How to enjoy Paris like a local

Visitors may not know that many of Paris's major museums and cultural centers offer art workshops, performances and concerts for individuals of all ages as well as families. No worries if your French is basic or defunct, ateliers are hands-on and musical events require only ears.

The Musée d'Orsay's lunchtime (12:30 p.m.) and evening concerts correspond with current exhibitions to illuminate cross-disciplinary influences. On the French website (not all events are listed on the site in English), a list of shows for Fall 2017 includes a dance recital animating a Degas painting and a recreation of the dances of Isadora Duncan to live music.

At the Palais de Tokyo, families can participate in creative hands-on workshops or just drop off the kids for two hours of fun with their Parisian counterparts while adults explore the collection.