Paris attractions and experiences

Newsflash: France’s capital is popular. Overcrowded tourist hotspots are still worth visiting if you’re smart about it, but there are some worthwhile alternatives. Take the Mona Lisa: it might be the most famous painting in the world, but the Louvre has 35,000 artworks worth seeing that aren’t blocked by selfie sticks. And while the Champs-Élysées is beautiful, these days it’s your standard high street – complete with a McDonald’s. Instead, try Rue de Marseille and the nearby Canal Saint-Martin, an area popular with young Parisians for its bars, boutiques and concept stores. Another lively, under-the-radar area is Porte de Clignancourt, with its large flea market and fantastic views of the Sacré-Cœur. Of course, there are some quintessentially Parisian experiences that’ll never get old: a stroll along the Seine, a trip up the Eiffel Tower (try a ‘stairs and lift’ ticket) and settling down with a bottle of wine and steak frites at one of the City of Love’s many brasseries.