Top Things To Do In Paris

Paris. What immediately springs to mind when you hear it? Is it love? Is it lights? Is it the smell of freshly baked croissants wafting into the streets from a nearby patisserie? Or more aptly, the smell of pee as you cross every street (sorry, not the most pleasant of images but its just too true!)?

To me, Paris is a city full of character, diversity and some very good wine. Contrary to London, Paris is gloriously small, with everything within reasonable distance, allowing for some fabulous exploring. Living there gave me a real sense of what it is to be Parisian and I thought I would write about some of the best things the beautiful city has to offer. Some things are slightly tourist-y but others are little gems that you would only stumble upon if you spent proper time there.

I strongly encourage you to add these things onto your Paris bucket list!

Montmartre 

One of the most charming areas of Paris, Montmartre is a little slice of cobbled heaven slap bang not-quite-in-the-middle of glorious Paris. You could spend an entire day getting lost in the charming streets, gazing out at the view from the Sacre Cœur and watching artists create incredible caricatures (not the normal kind!) in the middle of Place du Tertre. If you want a €4 glass of prosecco, head to La Maison Rose, but make sure you go after 3pm as this is when they told us they began serving drinks.

If you come out of Abbesses metro station, you'll find the Mur des Je T'Aime (The Love Wall). One of the more touristy spots of Montmartre,  it is always filled with smug couples taking endless selfies, however, if you look beyond all the pandemonium, the wall itself is actually quite a sweet tribute to love, and it can be quite fun to sit back and try to decipher as many languages as you can.

Canal Saint Martin

If the weather is in your favour, a lovely way to enjoy the sunshine is to get a patisserie and sit by the Canal Saint Martin and watch the world go by. If you're bored of sitting by the Seine (not that the Seine ever gets dull!), this is a great alternative that might be a tad less busy than the banks of the river itself. You could even bring a bottle of wine to enjoy by the canal if you go a little later on in the day.

59 Rue de Rivoli

Although tucked away in an unassuming place on Rivoli, this building will be sure to catch your eye with the artsy exterior and friendly people on the door, encouraging you to pay a visit inside. 59 Rue de Rivoli is a studio space that many artists use to display their artworks. Multiple floors all joined by a bamboozling spiral staircase with enough murals to make you dizzy, this place is an eclectic heaven. The artists are all wonderfully friendly and willing to have a chat, so for the arty-farty among you, this would be a goldmine.

The Little Passages

Nestled off of main roads, Paris has some gorgeous little passageways - they tend to be called Galéries - that house some of Paris' best independent shops. One of my favourites is Galérie Vero-Dodat, mainly because it was a solid 5 seconds from my flat but it was always empty when I walked through it, acting as my own little oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets. If you're after little boutique shops, these little passageways are your best bet at finding little gems.

Rue Cremieux

For the more Instagram-savvy, this is definitely one for the list. It simply is just a little street near Gare de Lyon that has pretty, pastel-coloured houses lining both sides, but it does serve well as an aesthetic place to go to give your eyes a little treat. When I went, it felt like I took a step into back into the U.K, as I got some serious Brighton vibes from this little Rue.

Jardin de Luxembourg

If you're in the 6th arrondissement and your legs need a rest and you want to enjoy some sunshine in a green space, head to Jardin de Luxembourg. With green chairs dotted around the entire area, you'll be sure to find somewhere to have a little relax, with gorgeous views of the Luxembourg Palace and a picturesque fountain.

Vintage shopping

I've been told you're a true Parisian if you respond to someone complimenting your clothes with "oh thanks, I bought it at a vintage shop". Paris is full of wonderful vintage shops that house some of the coolest items at great prices. I scored a few gorgeous items at various different vintage shops around Paris and there is something so satisfying knowing that nobody else will have the same thing hanging up in their wardrobe. I would highly recommend the thrift store in Montmartre called By Flowers. Not only did we find some absolute gems in there, but the customer service we received was impeccable and myself and my two friends each made a very successful purchase with the help and hype of the lovely salesman.

Watch the twinkling Eiffel Tower

Again, this isn't the most original idea in the world, but for me personally, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle brings a certain euphoria that I can't describe. I just think it's one of the most beautiful sights in the world. The lights will twinkle on the hour every hour from sunset onwards. The twinkle lasts for 5 minutes and it's always so fun to go with a bunch of friends with a bottle of wine and a take-out dinner to enjoy the evening itself. Sitting on Champ de Mars will give you the best, full-frontal view, however, it's also quite atmospheric to sit in Les Invalides on a grassy spot where you have the tower in view. little tip - do not buy any beverages that are sold by people just walking around with a bucket of alcohol. That bucket has been sitting in a drain as this is where these people store them, so for your own health, stay away from that!

