After 10 Days in Paris, I Started to Feel Like a Local
On how I spent my time and felt at home in a new city
At 6 p.m. on Friday, I hopped on a flight and woke up in Paris. I started to acclimate after a day or two and really get my bearings. The city and the way of life truly took me by storm–I felt overwhelmingly relaxed and welcomed.
Everywhere I went, people were kind and helpful. I’ve found that chatting with as many locals as you can is the best way to understand the area you’re in, whether you want to find great food recommendations or better understand local pastimes.
We began the trip by hitting areas on our “list,” aka where we wanted to shop and what we wanted to see. I’m not a huge tourist attraction person, but of course I had to eat a croissant on the lawn beneath the Eiffel Tower–I’m only human. The next big to-do was to shop, and I mean shop hard. I had a short list of items I deeply wanted to find on this trip, but reflecting back, I found a few and a few found me.
A few of my best finds just kind of happened during morning walks. My friend and I would spend our mornings out and about grabbing a coffee, going for a run or walk, and truly just perusing the area. We’d stumble in shops and find absolute gems that we simply couldn’t walk away from. The shopping in Paris is wonderful, but I didn’t come home with a single item of clothing. More so, items for our home, sought-after gifts for loved ones, drugstore products, and jewelry.
As the trip progressed, we felt like we hit most of the arrondissements, so we began exploring our neighborhood more. We happened upon a local shop near our Airbnb, with a wonderful woman working. “Here is my guide to our neighborhood, filled with my favorite spots!” She handed us a piece of gold. Our trip took a turn. We began digging into this extensive list filled with incredible restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and dessert shops surrounding our stay. We really felt like locals.
For the next 4 days or so, we took full advantage. We’d walk down the street for a glass of wine, then maybe another at a new spot, and finish it off with a phenomenal dinner. Our minds were blown with the simple, yet perfected concepts surrounding us. The Airbnb was situated near the canal, so on a morning walk or a night stroll, we’d walk past countless Parisians situated along the water, having conversation, smoking a cigarette, and finishing their bottles of wine. It felt like we were a part of something so wonderful and natural. We got to experience a little slice of life of a young Paris resident living between the 3rd, 10th, and 11th.
What I learned on this trip is that I’m the type of traveler who enjoys feeling like a resident. I want to experience the smaller, more intimate places that may not be on the map, but are true hidden treasures. I do love a historical monument, but I’m happiest and feeling most fulfilled when I’m parked on a random street, simply living my life in a new place.
This trip showed me that you should talk to as many locals as you can and ask for their favorite spots–it’s truly the best way to entrench yourself in the culture of the new destination without relying on the internet. Speak with those around you, make connections, create a little community, even if it’s just for a few days. It’s a very simple, yet important barrier to break. 9.5 times out of 10, people are kind and want you to experience their incredible city. So, if you think Parisians are rude, you might be the problem.
Find your Bachét.