Want to experience Paris like a local? Here’s how to do it.
Finding Authentic Things to do in Paris
There’s Paris, and then there’s the real Paris. The City of Lights isn’t just about scaling the Eiffel Tower or craning for a glimpse of the Mona Lisa through a sea of smartphones.
It’s a living, breathing metropolis where French people go about their days, sipping espresso, strolling through open-air markets, and lingering over a bottle of wine well past sunset.
One of my favourite trips to Paris, over all the years, was just before the Olympics. Accommodation was full everywhere so we ended up staying out in the 1002nd arrondissement with not a tourist attraction within reach. And it was gorgeous.
Lovely local cafes. Lovely local conversations.
So. You don’t need to go to those extremes, instead I’ve gathered some handy tips together to help you see Paris like a local. (Because there was another time I stayed with friends who lived on the schmancy Rue du Faubourg Honoré in diplomatic residences but we can’t do that all the time, alas.)
What helps, of course, is decent connectivity so you can easily access maps, buy tickets, follow walking routes and so on. One good way to do this is to get an eSIM for France
Paris Like a Local: What You Need to Know
Today, let’s do more than just visit the French capital – let’s live it. Follow along as I walk you through a day in the life of a Parisian, from slow morning rituals to leisurely afternoon discoveries and magical evenings by the Seine.
The best way to experience this world? Slow down. Forget the rigid itinerary and let the city unfold at its own pace.
Unsure where to stay while in the French capital? Check out our guide to the best hotels in Paris.
Parisian Mornings: Slow Starts & Local Discoveries
A good Parisian morning begins unhurried, with time to savour the first sips of coffee and watch the city awaken.
A Classic Parisian Breakfast (Without the Tourists)
No rushing, no gulping lukewarm espresso on the run. Instead, start your day with choux pastry at Du Pain et des Idées, hailed by many as one of the best bakeries near the Canal Saint-Martin.
Here, the emphasis is on delicate textures and fresh ingredients, where each croissant or pastry is crafted to perfection.
Some travellers flock to renowned tourist spots such as Café de Flore on the Left Bank, hoping to sip alongside literary ghosts or spot a modern-day celebrity. It’s a great spot for people-watching, but the true charm lies in the coffee shops tucked behind the Latin Quarter or along Île Saint-Louis, where the pace is slower and the coffee, arguably, better.
French people will tell you to steer clear of the big chains. Instead, find a corner café where the barista greets you with a knowing nod, and where the pleasure of a porcelain cup in hand feels a little bit more like the kind of authentic Parisian experience worth seeking.
- Recommended reading: how to spend four days in Paris: your Paris itinerary
A Stroll Through Parisian History
Once fuelled, wander across Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis, two islands nestled in the heart of central Paris. The towers of Notre Dame rise solemnly over the city and most visitors snap photos from the front. But slip around the back instead – there’s a hidden garden where locals sit reading their favourite book or simply watching the world go by.
From there, hop on the railway line toward Père Lachaise Cemetery, where Oscar Wilde rests in good company. Some come for literary pilgrimages, others for the hush of marble-lined paths.
History whispers from every tomb, whether you’re honouring the words of Wilde, reflecting on the legacy of Ernest Hemingway, or flipping through a favourite book found at a nearby street vendor.
Parisian mornings, after all, are best spent unhurried, inquisitive, and fully awake to the quiet beauty of daily life.
Parisian Afternoons: Culture, Cuisine & Neighbourhoods
By midday, the city hums with activity, and Parisians move seamlessly between culture, cuisine, and local traditions. Markets brim with fresh produce, museums offer a quiet respite, and winding streets lead to hidden courtyards where time seems to slow down.
Market-Hopping & Local Food Experiences
Follow the French people to the lively, open-air corridors of Marché des Enfants Rouges in the 3rd arrondissement.
One of the best spots in Le Marais for marketgoers, this local market overflows with vibrant produce, aromatic spices, and international street food. Here, a bubbling North African tagine might sit beside freshly rolled Italian pasta.
