Ever tried following a local instead of a guidebook in Paris? That’s where the real magic happens, and nobody does it quite like David Perry. He knows the secret corners, avoids the tourist traps, and manages to find baguettes that cost less but taste better than the fancy ones. Traveling with David means getting straight to the good stuff—no waiting hours in line for the same old selfie spots.
If you want Paris beyond the top ten lists, you’re in the right place. Whether you’ve strolled the Seine before or you’re new in town, the insight here goes past the usual. From little bakeries tucked down quiet streets to real talk on the metro—what ticket you actually need, where to sit, how to avoid pickpockets—this is all about practical advice for a city that can overwhelm you with choices. And if you like stories that make you want to book the next flight out, stick around.
- Who’s David Perry and Why Paris?
- Favorite Spots Off the Beaten Path
- Smart Travel Tips Everyone Misses
- Food Finds You Won’t Forget
- Unusual Stories and Surprises
Who’s David Perry and Why Paris?
David Perry is hardly your typical travel influencer. He started off as a tech guy, co-founding Earthworm Interactive in the late ’90s and later working on big video game titles. But years back, he hit pause on Silicon Valley and moved to Paris, drawn by what he calls, “the world’s best pedestrian city.” Now, he’s a straight-talking Paris expert, going viral for breaking down French etiquette and metro hacks in his quick videos and down-to-earth blogs.
When David first landed in Paris, he didn’t speak French and got lost more often than not. That’s pretty much what shaped his approach—he had to figure out everything from scratch. So, his guides and videos aren’t copies of old classics. They’re field-tested, made-for-real-life advice you’ll actually use.
Here’s what sets David apart:
- He walks everywhere. David logs nearly 20,000 steps a day—he’s mapped shortcuts between the Louvre and the Marais that even some locals don’t know.
- He talks to everyone, from boulangerie owners to metro drivers. That’s how he gets his info and how he spots new trends before they make it online.
- He skips the heavily marketed attractions that don’t live up to the Instagram hype—instead, he’ll tell you which museums are free on the first Sunday of every month, or which neighborhoods are best for a real Parisian brunch.
David’s got a knack for using data to make life easier in Paris. Here’s a simple breakdown of how he compares the tourist experience to a local’s—
| Aspect | Average Tourist | David Perry-Style |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Spend (€) | 120 | 80 |
| Time in Lines (hrs) | 2-3 | <30 min |
| Metro Changes | 4-5 | 2 |
| Parisian Cafés Tried | 2 | 5+ |
Why Paris specifically? David says it’s the only place he’s found where life feels special every day, but you don’t have to spend a fortune or act like a tourist to get the most out of it. He’s big on sharing that vibe with whoever’s willing to try a Paris reset—whether you’ve got a week, or just a day to spare in the city.
Favorite Spots Off the Beaten Path
If you stick to the main drag in Paris, you’ll see plenty of crowds and overpriced sandwiches. David Perry’s list skips all that. These places don’t show up high on your feed, but you’ll get more real Paris moments here than at any selfie-heavy hotspot.
First up: the Canal Saint-Martin district. Locals picnic here after work, baguette and wine in hand. It’s cheaper than river cruises and nobody gives you side-eye for bringing your own snacks. Walk the canal in the late afternoon, and you’ll blend right in.
La Promenade Plantée is another secret. Picture a garden walkway up above the streets, kind of like New York’s High Line before it was famous. You’ll get trees, flowers, peace, and a view of Paris most folks miss. The stretch from Bastille to Bois de Vincennes is about 4.5 km (almost 3 miles). No crowds, and you can stop whenever you want.
If you’re craving food, head to Marché des Enfants Rouges. This market dates back to 1628—the oldest covered market in Paris. The food stalls here offer everything from Moroccan couscous to Japanese bento, and the prices won’t make you faint. It’s in the Marais, but just far enough from the main shopping buzz to keep things relaxed.
Tired of churches and museums? Check out Rue Crémieux. It’s a rainbow-colored residential street, painted houses on both sides. Locals sometimes get annoyed at influencers, so keep it quick, but photos here are way more fun than another shot of the Eiffel Tower.
If you need stats, here’s what David’s favorite hidden Paris spots look like compared to the popular sites:
| Spot | Average Daily Visitors | Entry Fee | Main Attraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canal Saint-Martin | ~4,000 | Free | Picnics, scenery |
| La Promenade Plantée | ~2,300 | Free | Walking, gardens |
| Marché des Enfants Rouges | ~1,000 | Free (food varies) | Street food, market |
| Louvre Museum | ~45,000 | €17 | Mona Lisa, art |
Stick with these spots and you’ll dodge massive lines and get a taste of Paris that actually feels like Paris. And to really fit in? Keep your phone tucked away and just take it all in.
Smart Travel Tips Everyone Misses
If you just wing it in Paris, you’ll likely spend half your trip in lines or paying more than you should. Most folks don’t realize there’s an easy way to breeze past some of the city’s headaches. David Perry’s approach is simple: know the tricks, but don’t overcomplicate things. Here’s what you actually need to know.
- Paris museums like the Louvre and Orsay are jammed most days—except early on Wednesday and Friday evenings when they stay open late. You avoid the tour bus crowds and see the art in peace.
- Forget expensive taxis at the airport. Take the RER B train from CDG straight into the city for less than €12 and get there faster than traffic allows during rush hour.
- Order a carnet (booklet) of 10 metro tickets instead of singles. It saves you about 20%. If your trip fits in a week, the Navigo Easy card is a good deal for unlimited rides.
