Paris may be the City of Light and romance, but it’s also the city of selfie sticks, stressed out tourists, and long lines. So why not see the real Paris, the best parts of the city that most tourists miss. This guide, accompanied by our video, and our free city map, was developed with a local, who wants to help you see the hidden gems that so many miss. Allons-y…
Le Louvre
The Louvre is slightly askew of the Axe Historique, a roughly eight-kilometer (five-mile) architectural line bisecting the city. The axis begins with the Louvre courtyard, at a point now symbolically marked by a lead copy of Bernini’s equestrian statue of Louis XIV, and runs west along the Champs-Élysées to La Défense and slightly beyond.
Begin at the courtyard of the Louvre, at dawn or dusk, to avoid the tourist throngs and oggle the Louvre Pyramid juxtaposed to the classical architecture that surrounds it, then stroll through the bustling Jardin des Tuileries, towards Place de la Concorde.
Champs Elysées
Continue along the Champs Elysées. This world-famous avenue is best known for upscale shopping, and downscale hordes of tourists. Sure all the best haute couture brands have outposts here, but the crowds can be overwhelming, so try to visit on “pedestrian days” (one Sunday every month) where at least you don’t have to battle with cars and buses.
Arc de Triomphe
Marvel at this iconic monument. Remember to account for selfie-time during your twenty-minute circumvention!
Bois de Boulogne
Revel in nature at this sprawling park. Rent a bike and traverse its lakes and trails. The natural haven of Bois de Boulogne, a huge public park that is the western half of the 16th arrondissement of Paris. The land was ceded to the city of Paris by the Emperor Napoleon III to be turned into a public park in 1852, and covers an area of 845 hectares (2088 acres), which is about two and a half times the area of Central Park in New York.
La Défense
End your historical axis tour at this business district. Admire the geometric Grande Arche and delve into its modernist interiors.
