25 Ways To Enjoy Paris Like A Local

It’s easy to get caught up in the tourist spots, especially in a city like Paris. Sure, seeing the sights is part of the fun, but there’s so much more to the city than just the landmarks. This list will show you how to really experience Paris, beyond the usual hustle. Let’s get started and see Paris in a whole new way.

Grab A Morning Croissant

In Paris, mornings are built around routine, and for many locals, that starts with a stop at the boulangerie. Not just any croissant will do. It must be golden on the outside, soft and slightly stretchy on the inside, and warm enough that the layers pull apart in your hands.

Sip Coffee Like A Local

“Un cafe, s’il vous plait,” and the day begins. Coffee in Paris isn’t a caffeine emergency. It’s a pause and a statement of presence. Locals rarely order large, milky drinks outside breakfast hours. If you ask for a coffee, you’ll get a tiny but powerful espresso served in a porcelain cup.

Picnic Near The Eiffel Tower

Though the Eiffel Tower is often swarmed with tourists snapping selfies, Parisians still treat the adjacent Champ de Mars as one of their favorite open-air dining spots. They don’t pack elaborate feasts. Instead, they stop by a market or small grocery stores to grab a few essentials.

Walk Along The Seine

The Seine is a pathway through Parisian life. Locals use it as a scenic shortcut or a place to reset between errands. Early mornings bring joggers and quiet couples. In the afternoon, students sit on the stone ledges near the water, flipping through books or nibbling on snacks.

Visit A Local Market

Parisian markets aren’t about rushing through a shopping list—they’re an experience. Most neighborhoods have open-air markets several days a week, where locals pick up ingredients for the day. It’s not about rushing; it’s about chatting with vendors and thoughtfully selecting what you need.

Ride The Metro

Swipe your ticket, find your line, and avoid eye contact. The Paris Metro isn’t glamorous, but it is the pulse of the city. With 16 lines and nearly 300 stations, it can take you from the edge of Montmartre to the foot of the Eiffel Tower without breaking a sweat.

Use Free Museum Days

The first Sunday of the month? Jackpot. Locals love their culture, but they love a good deal even more. That’s why they take advantage of the free admission days many museums offer monthly or seasonally. The Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, and others open their doors for free on specific dates.

Eat At A Hidden Bistro

Parisians seek out the kind of places that barely mark their existence. Look for spots where the menu is handwritten on a chalkboard or stuck in the window with tape. These places might only serve a handful of dishes per day, and that’s exactly the charm.

Speak A Bit Of French

You don’t need to be fluent. Just friendly. In Paris, a small effort goes a long way. Starting a conversation with a cheerful “bonjour” or thanking a waiter with a soft “merci” is expected. Locals are proud of their language, so using it earns respect.

Find Hidden Passages

The covered passages of Paris are like secret hallways in an old mansion. Most visitors miss them completely, but locals know these walkways are little bubbles of calm in the middle of city chaos. For example, Galerie Vivienne, with its patterned floors and bookish charm, feels like a film set.

Dine On Paris Time

Dinner at 6:00 p.m.? That’s practically evening snack time in Paris. Locals don’t even glance at a dinner menu before 7:30, and most don’t sit down to eat until 8:00 or later. The pace of life encourages lingering, and mealtimes are sacred social affairs.

Make A Baguette Lunch

Parisians rarely eat heavy lunches unless it’s a special occasion. More often, they have a few slices of baguette and maybe some cured ham or a boiled egg. This isn’t a sad desk lunch. It’s intentional. You’ll see locals perched on park benches or leaning against riverside walls, tearing off pieces with their hands.

Slow Down At Meals

You won’t find people multitasking with lunch in one hand and their phone in the other. Meals are events, no matter how small. Locals take their time and talk between bites rather than during them. At cafes, people will sit with a single drink for an hour, maybe two.

Take A Cooking Class

There’s knowing what coq au vin tastes like. Then there’s knowing how to make it. Locals learn to cook from family or just from doing it. Fortunately, you don’t need a French grandmother to get started. Paris is full of small-group cooking classes, often hosted in someone’s home or a culinary studio.

Relax In A Local Park

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont isn’t on most tourist maps, but it should be. This northeastern escape is a favorite among locals for its wild, hilly terrain and waterfall views. Unlike the clipped perfection of the Tuileries, this park feels untamed and lived-in.

Stay In A Local Flat

Parisians live in compact, creaky apartments with tall windows and balconies just wide enough for two chairs and a potted plant. Renting a local flat gives you access to the slower rhythm of real life. You’ll hear neighbors clink dishes through the walls and smell someone else’s garlic sauteing down the hall.

See Parisian Street Art

Paris isn’t just about marble statues and oil paintings. Street art thrives here, especially in neighborhoods like Belleville, Oberkampf, and the 13th arrondissement. Artists like Miss.Tic and C215 leave thoughtful, often poetic imprints on shutters and alleyways. The city even commissions large-scale murals that stretch across entire buildings.

Drink At A Wine Bar

Locals don’t bother with elaborate rituals; they drink with intention but keep it simple. A good wine bar feels like a friend’s kitchen—comfortable and welcoming, with a waiter who recommends what’s best that day. Natural wine is popular here, usually served slightly chilled and always paired with something salty.

People-Watch In A Park

Find a metal chair in Jardin du Luxembourg or a shaded bench in Parc Monceau, and just sit. Locals aren’t there to exercise or get steps in. They’re watching, reading, sipping, thinking. You’ll learn more about the city in an hour of silent observation than you will in any guidebook. 

Try Regional Cuisine

Craving melted cheese? Find a spot serving tartiflette from the Alps. Plus, for a hit of spice and depth, duck confit from Gascony or bouillabaisse from Marseille does the trick. Many bistros offer regional menus that rotate with the seasons, and locals often know where to go when the craving strikes.

Join A Local Festival

Throughout the year, locals pour into streets and courtyards for everything from jazz concerts to wine fairs. In June, there’s the Fete de la Musique, with bands playing on every block. Then, in October, Nuit Blanche takes over, with museums and galleries staying open all night long.

Wander Without A Map

Sometimes, the best plans are the ones you forget. Locals don’t try to “see everything.” They pick a neighborhood and just walk. They peek through open gates or stop for a glass of wine in a place that looks interesting. No itinerary, no pressure. Just instinct and mood.

Find Secret Patisseries

You won’t find the best sweets near the big monuments. Locals skip the flashy shops with long lines and head for low-key patisseries located in quiet corners of the city. They know where to get the flakiest mille-feuille or the silkiest lemon tart without the fanfare.

Shop Vintage Markets

On weekends, you’ll find locals rummaging through flea markets and brocantes in search of treasures. Think silk scarves from the ’70s or perfectly worn-in trench coats. The Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is the most famous, but smaller markets in the city’s outer arrondissements are just as charming and more affordable.

Mind Your Manners

A little politeness opens every door. In Paris, saying “bonjour” when you enter a shop or “au revoir” when you leave isn’t optional. It’s cultural glue. Locals greet the bus driver and always say “excusez-moi” before asking a question. It’s not about being formal. It’s about acknowledging each other’s presence.