To be a visitor of a beloved city, such as Paris, and try to experience it as a local is a near impossible feat. Aside from the fact that my French needs years of immersion, to understand what it feels like, how a day unfolds, the opportunities that rest in plain day but go only recognizable to a long-time local of a place, cannot be acquired at speed.

However, one way to at least attempt to see Paris through a local’s eyes, granted a local that may have done quite well for themselves, is to spend some time in the 16th arrondissement. Resting on the edge of Paris and including the Roland Garros tennis park which hosts the French Open each May/June, it also is where one of the two lungs of Paris as they are coined is found as well.

Since my days in Paris bookended my trip this past March, with three days upon arrival and five prior to departure, I wanted to enjoy a weekday in the 16th. Happening to be my first full day in Paris, I had made reservations for breakfast at a brasserie that I now look forward to visiting again whether it be for breakfast, lunch or dinner, as I had such a wonderful experience, mapped out how to get my two-mile morning walk in as I would normally do in Bend with my pups, and then made sure to finally visit a museum that has been on my list to see for years.

Let’s take a look at the three things that made up a most enjoyable and nourishing in a variety of ways morning in Paris’ 16th arrondissement.

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La Rotonde de la Muette Brasserie/Restaurant

Lush gold velet banquettes. Brass rails and varying floor elevations to offer better vantage points as well as tucked away nooks. Wood paneled walls create an intimate, warm atmosphere where locals meet to begin their day, business folk pause the workday and the day’s conclusion is assured to be delicious and vivacious.

Located on the corner of Boulevard Émilie Augier and Chausée de la Muette, the latter of which is what you walk along that will take you to the next two destinations on my morning itinerary, the brasserie’s entrance boosts a wrap-around terrasse surely bustling in warming weather, and then you step into a dining establishment that feels both posh and casual at the same time.

While I have a feeling the locals don’t need reservations, rest your mind and make one, because while I arrived early – 7:30, and only one patron had preceded me, by the time 8:30 rolled around, the place was full, and it primarily seemed to be locals beginning their day with equally as many personal rendezvous as professional. A lot of black was worn by all.

Enjoying a simple breakfast, but all the more special as it was a French croissant and omelette, I whiled away about an hour or more, sipping my tea, reading my book and devouring my food, but wanting to linger to if nothing else, simply observe a day beginning in Paris.

Bois de Boulogne

As many TSLL readers know, a day begins well for me if I am able to go for a nice walk surrounded by Mother Nature. And while Nelle couldn’t join me on this walk, I sought out Bois de Boulogne for both my daily exercise and to discover this local place to walk (lots of dogs were with their owners – some on leash, others wandering near them), jog, bike or make your way through on your way to work.

It is about a two-mile lap around Lac Supérieur and Lac Inférieur, which to my eye, well, I will let you take a look at the map, is a misnomer regarding their sizes. I must be missing something 🙃. As you will see in the video below (5 minutes), I make the entire loop, but there is so much more to this park than just these lakes (be sure to take a look at that map to grasp the full size). I neglected to make my way to the Roland Garros stadium as I would have loved to have seen Rafael Nadal’s new statue, as the grounds for this annual tennis event sits on the southern edge of the park/woods. All the more reason to return each time I come to Paris.

Visit this detailed guide to learn the history of the woods/park and about the two Michelin starred restaurants located on the premises.

TOP Tier Members have become familiar with one feature each month in the A Cuppa Moments videos – a few minutes taking a walk with my pups, and while of course, I was on my own while in Paris, there is one pup towards the end of this video enjoying their morning constitutional. I enjoyed saying hello to a few other pups along my morning exercise outing on this day as well. This excursion nourished me in so many ways, especially as it was just 18 hours after I had landed, therefore helping to ease jet lag. The weather was pristine as you will notice, the time of day around 9am, seeming to be a taste of the spring to come. Let’s take a walk in Paris, shall we, a slightly different walk than most often enjoyed in the City of Light? ☺️

Musée Marmottan Monet

The timing worked out beautifully, as the museum opened at 10am. While you can pre-purchase your tickets, you can also just purchase them at the entrance which is what I did.

Finally having the opportunity to visit Musée Marmottan Monet which houses the most Monet’s on permanent exhibit in the world surpassed any hopes I might have had, and I share in my post here, it is a wonderful way to savor the present while stepping back into the past through his gaze at Mother Nature.

Earlier this week during French Week, I shared a detailed post of my visit to Musée Marmottan Monet – photos with details of most of the paintings both of Claude Monet’s work and Berthe Morisot, each of whom have a permanent exhibit, and I also take you into the museum to view Monet’s work via a video tour. Have a look at that post here.

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I had other places I wanted to explore in the 16th during my trip, as there are antique shops and other destinations well worth more time, and you are right next to the Trocadero!. However, this was a fantastic and most memorable introduction into an arrondissement I have only just begun to explore.

A note about what else is located here: You will find many consulates and diplomats living in this part of Paris, so there are quite a few unmarked government vehicles driving about. My taxi driver pointed out to me which license plates were government or consulate issued, which made it all the more fascinating to be in this part of Paris. In fact, as you walk to Bois de Boulogne, you will walk by the consulate of Monaco and others, nestled inconspicuously in the neighborhood where Monet’s museum is found. Fascinating, truly fascinating. I encourage you to visit the 16e during your next trip to Paris.

Until then, be sure to stop back by TSLL in 12 hours as the 3rd giveaway will be announced, and this one is valued at over $250. Dreams of Provence? You won’t want to miss this one. (explore becoming a TOP Tier Member so that you can enter!)

Explore all of the Posts Shared during TSLL’s 10th Annual French Week