Live Like a Local While in Paris
Paris is the city of lights and there is something about this city that symbolizes romance, art and love of life. To enjoy the comforts and sights of Paris without looking like a tourist, learn to blend in. Parisians are just like anyone else living in a large city. If you already reside in a large city, the transition will be a easy one.
Instructions
1. Use your resources prior to your visit to Pairs. Speak to your friends and family. Chances are someone has been to Paris. If not, they know someone else who has. Most people love to talk about their travel experiences, so don't be afraid to talk to someone you don't know about Paris and take notes. You will never remember the wealth of information you receive.
2. Rent an apartment rather than staying at a hotel. With the use of the Internet, you can find a huge selection of apartments available throughout the city, many of which qualify for just one week’s stay to over a year. The choice is yours. The variety is great, from budget to elegant full-service buildings. They will provide amenities that most hotels/hostels lack, such as a kitchen, a comfortable place to lounge or even a washing machine. Living in an apartment will make you feel as if you are a true resident of the city.
3. Eat like you live in Paris. Learn your neighborhood’s markets and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Get recommendations from your apartment landlord or neighbors. If they live there, they know where to eat well for less money. They'll send you to where the locals go, not the crowded tourist spots. Eat street food, as many Parisians on the run do. Consider ordering a crepe or a baguette sandwich from a street vendor, where you will spend only a few euros and it will be delicious and filling as you explore some of the sights.
4. Take advantage of the parks, gardens and numerous outdoor spaces. The Parisians enjoy their city's free parks and you should do the same. Appreciate the sculpture garden outside the Louvre or watch the boats float on the pond at the Jardin des Tuileries. Take with you a baguette and a bottle of wine and relax on a bench at one of the many fountains. Walk and take in the wondrous exteriors of the buildings of Paris and its structures without spending a dime. Between the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower are tiny streets and charming neighborhoods. Walk through the Notre Dame Cathedral for free, as only the tower and crypt require a fee. Use the metro system, even if you will be in Paris for only a few days. The metro will put you within a few blocks of just about anywhere in the city.
5. Dress simply, but conservatively. Parisians tend to not to run around in shorts and sneakers. Bring along a raincoat, since it does rain quite often. Learn a few words in French although almost everyone speaks English. However, the French consider it rude to walk in a store or establishment without saying "bon jour." A few words can take you a long way in establishing true contact and before you know it, you will be Parisian too.
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