Lounging in Paris: 5 Best Ways to Spend a Day Doing Nothing
Photo by: loicparent
A trip to Paris can awaken your soul with romance, confuse your brain with art and dig a hole in your pocket with its €7 cups of coffee. This so-called city of love will keep your heart racing. If the exciting thrill of Parisian travel is giving you the jitters, simmer down to a comfortable heartbeat by spending the day lazy lounging.
Photo by: mcancino
Fight the museum and monument induced migraine by immersing yourself in the beauty of nature for a bit. Typical tourist routes will point you toward the Bois de Boulogne because it’s enormous and great for all ages. Families flock to the Jardin d’Acclimatation section with attractions like mini-golf and an exotic zoo for only €2.70, while others (you and us) enjoy the park’s busy red-light district upon nightfall. To get away from the snotty-nosed kids and mothballed seniors, chill at Parc des Buttes Chaumont. This gem, in the northeast corner of the city, is populated with Parisians who appreciate their peace. Stroll with the locals past waterfalls and cross wooden bridges up to the park’s temple that offers panoramic views of the city below.
Paris is forever linked with fashion and department stores cater to every type of consumer that wanders up and down the aisles. Tire out your eyes a bit by spending the day window-shopping at Printemps, located in the heart of the city. Get a glimpse of famous fashion and then unwind on its 9th floor outdoor terrace that overlooks the entire Paris skyline. Sink into your deck chair, order a sandwich, sip some wine and stare at the sky being pierced with the architecture that scrapes it. If you happen to head to Printemps on a Tuesday, you get to see a free fashion show just several floors below. Let them worry about face-planting on the catwalk while you focus on not moving a muscle.
Photo by: Marc Benslahdine | Photography
The Seine River is littered with beautiful bridges that offer unmatchable, multi-perspective, views of the city. A live, busker-generated, soundtrack accompanies your walk across many of the Seine’s more scenic bridges during the summer months. Hang out on the Pont Neuf and pack a picnic afterward for the Vert Galant Square. Then, park your lazy ass on one of the Pont Des Arts’ benches and treat your eyes to the surrounding sights of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Photo by: karine.viviane
All you Pepé Le Pew, lovey-dovey types can finally find love at the Abbesses metro station in Montmartre. The Wall of Love tests your tongue, displaying the phrase that we all cherish and fear in 250 languages. Attempt a few multilingual “I love you”’s; maybe you’ll catch a foreign passerby’s ear in their native lingo. When you’re done with all this sap, head up a few blocks to the picturesque Rue Gabrielle which Pablo Picasso once called home. Continue on that street until you reach the famous descending stairs of the Rue Foyatier for some professional grade people-watching.
Cap the day off at one of Paris’ thriving jazz clubs. Most clubs feature small, street-level restaurants with underground caves (kick-ass acoustics!) hosting the main event. Beat the Paris prices and take some pre-game shots before heading over to Le Caveau des Oubliettes where admission is free. For jazz nerds, Caveau De La Huchette is a spot that takes their tunes a bit more seriously. This club has attracted some of the world’s most famous jazz musicians and continues to book big-name gigs. Most clubs offer college discounts, so wherever you decide to chill for the night, whip out that college ID like you mean business (even if it’s 20 years old). Jazzy beats and a wallet full of euros, priceless.
Paris is packed with enough sightseeing to le puke. Take a step back from the museums, towers and stuffy pretenses to soak up some of the simpler pleasures of Paris.
A mind and body traveller who thrives on recollection and anticipation, all the while decorating the crossroads.
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS Feed
I would love to go there !
great ideas thank you for sharing
Paris is magnificent city, so romantic and lovely. The Eiffel Tower is really something like noting in the world.