Stroll through the stalls, chat with vendors, and gather ingredients for an impromptu picnic. These open-air markets are a good reason to steer clear of lifeless, pre-packaged sandwiches.
For more variety, meander toward Marché Bastille on Boulevard Richard-Lenoir. Or, if you’re after an even more local experience, Marché d’Aligre is the perfect place to pick up pungent cheeses, cured meats, and sun-ripened fruit.
If you find yourself in the 5th arrondissement, slip into a wine bar for a glass of wine – any sommelier worth their salt will offer to match your selection to a region, introducing you to lesser-known labels. It’s all part of learning how to dine like a Parisian.
Museums That Locals Actually Visit
Afternoons also provide a chance to get cultured without drowning in tourist hordes. Skip the snaking lines of the Louvre Museum – though it does house countless masterpieces – and instead try smaller museums:
- Musée de l’Orangerie: Hidden in the Tuileries Garden, the Musée de l’Orangerie is where you can admire Monet’s water lilies in two oval rooms flooded with natural light. Fewer crowds mean more breathing space and a more intimate connection to the art.
- Musée d’Orsay: You’ll find Musée d’Orsay in a former railway station, showcasing Impressionist and Post-Impressionist gems. It offers a great way to appreciate Van Gogh, Degas, and Renoir without the commotion of the Louvre Museum.
- Centre Pompidou (also known as Beaubourg): For fans of modern art, Centre Pompidou awaits in the 4th arrondissement. Its industrial-chic design, with bold primary-coloured pipes and external escalators, makes it a cool place for design lovers.
- Musée Carnavalet: If you’re drawn to history, the best way to understand Paris’s evolution is at Musée Carnavalet, where the city’s past comes alive through intricate dioramas, antique relics, and personal artefacts.
- Musée Rodin: Wander through a sculpture garden dotted with hidden gems at Musée Rodin, where marble figures emerge like frozen poetry.
If time allows, seek out lesser-known museums like the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature – an unexpected delight exploring humanity’s ties to the animal world. Unconventional? Perhaps. But that’s the charm of Parisian afternoons: always filled with discovery.
Explore the Best Neighbourhoods in Paris for Locals
With your cultural appetite satisfied, it’s time to step into the daily rhythm of Paris’s most captivating districts.
Le Marais
Le Marais is a blend of past and present: antique shops and sleek concept stores, street art splashed across centuries-old walls, medieval architecture standing firm beside trendy cafés.
It’s one of the best places to experience the real Paris, particularly on a Sunday morning, when local people drift through second-hand stalls, sip espressos in hidden courtyards, and linger over long, lazy brunches.
The Sixth
If you’re drawn to literary history, the 6th arrondissement is where you can retrace the paths of Ernest Hemingway and other expatriate writers. Expect fewer crowds here than in the heavily touristed sections of central Paris. For more off-the-beaten track experiences, check out our guide to hidden gems in Paris.
Art galleries and street vendors spill onto cobbled lanes, offering snapshots of a bygone bohemian era that once inspired the likes of Hemingway and Fitzgerald.
The Latin Quarter
Meanwhile, the Latin Quarter around the Sorbonne University evokes an old-world atmosphere: it’s a cool district filled with academics, philosophers, and spirited debates in cafés that date back centuries.
Students chat outside bookstores while buskers strum away, making it a great place for a wander in the afternoon sun. There is easy access to more cultural sites from here. Just hop on public transit or walk across the city centre to continue exploring.
Parisian Green Spaces & Architectural Marvels
At some point, the city’s energy might leave you craving a quieter corner, especially if you’re travelling Paris with kids. The Jardin du Luxembourg is a timeless choice, set in the 6th arrondissement, where stately fountains and manicured lawns conjure the elegance of Marie Antoinette’s era.
But for something wilder, head to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement, a true hidden gem. Cascading waterfalls, meandering pathways, and a cliff-top temple provide a refreshing contrast to the symmetrical lines found elsewhere.
For those drawn to grand facades, Place Vendôme is a must, synonymous with elegance and home to storied antique shops and haute joaillerie.
