THIS IS HOW YOU DO PARIS LIKE A PARISIAN

If you can speak a little French, then you're already a step in the right direction. Look, in Paris you certainly don't have to speak it fluently, but knowing some basic words to communicate is definitely recommended. If you can do that, I promise you that you will notice that the French are really not as unfriendly as many people say. For seven years, I frolicked around here with my family, read our suggestions here)? I'm meanwhile scrolling through the first of the Monate like an addict through Elkes Nieuwsflix, but nothing, zip, nada. Even Netflix is acting suspicious... Quiet then. I want a sequel to my favorite and I want it now. But with a chronic shortage and the absence of rattling conversations, but what I learned from it back then. And becoming a real Parisian? Unfortunately, that’s not in the cards for us. But if you want to experience Paris as a real Parisian, then I have a few tips for you to act a bit like a local.

• The French don't do complicated café lattes or macchiatos with soy or almond milk. Nope, they just order a café crème. No milk foam, just coffee with a little bit of milk. Or you drink it completely black. And oh dear, if you dare to walk around with a Starbucks drink in your hand.
• I understand that a city guide is handy to have when you don't know a city very well, but just like with any city, it actually lists all the mega-touristy spots. This also applies to cafés and restaurants. Avoid the places in the books. Here you are not among the French but among a mountain of tourists, and if you want to experience Paris as a true Parisian, then you definitely don't want that. There are so many nice little cafés in Paris and honestly: most of them have the same menu. And as for the places you find in those city guide books? Well, those places are certainly not stupid and add a few extra euros to their prices.
• I'm not exaggerating when I say that in Paris wine is sometimes cheaper than water. And as soon as it gets a little warmer in this romantic capital, you buy a bottle and enjoy the last rays of sunshine along the Seine. Or in the little field by the Champs-de-Mars.
• Then a little about the map of the city. Again, it's logical that you don't yet know where everything is, but if you really don't want to walk around the city like a tourist, throw that map away. You do everything with your mobile, but the key here is your pace. Parisiennes are always ‘on the go’, so make sure to pick up the pace while you walk and occasionally pull up Google Maps. No one will notice that you are a tourist (side note: also make sure your clothing is appropriate, because just like American tourists, you can easily spot the Dutch).
• Are you looking for macarons or éclairs? Of course, Ladurée is nice to stop by. Actually, you buy everything there mostly for the nice packaging. But if you see a super modern macaron shop while walking, don't go in. Look for the small bakeries with an old-fashioned appearance. This is where the locals go and all the French snacks are the tastiest.

‘Choose the arrondissement you want to resemble the most. In Paris, you can easily tell from clothing which neighborhood someone comes from’

• You want to see that Eiffel Tower, right? I understand that. But once you go there, you stand among the thousands of tourists who also want to take a picture of the most iconic image of Paris. Do you know where to go? Stay in the seventh arrondissement but stroll around Rue Cler and Rue du Champs-de-Mars. Then you have a nice view of the Eiffel, but you encounter fewer tourists and find yourself among locals who are probably doing their shopping at the market.
• A night out? Time to work on your flirting skills, because flirting is something the French are good at (even if they are married). Caught a Frenchman? Then these are the places for a nice portion of tongue wrestling.
• Choose the arrondissement you want to resemble the most. In Paris, you can easily tell from clothing which neighborhood someone comes from. Girls from Le Marais are more likely to be seen in IRO, Maje, and Claudie Pierlot, while the ladies from the Rive Gauche go wild for Saint Laurent and Dior.
• Make sure you have at least one Jérôme Dreyfuss. It might cost you a bit, but if you want to invest in a nice designer bag and Chanel is a bit above your budget, then Jérôme is your go-to guy. Last week when I was sitting with Lilian on the terrace of Café Charlot in Le Marais, it was hard to keep track of how many Jérômepjes we saw passing by.

Alright, that was my dose of Paris for this week. Are you heading that way soon and want some tips? Send me an email!