Paris is one the most visited cities in the world…. for good reason. It is a major European metropolis for fashion and art. It’s impossible not to fall in love with its opulent architecture, historic museums, astonishing artwork, delicious food, luxe shopping, and charming atmosphere. What I adore about Paris is that each time you visit, you can always find something new to be enthralled with.
Currency: Euro (€)
Credit cards are widely accepted, but I do recommend carrying a small amount of cash.
Best Time To Visit:
There’s no perfect time of year to visit Paris. It is truly wonderful year round. The city will see an influx of tourism and spike in flight and accommodation prices during summer months. For the optimum weather, I would recommend traveling during the spring or fall season.
Language: French
English is widely spoken throughout the city.
Traveling To Paris:
Paris has two international airports: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) & Orly Airport (ORY)
Both Uber and public transportation are options available at each airport. If you’re traveling from CDG, you’ll hop onto the RER train and head to central Paris where you will be able transfer to the Metro line in order to reach your final destination. ORY has a similar route: You’ll take the Orlyval shuttle train to the RER station, and again once transfer to the Metro line.
Getting Around:
Paris is easy to travel around thanks to the different means of transportation available.
In my opinion the best way to appreciate the city is on foot. Getting from one attraction to the other can require a 30-40 minute walk, but it gives visitors a chance to see what each neighborhood offers.
Uber: Uber is widely used throughout the city. Just make sure to give yourself ample time getting to your destination because traffic is common.
Metro: For swift transportation, opt for the city’s Metro. Doors open at 5:30 am and the last trains depart the station around 12:40 am Sunday – Thursday and until 2:15 am on Friday and Saturday. Each station should have a ticket window or automated ticket vending machines available in English.
Where To Stay: The Arrondissements
Paris is divided into 20 Arrondissements (i.e. neighborhoods/districts), each with its own unique personality. Each time I visit Paris, I’ve chosen to stay in a different arrondissement and what I’ve learned is that there isn’t a “perfect” location. It all depends what you’re looking for!
First-time visitors:
If this is your time visiting Paris, you’ll most likely want to be based centrally along the Seine and nearby tourist attractions. Les Halles (1st Arrondissement), one of the oldest districts, is a popular, centrally-built neighborhood home to the Louvre & Royal Palace. La Marais (4th Arrondissement) is known as the heart of medieval Paris and one of the most sought-out locations given its charming atmosphere with hip art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bars. The Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement) is a beloved neighborhood with a bustling nightlife filled with restaurants, bars, and jazz clubs. Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement) is the quintessential Parisian postcard neighborhood lined with cafes, side streets, and shopping. It is one of the most expensive and trendy neighborhoods in Paris today. Finally, the 7th & 8th Arrondissement are popular for its close vicinity to the Eiffel Tower with picture-perfect balcony-room views and luxury shopping on Champs-Élysées.
1st Arrondissement (Les Halles):
Luxury: Hotel Regina Louvre . Grand Hotel du Palais Royal . Hôtel Madame Rêve
Mid-Range: Hotel Brighton . Le Pradey
4th Arrondissement (Le Marais):
Luxury: Pavillon de la Reine . Sinner Paris
Mid-Range: Hôtel de JoBo . Hôtel Bourg Tibourg
5th Arrondissement (The Latin Quarter):
Luxury: Maison Colbert Member of Meliá Collection
Mid-Range: Grand Hotel Saint Michel . Hôtel Jardin de Cluny
6th Arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Prés):
Luxury: Hotel Luxembourg Parc
Mid-Range: Hotel Legend Saint Germain by Elegancia . Victoria Palace Hotel Paris
7th & 8th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower / Champs-Élysées):
Mid-Range: Hôtel San Régis . Hôtel La Comtesse . Hôtel Le Derby Alma Paris
Oppositely, if you’re looking for a more authentic, local experience or have been to Paris before then I recommend staying in the 9th, 11th, or 18th Arrondissement. The 9th Arrondissement is known for its entertainment and shopping – here you’ll find Palais Garnier, Paris’s Opera house, and high-end department stores. Bastille (11th Arrondissement) is a young, trendy neighborhood with upcoming restaurants and a hip nightlife. Montmartre (18th Arrondissement) is a romantic neighborhood a bit further outside of the city center with maze-like streets filled with chic cafes and a panoramic view of Paris.
