I can’t wait for you to enjoy one of my favorite cities. The magic, the romance, the beauty, and the history make it so so special!
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A few things –
1) ALWAYS make a reservation when eating out (especially dinner). It sounds weird but for most places they require one
1) ALWAYS make a reservation when eating out (especially dinner). It sounds weird but for most places they require one
2) I took the metro twice and it was the worst experience. Uber or taxi!!
3) It is difficult to get lost in paris if you stay near the Seine. It goes West to East and most things you want to see are not far from it
4) When at the Eiffel WATCH YOUR BAGS!!!! There are serious pickpocketer’s. I watched someone try to pickpocket my father-in-law right in front of us!
5) Paris is known for its cocktail bars and coffeeshops – list at the bottom
6) Bring a lot of comfortable shoes and one pair of heels for night (if you even wear them). Everyone in the city is wearing comfortable flats!
6) Bring a lot of comfortable shoes and one pair of heels for night (if you even wear them). Everyone in the city is wearing comfortable flats!
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Here is an itinerary but feel free to substitute anything you want! I left some other options at the bottom 🙂
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Day 1
Breakfast – Claus – get there early
Taxi to Palais Royal – (this is the famous black and white pillars you see people standing on for photos).
Walk through the gardens to grab a coffee at Cafe Kitsuné – super cute and located in Palais Royal
From Palais Royal go to Le Louvre – I don’t recommend going inside but if you want to get there early or prepare for a long line)
Taxi to Palais Royal – (this is the famous black and white pillars you see people standing on for photos).
Walk through the gardens to grab a coffee at Cafe Kitsuné – super cute and located in Palais Royal
From Palais Royal go to Le Louvre – I don’t recommend going inside but if you want to get there early or prepare for a long line)
From Louvre walk to the Tuileries Gardens – stroll around them. They are beautiful! I recommend even grabbing a chair around the fountain and people watching as you finish your coffee
Walk across the Seine and shop the famous Saint Germain Boulevard (you can also go to visit the famous Bon Marche shopping)
Eat lunch on Saint Germain at Ralph’s (must make reservation) – get the ralph’s sample dessert! SO good
You can also eat lunch at Bistrot Vivienne – Delicious and historical spot
From Ralph’s or Bistrot Vivienne visit Musee d’Orsay (or another museum or you can walk the art studios in the 6th/6eme)
You can get a coffee or hot chocolate at the very famous Cafe de Flore (back on Saint Germain) or go back to hotel to rest
Have dinner and drinks at Hotel Costes (very “sceny” – sure to see a celeb or two). Definitely go to their bar inside after dinner. Must make reservation
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Day 2
Day 2
Breakfast – Holybelly – no reservations so get there early
Walk (or taxi) to Alexander Bridge (depending on where you are staying you can walk along the seine or through the Tuileries garden). From here you can see the Petit and Grand Palais. I recommend seeing what exhibits they currently have going and attending one, one day. The Palais’ are gorgeous and usually they have a cool fashion exhibit (I saw the YSL one years before it came to the US).
Grab a taxi to head to the Arc de Triomph – Go up top for 360 degree view of Paris or just stand in front and take a photo
From there you can walk (25 min.) or taxi to Le Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower). It is so big and gorgeous! Definitely a site to see but be sure to watch your bag and pockets. There are a TON of pickpocketer’s around this monument.
Walk (20 min.) or take a taxi to Hotel Peninsula for lunch on their rooftop (gorgeous views MUST make reservation)
Walk (20 min.) or take a taxi to Hotel Peninsula for lunch on their rooftop (gorgeous views MUST make reservation)
Another amazing lunch spot – Restaurant Le Bois – Absolutely gorgeous decor, divine food and a favorite amongst locals
This is a gorgeous area so you can walk around after lunch (if you want a coffee go to Cafe Chic – just east of the Peninsula)
You can visit a museum or head to the hotel to rest
Dinner – River Cruise (this one) – I know what you are thinking, no way! But I had the same thoughts until my mother-in-law booked a really nice one and reserved the table at the very front. You get delicious food, wine, and amazing views of Paris!
Late night cocktails – options below (Le Bristol)
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Day 3
MONTMARTE
Taxi – Brunch at Hotel Particulier – you will love the inside. It can be tricky to find so make sure to secure directions when you call for a reservation
Walk (9 min) to Sacré-Coeur – highest point in Paris with the most beautiful views
Walk around Montmarte and get lost in all the paintings of local artists.
Have a glass of Rosé at La Maison Rose (famous pink house you see in photos) – You will probably walk past Le Consulat – famous and very cute crepe place
You can go back to hotel and rest or go shopping
Dinner- option below
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Day 4
Breakfast at Rose Bakery (favorite of Isabel Marant) on Rue Debelleyme or my favorite in the Marais – Season (make reservation)
You are in the Le Marais area. This is a young area full of shopping, coffeeshops, and very cool people
Head to Merci – Famous store with a cute coffeeshop to the right. Great place to find souvenirs for people
After Merci – grab a coffee at the CUTEST coffeeshop ever – Boot Cafe!
