Tag: paris off the beaten path

Top 5 Spots in Paris for a Picnic

A top Parisian activity in the summertime is picnicking – and we at Paris Uncovered have become picnic experts over the years. Be sure your picnic bag or basket is filled with bread, at least on good knife (for cutting your saucisson, bien sûr), paper plates, napkins, cheese, and fresh, seasonal fruit. Grab a bottle of wine (and don’t forget your corkscrew!) and you’re ready to go!

As for where to go, nearly every park in Paris is prime picnicking ground, but we do have a handful of favorites to suggest.

Champ de Mars (Image care of Flickr/JPC24M)

1. Champ de Mars

Could anything be more classically Paris than a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower? Choose this picnic ground in the evenings, when you can see the Eiffel Tower shimmer every hour on the hour with a beautiful light show.

 

Sitting along the Seine (Image care of Pixabay)

2. Berges de Seine

All along the riverbanks, people assemble for regular picnicking. Popular spots include the banks near Pont-Neuf and Pont-Marie and those near Notre Dame, although as long as the river is low enough, you can picnic nearly anywhere along the river and watch the Bateaux Mouches float by.

But one of our favorites is definitely the Berges de Seine, running along the Left Bank quai d’Orsay. Here, not only is there seating available for picnicking, but the city has prepared a host of fun activities like hopscotch and even some climbing apparatuses for kids.

 

Canal St Martin (image care of Wikimedia/Geoffrey)

3. Canal Saint-Martin

This trendier neighborhood to the north of Paris welcomes tons of picnickers every evening once the weather turns warmer. The quartier boasts quite a few great food and wine shops to source your picnic from, and many of the bars overlooking the canal even sell beer in to go cups, for something cool to sip on.

 

Basilica Sacre Coeur (Image care of Wikimedia/Sebastian Bergmann)

4. The Steps of Sacré Coeur

If ambiance is what you seek, look no further than the steps leading towards Sacré Coeur basilica, at the top of Montmartre. While space is in low supply here, the views over Paris and frequent musical stylings make this spot worth it.

 

Luxembourg Gardens (Image care of Pixabay/Mariamichelle)

5. Luxembourg Gardens

Daytime picnics can be enjoyed in any one of several parks, from Montsouris and Buttes Chaumont with their grassy knolls to the Tuileries with its lovely views of the Louvre. We especially love the Luxembourg, not only for its gorgeous flower patches, but as the perfect option for folks who aren’t too keen on sitting on the ground, as the city puts two types of chairs – upright and reclining – perfect for an afternoon of munching and enjoying the sunshine.

Main image care of Dirk Haun

claude monet

Top 3 Things to Do in Paris in June

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, a food tour – there are certain Paris must-sees that never change. But the French capital is also home to a thriving, ever-changing scene of exhibits, concerts, and more! Here are the three things we’re most excited about for this month.

1. See the Last Monet

The Orangerie museum has long played host to eight large-format water lily paintings created by Impressionist master Claude Monet. But for a limited time, the museum has welcomed a temporary exhibit of American abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock, Helen Frankenthaler, and Ellsworth Kelly. Alongside these works are displayed a handful of rarely seen Monet works that will captivate lovers of the Impressionists.

2. Enjoy the New Jardin d’Acclimatation

As of the 1st of June, the Jardin d’acclimatation has reopened its doors, with 17 new attractions joining the original 23. The theme? Steampunk Paris. Go back in time and enjoy rides, animals, and a wander through nature on the outskirts of the city center.

3. Climb the Saint-Jacques Tower

The time has once again come for the Gothic Saint-Jacques Tower to open to the public. In the last few years, after extensive renovations, visitors have been welcomed to climb to the very top of this imposing structure in the Marais. Its central location is the ideal place to enjoy birds’-eye views of the entire city. Be sure to reserve your ticket in advance – this popular Paris attraction sells out!

giverny

3 Easy Day Trips from Paris via Train

There’s enough to see in Paris to keep you busy for a lifetime – both of your Paris Uncovered guides have been based here for years and still have tons of exploring left to do! But as the weather grows nicer, you may be on the lookout for a way to take in a different – greener – side of France, and that’s when it’s time to head to your closest train station: here are three of our all-time favorite easy day trips from Paris.

1. Giverny

Fans of Claude Monet’s Impressionist paintings shouldn’t miss a trip to his home in Normandy. The house displays a host of Monet’s works, but still more are evoked as you wander through the garden, complete with the water lilies, green rowboat, and Japanese bridge that featured so frequently in Monet’s paintings.

To get there, take the train from Saint-Lazare to Vernon. Buses shuttle passengers from the train station to the small town of Giverny, where you can spend the day wandering and soaking up Monet’s inspiration.

2. Fontainebleau

For a breath of fresh air, take the train to Fontainebleau, home to the château of the same name. Here, you’ll discover Marie Antoinette’s Turkish boudoir as well as a museum devoted to Napoleon. The ornamental gardens are exquisite, and those looking for something a bit more rustic will love tramping through the forest, known to locals as one of the prime bouldering spots in the region.

To get there, grab a train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon station.

3. Chartres

To the southwest, Chartres is home to yet another Notre-Dame that is, if possible, even more impressive than the cathedral of the same name in Paris. The Gothic marvel was completed in 1220 and features two exquisite spires and distinctive blue-tinted stained glass.

Make a day of it, and wander the charming medieval village of Chartres before hopping back on a train to Paris in time for dinner.

To get there, board a Chartres-bound train from Montparnasse.

