Paris, France: 5 “Other” Things To Do
The nature of my relationship with Paris over the years has been very much like a real relationship. I did all the obligatory first exciting “musts” (as you should) in my first couple of visits and now I’m happy doing everything but that. It’s now a comfortable place to visit and I’m thinking one day it could even become a permanent thing :) The truth is, the more you walk the streets of Paris — especially at midnight, the more you fall in love with it. Needless to say, it will always have a special place in my heart and maybe it will in yours too — if it doesn’t already.
As has been my experience with almost every major city, the “first time musts” often bring on more stress than they are actually worth. That said, it’d be wrong of me to tell you to go to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower. Instead I’m saying maybe forgo going to the top and consider spending your time and money on one or all of these five “other” things when visiting “The City of Love”.
“I can never decide whether Paris is more beautiful by day or by night.”
— MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (MOVIE, 2011)
1. SUNSET PICNIC AT THE FOOT OF THE EIFFEL TOWER
If you want a front row seat to the best light show in the city, grab a blanket and pack a picnic, then head over to Champs de Mars at sunset. Every hour on the hour the Eiffel Tower dazzles as it lights up from head to toe until after midnight.
Address: 2 Allée Adrienne Lecouvreur, 75007 Paris, France / Closest Metro Station: Champ de Mars — Tour Eiffel, École Militaire
Side Note: In 2024, what will be the largest public green space (over 100 acres) is set to open in Paris at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Read more about it here in this article by Architectural Digest.
2. CAFÉ HOP ’TIL YOU DROP
When in Paris, expect to multiply your coffee breaks by three (in my case that’s 6). It seems like no matter what time of day it is, sitting down for a café and people watch always sounds like a good idea. I can’t even pretend to begin to name them all, but you can find a recent list of the top 21 cafés right now by TimeOut here. Two of my personal favorites are Kleber for its outdoor seating area and Fragments for ambiance and serving some of the best cappuccinos and avocado toasts in town.
Le Kebler Brasserie
80 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris, France
3. TAKE IN ART AND A VIEW AT THE FONDATION LOUIS VUITTON (SORRY, NO HANDBAGS HERE)
If you’re a fan of art, architecture and a view — then the Fondation Louis Vuitton is for you. Located in the northern part of the Bois de Boulogne park, this architectural masterpiece houses both contemporary and modern art. The museum was inaugurated in 2014 and has quickly become a favorite for art lovers, welcoming over 1 million visitors each year. The views from the top impress almost as much as the exhibits. Now through February 24, 2020 you can enjoy the “CHARLOTTE PERRIAND: INVENTING A NEW WORLD” exhibit.
Address: 8, Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne 75116 — Paris, France
Hours: Vary by exhibit, check website for latest information
Price: €16 (euro), includes access to the family-friendly Jardin d’Acclimatation
4. A STREET ART LOVER’S HIDEAWAY IN BUTTE AUX CAILLES
Street art abounds throughout Paris, but on my last trip in October, I stumbled upon a small hilltop village called Butte aux Cailles. Home to a community of artists and filled with small restaurants and bars, this neighborhood surprised me with the amount of impressive street art at every turn. Multi-color murals and quiet cobblestone streets were a delightful surprise in a quarter of Paris I had never had on my to see list. If you’re looking for local art and cuisine on a budget, Butte aux Cailles is worth a visit. For more street art locations in Paris, check out Culture Trip’s article here.
5. END (OR START) YOUR NIGHT WITH COCKTAILS AT LE BAR KLÉBER
Located in the heart of Paris, within The Peninsula 5 star hotel, you’ll find Le Bar Kléber. This historic bar and lounge serves up exquisite cocktails and small bites. It’s the perfect spot after an afternoon of shopping and sightseeing near the Arc de Triomphe.
