Things we love to do in Paris
A coffee and croissant combo at the local rade, an aperitif on the Canal Saint Martin, getting lost in the maze of the Louvre, getting goose bumps watching the little rats at the Opéra… Whether you’re a lifelong Parisian or a weekend visitor, we’ve all got that one “thing” we love to do when we come to Paris. Here are 4 activities you’ll never tire of!
The coffee and croissant combo at the counter of an old café
The café croisant combo? What a tiny morning treat!
Sit down at the counter of your favorite neighborhood bistro and order an espresso or a “noisette” (as we say back home!), for those who prefer it with a dash of milk.
Many cafés offer pastries in the morning, but it’s best to choose a quality bakery. Our tip for recognizing an artisan bakery? Look for the name “artisan boulanger” on the shop window.
Enjoy your first aperitif on a terrace on the Canal Saint-Martin
Inaugurated in 1825, it’s the last canal to rise from the ground (or water) and the only one to be located entirely within Paris. As soon as the mild evenings arrive, you can watch its terraces and quays fill up as the day draws to a close. Parisians can be seen sipping a toast, reading a book by the water (some even bring their deckchairs!), while others play a game of pétanque….
Brasseries, bistros, impromptu picnics on the banks of the Canal… the atmosphere is festive and relaxed.
It’s a great place to stroll at the end of the day and enjoy a glass of wine on a small terrace, accompanied by the last rays of sunshine!
Goosebumps all over Les petits rats de l’Opéra
Whether you’re a ballet aficionado or just a little curious, you won’t leave the sublime hall of the Opéra Garnier without the hairs standing up on your arms!
172 curtain rises per season give this Italian-style theater, with its Chagall-painted ceiling and seven-ton crystal chandelier, a central role in the world of opera and choreography.
Here, the world’s finest dancers take to the stage, finally making us realize that yes, man is in fact capable of flight.
Getting lost in the maze of the Louvre
You could go to the Louvre 1,000 times and you wouldn’t have seen it all. Many will tell you to compartmentalize your visit and be very organized so as not to miss anything.
Our advice: do the opposite! Of course, you won’t have time to see everything, so why not let yourself be guided by the rooms that inspire you, and linger your eye on those few works that catch your eye. Perhaps you’ll come face to face with the Venus de Milo, or perhaps you’ll prefer the delicacy of Vermeer’s Lacemaker?
In any case, one thing’s for sure: it’s by letting yourself be guided by chance, and by this inexplicable attraction to certain paintings, that you’ll really make your visit your own.
A second piece of advice: to have the Louvre (almost) all to yourself, choose to visit when it opens at 9am or in the evening after 7pm. And once you’ve had your fill, don’t worry: it’s only a 10-minute walk from the hotel to your bed!