Travels with Terri

I have recently been asked by several friends and family for ideas on where to stay and what to do in Paris. Having visited numerous times, Rick and I are very familiar with this amazing city and many of its neighborhoods, museums, attractions, and parks. Paris has twenty neighborhoods (called arrondissements) each with its own distinct personality. Some are bustling tourist spots while others are quiet residential neighborhoods. We have stayed in the 7th arrondissement (Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, the Rodin Museum, and Les Invalides) and the 18th (Sacre Cœur Basilica, Moulin Rouge Cabaret, Dalí Paris, and Place du Tertre), but our favorite is the 5th (known as the Latin Quarter). Home to the Pantheon, the Cluny Museum, and the Sorbonne, its location is ideal for exploring Paris both on foot and by public transportation. Notre Dame Cathedral is a short walk across the Seine and the gorgeous Luxembourg Garden is about a fifteen-minute walk away. But no matter which neighborhood you choose, Paris will surprise and delight you especially if you let yourself “be” in Paris.

So, what does “be” in Paris really mean? Aren’t we just tourists whenever we travel to a foreign place? Yes, of course we are. We know it and so do the residents. But there are many things we can do to enrich our experience as “temporary residents”. Any guidebook will tell you to learn the basic words (hello, goodbye, please, and thank you) and the cultural differences. These gestures will be appreciated and can make your travels much more pleasant. For the independent traveler, I’d suggest booking an apartment instead of a hotel room. While it may cost a bit more, you’ll get considerably more space and amenities such as a sofa, dining table, coffeemaker, microwave, and fridge. The apartment we stayed in for our third trip to Paris also had a cook top, dishwasher, and a shared laundry room with a washer and dryer.

Besides extra space and amenities, staying in an apartment makes it easy to feel like a resident. After all, that’s where Parisians live and go about their daily lives. The ground floor of most apartment buildings house businesses, shops, and eateries. Our apartment was above several pubs and cafes, and from our windows we had a great view of the neighborhood below. Hearing lively conversations in French and smelling the aroma of cooking food added to the experience, as did being able to pop down a flight of stairs for a quick drink or a leisurely meal.

Every neighborhood in Paris has a variety of specialized shops, and I highly recommend immersing yourself in the neighborhood scene by spending time in as many as you can. Within a very short walk of our apartment were a wine shop, bakery, produce market, butcher, seafood market, cheese shop, and a take-away (traiteur.) For a truly Parisian experience, grab a baguette, some cheese, fruit, charcuterie (cured meats), and wine and head to the closest park or bench along the Seine for a picnic. Bakeries are also a great source for take-away as most carry fresh baguette sandwiches and quiches. Craving something inexpensive and hot? Everything from freshly roasted chicken to gyros to crepes are available from small eateries along the sidewalk. Or head to the nearest cafe, grab a seat outside, and people watch over a meal as Parisians do. Heaters and awnings make cafe-sitting a year-round activity so no matter the time of year, relax and “be” in Paris.

In my next blog, I’ll talk about various dining options in Paris and offer some tips on how to choose the best venue no matter what neighborhood you’re visiting.