Magical, quirky Parisian nights?

December 20, 2012 7:45 AM

Where to go and what to do in Paris this weekend? Good ways to meet people when in town for just a couple of nights?

Gonna be in Paris on Saturday and Sunday nights this coming weekend. Would like to get out and have some fun those nights, meet people if possible. Any suggestions? Should note that i am not really a club person or anything like that. Wouldn't mind catching a show someplace low key or finding a bar with friendly people. Have you found any quaint little oaises tucked away somewhere? I have been to paris enough times that I am kinda over the touristy stuff . . .

posted by thesnowyslaps to Travel & Transportation around Paris, France (5 answers total)

I've always had great luck popping into whatever place looked interesting. When walking around the left bank, I usually find folks who want to invite me for coffee to talk. I also have one of those faces, people just naturally approach.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:57 AM on December 20, 2012

Chartier is always a good place to meet people, seeing as how you have to share a dinner table with them. And the food is good and cheap.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:49 AM on December 20, 2012 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I'm a classical musician, so my tastes may not be quite what you're looking for. But if I were going to be in Paris this weekend I would walk around some of the major churches in the Latin Quarter and Ile de la Cité. (Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Saint-Séverin, Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, Saint-Étienne-du-Monde, Saint-Sulpice...) and I'd check to see what they've got going on this weekend. It's a huge weekend for classical music, and you can probably catch a pretty amazing performance. It is hit and miss though. The last two times I've been to Paris, there hasn't been anything that I've really wanted to see/hear. But I heard Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers in Notre-Dame when I was younger, and it was a truly magical experience. It's also a nice way to experience a location that is otherwise hugely touristy, since for the concert it'll be evening and closed off and you wont have a bunch of gawkers wandering about.
posted by jph at 8:53 AM on December 20, 2012 [4 favorites]

Good ways to meet people when in town for just a couple of nights?

Couchsurfing.org & meetup.com.
posted by travelwithcats at 2:11 PM on December 20, 2012 [2 favorites]

It is also noting that I've been very intrigued by Rosa Bonheur, but have yet to have a chance to scope it out. It looks like they're keeping the bohemian dream alive over there, but I couldn't tell you if that's an accurate assessment or not.
posted by jph at 9:42 AM on December 21, 2012