Off-the-Book Paris Destinations

When people speak of Paris, they often speak of the famous landmarks and destinations and the easy, one-word descriptions about the kind of lifestyle you can expect in the city. But if you’ve just arrived on the shuttle from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris and you’d like to see much more than what the brochures say, here are some of the quaint, magical little places you should check out.

The Best Guide is No Guide

Remember Owen Wilson’s character in Woody Allen’s ‘Midnight in Paris’ and how he spent the nights just walking around the streets? That’s not so crazy (well, apart from the fact that in the movie Owen Wilson met Ernest Hemingway and Salvador Dali at a café every midnight) as it’s actually an exhilarating way to discover the city—by getting lost, you’ll find more.

The great thing about coming from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris is you can jump right into the thick of things within no time. Once you've settled in, pick any street in the city centre and just start walking. You will find something new around every corner and before you realise it you will have navigated several of the arrondissements. You don’t have to worry; most Parisians are actually very friendly (except that ‘friendly guy’ in Liam Neeson’s ‘Taken’ who orchestrated his daughter’s abduction, but then again, that’s the movies) and will go out of their way to help you out. What’s more, the majority of locals speak passable English and many of them will be glad to ‘practise’ their language skills with you.

Little-known Spots

The reward of venturing far from the oft-beaten path is discovery of things that not most tourists have the good fortune to encounter. Coming from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris is just the start of your journey. For example, this city is a place where you can encounter a man ‘magically’ walking through a wall—we speak of a not-very-famous sculpture called Le Passe-Muraille, which features a bronze statue that figures in the aforementioned spectacle. Then, if you’re strolling along the Seine without any definite destination and happen to find yourself by the Grenelle Bridge, you’ll find the city's own version of the Statue of Liberty. From the less famous art pieces scattered throughout the city, to endearing realisations (such as actually be able to drink water from the fountains - some of them even produce sparkling water), there is so much to enjoy here.

Stay With the Locals

While most tourists would prefer to stay at any of those big hotels or so-called boutique hotels, once they arrive on the transfer from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris, a very different accommodation option (as far as enjoying the local atmosphere is concerned) is staying among the locals. Holiday rental apartments are usually fully furnished and come complete with creature comforts and everything you need for a home away from home—located in a residential neighbourhood. Imagine being able to shop for fresh ingredients and cook your evening meal in the comfort of your temporary French home. Moreover, these rental apartments are more affordable, too, and especially so for groups or for an entire family.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for a transfer from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.