Drinks on a Boat on the Seine

As you walk along the Seine, you may notice a few boats-turned-bars that line the edge of the river. I would highly recommend sitting and having a drink on one of these boats, due to the brilliant views you get and the guaranteed good atmosphere, perfect for watching the world go by. When the warmer months came, we couldn't resist our Apérol Spritz' atop a boat, especially as sunset came by, as you get the most glorious golden hour you've ever seen. Rosa Bonheur is a good option, although fairly pricey. Calife is also a good one, located just by Pont des Arts. The best one, in my humble opinion, is Concorde Atlantique, as their Aperol Spritz' are globe-sized and the service was absolutely impeccable - probably the best I've had in Paris.

Shows

Now, you can't go to Paris without seeing one of their famous dance shows, Can-can and all. I was lucky enough to experience an incredible spectacle at the famous Moulin Rouge, and it really was a night to remember. Tastefully done, the acts were so beautiful and it really felt so French, sipping on champagne and watching such a show. I would recommend eating at the Rouge Bis restaurant, which has glorious views of the Moulin Rouge windmill and equally as glorious food.

Le Lido is another wonderful show in the heart of the Champs Elysees. You can get your hands on a package deal where each guest receives a glass of champagne each included in the ticket price. I went with friends to this show and we were all mesmerised by the acts and felt marvellously entertained.

Arc De Triomphe 

Another activity mainly reserved for tourists is climbing up the Arc de Triomphe. However, despite the herds of eager tourists, spending some time atop the arch is a lovely way to watch the sunset or even the Eiffel Tower's twinkling lights after sundown. Just be aware that it tends to be extremely windy up there, so it's best to dress fairly warm and to expect all of your photographs to be ruined by the wind making your hair go completely crazy.

Restaurants and Bars

Le Train Bleu Restaurant

This restaurant isn’t the most original recommendation there ever was, however that doesn’t take away from it’s unparalleled grandeur. This place, situated in the heart of Gare de Lyon, is a real treat and a restaurant like no other. With the most opulent setting complete with murals, chandeliers and even a waiter-turned-singer giving us a little vocal extravaganza, the atmosphere is perfect for a special celebration.

Les Pâtes Vivantes

If you're looking for some good comfort food in the form of Chinese noodles, curry or vegetables, Pâtes Vivantes is the place to satisfy all your cravings. My flatmates and I developed an unbreakable adoration of this restaurant that we ate there at least once a week. Situated in Châtelet near to Rue Montorgeuil, the restaurant is ideally located and perfect for an after-work feast. The restaurant itself isn't anything too special décor wise, but what's amazing is that you can see the chefs preparing the noodles using traditional techniques, which adds that warmth of authenticity. Oh, and they accept the ticket restaurant, which is always very useful.

Prescription Cocktail Club

If classy cocktails are on the agenda for the evening ahead, I highly recommend Prescription Cocktail Club. The atmosphere at this bar is relaxed yet chic, classy yet effortlessly cool and it felt like our own little hidden-away secret. With dimly lit rooms (I assume this is their take on mood lighting) both downstairs and upstairs furnished with comfortable armchairs and grand wallpaper, it is a wonderful setting for evening drinks with a dash of elegance. The cocktails are all absolutely delicious and their menu is vast, so there is something to tickle everybody's tastebuds.

Dinner Cruise on the Seine 

This one is for the hopeless romantics out there. A dinner cruise on the Seine is a beautiful way to see Paris without having to even get up out of your chair. A truly special experience, I would recommend a dinner cruise to a couple or to a family for a dinner with a little extra va va voom. 

Bisou Bar

Have you eveer been to a bar and had to ponder over the menu for hours before you can make a decision? If that sounds all too familiar, Bisou bar is the place for you. With no menu, this bar prides itself on their ability to create concoctions just from the preferences expressed by the customer. All you have to do is dish the dirt about your favourite flavours and they'll whip something right up for you. No need to download the PDF menu the day before. Here, it's just based on winging it.

La Perruche

Situated on the rooftop of Printemps, navigating the way up to la Perruche can be a little bit of a maze. However, once the lift doors open on the top floor, you are immediately transported to a leafy eden guiding you to a very fancy schmancy restaurant. Unfortunately for us, we weren't able to sit outside as there was a private event happening, however, the inside was equally as glorious as the big, glass windows allowed for the most spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower. Although a very bougie way to spend an evening, La Perruche is perfect for a special occasion or if you just wanted to splash the cash on rooftop cocktails. Be aware of the dishes of the day that have no price, as some of us got absolutely Paris'd when the bill came out at the end. I don't think my bank account has quite got over it.