A Friend’s Guide to Paris as a Local: Montmartre, Le Marais & Saint-Michel
Hi friends!
When we were planning things to do in Paris, Dustin asked a friend at work who lived in Paris for 10+ years for some recommendations for things to not miss in Paris and she did not disappoint with the recs! We seriously loved every single thing that we did as something she suggested we do which was so fun to add to our itinerary! She basically gave us three ares in Paris that she loves and then showed us how she would take us around if we were there exploring with her! It was nice to take a couple of the days we were there and skip the tour buses and lines to explore some of her favorite neighborhoods with tips on where to wander, where to eat, and how to soak in the city the way that someone from Paris would!
Happy reading!
The Montmartre Neighborhood
You can take the metro to Abbesses, she said she wouldn’t uber! Basically the magic of Montmartre is in the walk. From the metro station, head up to the Wall of I Love You (Mur des Je T’aime). It’s a quirky little mural with “I love you” written in over 250 languages. It was really cool to see and I love the sentiment behind it! There was also a little free library next to the wall that we stopped at and got a souvenir from! After that you can just keep wandering. Montmartre is all about the vibe, it has narrow cobblestone streets, old houses and artists sketching on corners. It’s really one of the most beautiful corners of Paris, and it feels like stepping back in time! When you get hungry, stop at Le Consulat for lunch. It’s a classic cozy spot with lots of people watching and usually with live music outside, she said we would love it and she was absolutely right! After lunch, we made our way to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. It was a stunning church and we didn’t go inside we just walked by it and it didn’t disappoint. You can go inside if you want, but she said it was just as cool outside. We weren’t there in the evening but she said if you sit on the steps around sunset, there are street performers to watch and the sky is also just stunning!
Le Marais Neighborhood
She said that she absolutely loves this neighborhood and this is where Paris just absolutely comes alive. The neighborhood is bursting with color, art, and energy. It’s hip but also historic, it’s the kind of place where you’ll stumble into a tiny gallery, then around the corner find the best falafel you’ve ever had. She said to start with walking down Rue Montorgueil. It has so many bakeries, cafés, and little shops, there is so much to see and you never get tired of walking around because you’re taking everything in! She gave us two options for food! The first is Chez Marianne, she said this is for if you want to sit and enjoy a proper Mediterranean meal. The second option she gave was more of a street food on the go option and that was for L’As du Fallafel! She also told us not to miss Île Saint-Louis It’s nice to sit outside at Le Flore en L’Île café, order something to drink and then just people watch. This area is where the city slows down a little bit, and the views of the river are perfect here!
Saint Michel Neighborhood
The last neighborhood she suggested is Saint Michel. She said that when the sun goes down, that is the more fun time to visit the area! She also said that this neighborhood has layers to it, it is the best mix of being historic, eclectic, and full of life. She told us to start at Notre Dame and even though it has been under restoration since the fire it is still absolutely breathtaking to see it! You can go in but it isn’t necessary, we decided not to and just see it from the outside. After that it’s fun to wander along the Quai Saint-Michel, the little streets have so much character! We visited Shakespeare and Company which is the most famous English-language bookstore in Paris. It was so cute, I HAD to buy a book and I also got a tote bag as well as a little souvenir and now I take it to the farmers market! Even if you don’t want to buy a book, I think that it’s worth stopping inside to check it out, you can also grab a coffee from the tiny café that is attached to it!
We did part of this one night while we were there but this is the fun night itinerary that she gave us that I honestly recommend trying if you are in the area at night! She told us to start with a glass of wine at Babil, a cozy little wine bar! Then have dinner at Kodawari Ramen, we were in Japan earlier this year and the ramen at this restaurant rivaled some of the ramen we had in Japan, so so good! For the grand finale of the evening, stop into Le Caveau de la Huchette. This is a legendary jazz club where you’ll find live music, cocktails, and a dance floor full of people just having the time of their lives. For reference, this is the jazz club that is featured in La La Land with Emma Stone! It was a blast and was the most perfect night out in Paris!
That pretty much wraps up her recommendations that she had for us! She said that this is how she would show us around if we were visiting her in Paris! If you are planning your own trip to Paris make sure that you don’t skip Montmartre for charm and sunsets, Le Marais for art and flavor, and Saint-Michel for a night you’ll always remember! Another reminder from her is to skip the Uber, keep your camera ready, and just wander. If you have any questions at all I am here to answer them as best as I can, you can leave a comment below or send me an email at tarynintotravel@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
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