An Immigrant's Guide to Exploring Paris
"There are only two places in the world where we can live happy - at home and in Paris."
Ernest Hemingway
Paris, the City of Light and the most beautiful city in the world, is one of those cities you visit and never forget. Picturesque streets. Iconic landmarks. Legendary fashion houses. And yummy French cuisine.
So, we asked Ifiok Udongwo, a project manager turned immigrant turned Parisian tour guide, to share her favorite tourist attractions—sights anyone visiting Paris for the first time must add to their itinerary.
She didn’t hold back.
Planning to visit Paris anytime soon, Ifiok's got a Best of Paris Tour. Use DOZIE15 to get a 15% discount. Valid for the first 50 bookings. Sightseeing/Adventure
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower symbolizes everything that makes Paris special—the romance, beauty, the unapologetic grandeur. Once you get to the top of the big iron lady, Paris sprawls out before you like a work of art.
The Seine River, snaking through the city like a drunk trying to find its way home. The Sacré-Cœur Basilica, perched on the city's highest point like a guardian angel. And the Champs-Élysées, a strip of high-end shops and restaurants that'll milk your wallet dry.
But it gets better.
Once the sun goes down, the tower becomes a beacon of light, with thousands of its sparkling bulbs illuminating the Parisian skies. Some say it's the city putting on a show for you. A show so good you'll forget about the overpriced souvenirs and the long lines.
The Louvre Museum
Okay, you're thinking, "I've seen the Eiffel Tower, what's next?" It's time to make a pilgrimage to the Louvre. You've got the Mona Lisa, with an ethereal smile that follows you around the room, the Venus de Milo, all curves and grace, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
But here's the thing—the Louvre isn't just about the greatest works of art. It has over 30,000 works of art spanning every era and civilization you can think of. You could spend days and weeks getting lost in the halls and still not see everything.
Now, a word of advice - before you head out, check if any of the rooms are closed for maintenance because, trust me, there's nothing worse than getting your hopes up for a particular piece only to find out it's behind closed doors.
And please download a map. You don't want to be that wandering tourist.
The Notre Dame Cathedral
The Notre Dame Cathedral is currently under renovation after the 2019 fire, but that doesn't mean you should skip this Parisian icon.
You might not be able to go inside, but walking along the Seine and observing this 800+-year-old architectural masterpiece is worth your time.
Older Parisians say the cathedral is a symbol of Paris. It's stood tall through wars, revolutions, and a devastating fire. But it's still standing, proudly watching over the city like a Gothic guardian angel.
So here's what you do: grab a baguette and maybe a bottle of wine (hey, it's Paris, no judgment) and take a leisurely stroll along the Seine.
And even though she might be a little worse for wear, even though you might not be able to get the whole experience, just being in the presence of something so ancient, so storied, so beautiful - that's what Paris is all about.
The Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
Everyone goes to the Champs-Élysées. I say forget the wisdom of the crowd and head to Montmartre.
This is Parisian bohemia, so make sure you wander around Montmartre's narrow, winding streets that look like they haven't changed since Van Gogh was stumbling around.
It is one of Paris's most cultural and artistic districts, inspiring artists like Picasso and Van Gogh. It still has a significant place in French and global pop culture. As you make your way down the hill, visit the cafes, bakeries, and other stores to enjoy macarons, croissants, pain au chocolat, and all the French delicacies in the charming streets.
Once you've soaked up enough of that artistic energy, drag yourself up to the Sacré-Cœur. It's the sort of hike that might have you winded halfway up those steps. But when you reach the top and see Paris spread out before you, you'll thank me.
Here's a pro tip: Time your visit for sunset.
Watch as the City of Light lives up to its name. It's a view that'll make you forget about your aching feet and remind you why people have fallen in love with this city for centuries.
The Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles isn't just any palace. This is where Marie Antoinette supposedly said, "Let them eat cake," in the build-up to the 1789 French Revolution.
But the show's real stars here are the Gardens of Versailles, with over 300 statues, the Hall of Mirrors, Apollo's Fountain, Latona Fountain, and many other monuments. It took Louis XIII and his gardener, André Le Nôtre, more than forty years to develop this ridiculously expansive garden.
You'll need to rent a bike if you plan to do it in one day. Also, download a map. And considering how massive the garden is, it still isn't guaranteed that you'll see a fraction of the place in a day.
The Seine River Cruise
Popular with newlyweds and romantics celebrating an anniversary, the Seine River cruise is a great way to explore the nooks and crannies of Paris.
If you want a French dinner experience, you may include food, champagne, and dinner options as you cruise along the city.
