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New Year, New You? Every January, after days, weeks or months of vice and indulgence, millions of us across the world set goals for self-improvement. From losing weight to smiling more, everyone has bad habits that they’d like to change. And yet so many of us give up in the end! In this post we’ll look at how a trip to Paris could help you put 5 of the most common New Year’s resolutions into practice:
1. Lose weight
We know what you’re thinking! French cuisine is hardly conducive to weight loss! True. But the idea that Parisians live exclusively off steak frites and foie gras is equally a myth.
In fact, healthy eating is all the rage these days in the French capital. Organic “bio” cafes specializing in gluten and lactose-free dishes, superfoods and smoothies are popping up all over the place. Popular chains include Cojean, Café Pinson and Strada Café, amongst others.
2. Get fit
Physical exercice – another daunting prospect at this time of year. But it doesn’t have to be! Paris is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in the world to jog in.
From the picturesque banks of the River Seine to the cobbled streets of the Marais and gorgeous Jardin du Luxembourg, your options are endless.
Fancy playing a team sport or staying indoors? Check our our article on Where to play sport in Paris.
Tennis in the Jardin du Luxembourg
3. Save Money
In Paris? Really? Yep. Whether you already live here or are coming for a few weeks or months, there are plenty of ways to economize in the French capital. Here are a few of them:
1) Don’t buy metro tickets individually. Get a 10-journey carnet (€16.90), a Paris visite pass for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days, or a Navigo for unlimited travel for 1 month (€75.20)
2) Don’t use taxis. They’re slow and overpriced. Public transport is cheaper and usually quicker. If you really must, use Uber to save money
3) Don’t eat out in the evenings. Many restaurants offer a set menu (formule) at lunchtime for a fraction of the price
The Paris Metro
4. Drink free tap water
Always ask for tap water (“eau du robinet”) in restaurants. Keep a water bottle on you to take advantage of the hundreds of drinking fountains across Paris. Click here to see them on a map
* If you want to go shopping, avoid the Marais and Champs-Élysées, which target rich tourists. Head to the flea markets instead, where you can grab all kinds of bargains. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Check out our full article on the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen.
* Don’t stay in hotels! If you’re staying in Paris for a week or longer, renting a furnished apartment is a cheaper and more comfortable option. It will also allow you to save on things like eating out, city taxes and laundry bills…
The Saint Ouen Flea Market
5. Learn something new
Depending on the goal you’ve set yourself, Paris could be the perfect place for you to learn a new skill or pick up something where you left off.
The French language, culture and literature courses offered at The Sorbonne University and L’Alliance Française come highly recommended. If cooking’s your goal, look no further than the City of Light. Iconic cookery schools, such as the École de Cuisine Alain Ducasse, Le Cordon Bleu and École Lenôtre (to name just a few), offer an award-winning range of professional courses, followed by tasting sessions of course!
So whether it’s for music, language, cooking, art history or launching a new career, Paris could be the perfect place to better yourself this year!
The Sorbonne University, Paris
6. Travel more
Tired of your corporate job and going through the same routine, day-in day-out? New Year’s resolutions aren’t all about punishing yourself!
The benefits of travel are well-documented. Traveling gives you purpose, perspective, new friends and knowledge. And Paris is no bad place to start! Whether it’s alone, with friends, as a family, to study or retrain, coming to stay in Paris brings joy to millions of people every year.
If you’re planning to stay for more than just a few days, renting an apartment will not only save you money; it will help to provide you with an authentic local experience! Click here to see our fabulous selection of furnished rental apartments.
There are, of course, all kinds of New Year’s resolutions that we choose to set ourselves. Quit smoking. Drink less. Forgive people. Read more. They’re all different. And yet they have one crucial thing in common. All of these resolutions require some kind of change. And a change of habit is best enabled through a change of setting!
We hope to hear from you soon! Happy New Year and good luck!