Insider’s Tip! While you can usually purchase tickets just before you head out to any one of these destinations, if you don’t want to risk disappointment, stop by any station or SNCF shop in Paris a few days before, or purchase your ticket online on the SNCF website!

Trip Planning & Concierge Services

         

With so many sights and experiences in Paris, planning can be a challenge. There are museum tickets to buy, skip-the-line entrances to consider, opening hours to check, reservations to make… it’s enough to make your trip seem like anything but a vacation!

Let us help take all the stress and guesswork with our trip-planning and concierge services.

No-Stress Turn-Key Trips

With our no-stress Turn-Key Trips, your trip to Paris will be entirely mapped out by your expert Paris Uncovered concierge! With this service, you’ll have no planning to do ahead of your trip. Your Paris Uncovered concierge will help you uncover the must-visit sites that best coincide with your interests, be they historical, artistic, gastronomic, or a mix of everything. Not only will your trip be specifically designed just for you, but you’ll reap the benefits of years of experience, with the most efficient exploration of the city to take the best advantage of your time.

Just sit back, relax, and let Paris Uncovered plan the perfect trip for you!

This service includes:

  • An in-depth phone call with your Paris Uncovered concierge to uncover all of your interests
  • A bespoke trip specially designed according to your interests
  • A comprehensive plan featuring your unique timetable: scheduled tours, directions, custom activities, and more for each day of your trip
  • Bespoke shopping guides, depending on your interests and favorite neighborhoods
  • Vouchers for skip-the-line museum entrances, performances, special exhibits and more
  • Restaurant suggestions and/or reservations for any or all of your meals

Flex-Itinerary

If you want just a touch of help during your stay, our Paris Uncovered Flex-Itineraries might be just the thing. This service includes:

  • An in-depth phone call with your Paris Uncovered concierge to uncover all of your interests
  • Printable full-day suggested itineraries for the entirety of your trip
  • Restaurant suggestions
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Left Bank: 2,000 Years as the Heart of Paris

History |  Legends |  Culture

  

Paris’ scholars and intelligentsia have long comingled in the Latin Quarter. But this charming neighborhood’s history starts long before Hemingway scribbled in local bars and BB King took a bow in the local jazz clubs. The Latin Quarter is one of the last bastions of medieval Paris, home to gorgeous cobbled streets, beautiful Gothic churches, one of Europe’s first universities, and the oldest living tree in Paris. Discover Paris’ history through the ages with this beautiful, charming walk through the Left Bank neighborhood.

Details at a Glance
– Private tour guide
– 225 € total (based on two people)
– Approximately 2.5-hour visit

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Paris Highlights: Intro to the City of Light

 History |  Culture |  Discovery

   

As countless travelers have said, Paris is best discovered on foot. Walking through the city allows one to soak up it’s beauty, rich history and endless charm; it’s no wonder that walking tours are one of our favorite things to do in Paris. On our Introduction to Paris walk, your private tour guide will lead you past famous landmarks and hidden courtyards known only to locals. We’ll discuss the dramatic history behind monuments and savor the subtle beauty of the scenery. Along the route, you’ll see the glorious Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, the historic streets of the Latin Quarter, beautiful bridges with stunning views, the grandeur of the Louvre architecture and the tranquility of Parisian gardens.

Details at a Glance
– Private tour guide
– 225 € total (based on two people)
– Approximately 2.5-hour visit

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About Us

A long-term francophile, Randa traded in her “corporate life” in Chicago to experience “la vie Parisienne” with it’s almond croissants and sunset picnics.  Studying French culture, history and cuisine has only further ignited Randa’s passion for sharing her adopted city’s rich hidden history, secret streets, and tastiest treats with visitors.

 

Emily accidentally moved to Paris in 2007, and she’s never looked back! A lover of food, drink, history, and culture, Emily first became a private tour guide while pursuing her Master’s degree at the Sorbonne. She loves sharing hidden details with visitors to the city, from the secret affairs of French kings and queens of yore to where to find Paris’ very best cream puff.

 

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Paris Underground: The Catacombs

Macabre |  History | Underground

catacombs catacombs paris catacombs tour walk 2

A mere twenty meters underground, a dark underworld containing the remains of six million Parisians reminds us the “City of Lights” isn’t always so bright. Delve into the world’s largest necropolis in this unique view of Paris off the beaten path, made world-famous for it’s macabre galleries of bones. Listen to the haunting tales of life in the 18th century Paris and of lives cut short by plagues, wars, and the sharp edge of the guillotine.

Details at a Glance
– Private tour guide
– Skip-the-line entry
– 320€ total (based on two people)
– Approximately 2-hour visit

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Notre Dame and Island Hopping: The Heart of the City

​History |  Architecture  |  Charm

notre dame notre dame 

Paris’ heart can be found on a tiny island in the River Seine. Over the course of one thousand years, Cité Island has been home to royalty, revolutionaries, and leering gargoyles – a rich history that your private tour guide will explore with you in one of our favorite things to do in Paris. Follow your guide down the island’s picturesque streets, discovering its most famous structure: Notre Dame Cathedral. Its imposing bell towers and razor sharp spires inspire awe as we explore the world-famous Gothic cathedral, inside and out, and delve into its fascinating history and survival through revolutions and wars. Leaving Notre Dame behind, we will continue our walk to the lesser-known Saint Louis Island: its charming streets lead the way to the world’s most delicious ice cream!

Details at a Glance
– Private tour guide
– 225 € total (based on two people)
– Approximately 2-hour visit

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