48 Hours in Paris: What to Do & Not to Do (by a Local)!

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I was fortunate to live in Paris for 4 months back in 1995 when I was a teacher for a study abroad program. I wasn’t paid much for the job; however, I was given a “Professor’s card” which gave me free entry to most all of the museums in Paris. Every day after class, I walked around Paris, typically going into at least one museum. I walked so much in those 4 months that I wore through a pair of shoes. My favorite museum was the the Musee D’Orsay, L’Orangerie, and the Paris film museum. I got to go to the Louvre at least 4 times. I loved all the parks and thought Buttes Charmont was the most dramatic. I got by with my high school French, bought a scarf so I would blend in, and tried to stay off the beaten path as much as possible. I lived in the Maria’s District and taught at Cite Universite in the 14th arrondisement. It was definitely one of the most magical times of my life. Thank you for a reminder of those days.

I live in Paris suburbs and she's right. Just wake up and explore. Doesnt matter which neighbourhood you've picked, there will always be parks, gardens, museums, boulangerie for a snack, café for Coffee/tea or beer during the happy hour. It's really up to you.

I visited Paris with a friend and my sister many years ago (actually, almost 20 years ago!!). I remember we were in Montparnasse station with our backpacks, looking for the right platform for a regional line. This lady came up to us and asked if we needed help. She took us as far as she could towards our platform and explained what to do (validating tickets and so on). When I tell people about our experience, some are surprised and others commented "probably not a Parisienne". Regardless, I have nothing but great experience in France. I am planning a trip for 2025 so I will be watching a lot of these videos. Thank you Lucile. So glad I found this channel.

I’ve been to Paris at least a dozen times. First time was 1970 and I fell in love with the city and that has not changed since that first visit. The last 4 or 5 visits, we have stayed at a small, cozy family owned hotel in the 5th and will stay there again. We are usually the only Americans there. We avoid the tourist areas and find restaurants where locals dine and have had amazing meals and wine. Don’t be afraid to be adventurous. Thanks Lucile!

I'm in my 50s and never went to Paris! I will go soon! I'm vacationing in Europe every year finally : )

Absolutely perfectly true and well said! I spent about 10 days in Paris around 2018. Despite so many friends recommendations to visit monuments, museums and other places of interest, I went with my gut. Made zero plans. Met locals. They were very friendly and helpful to say the least! In that short period of time I made two friends (one is Parisienne), became a regular at a great little coffee shop, frequented (food) markets with local produce/meats/cheeses etc. Cooked most of my own meals. Went with the flow and stayed open minded to experiences. Basically immersed myself in the local scene and didn’t visit one monument/museum/point of interest. One of the best travel experiences! Beautiful generous people and a romantic city whether you go it alone, with a friend/significant other, or you find someone while you’re there. ❤

Best 48 hours in Paris = 48 hours with toi :O haha, great video Lucile!

I couldn't agree more. Slow down, be nice, say hello, have a picnic, walk or take the metro. Be excited about what you see, talk to the shop keeps, ask questions and try something out of your comfort zone. That's the fun bit!

Thank you L. Your calm voice and massive amount of knowledge is amazing. Always !

For me, a boat tour on the Seine is a great way to see a lot of beautiful architecture in a relaxing way especially if you've already done a lot of walking, and you see things from a completely different pov. Also, you can get on/off tours.

i live in paris and guys this is it. this is THE guide

This is the 3rd video I have watched from Lucile and I love them all. Lots of great information told with humor and great backgrounds. And not so long that you waster your time in gory detail, like some people who seem to get paid by the minute. Keep up the great work, Lucile.

Thank you for making me feel good about never having gone up the Eiffel tower despite having gone to Paris three times 😊 I fell in love with the city just wandering and exploring on foot.

Great advice. One thing I would add is to take the buses. Not the tourist buses, just the regular bus. If you are older and can't walk as much, you can take the bus from neighborhood to neighborhood and see more of Paris than on the Metro. We moved to France, in part to be closer to Paris (Nimes) and have been there three times since we came 18 months ago. We stay in the Port Orleans district. Not particularly cute but right near buses that go everywhere and the hotel is lovely and very reasonably priced.

I first visited Paris in 1986, en route to a year of studying (skiing) in Chambéry. I knew virtually no French, but people were mostly kind. I returned many times that year to meet friends and relatives coming dor their French experience, and Paris never failed to please everyone. A few years later, my wife and I returned for our honeymoon. We apent a lot of time in Paris before hitchhiking across the country to Chambéry, Basel Switzerland, Venice, back to England, then Paris again. It was more than two months and, in retrospect, an insane thing to do, but we sure had fun. We've been back a couple of times since with our children and once for my work. Every time I found the Paresiens to be helpful and friendly. We're about to leave Chambéry for five days in the 11th Arrondissement, and I can't wait. By the way, we've always traveled in spring or fall, and we've never had to spend an outrageous amount of money. We go out to eat some and eat in our airbnb or hotel some. And we hang out in the neighborhood, only venturing out to tourist areas now and then. I don't consider us to be experts on Paris, but we've never had a bad visit.

Lucile, your channel is a breath of FRESH Air. Your soulful descriptions of Parisian life beckons the weary traveler and bolsters one's confidence to embrace Le Joie de Vie. 😘

Thank you for your video! I am planning a trip to France this year. Your videos are very helpful! 😊

Thank you so much! Your videos are so inspiring to me! ! ! ! ! ! I'm going to Paris next month! !

So glad I found your channel! I am a big fan of Paris. Also a big fan of @LivingBobby! Have a great summer😊