A Parisian Stroll: How to Experience the City Like a Local

Paris isn’t just a city—it’s a way of life. And no one embodies that refined, joyful Parisian spirit quite like Isabelle Karamooz, a French lifestyle Ambassador who captures the rhythm of daily life in the capital with a poetic eye and an instinct for elegance. From perfectly timed morning rituals to elegant apéritif hours, her routines offer us a window into the everyday pleasures that define the true art de vivre.

Paris is a dream destination for many, but experiencing it like a local adds a richness that no tourist checklist ever could. Inspired by the sensibilities of our Editor-in-Chief Isabelle, French Quarter Magazine invites you to embrace the subtle, unspoken codes that make Paris more than just a city—it's a state of mind.

Photo: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/paris/lutetia/dine/bar-josephine

This guide is not about hitting all the must-see monuments in record time. It’s about savoring the essence of Paris slowly, mindfully, and elegantly. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, this gentle guidance will help you feel a little more Parisian each day.

1. Begin the Day Gently – The Café Ritual

Forget the frantic morning rush—Isabelle starts her day with calm and grace. There’s no better way to start your morning than with a visit to your neighborhood café. As Isabelle says, "C’est un moment sacré." This ritual is about more than caffeine. It’s about observing, soaking in the light, listening to snippets of conversation, and simply being present.

Tip: Order a "café crème" or an "allongé," and don’t ask for it to-go. Sit down. Even if you only have five minutes, use them to watch the city wake up around you. And no laptops—this isn’t a co-working space; it’s a lifestyle.

For her, the perfect Parisian morning begins in the 6th arrondissement, where she finds peace in small streets tucked behind the Jardin du Luxembourg. A favorite café? Try Coutume or Café de la Nouvelle Mairie for something authentic and quietly elegant. Order a croissant, sit back, and let yourself observe: the neighborhood baker on his delivery round, an old man reading Le Monde, the poetic chaos of the sidewalk.

“Take your time. Let the morning unfold. Parisians never rush their first coffee,” Isabelle says.

2. Dress the Part—But Effortlessly

Less is Always More! Parisians dress with an effortless elegance that seems innate. Isabelle reminds us that simplicity and refinement rule. Think quality over quantity, neutral tones, classic cuts, and a well-tied scarf.

Tip: Leave your activewear and oversized logos at home. Instead, choose timeless basics—a crisp white shirt, a good pair of jeans, a trench coat. Comfortable yet stylish shoes are a must (Parisians walk a lot!), and a great handbag completes the look. For Isabelle, style isn’t about trends—it’s about mood, simplicity, and restraint—these are staples that never go out of fashion.

More importantly, Parisians dress well even for the ordinary moments: to buy bread, to sit at a café, to walk along the Seine. It’s a form of self-respect.

Tip from Isabelle: “Don’t overdo it. One piece should always stand out—never the whole outfit.”

3. Speak Softly and Carry Yourself with Grace

One of the most quintessential French habits is speaking softly in public spaces. Whether you're on the métro, in a boutique, or at dinner, lower your voice. Loud conversations are considered intrusive and rude.

Tip: Try sprinkling your sentences with a few polite French expressions. Even a simple “bonjour” and “merci” go a long way. You don’t need to be fluent—effort is appreciated and met with warmth.

4. Linger in a Bookstore or a Market

To feel like a local in Paris, Isabelle suggests you do what locals do: wander into places without a plan. Independent bookstores are havens of calm and curiosity. Try Shakespeare and Company for its Anglo charm or Librairie Gallimard for French literary classics.

Markets, too, are essential stops—Isabelle loves the Marché Raspail (organic, lively) and Marché d’Aligre (vintage, bustling). Buy cheese you’ve never heard of. Chat with the vendors. Carry a linen tote.

“The beauty of Paris is in the details,” Isabelle insists. “You don’t need a list—just look around and let the city show you.”

5. Midday Pause: Eat Like a Parisian

Lunch is sacred, even on a weekday. Isabelle favors neighborhood bistros with handwritten chalkboard menus and seasonal ingredients. A proper déjeuner might be a goat cheese salad, roast chicken with pommes purée, and always, a glass of wine if you love to enjoy a good read wine—even on a Tuesday.

She recommends Le Comptoir du Relais in Saint-Germain or Chez Janou in the Marais, where locals squeeze into tightly packed tables and the talk flows as easily as the house red.

Rule: never rush. Lunch is not just a meal—it’s a reset.

6. Walk, Don’t Uber

Parisians walk—a lot. Isabelle encourages visitors to skip taxis and explore on foot. Walk from the Left Bank to the Right. Cross the Pont des Arts. Stroll through the covered passages near Grands Boulevards. Wander with intention but no fixed destination.

“The soul of Paris reveals itself when you’re walking,” she says. “It’s how you find your own story here.”

7. Apéro Hour: A Ritual, Not a Drink

If there's one custom that truly captures the essence of Parisian living, it’s the apéritif, or apéro. Around 6 or 7 p.m., friends gather for a glass of wine, a kir royal, or a pastis, always accompanied by olives, radishes, or a few slices of saucisson.

Isabelle’s favorite place for apéro is Le Mary Celeste in the Haut Marais or Bar Joséphine at Hôtel Lutetia, where old-school glamor meets contemporary chic.

“Apéro is where you reconnect—with yourself, with others, with the evening.”

8. Know the Rules—but Break Them Softly

Parisians have unspoken codes of conduct. Say bonjour when you enter a shop. Don’t smile too widely at strangers. Don’t eat on the métro. But at the same time, Isabelle believes part of the charm of Paris is knowing how to bend the rules—just a little.

For example, when she wants to read in peace, she’ll bring a book to a quiet corner of the Palais Royal gardens—even if it’s technically lunchtime.

“In Paris, rebellion is a quiet, stylish thing,” she laughs.

9. Evenings Are for Ambiance

Dinner starts late. You may eat at 8 or even 9 p.m. Isabelle recommends avoiding touristy spots and instead embracing bistros with character: dim lighting, vintage mirrors, servers in long white aprons.

Try Clown Bar near Cirque d’Hiver or Septime La Cave for natural wines. Isabelle says that even when dining alone, there’s poetry in being surrounded by conversation and clinking glasses.

“Paris at night is like perfume,” she says. “Subtle, layered, and unforgettable.”

Final Words from Isabelle

Don’t come to Paris with a list. Come with a notebook. Let yourself be moved by a façade, a line of poetry in a window, a stranger’s gesture. Learn to see slowly.

“The real Paris is not what you do,” Isabelle reminds us. “It’s how you do it. With care, with intention, and above all—with joy.”

Let French Quarter Magazine be your gentle companion as you rediscover the beauty of experiencing Paris the way Parisians do: slowly, stylishly, and with a touch of soul.

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Header Photo Credit: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/paris/lutetia/dine/bar-josephine