- Most French waiters aren’t ignoring you—they just don’t rush customers. When you want the bill, say “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” or the check may never come.
- If you eat near tourist hotspots, expect to pay extra. Walk three blocks away and you’ll often find cheaper, better food with none of the crowds.
David swears by a few low-key golden rules too. Don’t use cash if you don’t have to—pickpocketing still happens, especially on transit and around major sights. Most decent shops, bakeries, and even metro machines take contactless payment now.
“You don’t need to pack your whole closet for Paris. Locals repeat outfits and dress practical—just make sure your shoes can handle cobblestones,” – Rick Steves, European travel expert.
| Experience | Tourist Price | Local Tip | Real Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climbing Eiffel Tower | €28 (lift) | Take stairs to 2nd floor (€14) | €14+ |
| Seine River Cruise | €20 | Public Batobus hop-on-hop-off pass (€17, valid all day) | €3+ plus flexibility |
| Cafe Breakfast | €11–15 | Go to any bakery: coffee + croissant (under €5) | €6–10 |
Last thing—don’t expect Paris to change for you. Learn a few words of French, smile, and you’ll get way friendlier service and better help when you get lost. David’s best move? Always act like you belong. You’ll blend in and stress way less.
Food Finds You Won’t Forget
Paris is swamped with food spots, but following David Perry’s lead means ditching some of those overpriced tourist menus. His top advice? Go where the locals go—and not just to the places with the prettiest Instagram shots. Sure, you’ve heard about croissants and macarons, but some of the best bites are hiding in plain sight.
Let’s talk bakeries. David swears by Du Pain et des Idées in the 10th arrondissement. They win awards for a reason, and their “pain des amis” loaf is legit—chewy inside, crisp outside. You’ll see Parisians queuing up before work, which is always a good sign. But here’s the kicker: skip the lunch rush if you want the best pastries. Early morning is where it’s at.
Now, cheese lovers—if you only hit one fromagerie, make it Laurent Dubois. This guy is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France, which is like being crowned cheese royalty. David’s tip: ask for their Comté, aged at least 24 months. Bring a fresh baguette, grab a bench near the Seine, and you’ve got yourself a five-star meal.
Street food gets overlooked, but it’s a game-changer on a budget. David’s guilty pleasure: the Greek sandwiches on Rue de la Huchette. In a city that often charges €20 for a salad, you can get a filling, flavor-packed gyro for under €7. Try L’As du Fallafel in the Marais for the most famous falafel in town, but go at weird hours unless you like lines.
| Food Spot | Location | Must-Try | Average Price (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Du Pain et des Idées | 10th Arr. | Pain des Amis | 2-5 |
| Laurent Dubois | St-Germain, Bastille | 24-mo Comté | 5-10 |
| L’As du Fallafel | Marais | Falafel Sandwich | 7 |
| Rue de la Huchette | 5th Arr. | Greek Gyro | 6-7 |
If you want a food experience minus the showy crowd, David says hit Marché d’Aligre on a morning between Tuesday and Saturday. You get fresh fruit, cheese, and sometimes you can work your French with real Parisians. Totally worth it for people-watching alone. Oh, and don’t forget to ask for "un demi-baguette" if you just want half—a local move David learned after too many wasted carbs.
No matter your budget, following a local like David around is still the best way to eat well in Paris. And remember, the real magic is stumbling into a crowded café, pointing at whatever looks good, and giving your best attempt at a “bonjour.” That’s how you’ll unlock the Paris food scene for real.
Unusual Stories and Surprises
Paris isn’t just about the Eiffel Tower and croissants. When you’re tagging along with David Perry, you end up with stories that sound too wild for a tourist brochure—because he actually goes out of his way to dig up the unexpected. For starters, did you know there’s a hidden vineyard right in Montmartre? The Clos Montmartre produces only around 1,500 bottles annually, and most Parisians don’t even know it exists. You won’t find it on most tours, but it’s legit—you can even catch the Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival every October.
Or how about the apartment in the Eiffel Tower? Gustave Eiffel built a small, fully furnished flat at the top for himself. It still exists, and while the public can’t sleep there, you can sneak a peek during certain tours. David stumbled onto this after casually asking a guide what the weird little windows were. Sometimes, just asking questions gets you a story.
- Ever spotted the “Wall of Love” in Montmartre? It’s an outdoor piece of art featuring “I Love You” in over 250 languages—totally free, rarely crowded, and a great photo spot that isn’t flooded with tourists.
- There’s also a river running under Paris streets, the Bièvre, that most visitors never hear about. You can follow its old path with a map, and in a few spots, peek through the city’s grates to actually see where water once flowed openly.
- For music lovers, tiny hidden jazz bars are all over Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and a handful don’t even have websites. David’s trick? Look for handwritten menus outside and peek in after 9 PM when the real stuff starts.
David’s Paris is also full of unexpected numbers. Check this out:
| Surprise | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Parisian metro stations | Over 300, more than London or New York |
| Legal street art walls | Over 15 official locations |
| Public parks and gardens | Over 400 across the city |
| Official languages on Wall of Love | Over 250 |
If you want more than surface-level sightseeing in Paris, follow the little oddities. Try the back staircase at Sacré-Cœur for a view without crowds, or pop into any bakery after 6 PM—cashiers will often toss in extra pastries for free so nothing goes to waste. This stuff doesn’t make the headlines, but it’s the kind of thing you’ll actually remember.