9th Arrondissement:
11th Arrondissement (Bastille):
Moderate: Hotel Les Deux Girafes . Hôtel Gabriel Paris . Hotel Le Mareuil
18th Arrondisement (Montmartre):
Where To Eat:
One of the best parts of traveling and experiencing a new country is trying the authentic, local cuisine. When in Paris eat all the croissants, steak and frites, croque monsieur and croque madam sandwiches, pastries, quiches, escargot, and macaroons.
Hot Spots:
Carette Trocadero: located in the 16th Arrondissement by the Jardin du Trocadero – popular for pastries and delectable hot chocolate
Cafe de Flore: famous cafe on Boulevard Saint-Germain where many artists and philosophers once sat – now caterers to tourists
Les Deux Magots: another touristy cafe in Saint-Germain where Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway used as regular hangout spot
Cyril Lignac: arguably one of the best patisseries with multiple locations throughout Paris; it definitely stole my vote for the best croissant!
Laduree and Pierre Hereme: the hot spots for macaroons!
La Maison Rose: cozy, small restaurant on the Montmartre hill known popular for its pink, instagrammable outdoor walls
Le Consulat: dates back to the 19th century – one of the most Instagram-famous cafes in Paris known for its famous patrons including Van Gogh, Picasso, and Monet
Dinner:
Pink Mamma: an Instagram-worthy Italian restaurant with aesthetic goals. It is extremely popular among young tourists, so I definitely recommend making a reservation in advance. Make sure to order the truffle pasta!
Girafe: ($$) seafood menu with a beautiful ambiance and an unobstructed, jaw-dropping view of the Eiffel Tower
KONG: ($$) Asian fusion dining beneath a chic class dome on the top floor of a Haussmann building in the 1st Arrondissement. Personally, this place felt extremely pretentious. The food was served in small portions and overpriced, but the people watching and views are epic. *Try to go around sunset.
Le Train Bleu: ($$) located in the Gare de Lyon station, this restaurant was designed by French architect Marius Toudoire and originally opened in 1901 to host the elite and wealthy for a buffet meal before their train ride to the French Riviera. It now serves as an iconic restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Alcazar: trendy restaurant in Saint-Germain with a friendly atmosphere and flowery garden-like interior
Le Relais de l’Entrecote: French steakhouse with locations in Montparnasse & Saint-Germain famous for its tender sirloin steak and delicious home-made french fries
Bambini: new, trendy Italian restaurant located at the Palais de Tokyo with fun, embellished decor
Poulette Restaurant: small, traditional bistro with classic French cooking
Mun: ($$) mix of Asian and French cuisine served on a terrace overlooking Champs-Elysées
CoCo: ($$$) chic and elegant restaurant with bold decor located just outside Palais Garnier
What To Do:
Paris has so many attractions, it is almost impossible to accomplish it all in just a few days. One things for certain: If you choose to keep your days here busy, you will find plenty of ways to fill it up! Here’s a list of the city’s top attractions:
1. Eiffel Tower
No trip to Paris would be complete without spending time appreciating this dreamy structure. My absolute favorite thing to do in Paris is to bring a bottle of wine (or two), a blanket, and snacks and sit in the grass to appreciate the view. I highly recommend going at sunset, but you can enjoy this any time of day. If you’re looking for iconic photos, the Trocadéro is one of the best places to get that picture-perfect Eiffel Tower shot. Other epic locations are Rue de l’Universite, Avenue de Camoens and Avenue de New York. If it’s your first time in Paris, then I suggest spending the money and climbing to the top of the tower for epic city views. And, don’t forget to watch it sparkle at night!
2. Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées
Walk along Avenue des Champs-Élysées for luxury shopping and at its western end you will find the Arc de Triomphe. The iconic monument was commissioned by Napoleon as a tribute for those who died for France during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Its walls bear the names of battles and generals. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Another beautiful way to see the city from above is to climb the stairs to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and admire a gorgeous view of Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower.
3. Sacré Coeur Basilica in Montmartre
The district of Montmartre is located in the 18th arrondissement, far north from the city center. It is known for once inhabiting famous artists, including Picasso. In its maze of cobbled streets and ivy-clad houses, you will find the famous Moulin Rouge burlesque club and chic cafes like La Maison Rose and Le Consulat. Climbing the hill to the basilica is a heart-pounder, but once you’ve reached this top, you’ll be admiring one of the best views of the city!
