When you ask someone "What should I do or see in Paris" you'd expect the reply to include stuff like the Eiffel Tower, Montemartre, Arc de Triumph, etc, right? Wrong! Well, at least not only! When I asked this same question to my girlfriend, who lived in Paris for a few years, her answer included the above sights (and indeed they are a must see if it's your fist time in Paris) but she insisted that someone shouldn't spend all of his/her time sightseeing. Instead, what she recommended where places more likely to be frequented by locals. If you are into this kind of thing i.e. discovering hidden gems and doing what locals do, then read on:

Sightseeing Tour (1-2 hours)

Start from Hotel de Ville (metro Hotel de Ville) towards the church of Notre Dame, and continue towards the Louvre along the river passing from the bridge of Pont Neuf. Before entering the Louvre you can have coffee at the "Le fumoir" (6 rue de l'Amiral Coligny)- which is a lovely belle époque café!

If you don't want to visit the Louvre you can still walk through the Jardins de Tuileries towards the Place de la Concorde and Champs Elysees (in case you want to go there-it's quite touristy but you can visit the Arc de Triomphe). Alternatively you can visit Palais Royal, which you can enter from the rue de Rivoli. Close to this, you can visit Angelina's Tea Room (226, rue de Rivoli)- which makes fantastic deserts!

Le Marais: This is the Jewish and gay quarter with loads of cafes and restaurants as well as sights to visit. The Marais is a great area to walk through, with loads of hôtels particuliers (aristocratic residences turned into museums/exhibition sites mostly) which you can visit...

Don't miss the street rue Vielle du Temple, it has lovely cafes like the Etoile Manquante and Philosophes (warning: do not be shocked if waiters are rude-just remember that "politeness" is a relative term!). The café Pickclops (not sure about the spelling!) on the corner of rue Vielle du Temple and rue du Roi de Sicile makes fantastic salads and if it's sunny you can get a spot outside and watch people (this is a normal Parisian pastime). If you do go there try the salade Auvergnate.

Rue de Rosiers is the Jewish road par excellence, loads of hidden synagogues and also great spots for eating falafel.

Park of Place des Vosges: this is a wonderful little park (with free wi-fi access by the way) which is best enjoyed during a sunny day. Take a sandwich or a take away and sit on the grass or benches.

Place St Catherine has picturesque restaurants with great food (my favorite is the "Le 108" and the duck dish!). If you want to go for dinner to this lovely place without having to walk around in the Marais you can get off at metro St Paul, start heading towards the Bastille, and take the third turn to the left (but do check your map!)

Centre Pompidou: If you enjoy arts and exhibitions then this is the place to be. I'll let you explore the place without saying much. When you are tired and need a break then head over to the cafe/restaurant on the top floor. It offers great views of Paris. To enter the restaurant you need to take the lift outside the Centre in the big yard

The St Michel area is quite touristy, especially around the Notre Dame. However if you walk towards the Odeon the atmosphere is still quite lively but less touristy.

You can get off at metro St Michel and walk up Rue St Andre des Arts leading to Rue de Buci. You will find the Bar du Marché, which is a lovely café to sit and watch people go by (I wouldn't recommend to eat there).

You can then move towards the Boulevard St Germain if you would like to visit one of the most chic areas in Paris. A good restaurant to have lunch or dinner is the Relais des Entrecôtes. (I advise you to avoid cafes on St Germain which are quite overpriced)

Ile St Louis and Ile de la Cité: this is the small island in the Seine on which Notre Dame is found. I haven't had time last week when I was in Paris to visit it but you should!

Rue Oberkampf (metro Parmentier) is full of bars and restaurants and a great place to go out at night, Café Charbon is an authentic Parisian style-bar restaurant. Try the burger or the chicken curry. Opposite to this are another 2 or 3 wonderful bars/restaurants which you should try out.

If you want to try excellent Maroccan food at the restaurant "L'homme bleu"

Great atmosphere and sometimes live gipsy music at bar "Alimentation Générale"

This is the Chinese quarter in Paris (Belleville) next to the Arabic quarter (around Belleville and Ménilmontant).

If you get off at metro Belleville you have different options:

• Walking down the street Faubourg du Temple should take you to place de la République, close to the Canal St Martin (many cafes along the canal).
• If you go right from metro Belleville, along Boulevard de Belleville, it will lead you to rue de Ménilmontant where you can find loads of ethnic restaurants (predominantly Arabic). Along Boulevard de Belleville you can also visit the famous cemetery Père Lachaise.
• If you walk up from metro Belleville (and up the rue de Belleville) should lead you up towards metro Pyrenées. Turning left at this metro will take you to Park of Buttes Chaumont.

Place St Marthe: this is a hidden square with restaurants and bars situated between Belleville and the 11th arrondissement (metro Goncourt or Colonel Fabien), and is absolutely charming! There are ethnic cafes and restaurants around here and the square is particularly picturesque. It is definitely worth the trouble to look for it.

Montmartre: this is one of favourite areas and is an absolute must when you visit Paris! You can walk around the church of Montmartre (Sacre Coeur). At the bottom of the hill on the front side you can find the Moulin Rouge and the red light district.

Le Bar du Relais (Metro Abbesses, 12 rue Ravignan): A quaint building in a beautiful spot just under the Butte, with tables out on the little square where Picasso's Beateau-Lavoir studio used to be, and good music inside)

The Dali museum is also located in this area.

On the back side of the hill is the area where many artists live and there are some great bars which are quite hidden. I don't have any specific recommendations but anywhere you might end up I am sure it will be great! (This is a more authentic area with few tourists).

Ιn addition, on the back side of the hill and around the metro Château Rouge, is the African area in Paris. You can stroll there on Sunday during the day if you would like to visit these more "hidden" sides of Paris.

Markets!

Finally, get yourself a copy Pariscope. It's a weekly magazine (costs only €0.40) which contains information on all events taking place in Paris, including museums and art exhibitions. However you'll need some basic knowledge of the French language to read it!

That's it! I hope you enjoyed the guide and have a wonderful time in Paris!