Paris ,considered the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with history and  vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. And not surprisingly, it is the most popular tourist destination in the world.And a trip to Paris is synonymous with a visit to theEiffel Tower.And the routine that includes Louvre , Disneyland etc. But here is an alternative way to see the less-frequented[by tourists] spots and capture the essence of the place like a local.

• Start your day at the Promenade Plantee .Locals call it La Coulee Verte. An early morning high rise jog along this elevated railway-turned-park is an off-kilter, locals-only treat (Avenue Daumesnil, 12th).

• Head north from here to browse the Chinese groceries and North African stores in grungy, groovy Belleville.There are artists working here, mostly in and around the Place St. Marthe, with the laundry dangling from windows and throbbing African music pouring onto the streets. You can find some great food at decent prices .Check out the casual Bistrot Le Sainte Marthe at 32 rue Sainte Marthe, 10th.

• Walk off the lunch by strolling around the Cimitiere de Montparnasse, look for Maupassant, Baudelaire and Serge Gainsbourg at 3 boulevard Edgar Quinet, 14th - apparently people leave cigarette packets on his headstone !

• Trot over to Paris’ Mosquee afterwards for a reviving thimbleful of sweet mint tea at a wobbly metal table; brave souls can even plan a session in the onsite hammam at 36 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 5th.

• End the day with a swoony detour to Place des Vosges - the square itself, in the heart of the Marais, is quite famous. Less so is what you find when you head through the tiny door in the southwestern corner: it leads to the gorgeous, tucked-away gardens of the Hotel de Sully – hands down one of the most romantic corners of the city.

Finally congratulate yourself for seeing the famous city's local sights :)
There is certainly more than Eiffel to Paris!!

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