Top Five: Places Off the Beaten Track in Paris

Paris is one of the most magical cities in the world. Bursting with romance, history, art, style and flavour, it seduces and delights at every cobbled-stoned corner. But while every visitor to this city-of-love has a must-see itinerary featuring famous landmarks such as the L’Tour Eiffel, Musée du Louvre and Champs Elysee, the best way to truly experience Paris is to forget about sightseeing and get off the beaten track. Whether it’s discovering a tiny bistro that serves the most delicious bowls of soup a l’oignon gratinée, the melted cheese still bubbling as it comes out of oven or one of the city’s dozens of hidden gardens, tucked away down a sidestreet where you can sit on a bench and spend a few moments watching an old man feeding a squirrel from his pockets. The city is full of keeps the best bits to itself, so put away the tourist map, ditch the guide book, and lose yourself. It’s amazing what you will find…  

Love From Paris by Alexandra Potter is out now (Hodder, £6.99)