Paris is just too big, too beautiful and too breathtaking to fully experience in a day or two. We love the vast halls of The Louvre and the abundance of great museums and buildings, the imposing Eiffel Tower that gives you goosebumps every time you see it peeking out behind a house, all of it. But for your next trip to the City of Lights how about simply saying no to the pressure of wanting-to-see-it-all and experience Paris in a balanced way, off the beaten path perhaps? Here comes our list of hand picked favorites!Spoiler:<\/i>If you plan on going to Paris on a diet you better stop reading right here\u2026<\/p>\n CAFE OBERKAMPF<\/a> is a small coffee shop just one street off the busy Rue Oberkampf, an overall welcoming and cozy place with super friendly staff and quite a personal touch. Offering homemade brunch delicacies like granola, tartines and sourdough sandwiches it is often packed on the weekends. If you don\u2019t manage to get one of the few seats despair not and head to their sister <\/span>CAF\u00c9 MERICOURT<\/a>just a few minutes walk away and with more seating space. We recommend visiting Caf\u00e9 Oberkampfin the early morning during the week, taking a seat in the window and enjoying a tasty coffee along with their homemade porridge.<\/p>\n We know that city trips tend to be exhausting and if you feel in need of another coffee and energy boost <\/span>PASSAGER CAF\u00c9<\/a>is the choice for a break along the way. Its industrial inspired yet warm interior (look at those tiles!) with huge windows out to the lively street combined with charming people behind the counter create quite a homey atmosphere. Coffee specialties on point, pastries that are baked freshly each morning in the small open kitchen and savory plates on the menu for lunch leave nothing to be desired.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t go to Paris without overeating on Baguette and croissants. Each corner seams to have an artisanal bakery and when the only people out on the streets on a Sunday morning queue at their local bakery they can\u2019t be wrong. On the hunt for the perfect croissant make sure to stop at <\/span>DU PAIN ET DES ID\u00c9ES<\/a> for pastries and one of the best breads in Paris. Try their famous Pain des Amis, a wood-fired loaf made with farmer-ground heritage grains<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Next stop on your shop-like-a-local list is the \u00e9picerie primeur cr\u00e8merie <\/span>TERROIRS <\/a>D’AVENIR. It sounds complicated but it is really easy: fresh vegetables and fruits, a great selection of cheeses and charcuterie and baked goods directly from the farmers and producers. Delve into this \u00a0deliciousness and hear all the stories behind the products from the young people that run the stores. Now have the bread, the cheese, the wine and you might end up fixing a great lunch at home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Let yourself drift along the streets like aFl\u00e2neur,<\/a> take your time to stop and look up, soak up the environment, enjoy your stay, you are in Paris! Take long walks along the Seine and soak up the Parisian sun in one of the many chairs spread across theJardin du Luxembourg<\/a>. Try to avoid Le Marais on a weekend if you don\u2019t like shuffling your way through overfilled streets and shops (it is beautiful, though).<\/p>\n For some moments of tranquility, head to the cemetery P\u00caRE LACHAISE<\/a> where many famous artists such as Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison and Oscar found their last resting place. It is by far not a secret spot but so vast you can still find quiet corners. Track down the famous graves or just wander through this magical and peaceful place to enjoy the silence and unwind from the city trouble.<\/p>\n In the mood for art? ThePALAIS DE TOKYO<\/a> is a must-see for all modern art lovers, a rebellious wasteland with the air of a Palace, an anti-museum in permanent transformation that has the reputation of being the\u00a0dynamic place for the artists of our time. It\u2019s architecture, both inside and out, is breathtaking, and the exhibitions are always worth the visit. It is a space to learn, to experience, to feel, and to live \u2013 a space from which the unexpected springs forth. It houses two restaurants and one of the largest art bookshops in Paris.<\/p>\n LA TR\u00c9SORERIE<\/a> offers a fine selection of manufactured goods from small kitchen and household items for everyday use to ceramics and tableware, from hand-woven blankets and towels to furniture pieces as tables, chairs and lamps. Everyone with a sense for craftsmanship, for long-lasting products and interior design will just love this shop. In case you want to stay a bit longer, stop for a coffee at the in-store Caf\u00e9 Sm\u00f6rgas<\/i>before you continue browsing.<\/p>\n If you have a soft spot for designer brands and vintage clothing make sure to visit THANX GOD I\u2019M A V.I.P.<\/a> It\u2019s not the kind of vintage store where you work your way through the good, the bad and the ugly to bag the perfect bargain, THANX GOD is a store that will do that for you instead. Even better is the carefully curated (and color coordinated) selection of classic designer brands, in perfect condition and at reasonable prices. Friendly staff will assist you in case you have your mind set on something specific, and you\u2019ll surely take a very French and unique souvenir home.<\/p>\n The super tiny natural wine bar LA BUVETTE\u00a0<\/a>located in a former cheese shop certainly is no secret tip among the scene, yet its magic is undisputed. It is a one-woman-show, the founder Camille is chef, sommelier, waiter, and host, and with that she has created Paris\u2019 most stylish and intimate wine bar of its generation. The small yet brightly lit window in a less bright part of the street is decked out with white tiles and a shiny zinc counter, the daily menu scribbled on a mirror, the bottles lined up and waiting to be opened. You can expect a well-selected list of natural wines with some sought-after bottles, along with simple and honest plates to share and nibble. As LA BUVETTE is tiny and closes early, it might be a better choice for ap\u00e9ros than nightcaps.<\/p>\n Classic French bistros underwent a huge revival in the last years and neo-bistro LE SERVAN<\/a> is among the top with very good reason. Floor-to-ceiling windows and modern d\u00e9cor add to the airy but warm and casual atmosphere of the neighborhood spot. It offers traditional French cuisine with a little Asian twist, complex and surprising taste combinations that still are very approachable, and enjoyable. The \u00e0 la carte menu is serious but the whole dining experience is deliberately laid-back, guests can choose loosely among starters, main and dessert plates to share. With the super friendly service and a great wine list Le Servan<\/i> is an open place where you can have very good food at still affordable prices. Note: not the best choice for vegetarians!<\/p>\nCAFES<\/h4>\n
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TO SEE<\/h4>\n
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SHOPPING<\/h4>\n
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RESTAURANT & DRINKS<\/h4>\n
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