Live Like a Local in Paris
by Rita Borges
The major tourist season in France stretches from Easter to mid-September, but Paris has much to offer in every season. Paris in the early spring can be disappointingly damp, though it’s relatively tourist free; May and June are delightful, with good weather and plenty of cultural attractions. July and August can be sultry. Moreover, many theaters and some of the smaller restaurants and shops close for the entire month of August. If you’re undeterred by hot weather and pollution, you’ll notice a fairly relaxed atmosphere around the city, as this is the month when most Parisians are on vacation. September is ideal. Cultural life revives after the summer break, and sunny weather often continues through the first half of October. The ballet and theater are in full swing in November, but the weather is part wet and cold, part bright and sunny. December is dominated by the fêtes de fin d’année (end-of-year festivities), and a busy theater, ballet, and opera season goes well into January.
Something to consider in the time-versus-money balance: the Carte Musées et Monuments (Museums and Monuments Pass), which offers unlimited access to more than 65 museums and monuments. You can get passes for one-, three-, or five-consecutive-day periods; the cost, respectively, is EUR15, EUR30, and EUR45. Considering that most Paris museums cost under EUR10, you have to be serious about museum-going to make this pay off, but there is one major plus: you get to jump to the head of the line by displaying it, a coup when there are 600 people lined up to get into the Musée d’Orsay. The pass is available at Paris’s tourist offices and métro stations and at all participating museums, and it comes with a handy info list of all the museums you can visit. For more information see www.intermusees.com.
Once you have mastered the understanding of the arrondissements (districts) and the metro (simply the best way to get around Paris). Do yourself a favor and incorporate the words, “bonjour” and “merci” into your vocabulary. Regardless of who you are speaking to whether a taxi driver or a cheese monger before you begin say bonjour and close with merci. This will make your life in Paris a sheer pleasure.
If you do get lost, just ask anyone where the nearest metro is. Our advice is to ask a younger person versus an older since most young adults do speak some sort of conversational English. The metro is without doubt the most cost effective and fastest way to acquaint yourself with Paris. The metro closes at 11pm and the trains stop running at 12:45am.
Dining — Some tourists go to Paris simply to eat! Some restaurants have waiting lists months long! This tells you something about the culinary capital of the world. The streets are crowded all hours of the day and night with Parisians and tourists enjoying the wide range of excellent restaurants available in Paris. Parisians eat dinner rather late, so the best time to ensure you get a table at a very popular restaurant is 7:00 - 7:30 p.m . Cafés open up for business earlier, usually do not close after lunch, and stay open later at night. You will find sandwiches, salads, and other choices in a café restaurant. Brasseries originally signified places where you could drink beer and find something to eat late at night. Today, a lot of cafes that serve lunch have the word “brasserie” on their awnings. A bistro usually offers a more traditional menu selection of hearty French cuisine, with some good wines. You’ll find a chalkboard listing today’s fare, more intimate, and usually family-owned. Do not tip for services or in restaurants. If your waiter is very helpful you are welcome to give a little extra but it is not compulsory. The average lunch ticket is 12-15 Euro and the average dinner is 22-35 Euro
Movies — Paris has more movie theaters than any other city in the world, far more than London or New York. Rarely is the entrance fee over 8 Euro and there are discounted “cinema” cards 5 tickets for 30 Euro. Most films are shown in the original language with subtitles. The theater to checkout is Le Grand Rex (Metro: Bonne Nouvelle) with over 3000 seats and a ceiling adorned with stars that make you feel like you are outdoors. This theater is so remarkable that it has been classified as a historical monument. Entrance is 7 Euros.
Nightclubs — Similar to any other major city, the hotspots are always changing so apart from the “touristy” cabarets, you should seek recommendations in Time Out Paris (English section) or Zurban ( weekly magazine in French). For the Gay Scene pick up one of the free papers ( E-Male or Illico) where you will find most of the clubs in Le Marais. Club entrance usually is 10 to 20 Euro and you can expect to pay 3 to 5 Euros for a beer or soft drink.
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Rita Borges is an avid world traveler headquartered in New York City and is currently Managing Director of Paris Luxe Apartments & Luxe Adventures. Paris Luxe Apartments specializes in upscale to luxury vacation apartments in Paris catering to sophisticated travelers. Luxe Adventures is the most novel way to experience Paris on your own terms with a personalized guide. Check out Paris Luxe Apartments.
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