Best place to visit in Paris that is not a tourist trap?

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Laughing Annabella

Try the 10th arrondissement, near the "Canal Saint Martin". It is trendy but not a tourist trap. Nice walk when it's sunny, some interesting shops, cafés and restaurants. Nearest métro station: Jacques Bonsergent or République.

Otherwise, I can also recommend the area called La Butte aux Cailles. Lovely area, with cafés and restaurants. In some streets, you feel like you are in Paris 50 years ago. Very few tourists there. Nearest métro station: Corvisart or Place d'Italie. Then ask for "La butte aux cailles" or go to the "rue de la butte aux cailles"

Belleville: especially the top of the street. A bit run down in places. But you can see some nice streets. Not very touristic. You might not like it, but it is Paris! Métro: Jourdain, Pyrénées. From there, you can see the beautiful park Parc des Buttes Chaumont.

Have a great time.

Addition: yes, I agree with Tiramisu (cute name!) about the 11th, except that I think that Bastille is a tourist trap. I would rather go a bit further north, rue Oberkampf, for bars and clubs.

Sunny M

'Paris sera toujours Paris’, warbled Maurice Chevalier, whereas Rick did his hard-boiled best to comfort Ilsa with the notion that they would ‘always have Paris’; and Oscar Wilde reckoned Paris was the place good Americans go to when they die. Mention the French capital, it seems, and forever-ness – ‘always’, ‘toujours’ – is never far behind.

Well, it’s hardly surprising. When was a city so often filmed, photographed, fêted, painted, hymned, sung about, written up, talked up, dreamed of, reported, coveted? Its museums and monuments are household names all over the world, its way of life – something to do with long lunches, red wine, café terraces, cigarette smoke, illicit liaisons – a byword. Paris? It’s been around forever.

And yet familiarity poses a challenge: to see the eternal clichés for what they are – nice things, but far less than the whole picture. In our view, you should take Paris as you might a detective novel, riddled with all-too-obvious clues. In other words, look again, and look harder. Even on your first visit, you’ll have a strong mental picture of the place; try, if at all possible, to erase it.

Try to stop thinking of Paris as a tourist destination. And if you don’t get to see Sacré Coeur at close quarters on this trip, don’t worry: it will still be there next time. Instead, stand still and look about you. Shove the map to the bottom of your bag and follow your nose. Venture out from the monument-heavy centre to the outer districts – the villagey parts of the 13th arrondissement, say, or buzzing Belleville at the junction of the 10th, 11th, 19th and 20th.

And another piece of advice: if at all possible, even haltingly, even in pidgin French, talk to the locals. In most cases, especially in the already-convivial setting of bars and cafés, Parisians are much friendlier than their reputation for aloofness suggests. Do all this, and you’ll take home memories and knowledge that your friends and colleagues will never have. Most of the writers of this guide have lived in Paris for years, and each will tell you that new finds and surprises are a weekly, if not daily occurrence. ‘J’ai deux amours’, sang Josephine Baker, born in Missouri and resident for most of her life in the French capital: ‘mon pays et Paris’. Two loves – home and Paris. You won’t have to spend much time in this city before you see what she meant.

Hello-Paris

I give you just a further information.

- Remember also that East Paris is more popular and West is generally more expensive. I you are young and if you like animated areas, you can try to look for a hotel in 11th arrondissement and you will be close to Bastille.

- As soon as you want to have lunch or a drink just close to a touristic place, it will cost you more. For example, if you go to Sacré Coeur (I live here), if want to eat just at Place du Tertre (the central place of Montmatre with painters), it will be expensive. If you want to drink a café in Champs Elysées, it will be expensive. If you go 500 meters farther, you can have a chance to pay less.

I agree with Annabelle. I like also "la butte aux cailles", "buttes chaumont", ....but I don't like around Republique ...maybe it remains me too much when I was living there when I was young....but it's only a personal choice..

Hibee

Longchamp Race Course.

theanswerking

latin quarter is nice

grande alacrán

The Arc De Triomphe
http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/371/arc_de_triomphe_nuit.jpg

I had to look up how to spell it hehe ... I have seen this is so many movies I like it so much especially at night!

wendyvonfries

Look Paris is the most visited city in the world if any place is not designated as a tourist "trap" it is probably not worth seeing. I live here, have a business here taking care of corporate groups visiting Paris. My family, friends and even clients on personal trips with their children often ask my advise on what not to miss. All I can do for you is give a list of what not to miss while you are in Paris, and useful advise.

Eiffel Tower, perhaps have a nice dinner there at Jules Vernes, or less exclusive Altitude 95 (very reasonable Brasserie style). Both restaurants are physically in the Eiffel Tower and have great views.

The Louvre Museum – If you read Da Vinci Code, it would be fun to follow the points of interest from the novel.

St. Germain des Pres – The Latin Quarter of Paris, very charming, lots of bistros and less expensive restaurants you can just walk in, no reservations required, and there is a Starbucks right across the street from the Metro “Odeon”.
Paris is known as the city of lights, I highly recommend you walk around at night and see the Eiffel Tower lit up, and the romantic bridges lit up at night in Paris.
My favorite Bridge is the Alexandra III, with huge gold lions on each end with lovely lamp posts from the Art Deco era. Pont Neuf is the most famous, but not as beautiful.

