On my first trip to Paris, I did all of the big stuff: museums, cathedrals, picnics in the park, crepes, etc.
On my second trip to Paris, I looked for things that were both unique to Paris and of genuine interest to me. Not that looking at paintings and churches is uninteresting, but I wanted to find my version of Paris to fall in love with, not the same one that millions of people flock to each year.
Sight Seeing
If you've already visited Notre Dame, check out another spectacular church, the Sacre Coeur by taking the funicular there. This tram ride will take you up the hill and save you the hike on the stairway! Sit near the back if you have a choice. There is also a fun little train that tours around Sacre Coeur and the Moulin Rouge neighborhood. Once you save your legs from walking up the stairs to get to the Sacre Coeur, you can climb the 300 stairs to the top of the dome. The climb actually was easier than expected, and the end destination provided one of the best panoramic views of Paris. Marvel in the birdseye view of the city planning and a new vantage point for photos.
Head over to the Place du Pantheon for some cool photo ops. Once a house of religious worship it is now referred to as "the temple of the French nation" and a civic building that interns the remains of famous French citizens, leaders, and thinkers including Marie Curie, Voltaire, and Victor Hugo. You can also tour inside this classic Greek-style building and see a replica of the Foucault pendulum.
The Arenes de Lutece is an open arena and an important architectural remnant of Roman rule, constructed in 1 AD. Once an amphitheater that held up to 15,000 spectators, it is now the center of a public park, filled with lots of benches, free wifi, and peaceful greenery. This is a great alternative to spending time hanging outside if parks aren't your thing.
As for Gothic architecture, and to see something besides Notre Dame, visit Sainte-Chapelle to see the magnificent stained glass. It was built during the 1200s and you'll truly wonder how they did it.
The French National Library (BNF) is a mega library that will leave you pondering if you're in a library or a city all its own. Giant and impressive, this place is probably a spectacle when flocked with visitors during on-peak hours. However, if you visit on Sunday you might find many wings and entrances closed. My original fascination with the BNF was the promise of visiting French philosopher Voltaire's heart. Unfortunately, this artifact has been moved to a different downtown location. However, we were still able to see Louis XIV's globes; 20ft in size and so fascinating. These were once his real decorations, obviously, decor fit only for a king to match his equally large personality.
The most Intagrammable street in Paris is Rue Cremieux, which has very France meets Charleston vibes. Once you're here, you'll realize exactly why this is a go-to spot for sightseeing; all of the homes on this very residential and adorable street are painted in unique pastel shades. Though there are sighs adorning the street warning passersby that this is a no-photo zone, this didn't stop anyone. When visiting here, please be respectful!
Restaurants & Drinks
One of the places I was most excited about visiting was Le REcyclerie in the 18th arrondissement. Housed in what was previously a train station, this venue is multifunctional. A restaurant (full service including tapas and brunch), a bar, a cafe, an urban farm, a workshop, and an event space; this place is super hipster yet inviting and cozy. The food was underwhelming, but the drinks were much better. My friend loved their cocktail comprised of 2 muddled lemon wedges, 5 counts of grapefruit juice, 3 drops of Tabasco, 6 counts of vodka, shaken, then topped with ginger beer (you all deserve to recreate the glory). Overall there is a very chill vibe here and could make you feel like you're spending the day in the coolest coffee shop.
If you're willing to spend the money, enjoying an evening at Cafe L'Homme is one of the most romantic things you can do in Paris. At the starting rate of $50 per person, you will get a seat at this fancy terrace restaurant at the Musee L'Homme. During the summer, book yourself an 8:00 pm reservation and arrive early to secure an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower. Dinner and drinks can get expensive here, though the $50 per person rate includes a complimentary glass of champagne and an amuse-bouche. We ate dinner before our reservation and ordered a bottle of wine here to wait for the true light show that was to happen. We saw the sunset and the sky change from a vibrant pale blue to a rich dark navy. Once it was dark, we saw the Eiffel Tower sparkling (this is a nightly occurrence, happening for 5 minutes at the top of each hour).
Le Lipstick: An unassuming glam goth bar with excellent cocktails and enchantingly chatty staff. Across from Dirty D's in the 9th Arrondissement!
Dirty D: A Tiki bar in Paris? Creative cocktails are served in artistic glasses and chalices. Yes, please! This 9th Arrondisment gem has been listed as one of the top cocktail bars in the world.
Nature
(Views from the Canal Tour)
In my humble opinion, if you've taken one tour on the Seine River tour, you've taken them all. To try something different, I booked a Locks and Canal Tour. It was so cool! I learned so much about the history of France (and movies made along the river) by touring its above and underground waterways. For example, the lock system was developed by Napoleon as a way to bring fresh water to Paris. Along the tour, there were 8 lock systems. It was cool to come out from a tunnel and watch the boat rise to meet the next section of the river. As a heads up, the boat can get a little crowded, so arrive early. Also, if you sit up front, bring a poncho and be prepared for occasional spritzes of water.
After the canal tour, check out Park La Villette on the Northeastern edge of the city (19th arrondissement). This park is very cool and modern, housing the City of Science and Industry, Europe's largest science museum. One of the attractions on this campus is a museum theater in a silver reflective globe, similar to the Epcot ball. There are lots of fun parks for children, with a slide that looks like a giant dragon. This is the perfect place for a walk with lots of interesting scenery.
(Views from Coulee Vert)
(Flowers found along the Coulee Vert)
If you've ever been to or been interested in the Highline in NYC or the 606 in Chicago, you'll want to check out the Coulee Vert... or just check it out because you're in Paris and it's cool. Coulee Vert is 2.9 miles of elevated park/trails that weave through the 12th arrondissement. I walked about half of the total pathway. There were cute gardens and gorgeous blooms along the way with beautiful views of the city and various neighborhoods. The trail offers a new perspective for seeing the local architecture of apartments and retail buildings. This would be the perfect place for a casual morning stroll with a cup of coffee and a croissant.
Shopping
Paris is a city of designer fashion. As an alternative to shopping on Champs-Elysees, check out the Galeries Lafayette, which in and of itself is a marvel. This destination looks like a cross between a church, a museum, and a mall. For the full Instagram experience, make sure you get there early and wait in line for the photo-op at the Glass Walk.
As a result of being such a fashion-forward city, there are lots of great vintage and thrift shops in Paris. One favorite was Kilo Shop, of which there are several locations around the city. Garb is labeled with colorful tags which correlate to different prices per pound. Upon check-out, your selections are weighed like produce and you pay your total. I was enamored by the large display of animal-print clothing.
(Views from Rue Mouffetard Market)
For quaint local shopping check out Rue Mouffetard Market. This bustling marketplace is located on an old Roman road in the 5th arrondissement. You can get lots of items from fresh produce to souvenirs and gifts here. One of my favorite shops was Florel en Provence, a tea boutique with lots of unique herbal blends.
One of my favorite trendier boutiques in Paris is Promod. There are multiple locations, but I visited this brand on both of my trips to Paris. I would equate Promod to the fast fashion of H&M in the United States, however, the clothes are sturdier and better constructed.
* All photos used in this blog post are my own.
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