PARIS

Forget everything you’ve heard about grumpy, arrogant waiters who refuse to speak anything but their own language and despise tourists. That version of Paris is long gone. 

The city we’ve come to know and love is warm, welcoming, and full of smiles. In one of the most beautiful cities in the world, people are generally friendly and helpful. And yes—most of them speak at least a little English, especially if you make the effort to start with a bit of French and behave politely. Parisians aren’t big on grand gestures or loud, attention-seeking tourists. They might seem a little reserved at first, but really, they’re just cultured and well-mannered—that’s our conclusion, anyway.

Paris isn’t a city you can ever truly “complete.” It’s constantly evolving, with so much to offer that it can feel overwhelming. That’s why our best advice is to take it in stages—don’t expect to master it all at once.

If it’s your first visit, of course, you’ll want to check out the world-famous landmarks—the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Latin Quarter, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and Sacré-Cœur. And yes, they’re absolutely worth seeing. But once you’ve been there once (or maybe even twice), that’s probably enough.

Because Paris is so much more than its big attractions. Each of its 20 arrondissements (areas) has its own charm and unique experiences to offer. Not necessarily in the form of grand monuments, but often just in a special atmosphere, an unexpected discovery, or a moment that stays with you long after you’ve left.

No Retail Apocalypse Here

One thing that sets Paris apart from other big cities—especially in Northern Europe and the U.S.—is the sheer number of small, independent shops.

There’s a bakery on every corner, along with a butcher and a greengrocer, and of course cheese shops. Yarn shops, wine shops, health stores, coffee and tea boutiques—you name it. Then there are the specialty stores, exclusively selling everything from buttons to handbags and picture frames to silver jewelry. And it just keeps going. Add in cafés, restaurants (no one knows exactly how many there are), takeaway spots, bars, and nightclubs, and you’ve got a city that feels alive every single day of the week—not just in a few trendy districts or inside massive shopping malls.

Something we’ve noticed? When every single restaurant, bar, and music venue has been packed on a Saturday night, things just start all over again on Sunday. In Denmark, we joke that Thursday is “Little Friday.” In Paris, Sunday is already the new Friday as are Monday through Thursday for that matter.

Culture Everywhere, in Everything

Paris breathes culture—here, even a simple trip to the movies feels like an experience. Whether it’s world-famous museums or tiny hidden ones, concerts of every genre, dance, theater, opera, ballet, drag shows—whatever you’re into, you’ll find it here.

And if none of that is your thing? Just start walking. The city is stunning practically everywhere, and you’re constantly stumbling upon new discoveries—narrow passageways, hidden courtyards, intricate architectural details, nature trails, and lush parks.

Right now, our favorite neighborhood is the 11th arrondissement, though we have a big crush on the 10^th, but on the 4th, 9th,12th, 18th, 19th, and 20th as well. We still need to explore more of the southern and western parts of the city—oh no, guess that means we’ll have to come back. What a shame.

This time around (2025), we’ve spent two months in Paris, working remotely from here. It’s been an incredible experience to settle in, feel a little Parisian, and—most of all—feel truly welcome. Plus, it’s been amazing to finally start navigating the city without constantly checking the map and to improve our (still very lacking) French skills. But hey, we’re trying!