If you ask me, Paris is frankly the most beautiful city in the world. At every turn there seems to be a building more gorgeous than the last. If you’re planning a trip to the French capital and don’t know where to begin, let me help you create the trip of your dreams! This is a list of some great places to stay, things to see, restaurants to eat at, and (of course) spots to shop!
I will say, with cooler temperatures, crisper air, sunny skies, fall foliage, less tourists than in the summer, and Parisians returned from summer holidays, there couldn’t be a better time to visit the City of Lights than early to mid-autumn. Spring is also sublime in Paris, with everyone re-emerging from a long winter. While most of these tips, activities, restaurants, and shopping are similar year-round, there are also a few season-specific festivities and activities!
To note, even if you don’t speak French, it’s respectful to at least greet people with bonjour and thank them with merci. There’s no better time to practice your French!
Firstly, selecting a neighborhood. Paris is divided into 20 neighborhoods, called arrondissements. Starting with the 1st Arrondissement, they spiral outward, making the 1st – 8th the most centrally located around the Seine. While the Paris Metro system is very good, if it’s your first time in Paris and you’re planning to do a lot of sightseeing, I recommend staying in a centrally located arrondissement. Each neighborhood has unique sites: the Eiffel Tower in the 7th, the Louvre in the 1st, Notre Dame in the 4th. My favorite neighborhood to stay in is Saint-Germain des Prés, the 6th Arrondissement, which features lots of shopping, the stunning Luxembourg Gardens, and an abundance of relaxed cafes. Every neighborhood is slightly different, so select one that caters to your favorite activities.
Hotel Léopold
This is an adorable boutique hotel! Located near the Luxembourg Gardens on the edge of the 14th and 6th Arrondissements, Hotel Léopold is in a great location for exploration and conveniently located near multiple metro stations. Upon check-in, we were offered scrumptious pastries and guided to a beautifully decorated room with windows that opened to classic Parisian views.
Hotel Du Pas De Calais
Located in the 6th Arrondissement, this hotel offers a lush green lobby and unique, immaculately decorated rooms. Many rooms offer stunning patio views. On a calm street lined with little boutiques, just blocks from the Seine, this hotel has a perfect central locale.
The Hoxton
Self-proclaimed “open-house hotels,” Hoxtons offer lobbies and shared spaces larger than most boutique hotels, yet, they’re always thoughtfully designed to feel cozy with many separate working, relaxing, and socializing areas. I first got to know the Hoxton living down the street from one in London, where I occasionally enjoyed a coffee and worked in the welcoming environment. With 12 locations across Europe and the US, each fits seamlessly into its city and neighborhood.
This is no exception at the Hoxton Paris. It’s beautifully decorated, featuring a classically Parisian spiraling staircase, well lit yet intimate shared spaces, and rooms that ideally balance masculine and feminine elements. Nestled into the 2nd Arrondissement, this right bank location will have you close to most major attractions. I love to stay at a Hoxton when I’m traveling alone, but they’re also perfect for couples and families.
Paris Perfect & AirBnBs
With locations all across the city, Paris Perfect offers flats ranging in size from studios to four bedrooms. Perfect for families or couples, some offer picture perfect views of the Eiffel Tower, and all are on lovely streets with ideal locations. These apartments feel like welcoming homes in the heart of Paris, to make for a cozy trip.
AirBnBs are also a great option in Paris. There are many lovely flats in central Paris on AirBnB. If you’d like to feel like a real Parisian, staying in an apartment can be a great choice. Be sure to make a well-reviewed thoughtful selection.
Flaneur: the French word for someone who wanders, lounges, strolls aimlessly. There is nothing better to do in Paris. Sitting at cafes and people watching, wandering through quaint streets, popping in and out of shops, munching on baguettes, resting on park benches, perusing bookshops. Paris is the perfect city for doing everything and nothing all at once. While there’s a long list of fantastic museums, sites, and cultural landmarks to behold, don’t forget that being a flaneur for a day is also a perfectly acceptable (and very Parisian!) way to experience Paris.
