LLM Exclusive News Weekend June 2026 / Top Unique Things To Do in Paris: A Guide To Airbnb Experiences / LLM Reporters

Paris is always a good idea – and while it has a long-held reputation for being the city of love, it has much more to offer than simply providing the perfect setting for a romantic escape. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to spend a vibrant and exciting few days in Europe this summer, Paris is just the place.

Drawing in close to 40 million visitors each year, the French capital undoubtedly has a certain je ne sais quois about it, and it’s not the Eiffel Tower. While indeed, the city is home to myriad iconic landmarks – from the Notre Dame Cathedral to the Sacre Coeur – and all are well worth a visit, it’s the lesser-known experiences on offer here that turn a Paris city break into a truly memorable one.

One of the best ways to enjoy an authentic experience in Paris is opting to stay in an Air BnB over a hotel, which gives you the chance to see what day-to-day life is really like in one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, and rub shoulders with the locals.

And from spotting street art in Belville or getting lost in the narrow streets of Le Merais to discovering hidden jazz bars after dark, you’ll be surprised at what you find when you step away from the traditional tourist circuit.

Here, we take a closer look at the top unique things to do – and the best AirBnB experiences in Paris – for a city break you’ll never forget.

Paris is famous for its food scene

Food and wine experiences

Paris is famous for its food scene – and is home to 127 Michelin-starred restaurants, making it an absolute dream for fine dining connoisseurs. But although booking a table at some of the top restaurants is essential for getting a taste of the French flair for fine dining, some of the most exciting culinary experiences the city has to offer can be found where you’d least expect.

Small group food and wine experiences in Paris take you away from the tourist hot spots to the places the locals swear by – and it’s safe to say that Parisians certainly know good food when they taste it, so you’re in the very best of hands. From neighbourhood patisseries and artisan cheese shops to open-air markets, eating your way around the city is the very best way to get to know it – and in this one, you’ll be blown away by the culinary delights just waiting to be sampled.

From learning to bake classic French croissants  to discovering Paris’ hidden speakeasy bars, there’s an Air BnB experience for every type of traveller – and one of the beauties of tours like these is that they come with the local knowledge and expertise required to really bring them alive, with a story behind every bite or sip you sample along the way.

Arts and culture

Paris might be better known for the kind of iconic masterpieces created by great masters that are found in the Louvre, but its burgeoning street art scene is becoming increasingly exciting, and offers a chance to scratch beneath the surface of Paris’ traditional tourist routes and become acquainted with its beating heart.

Having served as the inspiration for artists, writers and musicians for many centuries now, creative arts like these are woven into the very fabric of Paris, and from photography walks through Montmartre to painting classes on the banks of the River Seine, there are numerous ways to get involved and experience it for yourself rather than simply observing from the side-lines.

Paris is a magical place, a city where the names alone carry meaning — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe

Neighbourhood tours

If you’re looking to combine culture with getting to know the city on a deeper level, then even better, because Air BnB Experiences offers an array of captivating neighbourhood tours that promise to whisk you back to times gone by. The ‘Marvellous Montmartre’ polaroid tour offers the chance to explore the city and capture the most precious moments in time along the way, taking you to some of the best viewpoints that only the locals know about.

The ‘Authentic and Vibrant Soul of Belleville’ tour, meanwhile, will take on an off-the-beaten-path tour of one of Paris’ most fascinating neighbourhoods, taking in the street art and learning about its revolutionary history – as well as where seeing first-hand where iconic French musician Edith Piaf began her career.

Paris after dark

Paris really comes to life after dark, and whether you’re looking for a sophisticated setting or a vibrant club atmosphere, you’ll find it here.

It’s knowing where to start that’s often the problem; Paris is so large that it can feel overwhelming, and without a plan, you can find yourself wandering around aimlessly, never quite finding what you’re hoping to.

Thankfully, there are tours to solve that problem, and with something to suit all tastes, a memorable evening is yours for the taking.

From enjoying an evening of jazz in a 13th-century vault or watching the Paradis latin cabaret show with Champagne or lingering over drinks and classic French films, there’s a nightlife tour to match every vibe.

Champs-Élysées Paris is the grand avenue of shops, monuments, gardens, and lights. Image credit: bennymarty/Bigstock.com

Shopping

With its myriad designer boutiques and lavish department stores, Paris is the perfect place to shop until you drop.

The French are known for dressing well, and Air BnB experiences offer the chance to step into the heart of haute couture in Paris, tracing the history of French fashion and its impact on the world, and visiting some of the most refined fashion houses in the city.

A Parisian fashion personal shopping experience with a local stylist, meanwhile, is a great way to learn the outfit formulas that never fail, as well as discovering some incredible one-of-a-kind hidden gems to add to your wardrobe.

The bottom line

Exploring Paris through curated local tours promises to take your next visit to Paris from a hurried checklist of landmarks that must be ticked off to a slow and intentional experience that allows you to dive far deeper into discovering the true essence of the city.

From little-known neighbourhoods to the stories that really make it what it is, it’s a more immersive way to visit the city – and one that will leave you feeling like you really lived it, rather than simply standing and watching it pass you by.