We’ve all seen the iconic views of the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame, and the Louvre. Paris is a city that we think we know. The city of light, and the city of love, holds romantic appeal for those dreaming about strolling along the riverside, eating pastries at a street side cafe, or sipping champagne at an extravagant cabaret show. But beneath that much-loved tourist veneer there is a WHOLE lot more of Paris waiting to be explored.
Shakespeare and Co. Bookshop
This absolute gem is my favourite place in Paris. It has been a ramshackle little bookshop since the 1920s and was a favourite hangout for writers like Hemingway and James Joyce. You need to climb spindly wooden ladders to reach the top shelves and on the way up you might spot beds hidden among the books. Aspiring writers and artists have lived in the bookshop, in exchange for working there, since the fifties! After browsing the higgedly piggedly stacks of books you can sit at one of the little tables and chairs, out the front, and get incredible views over the Seine to the Notre Dame. My idea of a perfect afternoon!
Place du Trocadero
While everyone else crowds the garden directly underneath the Eiffel Tower, my advice is to cross the road and climb the steps to Place du Trocadero. From here you get spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower with the fountains in the foreground. The secret’s out on this one so, be warned, if you want to get a photo without anyone in it you must come early in the morning. If you’re not bothered about the crowds this is my favourite place to watch the light show in the evening.
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The Caveau de la Huchette
The Latin Quarter comes to life at night time with Salsa bars and Sports Bars but the coolest little Jazz Club is number five on Rue de la Huchette where live jazz bands have been performing since 1946. It was the first place in Paris to play jazz and has hosted some of the most famous jazz players in the world. There’s something thrilling about the atmosphere - almost as though you’ve slipped back to the prohibition era of the 1920s. Or maybe the excitement comes from knowing that Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone filmed scenes for La La Land here.
Laduree
No trip to Paris is complete without trying the famous, delicate, and delicious Macaron. And there’s no greater place to try them than from the original creators of the French cookie, and the best-known shop in the city, Laduree. Well worth walking past just for a glimpse of the beautiful window displays, with macarons of every colour, and flavour, stacked prettily amongst gauzy curtains, lace, and fairy lights. The original bakery, dating from 1862, is at number 16 rue Royale, and marks the birthplace of one of the first of the great Parisian salons.
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Rue Montorgueil
This vibrant street is one of the oldest market streets in Paris and home to Paris’ oldest patisserie, Stohrer, founded by the personal pastry chef of Louis the XV in 1730. La Fermette or ‘the little farm’ is always on lists of best fromageries in the city. Taste the cheese first - the family that run the shop are passionate about helping you find a cheese (or cheeses) that suit your tastes, and then you can buy slices or by the kilo (no judgement). Paired with a baguette from the neighbouring boulangerie and some strawberries from Palais du Fruit you have the perfect picnic for under the Eiffel Tower or in the Tuileries garden. Butchers, chocolate shops, flower stands, fishmongers and wine shops also dot the cobbles of this quintessential market street that feels like an authentic village even though it’s in the heart of Paris.