While you’re flaneur-ing around Paris, don’t forget to meander along the Seine river. The river that separates Paris in half, the Seine travels through the center of the city and is crossed by many picturesque bridges, with sites like the Louvre, Notre Dame, and Eiffel Tower visible from the banks if the river. Meanwhile, stop at picturesque riverside booksellers, also known as bouquinistes.
Is there a better time of year to bundle up and sip a latte while strolling through a yellow and burnt orange tree-lined paths in the Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, or Jardin des Plantes? These are three of Paris’s most lovely gardens, and all will bring you that cozy autumn feeling on a brisk day.
Where I live in NYC, many delis sell a selection of flowers street-side. These are great, but they don’t compare to the number of full blown flower shops in Paris. On a walk around the city in one day, I saw more shops than I could count. Fresh flowers are such a great pick-me-up! Parisians seem to agree with me, since the number of shops and locals picking weekly bouquets abound. If you’re wandering through Paris, be sure to stroll into a flower shop for a quick mood booster!
The Iron Lady. If you’ve never heard of another site in Paris, surely you know this one. La Tour Eiffel, built for the World’s Fair in 1889, wasn’t always admired for its beauty. When it first rose over the city, many felt that it was ugly and didn’t fit the city. But, with time, it’s become an admired hallmark of the Parisian skyline.
The tower’s magnificent beauty can be seen throughout the city, but head to the Parc du Champ de Mars or Trocadero Plaza for up close and stunning views. Wander the streets of the 7th Arrondissement for views of the tower popping out between adorable cobblestone streets. While you may be thinking of climbing to the top of the Iron Lady, I wouldn’t recommend it. The Eiffel Tower defines the Parisian skyline. From the top of the Tower, you won’t see it, and most other buildings are low. Instead, I would climb the Arc de Triomphe for a view of the city’s skyline.
The grand Arc de Triomphe sits at the center of a massive roundabout, from which several grand avenues extend. If you’re driving through Paris, bonne chance driving through this face-paced intersection. For less than €15, you can climb to the top of the Arc, which offers 360° views of the city. On a sunny day, I highly recommend this climb. One of the many avenues beginning at the Arc is the famed Champs-Élysées.
For its grandeur and beauty, don’t miss a quick walk down the Champs-Élysées. I would not, however, recommend doing your shopping or eating on this main boulevard. Shops, restaurants, and other establishments will be packed. Designer brands in particular will have much longer lines to enter at the Champs-Élysées than any other location. Instead, snap a photo of the avenue, and head to other locations for better, more low-key shopping and eating.
If you are a museum lover (particularly art museums), Paris is a literal dream. From the Louvre to the D’Orsay, Rodin Museum and many others, this is the city of art. Visiting the Louvre is a must. The magnitude of this building, it’s famed glass pyramid, and the surrounding Tuileries Gardens are all a required visit (in my opinion).
However, going inside the Louvre is not necessarily for everyone. I once walked by the museum 15 minutes before opening to find hundreds of people already queuing. You could find yourself waiting hours to enter, then once inside, finding hundreds of people crowding around famed paintings. I’ve been to the Louvre, and it’s great, but you’ll waste a lot of your precious time in Paris waiting in line. If you’re in Paris for weeks, you’ve been many times before, or are an art history buff, then by all means, jump on that queue. Otherwise, soak in the beauty of the architecture and gardens. Then, head over to the Musée D’Orsay or Musée Rodin, where you’ll find equally spectacular artwork but with less crowds.
A medieval Catholic church and UNESCO World Heritage Site, construction on the Notre-Dame began in 1163. The ancient church was the site Napoleon’s coronation, the subject of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, and the center of 1944 Nazi liberation celebrations. Since the tragic 2019 fire that destroyed part of the church’s roof and its gothic spires, Notre-Dame has been under construction that will reportedly finish in 2024. Still, most of the church is intact and worth viewing from inside and out.
From the outside, the Opera Garnier is another beautiful stone Parisian building with some small gilded indications of what you’ll find inside. Through the doors, the Opera is like nothing I’ve ever seen (other than Versailles). Can you say GOLD? Magnificent, intricate, overwhelming – all words that feel too small for the breathtaking Opera Garnier. There are two ways to see the building inside: buy a ticket to the Opera or buy a ticket to tour the building. Your call, depending on your schedule and interest in opera versus architecture.
