Paris - Out of the norm suggestions please
#21
Given the number of tourists in Paris there's hardly any part of Paris that isn't mentioned in one guidebook or another so I will give you a suggestion for a way way way out of the norm visit that I'm sure you haven't tried. You will see an entirely different non touristy part of Paris.
Take the #2 metro
1. Stop at the Barbes market
https://en.parisinfo.com/shopping-pa.../Marche-Barbes
https://www.davidlebovitz.com/the-ba...french-market/
2. Go to a matinee at the restored Louxor cinema
https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museu...lais-du-cinema
3. Have an apero at the Brasserie Barbes
https://amuse-i-d.vice.com/brasserie-barbes/
Take the #2 metro
1. Stop at the Barbes market
https://en.parisinfo.com/shopping-pa.../Marche-Barbes
https://www.davidlebovitz.com/the-ba...french-market/
2. Go to a matinee at the restored Louxor cinema
https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museu...lais-du-cinema
3. Have an apero at the Brasserie Barbes
https://amuse-i-d.vice.com/brasserie-barbes/
#22
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Leely2
Yes, it's often described that way mostly by people who don't like to leave their comfort zones. Yes, gritty is a code word. Those of us, like you, who are familiar with the area don't find it gritty at all. Great ethnic restaurants, lots of bustle, and when Tati was in its prime, a super area for shopping on the cheap.
Yes, it's often described that way mostly by people who don't like to leave their comfort zones. Yes, gritty is a code word. Those of us, like you, who are familiar with the area don't find it gritty at all. Great ethnic restaurants, lots of bustle, and when Tati was in its prime, a super area for shopping on the cheap.
#23
Envierges, thanks for your reply. About 5 years ago I was in Paris with my young cousin. It was her first trip anywhere in Europe, and after we were in the city a few days, running around and visiting all the major museums/monuments/sights, she asked me, "Are there any regular neighborhoods with working people, not so fancy and rich?" I hadn't considered that her impression of Paris might be that it was entirely "fancy and rich."
#24
And here's the perfect out of the norm hotel
Ice Kube Bar - The only Ice Bar in Paris - Kube Hotel Paris
Ice Kube Bar - The only Ice Bar in Paris - Kube Hotel Paris
#25
There is no way for me to run out of suggestions. In my northeast corner of Paris alone, I would recommend visiting the CentQuatre, the new Jewish district of Paris along rue Petit as a change from the historic mostly abandoned one in the Marais, riding the 3b tramway line, walking through the Mouzaïa or La Campagne à Paris areas , strolling into the Chinese garment district of Aubervilliers, following the Petite Ceinture train line, doing a graffiti walk in Belleville, visiting Ménilmontant... do you want suggestions for 2.5 days or 250 days?
#27
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It was her first trip anywhere in Europe, and after we were in the city a few days, running around and visiting all the major museums/monuments/sights, she asked me, "Are there any regular neighborhoods with working people, not so fancy and rich?" I hadn't considered that her impression of Paris might be that it was entirely "fancy and rich."
#28
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Thank you all for the suggestions. It's a bit hard to say what our interests are and limit potential ideas we hadn't thought of. Pretty open...we are late 20s, and enjoy photography as a hobby, like good bistros with atmosphere, etc. We intend to spend more time wandering this trip, rather than hitting the "must see" spots. Sorry for not being more specific but that is why I have come to this forum - for ideas and places I hadn't thought of...
#30
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How about a stroll through the Batignolles section of Paris in the 17th arrondissement and then a meander through the nearby Cite des Fleurs, a hidden private but public street with lovely houses and gardens?
#31
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.For "out of the norm", my bid is the sewer museum. I wonder if it has been scrubbed by the recent floods? The old sewers relied on what, at the time, was clever engineering. No, not stinky, or not much, and you are permitted to hum music from Les Miserables if you must. Have your friends been there? Right. Odd opening hours, with Friday as the day off during the summer. https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museu...gouts-de-Paris
Off the beaten path in several ways, including location, the pet cemetery is small, suitably tacky, and can boast the tomb of the original Rin Tin Tin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimeti...ux_Domestiques
Off the beaten path in several ways, including location, the pet cemetery is small, suitably tacky, and can boast the tomb of the original Rin Tin Tin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimeti...ux_Domestiques
Last edited by Southam; Feb 18th, 2018 at 08:33 AM. Reason: Punctuation mistake
#32
Walking and photography and good food? The botanic garden (Jardin des Plantes) makes for a nice stroll, has plantings including demonstration plantings of new varieties from seed companies, and a wonderful glass house with recreated environments ranging from the tropics to deserts.
