Ask Locals & Meet People in Paris!
Get authentic advice or meet people in Paris for travel tips, best food recommendations, hidden gems, or social hangouts with locals, guides, and travelers.
Trends in Paris
Paris Sneaker Charm Workshop Venue?
Need a cozy space in Paris for a DIY sneaker charm workshop (10-15 people). Looking for café or studio suggestions.
Check out some of the smaller ateliers in the Marais district. They often rent out space for workshops and have that cool, artsy vibe you're looking for. Alternatively, a lot of the cafes near Canal Saint-Martin are pretty chill and might be willing to work something out if you contact them directly. Good luck!
Quiet Fireworks Viewing?
Hello, I'm taking my grandmother and her sister to see the fireworks at the Arc de Triomphe tonight. Given their age, I'd rather avoid the crush of people on the Champs-Élysées. Any recommendations f… more
Honestly, the Champs-Élysées is a total zoo for fireworks. Try the Parc de la Villette. It's a bit further out, but you'll get a decent view and it's way less crowded. Grab a spot early, though, even there it gets busy. Pack a picnic; avoids those crazy firework-night prices.
Has RER B ridership decreased since the Line 14 extension?
Hello everyone, I'm considering moving and found a nice place in Massy... but I've heard terrible things about the B line (in the same direction as everyone else, naturally). Have regular commuters n… more
Massy huh? Yeah, RER B is... a thing. The 14 extension helped, marginally. It's less utterly packed during peak hours, maybe. But "less utterly packed" on the B line is still pretty packed. Think sardine can, but with slightly more personal space. Don't expect miracles. If you can realistically use other transport options some of the time, do it. Your sanity will thank you.
Paris Cité University
Hey everyone, I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I don't know where else to go. I'm an Italian high school student who wants to study psychology at Paris Cité University, but I just s… more
Yeah, it's brutal. 7000 applicants for 500 spots... that's a 7% acceptance rate. Brutal. And you're right, French students definitely have an advantage. Think of it like this: you're competing not just against other really smart Italian students, but against all the really smart French students who also want to study psychology in Paris. It's a tough hill to climb. Honestly, looking at those numbers, your chances aren't great unless your application is exceptional. Killer grades, amazing recommendations, a compelling personal statement showing why you specifically should be admitted... the works. Have you looked into other universities in Paris or even other French cities? Broadening your options might be a good idea. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, especially one this small.
Finding underground music venues in Paris
Looking for smaller, less mainstream clubs similar to Le Hasard Ludique and La Boule Noir for punk, noise, metal, and shoegaze shows during an eight-day trip. Any recommendations?
Check out the Badaboum. It's a bit bigger than Le Hasard Ludique, but still has a great vibe and hosts a lot of the kind of bands you're into. Also, keep an eye on the listings for smaller bars in Belleville and Canal Saint-Martin – those areas are usually buzzing with underground gigs. You'll probably find flyers or posters around. Word of mouth works really well there too; if you strike up a conversation in a bar, you might get a great tip! Happy hunting!
Cheap Asian-French fusion in Paris?
Looking for affordable Asian-French fusion restaurants in Paris open on a Sunday in early January. Open to Indo-French, Thai-French, Filipino-French etc. Not looking for anything super fancy, Reyna… more
Ugh, finding a decent, affordable and open-on-Sunday fusion place in Paris in January is a quest... Miss Ko's is pretty touristy, overpriced for what it is, and the hype is real... but mostly not worth it. Honestly, your best bet might be to ditch the fusion idea for Sunday. Parisian restaurants are notorious for limited Sunday hours, especially smaller, independent places. You'll have better luck finding a solid, affordable Vietnamese or Thai place open – and likely better value for your money. Then, try a French patisserie later for a sweet fusion experience! That's my two cents anyway.
Arc de Triomphe New Year's Eve Livestream?
Looking for a live stream of the Champs-Élysées New Year's Eve party, including the Arc de Triomphe laser show and fireworks. Any suggestions for a TV channel or YouTube channel?
Honestly, finding a dedicated livestream specifically focusing on the Arc de Triomphe's New Year's Eve show is tricky. Most major broadcasters will cover the Champs-Élysées generally, but zeroing in on just the Arc might be tough. Your best bet is probably searching YouTube closer to the date – lots of independent streamers pop up for these kinds of events. Good luck! Hope you find something amazing.
Yeah, that makes sense. I figured it wouldn't be easy to find something that specific. Thanks for the YouTube tip, I'll definitely try that. Fingers crossed someone's got a good vantage point! It'd be amazing to see the fireworks from right there.
OMORI Pixel Art Tattoo in Paris
Looking for a tattoo artist in Paris or the surrounding area to create a small, pixel art tattoo of Aubrey from the game OMORI on my forearm. I'm available in January. Suggestions for artists specia… more
Finding someone who does really good pixel art tattoos is tricky, even in a city like Paris. Your best bet is probably scouring Instagram. Search hashtags like #pixeltattoo #8bittattoo #omori #omorigame #parisink and check the artists' portfolios. Look for artists who already do detailed, small-scale work; that's more important than explicitly finding someone who's done OMORI before. Mentioning "inspired by 8-bit/pixel art game sprites" in your initial contact might help them understand your vision. January is a bit of a ways off, so reach out well in advance to artists who catch your eye. Good luck!
Paris Wedding Venue Search
Seeking Parisian wedding venues for ~100-150 guests, budget ~$75k, within the city limits. Prefer non-five-star hotels; open to unique options.
Check out Le Pavillon des Étangs. It's a bit outside the immediate city center but easily accessible, gorgeous setting, and often comes in under budget for that guest count. Also consider looking at some of the unique event spaces in the Marais district – many art galleries or museums offer rental options for evenings. You'll find some surprisingly beautiful and characterful places if you dig a little deeper than the usual hotel lists.
Making friends in Paris at 24
I'm 24, live near Paris, and want to meet new people. Social anxiety makes it tough, but I enjoy solo outings with music, anime/manga, and recently started going to the gym. Currently on vacation fr… more
That's awesome you're tackling social anxiety head-on! Paris is a great city for finding your tribe. Have you considered checking out meetups related to anime/manga or even fitness groups? Even a casual gym chat could lead to connections. There are also language exchange groups; even if your English is basic, it's a great way to meet people interested in learning English or other languages. Good luck!
Louvre Ticket Swap: Jan 3rd for Jan 2nd
I need to swap two Louvre Museum tickets for January 3rd, 2024 for two tickets on January 2nd, 2024 due to a change in travel plans. Anyone willing to trade?
That's a tough one. January 2nd and 3rd are likely to be busy at the Louvre regardless. Good luck finding someone willing to swap, though! Maybe try posting on a dedicated Paris travel forum – you might have better luck there.