If you went to Opera Garneir and your mind was blown, you have no idea what is coming at Versailles. Louis XIII initially intended the site to be a humble hunting lodge, but his son Louis XIV had much grander intentions. Versailles is easily the most opulent and extravagant palace ever built. Its size and grandeur is something pictures and words cannot describe. In every room, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. If you’re in Paris for more than a couple of days, I would highly recommended taking a day trip to Versailles. I was last there almost a decade ago, and the memory of it is still awe-inspiring.
The Montmartre neighborhood sits in a hilly area of the 18th Arrondissement. The neighborhood is out of the city’s center, but is incredibly cute and picturesque. Atop Montmartre hill sits the Sacré Coeur Basilica. You’ll climb many stairs to reach the basilica, but from the top, you’ll have one of the best views of the city. Bonus: the view is particularly fantastic at sunset.
If you’ve spent an afternoon exploring Montmartre and saw the sunset over Paris from Sacré Coeur, the perfect way to end your evening is the Moulin Rouge. The famous cabaret is the birthplace of the cancan dance and the subject of a popular movie. The spectacular is a joyous way to celebrate your trip to Paris. I won’t lie to you. This is not something locals are doing on a Saturday (or any) night. It is indeed quite touristy. For this reason, I avoided the Moulin Rouge on my first few trips to Paris. I’m glad I finally went because – WOW! Yes, it’s touristy, but the performers put on a top notch show in a velvety, seductive theater. With a bottle of champagne and good company, this is a very special evening!
If you’re headed to Montmartre in early October, don’t miss the festival of wine and grape harvest, Fête des Vendanges. You’ll find food and drink stalls lining the already picturesque streets of Montmartre, a parade, and lots of merriment. Plus, you can tour the last vineyard in Montmartre!
Ever thought of wandering through a maze of underground tunnels, lined floor to ceiling with the skeletons of once living, breathing humans? Yeah, me either. Then I went to Paris with a friend with a taste for the macabre. While I would refrain from calling this “festive,” if you’re in Paris around Halloween and are in the mood for a part-spooky-part-educational experience, the Catacombs will definitely get you in the spooky spirit.
There are so many amazing restaurants in Paris! From classic French food to modern takes on classic dishes, there are far more than a handful of terrific dining experiences in Paris. Below are simply a handful I’ve tried recently and enjoyed.
I’ve grouped these two cafes together because they are almost like sisters. Across the street from one another, they’re famed for being the chosen hangout for artists and philosophers including Picasso, Descartes, Sartre, Hemingway, and Simone de Beauvoir, among others. If you’d like to sip a café au lait at the tables these thinkers and society shapers sat at, you may want to reserve in advance or be prepared to wait. I will say, these cafés are priced according to their fame: steeply. They serve basic French café fare but at much higher prices. Rather, I recommend grabbing a coffee and pastry or wine and fries. Then enjoy a more substantive meal somewhere else.
An adorable cafe near the Luxembourg Gardens, offering a delicious array of salads, sandwiches, baked goods, and coffees. While there is some seating available, on a sunny autumn day, grab your goodies and walk a block over to the Luxembourg Gardens and enjoy your lunch while people watching in the park.
Just a short walk from Le Deux Magots, Le Pre aux Clercs is a cozy corner bistro with friendly service and classic French dishes. We particularly enjoyed the escargot, French onion soup, and duck confit. If you’re in the 6th Arrondissement and ready to get off your feet, this is a relaxing escape for lunch or dinner.
Lapérouse Restaurant was the first to be awarded three Michelin stars in 1933. With velvet-clad walls and candlelit rooms, Lapérouse oozes sexy elegance. Fittingly, the menu is sublime. From Victor Hugo’s favorite lobster to a chocolate soufflé served since 1766, there may be nothing Chef Matus Kolarik can do wrong. Lapérouse is really an unforgettable experience. A perfect for a birthday, an anniversary, or even for just celebrating life!
In one word: glamorous. Café Lapérouse is begging for a photoshoot, and it deserves it. With a lavishly decorated dining room and a grand patio, Café Lapérouse offers a location as pretty as a picture for breakfast or brunch. The food was standby classics, done well. I will certainly not forget this experience – but more for the atmosphere than the meal.
