The majority of my lifestyle clients are vacationers. Whether they arrive in Paris with a rigorously planned schedule or with the idea of taking their stay day-by-day, as a permanent resident of the city I’m always keen to offer my personal advice on the best places to discover and the most interesting things to do. As I usually make such recommendations via email following photo sessions for tourists, I thought it would be practical to publish them here in the following consolidated list of must dos in Paris.
Although for anyone who has ever lived for any length of time in this iconic city none of the following locations would be in any way considered as off-the-beaten-track, I’m always surprised at how many of the following are overlooked by visitors. I hope the following will remind all readers that there is much more to my city than the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre….
LUXEMBOURG GARDENS & THE LATIN QUARTER
I would always put these two together as one leads on from the other and, combined, they are the perfect way to spend an evening in Paris…
Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin de Luxembourg) is the most beautiful, most flower-abundant and best maintained of the city’s parks; it is also one of the largest and greenest. Take a stroll here early evening, before dark, before heading up Rue Soufflot (off of the main entrance) which leads directly to the Panthéon. This is the best way, and I would say the unofficial gateway, to enter the Latin Quarter…
Known as The City of the Light, the French capital is home to plenty of picture postcard street lit scenes, but - with its unique old-fashioned street lamps emitting a warm yellow glow upon cobbled streets and squares lined with French terraced cafes - few are so fanciful and charming as those found in this district. Whether you are heading there to dine or just have an evening drink, the Latin Quarter is home to a unique nightlife that is as appreciated by Parisians as it is by vacationers of all ages.
LE MARAIS (SOMA)
As both a permanent resident of the capital and a non-shopper, I usually avoid the bustle of downtown Paris. However, Le Marais district in the 4th arrondissement really is an exception. It’s a largely pedestrian-friendly area that is strewn with original and often quirky boutiques selling clothing and crafts, and an abundance of artisanal bakeries and restaurants. Whilst being as busy as any sightseer area you will find in the city, the crowds of tourists strangely enrich the experience of wandering through a network of long, narrow streets in which one rather enjoys getting lost. There’s something here to cater for all tastes, from open galleries, world-class museums and the impeccably maintained main square, Place des Vosges. No matter how long your stay, if you want that feeling of walking in Paris, wandering through Le Marais is well worth an hour of your time.
PONT DE BIR-HAKEIM
If you’re a keen amateur photographer and you’ve done your homework on Paris, you will no doubt be familiar with this magnificent bridge, which is also a true stand-alone work of architecture. Without even counting its Seine river and Eiffel Tower views, seeing the bridge itself is more than worth the 8-minute stroll from the Champ de Mars (along either the Quai Branly or the riverside Port Suffren). Whilst many of the city’s bridges are best seen from afar, the fantastic symmetry of Bir-Hakeim bridge can only truly be appreciated by crossing it on foot.
CANAL ST MARTIN
Connecting the Seine river to the Bassin de la Villette (the city’s largest artificial lake), if you’re staying in the north-east of Paris, it’s unlikely that you won’t have crossed this fantastic canal, even if you did so without knowing: half of it has been underground since the 19th century, when it was covered to create wide pedestrian spaces, and since then it emerges just off Place de la République. The whole waterside route, which really comes alive in the summer months - with picnickers lining its cobbled banks - has an extremely pleasant local feel. Even if you don’t have time to walk the entire stretch, simply viewing a section of it from upon one of its many iron bridges will give you a feel for the area. If you plan to visit the Place de la République, Canal St Martin is well worth the 5-minute detour…
THE QUAIS SURROUNDING NOTRE DAME
The river Seine is lined with riverside walkways of all different levels, shapes, sizes and styles. As a Parisian, I can confirm that the most interesting and dynamic quays to explore in Paris are those found around Notre Dame:
The Quai de Montebellow, the Quai du Marché Neuf, and the Promenade Maurice-Carême include some of the narrowest waterside routes in the capital (even making you walk single-file at times).
The Quai de La Tournelle and the Quai d'Orléans opposite are extremely popular quays to picnic and watch the sunset over the world famous cathedral.
The Quai de Bourbon, which wraps around the western side of the Île Saint-Louis, offers a quiet straight which is perfect for a romantic stroll away from the crowds.
It’s not enough to see any of these quays from the streets above; take the time to walk upon them with the water at your feet. You won’t regret it!