From there, a short walk leads to the Arc de Triomphe, standing proudly at the western edge of the Champs-Élysées. If this is your first time in Paris, it’s worth climbing to the top for sweeping views of one of the most fascinating European capitals, where the city’s grand boulevards fan out in symmetrical perfection. Is it off the beaten track? Not really. Is it worth it? Oh yes.
Alternatively, make your way to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre for a panoramic skyline view – but brace yourself for steps. The good news? Every climb is worth it.
Finally, if you need a private tour of architectural icons, you can find companies that operate small group walks focusing on hidden passages or the classic Haussmannian boulevards.
These tours can be the best option for travellers with a special interest in French design, or those who prefer a well-informed guide who speaks the local language.
We’d highly recommend Devour Tours for food and Montmartre en Chansons to see Montmartre like a local.
Parisian Evenings: Sunset Strolls & Hidden Gems
As the sun dips below the rooftops, the City of Love takes on a golden glow. The evening is for slow walks along the Seine, intimate dinners, and finding the city’s lesser-known sweet spots.
A Sunset Walk Along the Seine
While many visitors board tour boats, French people might argue that the best way to experience the City of Lights is on foot. A sunset stroll along the Left Bank offers a slower, more intimate encounter.
Here, bouquinistes display well-loved paperbacks, their covers curling slightly in the evening air, while the reflections of Parisian facades ripple across the water.
Once you reach La Villette up in the northeast or drift towards the southwestern side near the Eiffel Tower, you’ll notice shifting neighbourhood vibes, each turn revealing street art, cosy wine bars, or curious concept stores.
If you want to catch live music, keep an eye out for riverside pop-ups. Locals often gather on quays with a bottle of wine, a baguette, and conversation that can stretch long into the night.
Dining Like a Local
Paris after dark is all about conviviality. Resist the lure of touristy restaurants that promise deals in multiple languages. If you want classic French cuisine without inflated prices, the 10th arrondissement has blossomed into a new gastronomic playground.
Venture into small bistros near Canal Saint-Martin, where each table is set with mismatched crockery and the menu brims with seasonal dishes. They may not be the flashiest establishments, but they’re among the best places to discover the creative side of French cooking.
Alternatively, pick up your fresh produce from earlier in the day and plan a picnic at Champ de Mars, right beneath the glittering Eiffel Tower. Arrive before nightfall to secure a comfortable spot, then uncork a bottle of wine – a Bordeaux or perhaps a crisp Loire Valley white – and pair it with artisanal cheese.
If the evenings turn brisk, treat yourself to hot chocolate from a nearby kiosk. It’s one of the best Parisian experiences and one of my personal favourites.
Paris at Night – Beyond the Moulin Rouge
The bright red windmill of the Moulin Rouge draws the crowds, its cabaret reputation firmly intact. But for local people, the real after-dark magic lies elsewhere – inside hidden jazz bars, tucked into cool district side streets, or within discreet speakeasies that require a keen eye to find.
If you’re in search of a bohemian vibe, follow whispers of happy hour deals in enclaves like Bastille or Oberkampf, where impromptu jam sessions and late-night creativity thrive.
One of the hidden gems is to attend small-group poetry readings, sometimes held in converted cellars. At these gatherings, you might strike up conversations with local artists, sharing a glass of wine and forging a connection that’s deeper than any manufactured performance.
Living Like a Local, Even if Just for a Few Days
To embrace the real Paris, let go of rigid plans. Open-air markets, a quiet coffee shop where the barista remembers your order, an unhurried moment by the Seine River – these are the moments that linger.
Learn a few phrases in the local language (a simple bonjour or merci earns instant goodwill), and you’ll feel like more than just a visitor.
If Paris leaves its mark – and it likely will – consider shaping your next trip around a festival at La Villette or a gastronomic fair celebrating artisanal cheese.
The best times to visit? Early spring or autumn, when the city is at its most charming, with fewer crowds and a slower rhythm.
That’s the magic of Paris – you can always return, and it will always feel like yours.
More About Paris
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- The best secret spots and hidden gems in Paris
- How to spend four days in Paris: your Paris itinerary
- Why you should visit Paris with kids