It’s a week filled with travel here on Bumble and Bustle. And back to guest post about her favorite city in the world is my awesome mom! She’s been to Paris many many times, so she has a lot to cover. She skips over the standards – the Louvre, the D’Orsay, Eiffel Tower, etc. and heads straight to some more interesting finds. I also noticed she didn’t include any restaurants, so we might need a part 2 at some point.
Anyway, here we go …
So, Paris. I am a self-proclaimed Francophile and have been since 1996 when Sam (Claire’s dad) and I took Claire there on Spring Break. I’m not exactly sure how many times I’ve been there since then.
I love Paris and I love the Parisians. On one winter trip we went to a café that was almost deserted, so we threw our coats the seat of an adjoining table. A woman came to sit at the table and was very gracious about us not having to move all our gear. When we got up to leave, Sam picked up his hat and inside was a hand-written note saying “Welcome to Paris.”
Whether it’s your first trip or fifth, I highly recommend weaving in some of the lesser known spots with the tourist standards. Spots that might not be on everyone’s front page. So, this post isn’t to tell you how to navigate the wonderful Metro system or the secret way to get into the Louvre without standing outside. It’s more about how to see Paris on maybe a little different level.
Paris Travel Guide: Not Your Usual Suspects
Flânerie
The Parisians have a word for walking around the city of Paris with no destination in mind – flânerie, and it is my favorite way to see Paris. One of my favorite walks is Promenade de Plante – think Atlanta Beltline. This website gives you a good description with some great photos and details on how to get on the trail, etc.
Jardin des Plantes
While we’re on the topic of flânerie … Of course everyone strolls along the Seine, but the Jardin des Plantes is another great place to walk through. It’s a sprawling park with gorgeous plants and flowers, but also home to a museum and a place of research for scientists studying plants.
Grand Mosquee de Paris
Right behind the Jardin des Plants is the Grande Mosquee de Paris. It is a beautiful building with a Turkish bath (Hamman) attached, and a great Moroccan tea room on a lovely patio. They have specific visiting hours so be sure and check out the website.
Deyrolle And Other Unique Shops
Ah, who can go to Paris and not shop? One of the most interesting shops – not even sure I would call it that – is Deyrolle. It is a taxidermy shop like none other. It’s more like a natural history museum. Be sure to keep an eye out for all the unique shops you might find along your walks, like …
Shakespeare and Company
The greatest little independent bookstore in Paris, possibly the world, is Shakespeare and Company. It’s a tiny space with barely enough room to move, but the owners have sponsored writers – allowing them to write there, do readings, and sometimes even sleep. It was a hangout for Lost Generation writers – Hemmingway, Fitzgerald, etc. The list of more modern writers is way too numerous, but check them out here.
The Marmatton and The Carnavalet
There are a couple museums that I am particularly fond of but probably wouldn’t be high on most lists. The Marmatton is a bit out of the way, but worth the trip if you are a fan of Monet as it houses the largest collection of his works. My other favorite museum is the Carnavalet – the Paris history museum located in the Marais.
Place des Vosges
While you are in the Marais, which is also a great place for shopping, check out one of the prettiest squares in the Paris, Place des Vosges. I never make a trip to Paris without going there. It’s the oldest planned square in the city.
Eglise St. Julien de Pauvre
If you are lucky enough to be in Paris when there is a performance at Eglise St. Julien de Pauvre, go! It is a medieval church built in 1160 and one of the oldest in Paris. The church is small, so the concerts are intimate and moving.
A Final Note About Accommodations
I will never stay in a hotel in Paris again, not even if only for a couple nights. I love Paris apartments, and there is no shortage of them at any price range and in any part of the city. Everyone is familiar with Airbnb and VRBO, but there are also quite a few very reliable local firms – these are two (Paris Attitude and I Love Paris Apartments) that I have used before and can recommend.
Just to show you what I’m talking about, this is one of the first apartments we stayed in. It is located one block from Notre Dame and the interesting story is that it was originally owned by the uncle of Héloïse (a French nun and writer) and it was were she first met Peter Abelard (a French philosopher) – the beginning of their love story. It’s an amazing story – but I won’t go in depth here. Google it. At the time I rented the apartment it was owned by a female artist from Saudi Arabia and was the first woman artist to design one of the paint designs for Saudi Arabian Airlines.
One thing to keep in mind on Paris apartments, don’t count on the washer/dryers to work like they do in the States. Drying jeans might take the rest of your trip.
I know that’s a lot to take in – and so much we didn’t get to cover. I’m sure I’ll be back to write more another time, but for now, if you have any specific questions about visiting Paris feel free to ask in the comments below.
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