5 best ways to experience Paris like a true Parisian

Paris is a masterpiece in itself, but it’s also home to some of the world’s most iconic art collections. Kickstart your cultural exploration at the Louvre, but don’t stop at Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa. Take your time to wander through the vast galleries and get lost in centuries of art and history. For fans of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, the Musée d’Orsay is a must, showcasing works from the greatest masters of the movement including Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

If modern art is more your speed, the Centre Pompidou offers a cutting-edge contrast with its avant-garde collection and eye-catching architecture. And for a more urban art experience, head to Belleville, where street art turns the city walls into a vibrant, ever-changing gallery.

Parisians are effortlessly stylish, and their fashion sense? Impeccable. It’s no surprise that you’ll find the city’s trendsetters in Le Marais, where you can easily drift from one boutique to the next, picking up bespoke pieces and vintage treasures you won’t find anywhere else. For a serious dose of luxury fashion, Champs-Élysées is the place to be, with the city’s most prestigious fashion houses including Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. And no fashion pilgrimage is complete without a visit to Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann, an upmarket department store so stunning, even window-shopping beneath its distinctive Art Nouveau dome feels like an indulgence.

In Paris, every meal is a celebration. Start your mornings on a sweet note at Cédric Grolet Opéra, where the pastries and viennoiseries are almost too beautiful to eat. This elegant café is immensely popular, so we recommend booking a table in advance if you plan to dine in. Then step into history at Stohrer, the city’s oldest pâtisserie, where nearly 300 years of pastry perfection culminates in heavenly treats like the famed Baba au Rhum. 

For a taste of local food market culture, head to Marché d'Aligre, where artisan cheeses, fresh produce, and gourmet charcuterie set the stage for the perfect picnic by the Seine. If you’re feeling fancy, splurge on dinner at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants here – after all, this is the birthplace of the Michelin Guide. Dine like French royalty at Le Train Bleu where gastronomy meets grandeur in one of the city’s most opulent settings.

They don’t call Paris the City of Love for nothing. Whether you’re romanticising a sunset cruise on the Seine, stealing a kiss on the sparkling Eiffel Tower, or strolling hand in hand through the Jardin des Tuileries, love is in the air. For the ultimate swoon-worthy moment, say “Je t’aime” in Montmartre, where the charming cobbled streets and breathtaking views from the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur’s soaring dove-white domes will sweep you off your feet. Then waltz over to the nearby Place des Abbesses for the Le Mur des Je t’aime, a captivating love-themed wall made up of 612 enamelled lava tiles featuring the phrase "I love you" in 250 different languages – see if you can spot it in your Mother Tongue.

If your answer to a dream holiday in Paris is a resounding "Oui", then you'll be thrilled to know that you can fly directly from Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines from March 22, 2025. With return fares starting from MYR 3,699, you can indulge in the airline’s renowned hospitality, making your holiday feel like it starts the moment you settle into your seat. With up to seven weekly flights, you’ll be touching down in the French capital in no time. Book online or via the Malaysia Airlines app, and prepare to fall head over heels for Paris.