You’ll glide past a sparkly-looking Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame, the Grand Palais, Monet’s house, and many more Parisian highlights.
But try not to fall in, alright? The Seine's pretty, but you don't want to swim in it.
Le Marais
Located between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, or the heart of Paris as insiders call it, this historic neighborhood has somehow found a way to keep its old-world charm while staying in touch with the times.
Narrow, cobblestone streets lined with shops, galleries, and cafes lead you to the Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris. Flanked by 17th-century red-brick mansions, it's where the city's elite used to hang out and gossip.
While you're here, don't forget to visit the Rue des Rosiers. Jews fleeing persecution and pogroms in Europe settled here between 1881 and 1914. Here, you'll find some of the best falafels in the city. The queue at L'As du Fallafel is always long, but it's worth the wait.
But the real magic of Le Marais lies in its ability to surprise. Turn a corner, and you might stumble upon a hidden garden, a vintage shop selling rare finds, or a cozy wine bar perfect for people-watching.
Musée National Picasso
You should probably plan to visit the Museum of Picasso while you are at Le Marais.
Housed in the stunning Hôtel Salé, a 17th-century mansion nestled in the heart of Le Marais, the museum is home to the world's largest collection of Picasso's works. It displays over 5,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and ceramics.
This isn't your typical museum experience. You can view Picasso's sketchbooks, personal art collections, and photo archives, which offer a glimpse into his mind.
But the main attraction here is his collection. It includes everything from Picasso's early works, like the haunting "La Celestina," to his later experimental pieces. They've also got the classics, like "The Weeping Woman" and "Self-Portrait."
Here's a pro tip: Wear comfy shoes and book tickets in advance—this place is popular. If you need a break, the museum's cafe is the perfect spot for a coffee and a contemplative moment to take in all you've just experienced.
Panthéon
Modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, it was initially built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. However, during the French Revolution, it was repurposed into a mausoleum for individuals who have influenced France's history.
Its towering dome and massive portico with Corinthian columns combine to make you feel small in the best possible way.
The Panthéon is the final resting place of some of France's most celebrated citizens, including Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, Marie Curie, and Alexandre Dumas. Wandering among the crypts is like reading a French history book.
If you're feeling particularly adventurous, climb the 206 steps to the top of the dome for a panoramic view of Paris that'll take your breath away. It's probably a great place to take out your phone for a once-in-a-lifetime image of Paris.
Food
Parisian Bistros
What’s Paris without the bistros? Or bistrot, if you want to get all fancy with your French pronunciation.
Forget your notions of haute cuisine or Instagram-worthy plating. The bistro is where real Parisians eat. These cozy, casual restaurants have kept the city's workers fed and drunk since the 19th century.
The bistros are the lifeblood of the neighborhood. Tables so close together you can smell what your neighbor had for lunch. The air thick with cigarette smoke. The clinking of glasses.
It's where locals come to bitch about their bosses. It's where you can always count on a hearty meal that won't break the bank.
And the food? We're talking Blaquette de Veau that'll make you forget about your low-calorie diet. Beef bourguignon so good that you start thinking of how to smuggle some home on the plane. And enough cheese to give your cardiologist nightmares.
And if you're adventurous enough, you should try a pigeon.
So find yourself a bustling bistro, squeeze into a tiny table, and order whatever the waiter recommends.
International Cuisine
Paris isn't all about escargot and foie gras.
The Latin Quarter, home to the oldest university in Paris, la Sorbonne, and Paradis Latin, the oldest Parisian theater, is an excellent place for lunch. Here, you can find a diverse range of affordable bistros and brasseries serving a variety of cuisines, giving you a feel of the Paris food scene.
If you've still got time, make your way to Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered market in Paris. Tucked away in the 3rd arrondissement, it's more than just a market.
It's a food bazaar where you'll find no-frills eateries run by immigrants who brought their family recipes across oceans and continents. Here, you'll find every type of cuisine, from Cantonese rise to Morrocan tagines to Senegalese thieboudienne to Nigerian jollof rice.
These aren't fancy places. You might be sitting on a plastic chair or eating off a paper plate. But the food? Delicious.
So, sure, have your steak frites and coq au vin. But make sure you get a taste of the international food scene before you leave.
Parisian Pâtisseries
If you have a sweet tooth, plan to visit the Rue Montorgueil in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements. Bakeries, cheese shops, cafes—it's all here.
But if you want the real deal of Parisian sweets - the macaron - you have two choices:
These two pâtisseries are the heavyweights of the macaron world—not just in Paris but worldwide. Ladurée has been around since the 1860s, while Pierre Hermé is famous for his flavor combinations.