The hottest show in town is the “Bonheur Lido” show, right on the Champs Elysees. Worth seeing, very fun. Get the cheapest tickets 80 Euro per person with show and glass of champagne at 11:30 p.m. You can book directly on this website: http://www.francetourisme.fr/uk/lido.html. It is a very lively cabaret, very true to the famous Parisian Cabarets.

There is also Moulin Rouge, which I am not very impressed with but seems to draw a lot of tourists, and then there is the famous Crazy Horse, which is quite risqué ;0/, not sure you want to go there, but it is very artistic (rated R) as there are topless girls but the show is very classy.

Here is an additional list of good but not too expensive restaurants:

Le Jules Vernes
There are two restaurants on the Eiffel Tower, "Altitude 95" which
is less exclusive and "Le Jules Vernes". Definitely go for Jules Vernes.
The food is very good and views that are only possible here. I personally
prefer the "city of lights" view at night, but lunch time view is also
very beautiful.
Local Dial: 01 45 55 61 44
Dial USA: 011 33 1 45 55 61 44
Address: On the Eiffel Tower

Le Jules Vernes Note: Even when eating in one of the restaurants on the Eiffel Tower there is still a fee to take the elevators up! Cost is approximately 7 dollars per person.
A must experience: $$

Tournesol (absolutely wonderful for French style lunch)
Local Dial: 01 45 25 95 94
Dial USA: 011 33 1 45 25 95 94
Address: President Kennedy Blvd
75016 Paris
Excellent, Charming, Reasonable $$

L'Auberge de la Reine Blanche
(my personal favorite)
closed on Wednesdays all day and Thursday lunch
Local Dial: 01 46 33 07 87
Dial USA: 011 33 1 46 33 07 87
Address: 30, rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile
75004 Paris
Excellent, Charming, Reasonable $$

Hidden little treasure in Paris!
(discriminating local' favorite)
You must try the honey duck..
Au Passé Retrouve
Local Dial: 01.42.50.35.29
Dial USA: 011 33 1 42 50 35 29
(ask for Pascal or Serge)
13 rue Mademoiselle, 75015 Paris

Tips for your trip:

Tipping: The general rule of thumb it to leave 10% as 5-8% is always included in the price. The tax in France is 19.6% and is always included in the prices you see. That goes for food and all other purchases. It is never separated, so what you see is what you get.

Best Links to Paris:

These are the best web sites available on Paris (cut and paste to browser, press the British flag to get English version).

http://www.paris-touristoffice.com

http://www.bonjourparis.com

Among other awesome features of these websites, they have a section called getting around and public transportation. You can map out each day in advance with these programs. These sites also give you "this week" in Paris highlights, and what not to miss while you are here. I use these sites all the time as a local.

More Tips:

Language Barrier
Bring an English French dictionary or "travel" translator. If at all possible find a "menu" translator. It will make your experience much more interesting in case some menus are not in English, which is the case for many restaurants. Also just to learn to say, please, thank you, and check please, is always good.

List of Important Numbers to Keep:

Ø In case of an Emergency (Medical and Dental)

Call the American Hospital in Paris. They speak English and will be able to help you. Local Dial: 01 45 62 02 41 From USA: 011 1 45 62 02 41

Ø Lost / Stolen American Express Card 01 47 77 72 00

Lost / Stolen Visa Card - 01 42 77 11 90

Ø Tourist Office of Paris: 01 49 52 53 56

Other Useful Local Numbers:

Elysees - dial 1212 – free booking service for cabarets and restaurants

Voice Mail – 08 36 68 09 66 (interactive telephone service in English, you can set up and leave with family to check in with you)

Wake-up Calls (from any hotel) 55+the time in four digits (ex: 08:00 = 8am, 17:00 = 5pm), then #, electronically programmed

Collect Calls to the US 00 00 11 (and then the number)

Directory Assistance for the US 00 33 12 11

MCI direct (00) 00 19

General Precautions:

Although the Metro and Paris is generally safe, it is good to be discreet on the Metro and separate your valuables. There are incidents of pickpockets, however harmless, they are quick and life can become very inconvenient without your wallet! For example don’t speak loudly in English together on the metro, sit quietly and whisper to each other. Carry as little as possible with you. Backpacks are fine, but keep it on your chest, not your back when on the Metro or walking through the Metro halls. Don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket ever! Before getting on the Metro put your wallet inside your pants in front of your belly button under your jacket, and when you are walking around put it somewhere not easily reached. One of those Samsonite belt wallets are really very good. I know this sounds terrible and I may scare you, but really the Metro is safe, I take it every day, I just act cool and not touristy and I have never had any trouble. However, I do know of friends (only American friends) that have been pick pocketed. Keep your expensive hand bags at home!! They draw attention.

Ok that’s if for now. Let me know if you have any questions.

Kind regards, Wendy
wendyvonfries@yahoo.com

I also have great easy to use metro maps i can send you!

Bill Splendor

I prefer Las Vegas. It is a good place.

vera-ann

try mont martre - it's not too busy and you can get your portrait or caracture done. There's beautiful cafés as well.

CLIVE H

Paris is one monster raving tourist trap, believe me. I have looked at Paris from various angles via their city based web-cams and you can tell they're just waiting for you as they put up the prices in the cafes, bistros and restaurants.

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