{travel tips} 21 Fabulous and Unique Things to Do and Eat in Paris

Today is Bastille Day, so I thought this seemed like an appropriate time to offer my top recommendations for Paris. Paris can be overwhelming, but after several visits I have distilled this list down to my all-time favorite things to do (and eat) in La Ville-Lumière. Since it’s me we’re talking about, they are mainly food-focused, but I’ve thrown a few cultural recommendations in to round it out!

21 Fabulous and Unique Things to Do and Eat in Paris 

• Falafel in Rue Rosiers (pick a line, any long line, all of them are good.)
• Crowded tables, friendly service, the best buckwheat crepes and strong Bretagne cider at Creperie Josselin in Montparnasse.
• Finding the inner-city vineyard in Montmartre.
• Soaking in a spa day at the hammam (communal baths) at L’Institut du Monde Arabe. (Check hours on their website: some days are men only, some days are women only.)
• The tasting menu at the excellent Spanish restaurant Fogón. (Babysitter required.)
• The strictly locals late night bar scene on Rue Oberkampf.
• Sauntering through the painters at work in Place du Tertre at the top of Sacre Coeur and scouting out the moulins (windmills) tucked in the neighborhood nearby.
• Eating fresh meringues from anywhere.

• The dazzling and delightful market food hall at Le Bon Marché near Sevres-Babylone.
• The mind-boggling Sunday flea market at Saint Ouen.
• Lounging in the grassy area behind the Eiffel Tower.
• A visit to one of these crazy-cool eclair specialty shops.
• The view from the top of the Pompidou Centre on a clear day (and hey, the art’s pretty good there too.)
• Shopping in the Marais, in the alleys and on Rue Tiquetonne.
• Taking in the Hotel de Ville as it looks on a dark and stormy night.
• Enjoying Monet’s masterpieces in peace at Musee de l’Orangerie.
• Sunny afternoons sitting in a cafe on Canal St. Martin sipping on a glass of rosé.
• A stop at the venerable tea shop Le Mariage Freres for tasting, sipping, smelling, and presents.
• Splurging on a flower arranging course at the Ecole des Fleurs.
• Checking the restaurant recommendations from David Lebovitz for the latest on where to eat.

What am I missing? What are your favorite things to do in Paris?