4. Cathédrale Notre-Dame
This iconic medieval Catholic cathedral is located on the Île de la Cité in the 4th Arrondissement. The church remains closed to the public while under construction due to the catastrophic fire in April 2019. French officials claim the church will be ready to reopen in December 2024, but you can still appreciate its beauty from afar!
5. Printemps Haussmann Rooftop & Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann
Take a break from shopping and grab a seat at this French department store with a rooftop cocktail bar and restaurant giving panoramic views of Paris. When you’re re-energized, just down the street is Galeries Lafayette, the largest department store in France, where you’ll find renowned high-end shopping in this dome-shaped iconic architectural structure. Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann also has a terrace on the 8th floor free to guests where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the capital.
6. Palais Garner
Palais Garnier is Paris’s national opera house. This opulent 19th-century building is known for its embellished interiors and astounding performances. To take a tour costs 14€ and is well worth the price.
7. Luxembourg Gardens
Positioned on the border between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, this garden is a beautiful place to slow down and wander through. On most days, you’ll find local Parisians playing chess, reading a book, and taking their children for a ride on the carousels.
8. Explore the Museums: The Louvre & more…
Paris boasts over one hundred museums filled with well-preserved art and culture. The world famous Louvre showcases thousands of medieval artwork including the Mona Lisa (if you ask me, a bit overrated). Make sure to buy your tickets in advance or you could potentially get stuck waiting for hours in line. Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, Musée Rodin, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and Musée Yves Saint Laurent are just some of the most sought-out museums for visitors.
9. Palais Royal (Royal Palace)
The Royal Palace is situated right across from the Louvre in the center of Paris’s historic district and is often overlooked by visitors. Today it’s the home of France’s Constitutional Council and of the Ministry of Culture. Its gardens, located across from the northwest wing of the Louvre, on Rue Saint-Honoré remain open to the public and are a great place to relax on a beautiful, sunny day.
10. Speakeasy Tour
Find out where Paris’s speakeasys are located on this walking tour provided by Airbnb. It’s a unique way to spend the night in some of the not-so touristy neighborhoods that you probably would have never ventured out to. Some of my favorite stops were Mezcaleria, Bar Sotto, L’Epeceir, Rehab, and Candelaria.
11. Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is located about one hour from Paris by car or train. Expect to spend most of the morning and afternoon walking through this luxurious residence filled with exquisite artwork while learning about French history. The palace was the last royal residence of the French monarchy until 1789, when revolutionaries stormed its gates. King Louis XVI & Queen Marie Antoinette were both imprisoned and eventually put to death by guillotine.
12. Panthéon
The Panthéon was initially built as a church and dedicated to Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, to glorify the French monarchy. During the French Revolution its purpose has alternated between religious and patriotic. Eventually it was renamed the Pantheon and has most recently become a mausoleum for famous French citizens.
13. Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel) is a French Gothic style church built on Île de la Cité in the mid 13th century. The church was used to house some of the objects presumed to have been used in the crucifixion of Christ such as the Crown of Thorns. It is the finest royal chapel built in France and displays an astonishing collection of stained-glass windows.
14. Take a stroll along the Seine River
During your walking tour of Paris, don’t miss the opportunity to walk along the Seine. During the summertime, locals bring food and drinks here to watch boats sail along. Pont des Arts in the 6th arrondissement is the most popular spot to hang out and people watch.
15. Montparnasse Tower
South of the city center, the neighborhood of Montparnasse falls mainly in the 14th Arrondissement. Within this district is The Montparnasse Tower, the tallest and only skyscraper in central Paris. It contains an observation deck on the 56th floor and an open air roof deck on the 59th floor. Despite the modern, office-building feel, the neighborhood gives off a local-Parisian feel and the view is arguably the best in town of the Eiffel Tower.
16. See a Caberet Show: Moulin Rouge or Crazy Horse
Cabarets are one of the most iconic things to do in Paris at night. If you are looking for a typical Parisian cabaret filled with cancan dancers and a lively atmosphere, then opt for Moulin Rouge, the most famous show in Paris. If you prefer a more sensual and erotic show made up of exclusively women, then Crazy Horse is the place to be!
