By Karen Sprinkles
Non-Touristy Things to Do in Paris
Sure, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre top every visitor's itinerary while in Paris. But this cosmopolitan metropolis of culture also offers every type of attraction imaginable, no matter your age or interest. Some of the best things to do in Paris are off the beaten path. When planning a trip to the City of Light, consider partaking in some favorite local destinations not prominently highlighted in the guide books.
Flea Markets
Featuring everything from antiques, art, artifacts, clothing, souvenirs and more, Paris flea markets present the most colorful shopping excursions in the city. The most famous flea market in Paris, Les Puces de Saint-Ouen is the largest antiques market in the world. Known as Les Puces (The Fleas), the market attracts thousands of residents and is located at Porte de Clignancourt.
Association des puces
de Paris St Ouen
140 rue des Rosiers
93400 SAINT-OUEN
Tél: 01 40 12 32 58
www.parispuces.com/FR/
Open-Air Markets
In Paris, open-air markets date from the 1400s, when farmers transported their goods into the city on wooden carts. Today such markets present a bounty of specialties from all over France, including fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers, breads, pastries, olives, soap, jams, wines, meats and more. One of the most popular markets, the Bastille Market, is located in the 11th arrondissment, attracting multitudes of Parisians seeking top-quality, discounted goods.
Paris Mosque
The true taste of Morocco awaits at one of city's best kept secrets, the Paris Mosque. Here visitors can savor a mint tea with honey cakes while sitting around a fountain in a tiled courtyard café. Steam baths, or hammams, provide a rejuvenating spa experience.
Grande Mosquée de Paris
2, bis place du puits de l'Ermite
75005
Paris
(33) 1 45 35 97 33
www.mosquee-de-paris.org
Rue Oberkamf
The destination for all things cool in Paris, the rue Oberkamf, boasts lively nightlife highlighted by trendy bars, restaurants and nightclubs. An entire evening can be spent wining and dining and dancing at a myriad of destinations, all within walking distance on this exciting street.
Cinema in the Latin Quarter
Around the Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter, a large concentration of art cinemas feature screenings of everything from old Hollywood classics to avant-garde international cinema. Cinema buffs of any language will want to explore this mecca of movie houses in Paris's "intellectual district."
Espace Saint Michel
7 place Saint Michel, 75007 Paris
+33 1 44 07 20 49
www.espacesaintmichel.fr.st/
About the Author:
Karen Sprinkles has been a freelance writer since 1988. She's currently the managing editor of a luxury home magazine and has written for regional newspapers and magazines. Sprinkles received the Award of Excellence from the Hawaii Book Publishers Association for "The Hawaii Home Book," which reached No. 1 on the Hawaii bestsellers list. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California.
Photo Credits:
Photo by Karen Anderson
