Do summer in Paris like a local when the city truly comes alive. Picnic in one of the more than 400 parks and gardens that make Paris an outdoor dining heaven. You may have heard of the more famous parks such as Jardin des Tuileries, Champ de Mars and Place des Vosges, but try the lesser-known ones such as Buttes-Chaumont, the Bois de Boulogne or the banks of the Canal St. Martin.
You travel to Paris for the food and European vibes, so you don’t want to find a favored restaurant closed for the summer because many of its local clientele has headed out of town to the beaches. Plan ahead, find out which restaurants are open and make reservations in advance.
Sightseeing and exploring the city by bike is a great way to get around. If you’re worried about getting lost, take an easy ride along the Seine. You will find excellent bike lanes on the Left Bank, and you can get a ride from bike share systems Ofo and Donkey Republic.
If you want to avoid crowds, check out the popular museums later in the evening. The Louvre is open until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays and the Musée d’Orsay is open until 9:45 p.m. on Thursdays. Or head for the less-frequented museums instead. Try the excellent Musée Marmottan Monet, quirky Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, Musée Jacquemart-André and the Petit Palais.
If you’re on the courageous side and want to be shown around town by a true local, you can do so here. This site connects locals with tourists, and they currently have 76 private tours and activities you can participate in in Paris.