By Phil Chavanne

Everyone will memorize something personal about Paris. I thought it would be a rich idea to start writing a brand new series of articles in which I would offer each time a motley of ideas: obscure sites to see, off-the-wall museums to visit, quaint shops to shop at, and other things to do (for free or for money) in Paris. Starting now!

Here is the second article in this series.

The Green Miles

That's something so peculiar you won't want to miss it. On top of the remnants of what used to be an inner railroad line, the City authorities have developed a 3-mile walkway which links the Bastille square to the Vincennes Woods, along the Daumesnil Avenue. Halfway between Bastille and Vincennes, the Reuilly Gardens offer a nice halt. There is no such walkway in any city I have ever visited. Access it from the "Bastille" subway station. You can see a few views of it at paris-eiffel-tower-news.com

Organ Music Anyone?

Notre Dame Cathedral is not just an awesome medieval work of art. Every Sunday at 4:30 PM the official organ player of the Cathedral sits at his keyboard, and fills the enormous structure with sounds from outer space. Anyone who attended these concerts will tell you that religious music takes a whole new meaning in this sanctified place. Goosebumps guaranteed. Notre Dame Cathedral is located on the Cite Island, at the Cite metro station. There is more about it on my Paris guide paris-eiffel-tower-news.com.

Bagdad Cafe in Paris

There is the arch-famous Bagdad Cafe on Route 66 (I ate there twice, yes!), and there is the much less famous but very lively Bagdad Cafe in Paris. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 9:00 pm the place is taken over by fans of gipsy jazz players (Django Reinhardt style) and French pop singers. Live music and drinks at reasonable prices, what better way to kill an evening? The address is 22 rue au Maire, in the 3rd district, near the "Arts et Metiers" metro station.

Free Couscous for All

The "La Cordonnerie" restaurant offers a nice, free couscous to its patrons every Saturday night at 9:0

0 pm. A simple principle: order a drink (less than 5 euros), and you get the couscous. At that price, it's a steal. People know it, they flock to the place, and there is very little room available. The restaurant is located at 142 rue Saint Denis, near the "Etienne Marcel" subway station.

British and Celt Rock in Paris

In 30 years from now, people will talk about the Guinness Rock Tavern as this mythic British bar where to listen to live rock music while downing a Guinness Stout. A new band every night will entertain you from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am. I am still so thankful I didn't live right above the place! Take the subway to the "Chatelet" station, and walk northwards to 31 bis rue des Lombards. That's the place where it's loud.

Each of these Parisian spots will spice up your trip to Paris. I often recommend the subscribers of Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com to get out of their comfort zone to soak in uncommon sights and bring them back home. Paris is best visited in a free-spirited way, outside the 'channels' built by travel guides. Not that the circuits they offer are uninteresting. But having lived some 25+ years in the French capital, I personally believe (and my friend photographer Angel Sanguinetti is of the same opinion) that there is a lot more to Paris than just the regular course served by reference guides. I urge you to try and dare new things. It will be more rewarding, and you will be in a position to recommend your own friends new best ways to discover Paris!

Submitted By Phil Chavanne

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