How to Experience Paris Just Like a Local
The chic Parisian style is often imitated, but never bettered, and that doesn’t only apply to their fashion. Whether they’re enjoying a meal or just getting around their city, the Paris locals do it in their own way - one that you’ll easily pick up after arriving on cheap Jet2.com flights to Paris, as long as you know where to start.
Getting Around
The roads of Paris are notorious for their traffic so forget pricey taxis and take the Metro, where you can rub shoulders with Paris’ trendy travellers.
Alternatively, if the weather is good you could make like the hippest Parisians and use their bike-sharing system, Vélib'. It’s a great, inexpensive way to see the sights, and to be seen by the locals too!
Eating
Dining in Paris is entrenched in ritual and tradition, and mealtimes are taken leisurely with many courses consumed over several hours. In fact, surveys have shown that the French take longer to eat than any other nationality.
With this in mind stay away from the fast-food joints after arriving in Paris, and head to the Latin Quarter where the restaurants will be relatively tourist-free, and the food quality will be at its best.
Drinking
Parisians care very deeply about coffee, and sip it very slowly and customarily never drink it with any other meal than breakfast. If you do try to order coffee with a meal, it won’t arrive until after dessert, so don’t think that your waiter has simply forgotten!
As for alcoholic drinks, don’t forget to enjoy an aperitif, or an alcoholic drink before your evening meal. Many Parisians will enjoy a glass of champagne, but if that’s a little outside your budget try a Kir Royale, which is sparkling wine with a drop of crème de cassis.
Shopping
What better reason to visit on flights to Paris than to indulge in some shopping? However whilst the city is brimming with expensive designer boutiques one of the best shopping experiences in Paris is to be found at its weekend flea markets.
The best of these are to be found at Les Puces de Montreuil and Les Puces des Vanves, where local collectors rifle through old postcards and vintage clothing lovers scour suitcases of old, beautiful garments. Don’t be afraid to barter on the price too.
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