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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nParis 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Currency: Euro (\u20ac)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Credit cards are widely accepted, but I do recommend carrying a small amount of cash.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Best Time To Visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Language: French<\/p>\n\n\n\n
English is widely spoken throughout the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nTraveling To Paris: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paris has two international airports: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) <\/strong>& Orly Airport<\/strong> (ORY)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Both Uber and public transportation are options available at each airport. If you’re traveling from CDG<\/strong>, 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<\/strong> has a similar route: You’ll take the Orlyval shuttle train to the RER station, and again once transfer to the Metro line.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Getting Around:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paris is easy to travel around thanks to the different means of transportation available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Uber<\/strong>: Uber is widely used throughout the city. Just make sure to give yourself ample time getting to your destination because traffic is common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Metro<\/strong>: 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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Where To Stay: The Arrondissements<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n First-time visitors:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/strong> (1st Arrondissement), one of the oldest districts, is a popular, centrally-built neighborhood home to the Louvre & Royal Palace. La Marais<\/strong> (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 <\/strong>(5th Arrondissement) is a beloved neighborhood with a bustling nightlife filled with restaurants, bars, and jazz clubs. Saint-Germain-des-Pr\u00e9s<\/strong> (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-\u00c9lys\u00e9es.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 1st Arrondissement (Les Halles):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luxury: Hotel Regina Louvre<\/a> . Grand Hotel du Palais Royal<\/a> . H\u00f4tel Madame R\u00eave<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mid-Range: Hotel Brighton<\/a> . Le Pradey<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 4th Arrondissement (Le Marais):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luxury: Pavillon de la Reine<\/a> . Sinner Paris<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mid-Range: H\u00f4tel de JoBo <\/a>. H\u00f4tel Bourg Tibourg<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 5th Arrondissement (The Latin Quarter):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luxury: Maison Colbert Member of Meli\u00e1 Collection<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mid-Range: Grand Hotel Saint Michel<\/a> . H\u00f4tel Jardin de Cluny<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 6th Arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Pr\u00e9s):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luxury: Hotel Luxembourg Parc<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mid-Range: Hotel Legend Saint Germain by Elegancia<\/a> . Victoria Palace Hotel Paris<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 7th & 8th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower \/ Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mid-Range: H\u00f4tel San R\u00e9gis<\/a> . H\u00f4tel La Comtesse<\/a> . H\u00f4tel Le Derby Alma Paris<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 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<\/strong> (11th Arrondissement) is a young, trendy neighborhood with upcoming restaurants and a hip nightlife. Montmartre<\/strong> (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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 9th Arrondissement:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luxury: InterContinental Paris le Grand, an IHG Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mid-Range: Les Plumes H\u00f4tel Paris<\/a> . M Social Hotel Paris Opera<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 11th Arrondissement (Bastille):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Moderate: Hotel Les Deux Girafes<\/a> . H\u00f4tel Gabriel Paris<\/a> . Hotel Le Mareuil<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 18th Arrondisement (Montmartre):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Moderate: H\u00f4tel Monsieur Aristide<\/a> . Hotel Des Arts Paris Montmartre<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Where To Eat:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Hot Spots:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Carette Trocadero<\/strong><\/a>: located in the 16th Arrondissement by the Jardin du Trocadero – popular for pastries and delectable hot chocolate<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cafe de Flore<\/a>:<\/strong> famous cafe on Boulevard Saint-Germain where many artists and philosophers once sat – now caterers to tourists <\/p>\n\n\n\n Les Deux Magots<\/strong><\/a>: another touristy cafe in Saint-Germain where Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway used as regular hangout spot<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cyril Lignac<\/strong><\/a>: arguably one of the best patisseries with multiple locations throughout Paris; it definitely stole my vote for the best croissant! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Laduree<\/strong><\/a> and Pierre Hereme<\/strong><\/a>: the hot spots for macaroons!<\/p>\n\n\n\n La Maison Rose<\/a><\/strong>: cozy, small restaurant on the Montmartre hill known popular for its pink, instagrammable outdoor walls<\/p>\n\n\n\n Le Consulat<\/strong>: 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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Dinner:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pink Mamma<\/strong><\/a>: 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Girafe<\/strong><\/a>: ($$) seafood menu with a beautiful ambiance and an unobstructed, jaw-dropping view of the Eiffel Tower<\/p>\n\n\n\n KONG:<\/strong><\/a> ($$) 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Le Train Bleu<\/strong><\/a>: ($$) located in the Gare de Lyon station, this restaurant was designed by French architect Marius Toudoire and originally opened in 1901 to host the elite and wealthy for a buffet meal before their train ride to the French Riviera. It now serves as an iconic restaurant for lunch or dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alcazar<\/strong><\/a>: trendy restaurant in Saint-Germain with a friendly atmosphere and flowery garden-like interior<\/p>\n\n\n\n Le Relais de l’Entrecote:<\/strong><\/a> French steakhouse with locations in Montparnasse & Saint-Germain famous for its tender sirloin steak and delicious home-made french fries<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bambini<\/strong><\/a>: new, trendy Italian restaurant located at the Palais de Tokyo with fun, embellished decor<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poulette Restaurant<\/strong><\/a>: small, traditional bistro with classic French cooking<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mun<\/strong><\/a>: ($$) mix of Asian and French cuisine served on a terrace overlooking Champs-Elys\u00e9es<\/p>\n\n\n\n CoCo<\/strong><\/a>: ($$$) chic and elegant restaurant with bold decor located just outside Palais Garnier<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n What To Do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s a list of the city’s top attractions:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 1. Eiffel Tower<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019re looking for iconic photos, the Trocad\u00e9ro<\/em><\/a> is one of the best places to get that picture-perfect Eiffel Tower shot. Other epic locations are Rue de l’Universite<\/em>, Avenue de Camoen<\/em>s and Avenue de New York<\/em>. 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Arc de Triomphe & Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es <\/p>\n\n\n\n Walk along Avenue des Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es 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-\u00c9lys\u00e9es and the Eiffel Tower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Sacr\u00e9 Coeur Basilica in Montmartre <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a><\/strong> and Le Consula<\/a>t.<\/strong> Climbing the hill to the basilica is a heart-pounder, but once you\u2019ve reached this top, you\u2019ll be admiring one of the best views of the city!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Cath\u00e9drale Notre-Dame<\/p>\n\n\n\n This iconic medieval Catholic cathedral is located on the \u00cele de la Cit\u00e9 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Printemps Haussmann Rooftop & Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019re re-energized, just down the street is Galeries Lafayette<\/a>, the largest department store in France, where you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Palais Garner<\/p>\n\n\n\n Palais Garnier is Paris\u2019s national opera house. This opulent 19th-century building is known for its embellished interiors and astounding performances. To take a tour costs 14\u20ac and is well worth the price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Luxembourg Gardens <\/p>\n\n\n\n Positioned on the border between Saint-Germain-des-Pr\u00e9s and the Latin Quarter, this garden is a beautiful place to slow down and wander through. On most days, you\u2019ll find local Parisians playing chess, reading a book, and taking their children for a ride on the carousels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Explore the Museums: The Louvre & more…<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. Mus\u00e9e d’Orsay, Mus\u00e9e de l’Orangerie, Mus\u00e9e Rodin, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and Mus\u00e9e Yves Saint Laurent are just some of the most sought-out museums for visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Palais Royal (Royal Palace)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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-Honor\u00e9 remain open to the public and are a great place to relax on a beautiful, sunny day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. Speakeasy Tour<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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