How to Fall in Love with Paris

Paris has always been a special city to me. I remember going up the Eiffel Tower when I was 7 or 8 years-old and being amazed by the view. For a while I didn’t go back there because to me it was such a “tourist city”. 

I didn't start to really explore and appreciate the beautiful city of Paris until my best friend moved there and invited me to visit. I got to experience Paris as a local, and it was glorious!

You’ll always find Parisians on a terrace enjoying a beer or a glass of wine, a cigaret between their fingers, and enjoying life. How could I NOT fall in love with this place?

Fall in Love with Paris

We all know that Paris is a very touristy city and that it can be quite overwhelming to choose from all the different options travelers have.

Let me be upfront in saying that you won’t have the time to visit everything! However, I can help you visit Paris in a different way...the best way.

Here are a few of my favorite places that helped me fall in love with Paris.

Explore Like a Local

The 10th arrondissement is by far my favorite district of Paris because this is where you can get a sense for the real Parisian life.

The 10th arrondissement is also where two of the main railway stations are; the Gare du Nord is the one where you can take the Eurostar to take a trip to London!

Find your way to a music festival

...Cuz’ why not?

It’s a great way to have fun, meet people and experience something totally different and unexpected!

The Festival “Solidays” is a 3-day festival and one of the most famous music festivals of France that takes place in Paris in June every year. Solidays is more than a festival, it is also a solidarity event to raise awareness about AIDS. All funds from ticket sales are directly going to non-profit organizations.

Fall in Love With the Food

One of my favorite places to eat is ‘Papacionu’, a great pizzeria where I always go when I visit Paris. They have the best pizzas at the best prices with the best staff!

Don’t miss it when you visit Paris!

If you’re really willing to get a taste of French Gastronomy and can afford it, then I’d highly recommend you to go to the 1-star Michelin restaurant, “Le Quinzième”, owned by the French Chef Cyril Lignac who offers a modern cuisine of French gastronomy.

Great places for breakfast & brunch

Holy Belly is probably the best breakfast place ever! Poached eggs, pancakes, French coffee...etc.

Other spots:

• Farago
• La Maison Bleue

The Must-See & Must-Dos in Paris

Eiffel Tower 

Yes, it’s the major attraction in Paris and there might be tons of tourists going there BUT, looking at the Eiffel Tower sparkling at midnight on Trocadero Square is magical.

Louvre Museum

If you are an art geek you should definitely consider a visit to this sublime museum. The complex is really huge and I highly suggest to divide the visit in more days or to know what you want to explore. I love getting lost in the French paintings of the 19th century.

Ps. I highly recommend to enter the museum from the Subway or from the Carrousel Shopping Centre, you will probably avoid a long queue and if traveling in winter will save you from a cold ;)

Orsay Museum

On the other side of the Seine River, just in front of the Louvre Museum you can find the paradise for all Impressionist lovers. Not to mention the building is outstanding!

Ile de la Cité & Notre Dame 

I love walking around this little island in the middle of the city. You will find the marvellous Notre Dame cathedral (the entrance is free!) and other great architecture such as the Courthouse Palace and ‘Sainte Chapelle’ (which if you're an architecture buff, you'll know this as the one of the most important Gothic style monuments.)

Sacre Coeur Basilica

On the northern side of Paris you will find one of the most picturesque areas of the city, and the Sacre Coeur Basilica is the main hotspot. Climb the steps and enjoy a great view from the hill, get lost exploring the small alleys, or admire one of the many painters drawing in the area.

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These places helped me fall in love with this amazing city, and I hope they do the same for you!

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Co-written by Angelo Di Gregorio