Then, around the corner, is les Trois Carafes, a small modern bistro type restaurant with great food or Au Moulin a Vent Chez Henri which does very traditional French food.
Another place for photos and food is the Monge market on Sunday.
Also consider a ride on the tethered balloon at Parc Andre Citroën (le Ballon de Paris) if the weather is nice and not too windy.
Then, around the corner, is les Trois Carafes, a small modern bistro type restaurant with great food or Au Moulin a Vent Chez Henri which does very traditional French food.
Another place for photos and food is the Monge market on Sunday.
Also consider a ride on the tethered balloon at Parc Andre Citroën (le Ballon de Paris) if the weather is nice and not too windy.
#33
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So I got up early one morning and went to see the Miraculous Medal chapel and the far less known Chappelle St. Vincent de Paul.
Both chapels are right by Le Bon Marche, which has the food hall there. It is called La Grande Epicerie de Paris and is on Rue de Sevres. It's apparently famous among foodies, but not something in the average tourbook. I went early morning--the food hall opens earlier than the department store. This had to be some of the most beautiful food I've ever seen. The piles of lobsters, the fruit.
Both chapels are right by Le Bon Marche, which has the food hall there. It is called La Grande Epicerie de Paris and is on Rue de Sevres. It's apparently famous among foodies, but not something in the average tourbook. I went early morning--the food hall opens earlier than the department store. This had to be some of the most beautiful food I've ever seen. The piles of lobsters, the fruit.
#34
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#35
Visiting two saints in Paris | Any Port in a Storm
#36
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Oh, I only got up early because my kids wanted to be lazy and sleep in. I often wake up early on vacation and this seemed the perfect thing to do before they got up. I had already taken them to Our Lady of Victory as part of the previous day. However, after I went to the Food Hall, I regretted not making them come.
I also found St. Vincent nearly empty, there was a street person sleeping on a pew.
I also found St. Vincent nearly empty, there was a street person sleeping on a pew.
#37
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Sit by the pool in the Palais Royal or meander the Luxembourg Gardens. Eat couscous down the street from the Cluny or go to a street market like the one near Place Maubert. Take a bus ride. Do the after hours tour of the Opera or take in a performance. Dress up and attend an evening concert at Ste Chapelle while the setting sun streams through the stained glass. Take in some jazz in a cave. Sit at a cafe and do nothing but enjoy the moment of being in Paris !
#39
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If you are here on a Sunday afternoon, check out Gypsy Jazz in Saint Ouen. La Chope has live jazz and goo food from 12:30 to 7 pm.
Almost any night of the week, check out Sunside Sunset for live local jazz. Great fun. Many performances are free. Others have a minimal entrance fee.
Almost any night of the week, check out Sunside Sunset for live local jazz. Great fun. Many performances are free. Others have a minimal entrance fee.
#40
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I have an out of the norm suggestion. After about 11PM, go out and head to the La Chapelle or Jaures/Stalingrad area and watch how dozens of volunteers endeavour to keep refugees warm and fed. There are also collectives who teach French, on the street, the teachers of the BAAM collective for instance. Or during the day, especially in the early morning, go to the "reception center" at La Chapelle and watch the line of hopefuls trying to get a bed there for a few nights.
That is Paris "outside the norm".
BAAM
And have dinner at La Nouvelle Rôtisserie, to support these efforts. Many ordinary people come out to support refugees. Or open their house, twice daily, so people can shower
LA NOUVELLE RÔTISSERIE
https://www.youcaring.com/refugees-757392
That is Paris "outside the norm".
BAAM
And have dinner at La Nouvelle Rôtisserie, to support these efforts. Many ordinary people come out to support refugees. Or open their house, twice daily, so people can shower
LA NOUVELLE RÔTISSERIE
https://www.youcaring.com/refugees-757392
Last edited by menachem; Mar 11th, 2018 at 01:51 AM.
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