10 Experiences Only Locals Would Recommend
Picture this: the sun doesn’t set before 10pm, music spills from balconies, rosé flows on riverbanks, and every street corner feels like a film set. Paris in summer isn’t just about seeing landmarks — it’s about feeling the city breathe.
But with crowds, heat waves, and tourist traps, it’s easy to fall into a cookie-cutter experience. This guide is your way out.
We’re locals. We guide real people every day. So we’re sharing 10 real things to do in Paris this summer, including quiet corners, sunset moments, and experiences that don’t exist in your Lonely Planet.
Sure, climbing the Eiffel Tower is iconic. But locals don’t climb — they observe.
Pack a picnic and settle in Champ de Mars, or even better: Square Rapp, a secret Art Nouveau gem just behind the tower. Arrive 1h before sunset. Watch the light shift. The tower sparkles at 10pm. Magic, guaranteed.
Local tip: Bring a baguette from Boulangerie Moderne and a bottle of Chablis.
The typical tourist bikes along the Seine. You? Head east.
Start in the 11th arrondissement, ride through Canal Saint-Martin, pass under leafy trees and iron bridges, and end your route at Parc de la Villette.
Want more? Book a local bike tour with a guide who’ll show you the backstreets and graffiti spots — the real Paris.
Paris has dozens of rooftop bars. But skip the overpriced hotel terraces.
Instead, head to Le Perchoir (Ménilmontant) for sunset DJ sets and bohemian views over east Paris, or Bar à Bulleshidden behind Moulin Rouge — peaceful, green, intimate.
Want Eiffel views? Go to Terrass’’ Hotel — grab a seat, not a reservation.
Yes, it’s a fake beach. Yes, Parisians mocked it at first.
But now? We love it. Especially in the morning when it’s quiet. Take your book, remove your shoes, sit by the Seine with a coffee, and let time stretch.
Want a twist? Take a yoga class hosted on the sand, or rent a paddle boat.
The Louvre in July? Not if you value your sanity.
Instead:
Go to Musée de la Vie Romantique in Montmartre — free, shaded garden
Explore Atelier des Lumières, a digital art immersion inside an old foundry
Discover outdoor street art in the 13th arrondissement (think 10-storey murals)
Our favorite tour? The Hidden Paris Walk — no crowds, just stories.
Forget the touristy Luxembourg Gardens. If you want real local vibes, head to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th. Think hills, cliffs, hidden grottos, lakes… and 0% tourists.
Go in late afternoon, grab a drink at Rosa Bonheur, and enjoy Paris’ best apéro culture.
Summer + crowds + kids = chaos.
Solution? Tailored family tours. At Odiscover, we design adventures where kids solve riddles, find hidden treasures, and learn without even realizing it.
Other ideas:
Jardin d’Acclimatation (park + mini zoo + splash zone)
Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (fascinating skeletons + AC)
Fête de la Musique (June 21): Free concerts everywhere, all night
July 14 (Bastille Day): Fireworks at Eiffel Tower, military parade
Open Air Cinema at Parc de la Villette (July–August): Free movies under the stars
Paris Jazz Festival: At Parc Floral — laid-back and green
These are real moments where locals and tourists blend.
Paris is a labyrinth. And summer is intense.
With a local guide, you:
Avoid standing 1h under 35°C
Skip the boring facts
Hear real stories, fun trivia, and know where to go next
Our Odyscover tours are designed for summer:
✅ Small groups
✅ Shaded routes
✅ Early mornings or golden hour
✅ Always led by certified, passionate guides
Whether you want romance, history, or foodie magic — we’ve got you covered.
Paris in summer doesn’t sleep.
Take a night stroll from Notre-Dame to the Louvre along the Seine.
Everything’s quieter. The bridges glow. Musicians play on the steps. The air is soft.
Or book our Paris by Night walking tour — it ends with a secret rooftop view that most locals don’t even know about.
There’s Paris. And then there’s summer in Paris with Odyscover.
If you want more than a postcard — if you want to feel the city — we’d be honored to guide you.
