Living in Paris 

Before going abroad, I thought Paris was an incredibly glamorous city, characterized by well-known spots like the Eiffel Tower or the Champs-Élysées. After being here for almost two months, I agree that it is a stunning city, but its rich character stems from the diverse communities and cultural activities that bring its people together. I thought my best memories would be made doing the “must-do” tourist things, but I wanted to write this blog post to share some of the best experiences I’ve had thus far in Paris from a newbie local’s perspective!  

Enjoying a crepe and a view on the Seine River with girls from the CEA CAPA program! 

Following “La Seine” 

The Seine River runs through Paris, dividing its two halves, familiarly known as Rive Droite and Rive Gauche, French terms for the right and left bank. Among Parisians, there’s a friendly debate about which bank is “better” in terms of food, people, and things to do. Nearly every day, I pass by or on the Seine to travel throughout Paris, and I wanted to start this blog post detailing the importance of the river when discussing things to do in Paris. Creating a routine is one of the most important parts of studying abroad, as it helps develop stability and makes you feel like you truly live somewhere, as opposed to being a long-staying tourist.  

My favorite part of my routine is by far my walks on the Seine! The best part about it is that you can start from any of the central arrondissements, find the Seine, and let it guide you to new places, all while getting what looks like a front-seat view of the city. One of my fondest memories since being here was an evening Seine sit, where I met up with two of my friends from the CEA CAPA program, Roxy and Karina, and we enjoyed banana Nutella crepes from our favorite spot in the 5th! We sat on the edge of the river, ate our crepes, and watched Parisians enjoy their own walk on the Seine at sunset, feeling like locals!  

My Local Neighborhood 

I live in Le Marais neighborhood, situated in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, on Rive Droite, which is arguably the better bank, if you ask me! I may be biased, but the Marais is hands-down my favorite area of Paris. Between the charming boutiques whose windows are filled with unique jewelry and vintage finds, and the striped-awning bistros lining the streets for as far as the eye can see, it is the quintessential Paris neighborhood. Not to mention, the CEA CAPA study center is in the heart of the district, adjacent to the National Archives, which are a stunning example of Parisian architecture and history, all in one!  

The perfect spot for a sunny picnic at Place des Vosges, in the heart of the Marais District! 

If I had to create a perfect day in the Marais for someone coming to Paris, it would look a little like this! First, it would be a crime not to start your day with a croissant or a pain au chocolat from the delicious Chez Meunier bakery. Once you’ve secured breakfast and a coffee, a 15-minute walk brings you to Place des Vosges, a beautiful square perfect for a breakfast chat, or my personal favorite, a lunch-time picnic on the grass next to the fountains.  

If it’s a Sunday or Thursday, I’d continue east and find the Bastille Market, in the 11th arrondissement, which fills the main square with vendors of all things. From flowers to fresh produce, to antique trinkets, it’s impossible to leave empty-handed! At the south end of the market is the Canal Saint Martin, giving you the chance to walk along the canal, finding the Seine at the end. From there, the opportunities are endless! One way brings you along the river to the Hôtel de Ville or brings you to the newly reopened Notre-Dame cathedral. Any day in Paris is perfect, but no trip to this city would be complete without a detour to the Marais district! 

One of the many flower stands at the lively Bastille Market, in the 11th arrondissement! 

A stunning dress from the Louis Vuitton florals exhibit, showcased next to excerpts from literary pieces that inspired his designs! 

Cultural Activities 

Once I checked off the Paris bucket-list items like the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre off my list, I was able to discover the city’s rich history and culture through its wide range of cultural activities and events. Back in the US, I would never have thought to spend a free day exploring a museum, but living here has changed my perspective on them, and I’m so thankful for it! My favorite museum has to be Musée d'Orsay, which used to be a train station and is now home to stunning statues and impressionist pieces.  

A duck pond at the Buttes de Chaumont Park, nestled in the 20th arrondissement! 

Often considered the city of fashion, going to fashion expositions and foundations has been such a fun part of living here. I touched on examples in my previous post, but I wanted to highlight a new one I’ve been to since then. Located in the 16th arrondissement, the Louis Vuitton foundation is doing an exposition identical to the one in Marrakech, as it was an inspiration for the designer’s pieces. The expo is centered around his adoration of flowers, and its origins in literature and fashion. The showcase allowed you to watch video recordings of Vuitton’s interviews, a short documentary of the history of the foundation, dozens of floral clothing pieces, and even the opportunity to walk through his atelier workshop. Being able to engage with such authentic sources of fashion and design has been such an enlightening part of living abroad.  

Activities like museums and fashion expositions are great on cloudy days, but my all-time favorite pastime when the sun comes out has to be going to Paris’s endless parks! Recently, I went to Parc Monceau and Buttes Chaumont, which feature ponds, waterfalls, and Roman architecture building ruins. These are the perfect spots to have a solo book + picnic lunch, or bring some friends and a camera, as every corner of each park is beautiful!