for Your Second Visit

A little over a month ago, I received an email from an old friend. She would be visiting Paris with her parents in a few weeks. “We've been to Paris before and done the museums and touristy stuff, so I was wondering if you had any advice on any "must see" things that are not so touristy?” I can’t even tell you how excited I was to answer her question :). Having lived here for nearly a year, I’ve discovered many beautiful things about this city that fail to make most travel guides. This is what I suggested:

• Make dinner reservations Les Papilles. 
• Check out any of these expos. 
• Go for coffee on the terrace of Printemps.
• Enjoy a three-course lunch at: Mirroir, Joli Deli, Verjus, Les Cocottes, and/or Crêperie des Pêcheurs.
• Visit a new museum.
• Take a sweet break at La Maison du Chou.
• Invest in souvenirs at Merci.
• Have an aperitif at le Ciel de Paris.
• Stop by the La Maison Européene de la Photographie.
• Save money on dinner at: Gyoza, Chez Glandines, Un Zebra a Montmartre, and/or Chez Omar.
• If you like jazz, New Morning is a must.
• Escape Paris for the day to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Versailles, Maisons-Lafitte, Fontainbleau.
• Stay out for drinks.
• Season-specific: Go to the beach during the day. Watch a movie en plein air at night.
• Picnic at Canal Saint-Martin, in the Jardin du Luxemborg, by the Seine, in Parc de Buttes Chaumont, etc.

In my opinion, visiting Paris the second, third, fourth time around is infinitely more magical than the first. The classic sights are still there for the taking, but you also have the opportunity (and, dare I say, the obligation) to get a taste of the real thing.
Photo from the Bastille Day picnic.