{"id":12349,"date":"2013-01-02T18:43:05","date_gmt":"2013-01-02T22:43:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=12349"},"modified":"2013-01-02T18:43:05","modified_gmt":"2013-01-02T22:43:05","slug":"guidebooks-dont-tell-trip-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/01\/02\/guidebooks-dont-tell-trip-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"What Guidebooks Don\u2019t Tell You About Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-12356\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Paris-region-map-guidebook.jpg\" alt=\"Road Map of Paris Region\" width=\"585\" height=\"390\" \/>\n\t<div>Explore Paris like a local!<\/div>\n<\/div>There are many attractions in Paris that are well-known throughout the world. Climbing the Eiffel Tower is something you have to do at least once in your life; there are always long lines in front of the Louvre; a river cruise along the Seine is one of the most romantic activities in Europe, and more. However, although Paris is the most visited city in the world, there are some things about Paris you can\u2019t find in a guidebook. Especially if you\u2019re looking for an off the path experience in Paris, it\u2019s best to steer clear of the regular tourist spots.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll give you some tips on how to enjoy Paris like a local, and <strong>how to have the best possible experience on your trip to Paris!<\/strong><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Get a Little Lost in Paris <\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img alignright size-full wp-image-12355\" style='width:300px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Paris-eiffel-tower-statue-liberty-seine-river.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of the Eiffel Tower and a small Statue of Liberty in Paris\" width=\"300\" height=\"398\" \/>\n\t<div>Paris\u2019 Eiffel Tower and its own Statue of Liberty<\/div>\n<\/div>One of the best ways to start your exploration of Paris is to pick any street in the city center and start walking. Around every corner you\u2019ll discover something new, and as you walk along the rues of Paris you\u2019ll get to take in the remarkable vibe of Paris\u2019 different Arrondissements. You\u2019ll find hidden gems everywhere in Paris:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For instance, did you know <strong>Paris has its own Statue of Liberty<\/strong>? You can find it next to the Grenelle Bridge along the Seine River.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Less famous art decorates the city across Arrondissement. For example, in Montmartre you can find a beautiful bronze statue of a man walking through a wall. The sculpture is called <strong>Le Passe-Muraille<\/strong>, and is based on a short story about a man who could walk through walls, written by Marcel Aym\u00e9.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Furthermore, if you\u2019re walking around and get a thirsty, don\u2019t immediately buy water. Instead, look for water fountains you can find all around in Paris! This water is completely safe to drink, and you can even get <strong>sparkling water at some fountains<\/strong>!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Also don\u2019t be afraid to<strong> get a little lost<\/strong>. Contrary to popular belief, many Parisians will be more than willing to help you find your way again. Another assumption that many tourists share is that French people don\u2019t speak English. Although French people do appreciate that you make the effort to learn a few words in French, most Parisians are actually very proficient in English. Living in such a cosmopolitan city, Parisians will be more than happy to practice their English with you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Stay Among the Locals in Paris\u2019 Arrondissements Instead of staying in a hotel, choose to live among the locals in Paris by staying in a vacation rental apartment!<\/p>\n<p>Not only will you have to chance to pick a neighborhood to stay in among locals, but you\u2019ll also have a real apartment to live in, complete with living room and kitchen! This will come in handy when you want to prepare a French meal with fresh ingredients that you can pick up at local food markets. Cooking dinner with friends and family in your own apartment will be both a\u00a0money-saving\u00a0and truly French experience. Especially if you\u2019re coming to Paris with a big family or group of friends, renting an apartment can be much cheaper than staying somewhere where you have to book several separate rooms.<\/p>\n<p>Have a look at our selection of <a title=\"Paris Vacation Rentals\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/paris-apartment\/vacation\">vacation rental apartments in Paris<\/a> to get a taste of a great affordable stay in Paris!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eating in Paris<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-12353\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Restaurant-snack-fast-food-kebab-paris.jpg\" alt=\"Image of a local restaurant in Paris\" width=\"585\" height=\"390\" \/>\n\t<div>A popular restaurant among locals in Paris<\/div>\n<\/div>If you don\u2019t feel like cooking, you don\u2019t have to choose an expensive restaurant to go out to dinner.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you just want a small bite to eat, do as the Parisians do and try a local diner. Parisians often eat at <strong>local fast food restaurants such as Kebab places, Chinese restaurants and even at global fast-food chains<\/strong>. In fact, most of them have a higher quality in France and they even offer \u201clocal\u201d dishes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Some of our favorite eating spots in Paris include <strong>La Table d\u2019Aligre<\/strong>, which is located on the Place d\u2019Aligre where you can also find a great farmer\u2019s market.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>French bakery chain \u201cPaul\u201d<\/strong> is also very popular among French people, as it offers quality snacks, sandwiches, pastries and coffee for a competitive price. If you\u2019re looking for a Kebab place or a Greek restaurant in particular, check out Rue de la Huchette in the Latin Quarter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For a more authentic \u201cFrench\u201d experience at a real brasserie or restaurant, make sure to order tap water instead of bottled water to save money. Tap water is always free in France, even in fancy restaurants!