My friends and I are used to go to Paris during our free time. We live in small towns near the capital city and even if our cities do their best in order to entertain the local youth, we are inevitably drawn to the French capital. Thus, we became familiar with many spots of Paris: we visited the main touristic monuments several times, drank a coffee with a pain au chocolat (or chocolatine) in the famous cafés in order to perpetuate the good old cliché of Parisians, and took the metro until we could find our way with our eyes closed (well I admit that I may be exaggerating for this last point. Parisian metro system remains an enigma that few people have had the chance to solve. As soon as you think that you finally understood how it works, you are forced to face a new difficulty that came out of nowhere. In itself, Paris’ metro is like a giant Escape Game. Now that I think about it, you can probably put that in your list of peculiar things to do in Paris: solving the mystery of the Paris’ metro.) I am obviously aware of the fact that we are extraordinary lucky to be able to visit and to have access to all those activities. Thus, for this reason, I am reaching out to you, future tourist. If you already had the chance to discover the most famous places, you probably want to experience Paris differently now. If you are tired of following activities that seem to come straight out from a tourism brochure, let me introduce you some activities that my friends and I cherish. They are more original, less obvious of course, but just as entertaining. Those activities are perfect if you want to feel like a true Parisian student, but they are also lovely if you want to discover Paris from a more original angle.

After this looong introduction, here are some of those activities:

If you wish to expand your cultural knowledge

Obviously, I could not start without drawing your attention to the fact that Paris puts everything in place so that students and young people can expand their cultural knowledge as much as possible. You probably had this information on your much talked about tourist brochure, but I still want to insist on this point. Museums are free if you are under 26 (if you are a resident of the European Union) and you just have to show your student card in order to have free access to historic treasures hidden in the spacious galleries. In addition, if you have already visited The Louvre, The Musée d’Orsay and other major museums that have so much to offer, you can also enhance your cultural knowledge otherwise. My friends and I often go to exhibitions, and there is an infinite number of those all year long! So, before planning your trip or even during it, make sure to check out the exhibitions that might take place: there is something for everyone! Sometimes the prices for young people and students are reduced, sometimes they are not. In any case, most of the time, you will find an interesting and affordable exhibition quite easily.

Here is the site that my friends and I use in order to be updated about the latest exhibitions:

French version: https://www.parisinfo.com/ou-sortir-a-paris/expositions-a-paris

English version: https://en.parisinfo.com/what-to-do-in-paris/exhibitions-in-paris

Feel the wind and be amazed

Take a self-service electric scooter and discover Paris in the evening and at night. You can also do it during the day, but between the infernal traffic and the careless pedestrians (there is a lot of those), it is not ideal. So this is what I suggest: when there are only a few people walking by the Seine or the Saint Martin canal, take an electric scooter and let yourself be carried away by the charm of Paris as you glide among the lights reflecting in the dark shivering water. You have to pay to use self-service electric scooters (unfortunately), but it is worth to do once or twice during your stay. In order to be able to use them, you will need to download an app into your mobile phone. Also, and it is very important, make sure to acquaint yourself with the rules of use before setting off at full speed without looking back! The city of Paris has put in place some rules that must be respected for the safety of all. The prices depend on the brands.

Here you can find some websites that will enable you to compare different brands and check the terms of use:

French version:  https://trottinette-electrique-adulte.com/trottinette-electrique-paris/

English version:

http://blog.lodgis.com/en/electric-scooters-in-paris/

http://plug-inn.fr/uncategorized/how-to-use-the-electric-scooters-scattered-around-paris/

Meet people and enjoy yourself (without breaking the bank. We are students, remember?)

You may have already met a few people during your visit, why don’t you invite them to dance and take a drink in one of the bars nicely located by the Seine or by the Saint Martin canal? Of course, there are many bars and nightclubs in Paris and you will easily see their names appear in your tourist brochure, but if you want to dance and enjoy a beautiful view at the same time and if you want to have fun while breathing in the fresh air, there is nothing better than a small cocktail break at an affordable price in one of the bars that offers a magnificent view on the water. Right now I am thinking about the Ourcq Bar on the Quai de La Loire in the 19th district. This bar is appreciated by young people especially for its good atmosphere and the low prices.

Check out those links that present non-exhaustive lists of bars that students in Paris could easily recommend:

https://www.french.hostelworld.com/blog/meilleurs-bars-paris/

https://www.timeout.fr/paris/bar/bar-sympas-pas-cher

Nothing will ever compare to the beauty of nature

Paris overflows with parks and other lovely areas where nature rules. Those places offer you the chance to take a peaceful walk and enjoy a splendid view. I'm thinking in particular of the Champs de Mars, where you can sit in the freshly mowed grass and contemplate the magnificent Eiffel Tower, or even the Jardin de Luxembourg, where you will be able to enjoy the best walk of your life.

But other parks also offer you an idyllic setting for a good picnic, for example. My friends and I like to find a nice little green spot in the following parks: Buttes-Chaumont park, Montsouris park, Monceau park… So grab a baguette, some fresh cheese, even buy a good pain au chocolat (or chocolatine), put yourself in the shade of a large tree and breathe in the soft Parisian air (but do not breathe in too much. Pollution, remember?).

Unusual and we love it!

Here are our two favorite unusual places. I will only vaguely describe them: I will not say much in order to leave some surprise and wonder effect but I will say enough in order to make you curious and make you want to learn more about those places.

→59 Rivoli https://www.59rivoli.org/accueil/

This place seems to come to life as soon as you step inside. The explosion of colors, of senses, of perceptions… All of this will surprise you at first but let yourself get into this universe and it will be an extraordinary journey, I promise.

→La Boutique sans argent https://laboutiquesansargent.org/

With a triple goal, social, environmental and civic, this shop is like a little corner of paradise in a chaotic Paris. You can either "buy" (I do not even know if we can use the word since you do not have to pay) or leave something there, be it a garment, an accessory or some books. In addition, if you are lucky enough, you can participate in one of the workshops or classes provided by the store. Besides being an absolutely brilliant concept, you will meet friendly and welcoming people at this shop. And as a bonus? You can actually drink some coffee or tea there (ok, I may have said too much but this place is so neat that I could not help it)