Exploring Paris in November is Surprisingly Fun

I spent my bonus day in Paris wandering around the city—no pressure, no tickets to a must-see museum, no plans, really.

It was surprisingly enjoyable despite the greyish weather and the early sunset.

The day before, I surveyed my siblings and their partners to find out about their favourite spot in Paris. All of them are “Rive Gauche” people, the historically bohemian and counterculture part of the city—sounds about right, we’re not “Rive Droite” or right-wing anything in the family.

I like Rive Gauche too. Avenue de Choisy is my to-go place for great Chinese or Vietnamese takeout, I like to imagine an alternative life as a student in one of Paris’ prestigious high schools and universities around the Panthéon in the Latin Quarter, and I quite enjoy Saint-Germain-des-Prés’ posh casualness.

But I’m sorry, my happy place is not on the left bank nor the right bank of the Seine River—it’s right in between, on any of Paris’ bridges—so many bridges, so many styles, and so many interesting walks along the river!

And if I’m being honest, my top spot is metres from River Gauche but definitely on Rive Droite—it’s Le Louvre, or more exactly the Pont des Arts or the Pont du Carrousel that takes me straight to the courtyards of the famous museum. I love the glass pyramid, the Jardin des Tuileries next door and the endless Rue de Rivoli. I don’t even visit Le Louvre most of the time. In fact, I haven’t been inside in ages because of the crazy lineups and sold-out tickets. But I love this neighbourhood of Paris where tourists from all over the world mix with posh Parisians and students on class trips. It’s a great place to hang out, day or night. Check it out, you won’t regret it.

So this is what Paris looks like in November!

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