Getting Paris Even More Right: What To Do On Your Second Trip, According To A Local

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So you liked your first trip enough to plan a second? Well that’s great. Good thinking.

Hopefully you’ve already read all about getting Paris right the first time. We can thus safely assume you ticked off all the main tourists sites and you’ve probably even found a favorite cafe. On your second trip to Paris you’ll want to get off the beaten path and see the city in a new way, which takes some planning in advance.

Here are some insider tips for getting Paris right the second time.

What TO DO IN Paris on your second trip

Take a day trip outside of Paris

Do as the Parisians do and spend a day outside of the city. Most people – especially tourists – would head for the Versailles and its incredible palace. But you’re a seasoned visitor now so why not try the opulent Fontainebleau with its own stunning palace? Extra points if you check out the enormous forest that surrounds the town.

a large room in Fontainebleau with a large vase. — Top: photo by Sammy Royal; Above: photo by Sebastián Brito

Find the remnants of the old city wall

800 years ago there was a massive wall that surrounded what is now central Paris. Of course, most of the wall has now disappeared, but cunning explorers can track down some pretty amazing remnants. The best example: Along the Rue des Jardins Saint-Paul, where you can find the longest remaining stretch of the wall, running alongside a basketball court.

Visit an unusual museum in Paris

First-time visitors tend to stick to the classics like the Picasso Museum, Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre, or the Rodin museum. And quite rightly! These places are gobsmackingly wonderful. But on your second trip, impress your friends with tales of lesser known museums in Paris, like the Paris Sewer Museum, the Musée de la Chasse et da la Nature (the hunting museum), or the Museum of Magic! It’s a great way to get off the tourist track.

Find a hidden park in the City of Light

The big parks in Paris are gorgeous. You could spend a day in Buttes Chaumont or Parc Monceau, not to mention the Jardin de Luxembourg or Tuileries. But guess what? There are cool hidden gardens in Paris dotted about that you’d never find if you didn’t know they were there. Grab an ice cream or a croissant and seek one out. And sometimes they’re totally empty, so you can enjoy your little Paris moment without anyone else.

Pro tips: The Jardin Anne-Frank in the Marais district and the Jardin Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur – are some of our favorite lesser known yet beautiful squares in Paris.

The small green space comprising the Jardin Anne Frank, with tall white historic buildings in the background. — Jardin Anne Frank, photo by Ali Postma

Track down the Place Furstenberg

This place is often touted as one of the most charming little squares in the city, but if you blink you might miss it. It’s only a tiny little road with a roundabout, but it has a certain je ne sais quoi that might take your breath away. It’s tucked away in the heart of the Left Bank, and not far from the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church. The Place Furstenberg has been the inspiration for countless artists, thinkers, and more recently movie directors, so why not stroll through and get inspired too?

Try a specialty coffee

For decades, unlike Italian coffee, Paris coffee was not worth writing home about. Perhaps the Parisian cafe owners knew they could get away with the beautiful terraces and people watching opportunities without putting much thought into the actual coffee.

Good news for all you coffee lovers out there – there’s a massive coffee push going onin Paris, with new and cool places opening every week. Delicious coffee, friendly baristas, and Instagram opportunities galore (if you’re into that kind of thing).

Pro tip: Visit Coutume or Maison Fleuret on the Left Bank and Le Peloton, Fauna or Café Shin on the Right Bank.

Cappuccino at the original Coutume Cafe in Paris left bank neighborhood. — Coutume

Find a speakeasy in Paris

Paris is a haven for speakeasies: hidden bars behind unassuming doors. As a second time visitor you should feel equipped with the courage to push one open and walk in.

Try the Lavomatic in a Laundromat in the 10th arrondissement, so popular it is hardly a secret any longer. If you’re looking for something with more Latin American flare, try La Mezcaleria in the 1K Hotel or the ever-popular Candelaria, hidden behind a door in a taco joint in the 3rd.

the entrance to the bar in Paris "Lavomatic." I looks like a laundromat, but there is a bright blue neon sign to the right that says "Lavomatic." There are two washing machines visible. Right: The exterior of "Lavomatic." It is a Parisian stone building and the sign is blue and neon. — Lavomatic

Order a planche mixte at a café or wine bar

So let’s assume you’ve been to all the restaurants you’ve wanted for dinner. Now, on your second visit, it’s time to do as the locals do and order a planche mixte – essentially a chopping board filled with a mix of cold cuts of meat and various cheeses.

Now, you can do this just about anywhere and you never know what you’re going to get – but that’s the fun of it. On the plus side, it’s a very cheap way to feed a handful of people.

French bread and cold cuts on gray surface. — photo by Jez Timms

Find Invader’s street art in the French capital

When you think Paris art, you probably think of Rodin’s sculptures and the Mona Lisa. But there is art ‘hiding’ in plain sight throughout Paris. There’s a Parisian artist known as Invader who for years has been putting up little mosaic-based artwork all over the city. Literally thousands of them. And the best bit is that no one knows who he is. Real fans download an interactive app and take photos of his work. But it’s just as fun to keep an eye out and surprise yourself every now and then by spotting these funky little designs.

street art by Invader in Paris. — photo by Ali Postma

Look for corner guards

Did you know that at the base of most big doorways in Paris, you can find chasse roues (corner guards) that once protected the walls from the wheels of the horse-drawn carriages. Nowadays, these corner guards are just remnants of yesteryear – but the real fun is in finding the unique and interesting ones.

Some are wildly ornate, some are enormous, and some are shaped like mythical animals like dragons. Most Parisians and certainly most tourists pass these treasures without a second glance, but be sure to keep one eye to the ground as you walk this brilliant city… you never know what you’re going to find.

For more alternative arts venues, read about Parisian squats.
Are you a street art lover? Check out our guide for the urban explorer.
Read about some of our favorite ways to spend Sunday in Paris.
Want to get your caffeine fix but are a little tongue tied? Learn how to order a coffee in France.

Written by Oliver Gee for HiP Paris. Looking to travel? Check out Plum Guide and our Marketplace for fabulous vacation rentals in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long or short term, or buy in France? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates or click here. Looking to bring France home to you or to learn online or in person? Check out our marketplace shop and experiences.

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