From Boot this would be a good time to walk to Musee Picasso – Gorgeous building. If you’re not into this you can walk to La Place Des Vosges – beautiful park
Lunch – Chez Julien – the freshest food (make reservation)
From Vosges you can walk to Île de la Cité. You are now on the island
Be sure to get a view of the Conciergerie – it is stunning and reminds me of a Disney castle
From here you can visit the Notre Dame
Head back to hotel
Dinner options below :
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte,
Le Cinq Mars
dessert and drinks Hotel Plaza Athenee (GORGEOUS exterior), or you can order the moose at Le Cinq Mars (it comes in a giant mixing bowl!
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte,
Le Cinq Mars
dessert and drinks Hotel Plaza Athenee (GORGEOUS exterior), or you can order the moose at Le Cinq Mars (it comes in a giant mixing bowl!
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Day 5
Easy morning
Breakfast – Either Cafe Breizh or Eggs & Co (very small American style breakfast)
Le Jardin du Luxembourg
Lunch – café restaurant Les Éditeurs -This is right by where I used to live so I ate here A LOT. The food is really good, the service is great, and the people watching is the best! Walk this cute area after eating – Saint Sulpice is one direction and Boulevard St. Germain is the other
Grab a taxi to visit Musee Rodin (absolutely stunning garden)
Easy afternoon of shopping or resting
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OTHER OPTIONS
Coffeeshops- I highly recommend visiting a few of these! They are all so cool! Here is a post I did on my favorites – http://sothentheysay.com/
Cocktail bars– http://sothentheysay.
Add Hotel Le Bristol – so so good!!! Voted Best cocktails in Paris! Don’t order off the menu, just tell them what you want and they will make the best drink you’ve ever had!
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Food (other than what is above)
Seasons – Lunch
Klay saint sauveur – sinople – Dinner – super cool decor – need reservation
Au Vieux D’Arcole – Gorgeous in Spring with wisteria climbing up. Also very old and very famous – dinner or rosé
Le Bonaparte – one of my favorite bistros!!! Right by Cafe de Flore And Deux Magots
Deux Magots – Very famous – lunch or dinner
Bread and Rose– delicious bakery – Breakfast or lunch
Eggs & co. – American style breakfast
L’Avant Comptoir– very famous – can be tough to get in to eat – just have wine
Le Fouquet – VERY famous, a little dark but much history
Les Antiquaires – Good bistro right across from the Louvre
Ze Kitchen Galerie – Right across the street from where I lived. Very modern and very good ($$$)
Le Hibou – Really food and one of my favorite areas
Le Hibou – Really food and one of my favorite areas
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To Do
Passage du Grand Cerf
Versailles – Take the RER train
Giverny – Home of Monet and the inspiration of his water garden paintings
Passage du Grand Cerf
Versailles – Take the RER train
Giverny – Home of Monet and the inspiration of his water garden paintings
Buly 1803 – This is my favorite place to get skincare. Last year I literally took a trip to Paris to restock after running out. Buy their skin oil and they will hand calligraphy your name and date right on the box.
Galeries Lafayette – Go to the rooftop! You can get a coffee there and enjoy a Birdseye view of the city
Pont Neuf – Cool to walk – on the tip of the Island. I love to grab a bottle of Rosé and read here.
Place Dauphne (right across from Pont Neuf) – Cute square – go for dinner as there are a few restaurants and is very quiet
Place Vendrome – This is where Coco Chanel’s lived. You can get a photo of the beautiful “Chanel” blue door
Avenue Montaigne – GORGEOUS street of luxury shopping
Goyard– Their flagship store and full of history. Ask to see King Edward VIII trunk
Le Plongeoir – cafe located INSIDE Hermes
Musée Nissim de Camondo – A real home of a 1900’s aristocrats family
Silencio – Club – can be hard to get into but fun!!
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Which river cruise? The link in the blog isn’t working!! Thanks!
HI Erick,
So sorry the link isn’t working. I will fix it 🙂
We chose the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Dinner Cruise and picked the table at the very front of the boat so we could have 180 degree views of Paris.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I honestly expected a lot more from this post. Almost everything I have read on every other bloggers Paris “must do” list. This was so basic and I was hoping for more of an in depth insiders guide to things I would not have thought of doing. Also advising people to not take public transportation makes you sound pretty spoiled.
HI Kristina,
I am so sorry you feel this way. I wrote this guide for two friends who were visiting Paris for the first time. I do believe for first time visitors the “basics” are important to cover. I will take your feedback in mind for future Paris posts as I do have some great “must do’s” outside the normal Paris to-do’s.
As for the metro, I had a few very terrible and unsafe experiences which made me leery of using it. Because of these experiences I thought it was smart to mention/warn my friends heading over there for the first time. I am very aware it is an added luxury to not take public transportation and one I will always factor in my budget while in Paris.
I hope you have a great weekend! xx
I could not agree with this itinerary more!! Love it and am dying to get back to our favorite city!
Coming from you, that is a huge compliment! Thinking we need a trip over there again?!