To not want to do any of the typical touristy things in Paris?

[ZippyMintCat]

I’m going for two nights at the end of May. It’s not my first time, so I’m not planning to do the Louvre, Eiffel Tower etc. Just want to enjoy some wine, local spots and relaxed solo vibes near Bois de Vincennes. AIBU to want a low-key trip instead of ‘making the most of it’ like everyone says you should? If anyone has recommendations off the beaten path, I’d love them!

Le Coupe Chou is one of my favourite restaurants, in the Latin quarter. You will probably need to book though.

I’m taking my boys in summer and not that bothered by those things either. The only thing mine want to do is eat crepes, steak frites and beignets… I’m going to book a tour of the catacombs and maybe go to Notre Damn and a Seine boat ride. But mostly eating!

YANBU nobody else cares what you do really, people just want to give good recommendations.

If you haven’t been to Versailles it’s really worth going. The military museum is interesting and you can get to Napoleons tomb too. Personally I love walking in the jardin de Luxembourg and watch the kids sailing miniature boats.

I lived in Saint Mandé for a while so Bois de Vincennes was my stomping ground (actually, my running route!)
I go back quite often. Picnic by Lac Daumesnil with fresh cheeses from the fromagerie on Avenue de Paris just down the road. Lobster roll from Homer, oppositeish the chateau de Vincennes.
Praline brioche from Pralus (Rambuteau)
most of my activities revolve around food 😁

We did this earlier this year as had both visited many times before and just wanted more laid back vibe.

Stayed by Canal Saint Martin just to the north of Le Marais. Felt quite a cool neighbourhood whilst still being convenient.

So many good cheese shops, boulangeries etc, We had cheese meat and wine on the side of the canal most days in the sun - bliss.

Of course it's not unreasonable. Or is your post just an attempt to ask for recommendations? In which case posting on the Holidays board might be more productive.

Bois de Vincennes is outside the Peripherique so you're already off the beaten path.

If the Bois isn't enough greenery for you, you could walk part of the Coulee verte Rene-Dumont (elevated linear park along a former railway line). It runs from the east of Bastille. I did part of it at that end quite a few years ago and it was a novelty but not particularly interesting. Maybe some sections are better (some of the photos look fab) so research the best bits.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coul%C3%A9e_verte_Ren%C3%A9-Dumont

And of course Pere-Lachaise cemetery.

Oh, I see you do have a thread on the Holidays board.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/5325838-going-to-paris-for-2-nights-in-may-not-my-first-time-looking-for-hidden-gems

Can I suggest that you read a guidebook or look at a site like Time Out to get some ideas? If you're only there for 2 nights there'll be plenty of non-Eiffel Tower category suggestions in those guides.

www.timeout.com/paris/en

I prefer Rouen myself....😉

But if interested there is a facebook group called Forever Paris that might be useful, and you could ask the same questions there.

I would just go shopping between eating and drinking!
Gallerie Lafayette alone is worth a visit for the architecture

Of course it’s totally fine to do wafting around cafes etc, walking in parks or whatever you like!

When we came last we did stay near the Eiffel Tower and i thought it was a really nice area.

This might sound a bit macabre but I really enjoyed visiting the Panteon. It’s not just a burial place though - the kids were very taken with seeing the copy of Foucault’s pendulum that is there and the actual building is amazing.

Musée Rodin if the weather is nice. I love wandering around there (Boulevard des Invalides)

Hockney exhibition?

I’d eat my way round the Marais ,go to Malmaison for culture or the Musee Jacquemart Andree and have lunch there.

Do you mean Notre Dame or is that a hellish tourist attraction I haven’t heard of? 🤔

David Lebovitz is very good on Paris restaurant/ bar recommendations.

Me too!

Notre Damn is a great typo!

Notre Dame has only just reopened after the fire so you need to book in advance or the queues are massive.

i like the Pantheon for Foucault’s pendulum and the Musée Rodin. The Orangerie museum is worth a visit if you haven’t been - it is quite small but very atmospheric!

If you fancy a (food) market, there’s a good one at place de La bastille on a Sunday (and maybe a Thursday I think), you can get a picnic there and take it to the place des vosages in the Marais (one of the few places in central Paris where you can sit on the grass!!). I’d also not be able to resist visiting Notre Dame in its full renovated glory but I agree it will be busy.

I also loved the Hammam de la Grande Mosquée de Paris- a proper Hammam with a beautiful tea garden for mint tea and cakes etc. You just turn up- you can’t reserve- and it’s ladies only.

My favourite spot is Place Des Vosges. You can sit in the sun and watch the world go by. Then when you get hungry (or for breakfast) go to Carette which is on the square.

maps.app.goo.gl/3MwGHGU1z2a2oY8u6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Oh and depending on when you are going there is an incredible sounding David Hockney exhibition at the Louis Vuitton foundation in the Bois de Boulogne, which I would love to visit.

This is a fabulous walk above the streets. Passes some fabulous art deco buildings and into the suburbs
Coulée verte René-Dumo
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coul%C3%A9e_verte_Ren%C3%A9-Dumont

There's a book called "Hidden Paris" which took us off the beaten track and we saw some lovely things

Montmartre is a must see!