Liberté: A boulangerie with a few locations across the city, Liberté has a great baguette and a damn good croissant. I’m no croissant connoisseur, but I am picky. This is a flaky, buttery, and light croissant that your taste buds will thank you for.
Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Terroirs d’Avenir: The first time I walked into this boulangerie, they had sold out of croissants, so I just pointed to a random baked good, paid, and walked out. As I bit into the buttery, sugar glazed pastry, I stopped in my tracks. HOLY S**T. This was easily the best pastry I’d ever bitten into. I immediately turned back and bought two more. The next day, I was back bright and early for the croissant. Now, after my previous heavenly experience, my expectations were high. I was not disappointed. This was a perfect warm, buttery croissant.
Tip: When ordering croissants in France, be sure to ask for a ‘croissant au beurre’ which is a butter croissant. If you just ask for a croissant, you may get one made with vegetable oil or margarine, that isn’t as buttery and delicious!
Maison Ladurée: Now with locations all over the world, Ladurée has made a name for itself as the macaron authority. Ladurée’s location on the Champs-Élysées is a complete experience. Enjoy your macarons and patisserie in a gilded room or a flower laden terrace. But, as with anything along the Champs-Élysées, expect long lines. If you’re hoping to try the traditional macarons without the pomp, other locations across Paris will be quicker.
Pierre Hermé: A main macaron competitor to Ladurée, Pierre Hermé offers equally delicate and delicious macarons, but with much more adventurous flavors (like the current rose, lychee, and framboise). Definitely a must for the macaron lover!
Both Pierre Hermé and Ladurée are fantastic patisseries with a plethora of options beyond the macaron!
Bisou
This bar screams “cool.” There is no menu. Bartenders craft unique beverages based on each patrons tastes and desires. If you’re a fan of artistic cocktails, check this bar out. Plus, if you’re like me and a sucker for an aesthetic drink, you won’t be disappointed.
Lapérouse Bar
The definition of sexy and elegant, this bar offers intimate seating, DJed weekends, and smooth cocktails. This is a go-to for a night out on the town in Paris.
Finally, shopping! If you love to shop, there’s no place better to do it than in Paris! From the haute couture to well-known French brands and tiny boutiques, Parisian streets are steeped in fashion. Plus, if you’re visiting from outside the EU, you’re able to recoup taxes upon departure! Beautiful garments AND a discount?! What could be better?
Le Bon Marche & La Samaritaine: I love to shop at Le Bon Marche and La Samaritaine department stores when in Paris because designer brands’ locations across the city typically have long lines, and I don’t want to spend my precious time in Paris queueing. At these department stores, you can see products by many brands quickly, without running across the city from one shop to another.
Le Bon Marche: Open since 1838, Le Bon Marche is one of the world’s first department stores. Refined and elegant, the store sells products from a plethora of high-end brands. It is easy to navigate and comfortable to wander through. Plus, the store is connected to La Grande Epicerie, what has to be the most gorgeous grocery store I’ve ever seen.
La Samaritaine: An iconic Parisian department store that was closed between 2005 and 2021. The store wraps around a central atrium, with intricate staircases leading up to a glass ceiling. Shopping here feels like a treat. The building attracts as much awe as the products themselves.
French Brands You’ll Love: When in France, I shop mostly French brands. Whether designer or small shops, buying local products is where you’ll get the best deals. Other than the swoon-worthy Diors and Chanels, French brands I love include Polene, Isabel Marant, Maje, Sandro, Repetto, and Sezane. While I can buy from these brands in New York, prices are much better in France. These are comparably large brands. Really, some of the most fun shopping in Paris is wandering through the streets of Saint-Germain des Prés and exploring little unique boutiques like Beau Oui, La Fée Maraboutée, and Buly 1803.
Pharmacies: Ok, now this is where I can really do some damage. “At the Pharmacy?!” you’re thinking. Yes. This is not your local CVS. French pharmacies sell aisles and aisles of the best skincare products. Sephora quality products at CVS prices. Brands like Caudalie are available for half the price that we pay in the US. A trip to a pharmacy for stocking up on skincare is a must when in France!