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Affordable Culture &amp; Getting to Attractions in Paris<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-12351\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Paris-sewers-museum.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of the Sewers of Paris Museum\" width=\"585\" height=\"390\" \/>\n\t<div>Interior of the Museum of the Sewers of Paris <\/div>\n<\/div>When you\u2019re visiting Paris, you\u2019ll probably want to sniff up some culture at one of the city\u2019s great museums. Apart from the famous Louvre, Paris boasts many other great museums such as the <strong>Sewers of Paris, The Orangerie, Musee de Cluny, Musee du vin, Palais de Tokyo, Petit Palais, Musee Guimet and many more.<\/strong> We\u2019ll explore three of these in more detail to give you an idea of alternative museums in Paris:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Sewers of Pari<\/strong>s is a great choice if you\u2019re looking for a different museum experience. Located beneath the Quai d\u2019Orsay, the underground museum will give you the chance to walk in old sewer tunnels, and learn more about city engineering and the history of Paris.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Wine Museum<\/strong> is also a great choice if you\u2019re looking for a museum treating something other than art. In the Wine Museum, you\u2019ll explore the French craft of winemaking, and might even get to taste some wine yourself!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Lastly,<strong> the Orangerie<\/strong> displays art from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Far quieter than the Louvre, the Orangerie is full of beautiful works such as Water Lilly series by Claude Monet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What some guidebooks don\u2019t tell you is that there are plenty of ways to visit most museums, including the Louvre, for free!<\/p>\n<p>Every Sunday of the month, entrance to most of the museums in Paris is completely free. If you\u2019re younger than 18, you can even get into museums for free the whole month. This also applies to people between 18 and 26 years if they\u2019re either from the European Union or have a long-term visa for a country belonging to the EU. If you\u2019re not sure if this applies to the museum you want to visit, then check the fee section of their website for \u201cexonerations\u201d (exemptions).<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that most of the attractions and museums in Paris are located in the historic city center. This means you can easily walk between them, instead of taking the subway. If you do want to take the subway, don\u2019t buy the expensive unlimited pass unless you\u2019re sure you\u2019ll use the metro multiple times per day. A much cheaper option is to buy 10 metro tickets at the time for a reduced fare. For more ways to save money check our\u00a0<a title=\"Save Money on a Family Trip to Paris with these Money Saving Tips!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2012\/11\/26\/tips-save-money-family-trip-paris\/\">money saving\u00a0tips for Paris<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Attractions Outside the Historic Center of Paris<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-12354\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Paris-aerial-view-financial-district-defense.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the skyline of Paris\u2019 La Defense business district\" width=\"585\" height=\"390\" \/>\n\t<div>The La Defense business district in Paris<\/div>\n<\/div>Guidebooks often don\u2019t mention the attractions in Paris that are a bit out of the way, which is a shame because outside of the city center there\u2019s still a lot to see!<\/p>\n<p>One of the places definitely worth visiting is Paris\u2019 business district La Defense. La Defense is the largest business district in Europe, and also houses the largest shopping mall, Les 4 Temps. Visit La Defense for a day of shopping, to get a clear view of the Champs Elysees, and to gasp at the impressive skyscrapers!<\/p>\n<p>Incidentally, if you want to get an amazing and completely free view of Paris, visit the panoramic terrace of the Printemps Department Store! It\u2019s open until late at night so you\u2019ll get to watch the city of lights glimmer beneath you.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a real nature lover, discover the beautiful flower gardens at Jardin Natural in La Villette. Located close to the famous cemetery P\u00e8re Lachaise, the flower garden offers a tranquil space in the city.<\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-12352\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Paris-versailles-gardens.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of the Versailles gardens\" width=\"585\" height=\"392\" \/>\n\t<div>The Gardens at Versailles<\/div>\n<\/div>If you\u2019re willing to leave the city entirely for an afternoon, the other cities and towns in the metropolitan area of Paris also have a lot to offer. Nearby places such as the city of <strong>Versailles and its Palace or Saint-Germain-en-Laye and its castle are great places to visit and appreciate French architecture. You can also visit Vincennes, Montreuil, the Bois de Boulogne (Paris\u2019 version of Central Park) and Neuilly-sur-Seine<\/strong>. They are all very easy to visit by taking the subway, tram, bus or RER train!<\/p>\n<p>We hope\u00a0you&#8217;ve\u00a0enjoyed these insider tips for a great holiday to Paris. Do you know of any more travel tips about Paris you can\u2019t find in a guidebook?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are many attractions in Paris that are well-known throughout the world. Climbing the Eiffel Tower is something you have to do at least once&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[26],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12349"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12349"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12349\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12893,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12349\/revisions\/12893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}