Paris also offers some excellent street food options for the whole family, as long as you know where to go (and what to avoid).
Did you know Paris is one of the most densely populated cities on the planet, even surpassing crowded metropolises like Mumbai and Cairo? Coupling this with the fact that the City of Light is the world’s top urban tourist destination, it is no surprise that navigating its streets or using the Paris metro can often feel overwhelming.
Located in Paris’ 13th arrondissement, the Butte aux Cailles district is one of the city’s most charming hidden gems, often overlooked by tourists. Known for its narrow cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, and unique boutiques, this area offers a taste of authentic Parisian life.
Les Folies Bergère is one of Paris’ most-revered classic cabarets and “theaters of the people.” Opened in 1869 as Les Folies Trevise, this legendary venue has hosted performances by icons like American dancer Josephine Baker, French writer Colette, and Charlie Chaplin. Known for its bawdy, bold acts, Les Folies Bergère has always remained true to its anti-elitist roots.
Paris is renowned for making an art of almost everything—even death and mourning. It’s no surprise, then, that the city’s cemeteries are poetic and inspired places that feel a bit like open-air museums. These historic sites, which opened primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries, serve as the burial places for countless writers, philosophers, musicians, politicians, and other famous figures, often providing beautiful spots for reflection and strolls.
In many ways, Paris in the summertime is the leastParisianof times in the city of lights. Since French people generally have several weeks of paid vacation a year, huge numbers of locals flee town for vacations in the south of France or elsewhere, and the influx of visitors turns the city into a perpetual Babel, with foreign languages heard just as frequently as French in metro cars or cafes.
If you’re at all familiar with impressionist painting, which so often depicts Parisians at lazy picnics in romantic green settings, you know that Paris’ myriad parks and gardens have long been a source of inspiration. In Paris, a park is almostnevera mere plot of grass reserved for sports, and a garden is rarely a random selection of flowers and plants. Parisians pride themselves in making their city’s parks and gardens places of elegance, artistic detail, and symmetry—even the romantic gardens have been carefully planned to imitate nature. Take a stroll, picnic, and revel in these idyllic green spots.
Located near the very center of the French capital, the 2nd arrondissement of Paris harbors noteworthy attractions that many tourists often overlook. This charming district features an intact medieval tower linked to a historical royal assassination, as well as one of the best permanent market streets in the city. Visitors can also observe glamorous old covered passageways and edgy boutiques featuring both established and new designers.
If you know us then you know that Paris is one of our favorite cities in Europe, and 3 days in Paris gives you ample time to sample all the highlights of the city. From visiting the famous sights like the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre to exploring great Paris neighborhoods and sampling some great food, Paris is a city that has it all.