Romanticizing Your Paris Trip
10 Non-Touristy Ways to Fall in Love with the City
Paris is often associated with its classic landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame. But the city’s true magic often lies in the small, unassuming moments. If you really want to make your trip to Paris romantic, it’s less about to-do lists and more about mood, atmosphere, and spontaneous discoveries. Here are ten things that will make your trip to Paris a little more magical—without any of the typical tourist stress.
1. Stroll Around Montmartre (or Take Bus 40)
The hill around Montmartre has a special atmosphere—small stairways, hidden alleys, artists’ studios. If you don’t want to walk everywhere, just take Bus 40. The route takes you through many beautiful streets and feels almost like a mini sightseeing tour, only without the crowds.
2. Sit in a Park and Just Be
Paris has countless parks where life seems to move a little slower. Grab a coffee or a croissant, find a bench, and just watch the world go by. People are reading, chatting, or enjoying the sun—and suddenly you’re part of this peaceful Parisian everyday life.
3. Write a Letter to Your Future Self at Café Pli
At two locations, you can do something truly special at Café Pli: write a letter to your future self. Sit down with a coffee, reflect on your trip, your thoughts, or your dreams—and the letter will be sent to you in one, five, or twenty years. A wonderful way to capture a moment from your trip to Paris for later.
4. Have a Picnic Along the Seine or Canal Saint-Martin
Buy some tasty treats and find a spot by the water. Especially along the Seine or the Canal Saint-Martin, small, spontaneous picnics spring up in the evenings. The atmosphere is relaxed, sometimes someone plays music, and the sun reflects off the water.
5. Check for Concerts While You’re There
Sometimes a trip becomes unforgettable thanks to serendipity. Before you go, check to see if any artists you like are performing in Paris. You might get lucky—just like I did when Of Monsters and Men played while I was in town. A concert in a foreign city often feels more intense and special.
6. Visit 59 Rivoli
59 Rivoli is a former squat that’s now a creative art space. The rooms are filled with art, colors, and installations, and you can often see artists working right there. It feels raw, spontaneous, and very authentic—quite different from traditional museums.
7. Walk Along Rue Crémieux
The small street Rue Crémieux is known for its colorful houses and feels almost a bit like a movie set. Although it’s becoming increasingly popular on Instagram, it still has a charming, almost fairy-tale-like character.
8. Wander Through the Flower Market
The Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II is one of those places where you can experience the city with all your senses. Flowers, plants, small garden decorations, and that light scent of fresh flowers everywhere. Perfect for a leisurely morning stroll.
9. Step Into Galerie Vivienne
The elegant Galerie Vivienne may not be a complete secret, but it still feels like a hidden gem. The glass roof, mosaic floor, and small boutiques create an atmosphere as if you’ve briefly traveled back in time.
10. Get Lost Without Google Maps
Perhaps the most romantic tip: just leave your phone in your pocket for once. Wander aimlessly through small streets, take spontaneous turns, and stop when something looks interesting. In Paris, this is how you often discover the most beautiful cafés, bookstores, or squares—places you never planned to find.
In the end, romanticizing your trip to Paris isn’t about seeing as much as possible. It’s about consciously experiencing moments: a coffee in the sun, a conversation on a park bench, or music drifting through a small street. It’s precisely these little things that make Paris so unforgettable.
