Beyond the Louvre : Uncovering the City’s Hidden Cultural Gems

By request, as a follow-up to our Paris in 1 Day: The Ultimate Itinerary to See the Best Highlights Blog, we have included a post about the culture in France, so that you know what to expect when you visit. We’ve also included lesser-known sights of Paris, in case you want to deviate from the general main sights and see the more hidden attractions.

One reason why I said in my previous post to do your research and study the maps is that the majority of French people in Paris are not willing to help you if you get lost. My personal experience is that the Parisians don’t want to speak to you and even ignore you if you ask them a question. I’m not saying that every French person is like this, as there are many nice ones, and in the more rural areas of France I’ve visited, the people were a lot nicer. I just haven’t come across many nice people in Paris when I need help; you’d have more luck visiting a tourist information center. Tip: If you attempt to speak French (if you know any), they may be more willing to help you.

Some more cultural tips about France and Europe in general: remember those free refills in the U.S.? They don’t exist in Europe, so don’t go downing sodas or you’ll be paying for every, single, one. You can buy relatively cheap bottles of water from walking vendors throughout the city. Another cultural difference is that, in restaurants, people tend to take their time while eating meals. So you will have to signal a waiter to let them know when you are ready for the check/bill, or they’ll just think you’re content having an after-meal chat. Also, while substituting items on a menu in the U.S. is often acceptable and free, it is not commonplace in Europe. You’re unlikely to find waiters in a restaurant that will substitute food items for you, so pick a dish that has everything you like on it, or trade the item you don’t like with someone else in your group. One more note to make is to avoid restaurants on the Seine River or the restaurants in tourist areas, as these tend to be much pricier and the food quality isn’t that great, especially for what you pay.

When I am in Paris, I like to live off bakeries and pain au chocolat, which are essentially chocolate croissants and delicious! If you want to try more obscure foods, there are obviously the frog legs and snails, but I am happy to pass. Cheese is also very big in Paris, along with macaroons, and crepes! Crepes are a definite must and a great snack if you can find a random street vendor. Another traditional dish is coq au vin. Of course, there are many other local food options too, but these are just a few.

Another good thing to know is that you do not tip in Europe like you do in the U.S. If you want to say thank you for good service, a euro or two will work. When it comes to drinks, Europeans are not known for putting ice in their drinks, so you’ll need to ask for some if you want some. Bread often does not come out first; bread usually comes with the meal or after the meal, before dessert. Bread also doesn’t automatically always come with butter, so you might have to ask for some. But enough on culture, let’s talk about a few more things you can do that are not so well known in the Paris area.

The Luxembourg Gardens and Pantheon are two attractions close to each other that are beautiful to see. If you want something a little bit eerie, but yet cool and historical, there are also the Catacombs of Paris that you can visit, as well as the Tomb of Napoleon. If you like art and/or Picasso, there is a Picasso National Museum housing 5,000 artworks by the man himself. In this same area, called the Marais, there is lots of shopping and restaurants. Sainte-Chapelle (near Notre-Dame), Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House), and Montmartre (near Sacré-Cœur), which is an art district and another place with lots of stores and restaurants. Near here is also the famous Moulin Rouge, which isn't that great to see, in my opinion, but it may be worth seeing once. But the local artwork of the landmarks is pretty impressive. If you do go into the Moulin Rouge/Montmartre/Sacre Coeur area, just beware this is a little bit more dangerous of a place compared to the main areas of Paris, but not dangerous enough to not go!

Now you know a little bit more about European and French culture and some of the smaller Paris sights to see. You could easily spend 2 weeks in France if you plan to do all the big sights, smaller sites, Disneyland Paris, and the Palace of Versailles.