Parisian Marchés (Markets)
For a festive and social culinary experience, get to a marché.
I'd recommend the Marché Bastille on a Sunday. It's in the 11th arrondissement, and you'll find everything from farm-fresh produce to cheese, seafood, and spices. As for the atmosphere? It's electric.
Vendors shouting, locals haggling, fellow tourists looking lost - beautiful chaos.
But if you want to step back in time, head to the Rue Mouffetard on the 5th. This open-air street market has been around since the Stone Age. They've got pastries, fresh produce, and lovely restaurants if you need to catch a breather.
And don't just look. Taste. Sample the cheese. Try the charcuterie. Bite into a ripe peach. Also, try to strike up a conversation. Your high school French might get butchered, but that's part of the fun.
Drink
Wine Bars
When in Paris, it’s important to sample as much French wine as possible. Don’t ask me why—except you’re a teetotaler. If one, skip to the next section.
Start with the wine bars at Le Marais, a neighborhood straddling the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. Don't know your Bordeaux from your Burgundy? Ask the sommelier.
If you want to drink like a local without the fuss, get to the Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th. It's like Paris' version of Venice, but with better drinks. Bars line the canal, and you can stretch your feet, sip some wine, and watch Parisians in their natural habitat.
For old-school Parisian magic, Montmartre in the 18th century is your jam. This is where artists like Picasso got buzzed while creating masterpieces. The bars here ooze history. It's not all high-brow, though—you'll find everything from dirt-cheap bars to uppity cocktail joints.
Cafés
If you love caffeine like me, your first stop should be the Café de Flore in the 6th arrondissement. It’s touristy but also a living, breathing part of Parisian folklore. Picasso and Albert Camus were some of its famous regulars.
If you’re a coffee snob or looking to get caught up in craft coffee, haul yourself to La Caféothèque in the 4th. It’s known as the best craft coffee shop in Paris.
The baristas are like coffee sommeliers but with less snobbery. Plus, it’s a great place to sit for a few hours and watch the city pass by.
Last but not least, there's Café Oberkampf in the 11th. If you’re new in town, it’s a great spot for meeting fellow immigrants and locals who don't mind conversing in broken French.
And for God's sake, put your phone away when you get to the café. You're in Paris now; act like it matters.
Speakeasies
If you’ve ever wanted to go on a pub crawl that feels like a treasure hunt with cocktails as the prize, then a Parisian speakeasy tour is a must-try. Think of these hole-in-the-wall bars as remnants of the Prohibition era, minus the threat of police raids.
Moonshiner in the 11th is an excellent addition to your checklist. This joint seats behind a pizzeria. One minute, you’re wondering if you should order a pizza with spicy pepperoni; the next, you’re sipping an Old Fashioned cocktail.
Now, if you want weird—and I mean really weird—head to Le Lavomatic on the 10th. This place takes the concept of "laundering money" to a new level. You'll enter through a washing machine.
The best part? It's the kind of place where you might walk in alone but leave with a bunch of new drinking buddies.
Essential Tips for a First-Timer in Paris
Learn some basic French phrases to help you get around the city and communicate with locals.
The Eiffel Tower opens at 9AM, but to beat the crowds, arrive at least 30 minutes earlier. You may opt for a guided or self-guided tour, but be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. The visit could take 2-4 hours, accounting for wait times. Summit access is available when you buy guided tours from the Louvre's ticketing office or specific travel agencies.
If you want a guided tour of the Louvre, you'll need to get there in the morning. But if you aren't one for crowded places, opt for a self-guided option by purchasing a ticket online from the Louvre's site or any other online travel agency. The Louvre closes at 6PM, although they offer night tours in the summer.
Paris has excellent public transport. A 3-day transport pass for 31 EUR allows you access to all the modes of transport within the regions (including to and from the airport). Or, if you plan to burn all the calories while exploring, rent a bike. You can also use Uber, Bolt, or the official city taxi called G7. Download Bonjour RATP or Google Maps for transport and connection information.
Always carry a copy of your passport and visa with you.
Beware of pickpockets in crowded tourist areas.
Embrace the Parisian way of life by taking time to enjoy meals, appreciate art, and stroll through the city's beautiful parks and gardens.
But here’s probably the most important tip:
Paris is an experience, so make sure you do that. Put your phone aside, soak in the city’s magic, and plan to come back. Paris can't be seen in one visit.
Amusez-vous bien!
Planning to visit Paris anytime soon, Ifiok's got a Best of Paris Tour. Use DOZIE15 to get a 15% discount. Valid for the first 50 bookings.