Ask ten people about Paris and you’ll get ten different versions. For some, it’s all about the landmarks. For others, it’s that bakery around the corner or a slow morning by the canal. Honestly? It’s both. And that’s what this little comparison is all about.
“More and more travelers are telling us they don’t just want to tick off landmarks – they want to feel the city’s rhythm, connect with the local community, and live a piece of everyday Paris,” says Magdalena Petrušić, travel trends expert from Paris Tickets & Tours. “That’s why we created this side-by-side look at Paris: to help people combine the best of both worlds.”
Day 1: Eiffel Tower or Canal Picnic?
Tourist way: Seeing the Eiffel Tower up close is something most first-time visitors want to do, and rightly so. Whether you choose to go up or admire it from the Champ de Mars, it’s an iconic part of the Paris skyline. Expect crowds, and be ready to get creative if you want to avoid them. The best move? Book your skip-the-line tickets well in advance.
Locals do: Parisians rarely go to the Eiffel Tower themselves – data from 2015 shows that only around 20% of visitors were French residents, and just a small portion of those came from Paris. Instead, locals tend to enjoy the city in quieter ways. Canal Saint-Martin is a favourite local spot: laid-back, green, and ideal for an afternoon picnic, a quiet read by the water, or just people-watching with a drink in hand.
Day 2: Louvre or Buttes-Chaumont Park?
Tourist way: The Louvre isn’t just a museum, it’s a world landmark. Seeing the Mona Lisa and walking through its historic halls is a must for many, though it can feel overwhelming. Stay positive, even with the crowds. If you’re here, chances are it’s either a once-in-a-lifetime visit or a place you love enough to come back to. In both cases, a bit of chaos simply comes with the experience.
Locals do: To unwind, locals often head to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, a less formal, more natural park with hills, waterfalls, and one of the best open views in the city.
Day 3: Champs-Elysees
Tourist way: A walk down the Champs-Elysees is classic Paris: wide avenues, big names, and a direct line to the Arc de Triomphe. Expect crowds and global brands, but also that unmistakable buzz.
Locals do: If you want to experience where locals actually shop, explore Rue de Levis, a neighborhood market street in the 17th arrondissement. It’s packed with bakeries, cheesemongers, and that unfiltered Parisian everyday life.
Evenings: Moulin Rouge or Jazz by the Tracks?
Tourist way: An evening at Moulin Rouge is all spectacle: feathers, lights, and cabaret history. It’s a fun experience, though definitely designed for visitors.
Locals do: For something more intimate, check out La Gare, a jazz club inside a repurposed train station in the 19th arrondissement. Entry is often free, the vibe is casual, and the music is always on point.
Free time: selfies or subtitled cinema?
Tourist way: It’s only natural to take photos at Paris’s iconic sites, they’re famous for a reason. But you don’t need to document every second to truly feel the city. After all, how often do we actually go back and look at those hundreds of pictures? Sometimes, the best memories are the ones we were too busy enjoying to capture.
Locals do: Sometimes, locals prefer a good film to another walk through the city. Lost in Frenchlation shows local films with English subtitles. It’s a perfect, low-key way to enjoy the culture, even if you don’t speak the language.
Hidden trails: Montmartre or Petite Ceinture?
Tourist way: Montmartre is one of the city’s most visited areas, and with good reason: its cobbled streets, Sacre-Cœur views, and artistic history are all part of Paris’s charm. Yes, it can get crowded and feel a bit theatrical, but if you go early in the morning or wander just a few streets off the main path, you’ll still find quiet corners that carry that old village soul.
Locals do: Looking for a peaceful escape? Walk along the Petite Ceinture – an old railway line now transformed into a quiet green path, far from the noise and tourist spots.
Bonus: Sunday like a local
On Sundays and public holidays, parts of Paris turn into peaceful, car-free zones: a city initiative known as Paris Respire (“Paris Breathes”). Locals take to the streets on bikes, scooters, or just on foot, enjoying a quieter version of their city. It’s a refreshing change of pace, and a great way to see Paris from a different angle. Routes vary, so it’s worth checking in advance which neighborhoods are participating that day.
The best of both worlds
You don’t have to choose between iconic sights and local life. Paris offers both, if you know where (and how) to look. Start with the classics, then take time to slow down and follow the rhythm of the city itself. Let Paris guide you, on your terms.