Paris is known as one of the most romantic cities in the world and is the perfect place to visit for a romantic weekend, a honeymoon, an anniversary, or any other occasion. Another great thing about the city is that its compact nature means that even if you only have 24 hours to visit, there is still so much you can do. Here are some ideas if you are having a day trip to the city.
Introduction to Paris
Paris is both the capital of France and the most populous city with over 2.2 million residents in the administrative area. The historic heart of the city is Ile de la Cite, the City of Paris, which is found on both sides of the River Seine. It is divided into two sections based on the sides of the river – Rive Gauche (Left Bank) and Rive Droite (Right Bank). The city extends far beyond this area and has the second-largest metropolitan area in Europe after London.
There are many amazing places to visit in Paris including the Louvre Museum, the most visited museum in the world and the Musee d’Orsay. The Musee National d’Art Moderne is in the famous Pompidou Centre and has the largest collection of modern and contemporary art anywhere in Europe. The number of museums, galleries and other cultural locations means that the city is ranked as the most ‘Culturally Vibrant City’ in the EU.
The area at the center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden. Other notable monuments include the Arc de Triomphe to the west and the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre. The city receives over 22 million visitors every year, making it one of the world’s top destinations.
Things to do in Paris
What this means is that when you are visiting Paris, there is a staggering number of things to do and making decisions can be very difficult! However, a new service called Withlocals now offers a range of experiences and tours around Paris which means you can not only see the best of the city but experience it as a local does.
The Highlights and Hidden Gems tour is a four-hour tour that balances the best of the big, famous monuments and sights with a range of hidden gems that only locals know about. The tour includes the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Concorde as well as the chance to stop at a Michelin star café for a coffee. The tour can be tailored to your interests and includes the chance to get an amazing 360-degree view of the city for those amazing panoramic photos.
If you want to experience what makes living in Paris so amazing, then the chance to take an off-the-beaten-track tour is the way to go. These tours include seeing the stunning architecture that can be found across the city and can include hip spots that are very on-trend as well. Learn about the city, understand what the locals love about it, and see the authentic French life from the view of someone who lives there.
Parisian cuisine
In addition to its cathedrals, museums, and architectural wonders, Paris is also known for its cuisine and the French art of cooking has inspired foodies around the world for generations. Another way to enjoy the best of the city is to sample some of the best of its food.
The standard for this cuisine is the Michelin star system and Paris is known as the Michelin Star Capital of the world because there are so many high-quality establishments that meet this standard. You can take a tour of some of these for a one-of-a-kind food experience that is perfect if you and your loved one are both food fans. Tours include transport between locations and your own private, local guide. You can tailor the experience around what you love and includes four servings at Michelin star restaurants.
Nightlife in Paris
Even when you are visiting for just one 24-hour period, there’s no reason that you can’t sample the Parisian nightlife during your visit. Paris offers something very different to many cities including secret and little-known spots that locals can recommend but that tour guides will often miss. You can try classic French aperitifs and famous cocktails with a Genuine Parisien Nightlife Tour.
If you prefer something a little more relaxing, you can try a local beer tasting experience where you can visit some of the bars that serve the best of French and international beer. See pubs that few know are around as you take a three-hour tour with a local guide and see how the people of Paris enjoy their city at night.
Go with locals
Withlocals not only is an app to download but an online marketplace, connecting travelers from all over the world with real locals in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East through activities and food experiences. They will allow you to personalize your visit to Paris and have the experiences that you both love. Whether this is a tour of the famous monuments, a look at the hidden gems or a tour around Michelin star restaurants, the app can connect you with the right locals to help.