The Ultimate Girls Trip to Paris

Arrival in the A.M.

When visiting Paris, location of your hotel/accommodation is key! Whether you are walking around, taking the metro or using the taxis, I always recommend you stay either in the 1st or 2nd arrondissement. I always mention that Paris’ metro system is truly one of the best in the world and staying around these arrondissements will give you access to the most central lines that will connect you to everything.

To begin your amazing four-day girls' trip to Paris, I recommend heading northwest to the Place de Vendome and having a welcome drink at Le Ritz’s Hemingway Bar. Another excellent bar nearby is Harry’s New York Bar — a true classic in Paris. If you are feeling a bit peckish, right next to Hemingway Bar is Le Comptoir du Ritz, where you will find the most delicious Madeleines you have ever tasted.

Afterward, you can go up Rue de La Paix, ending at the infamous Opera de Paris. A sight to behold! By this time they are currently under construction. However, I recommend you next go to Printemps, an iconic French department store, and head to the rooftop for another much-needed champagne and exquisite views of Paris. If you know a little bit about Paris, Printemps, next door neighbor, Galeries Lafayette has an iconic rooftop. However, Printemps has a delicious gourmet section where you can have a few snacks and of course delicious champagne.

Head back to the hotel and freshen up for dinner.

For a very Parisian welcome, I recommend dinner at Maxim’s. A staple since 1893, this restaurant has been closed for the past few years. However, thankfully, it was reopened, and it offers a true Parisian glamor and elegance. It’s famous for a reason and a great way to start off your Paris vacation.

I definitely recommend getting pre-paid tickets for the Eiffel Tower. Albeit “walking distance” from the 1st arrondissement (around a 36 min walk), I highly suggest you forgo going up the tower and walk to Trocadero, where you will have the best views of the tower. Located in the square, you will find Carette, a perfect spot to have a delicious Parisian petit-dejeuner with some much-needed hot chocolate. Walking to Trocadero, you can pass by the beautiful riverbanks, enjoying the breathtaking city views. You’ll also pass Invalides, famous for having Napoleon’s tomb (fun fact: did you know that he purposely made his tomb on a lower floor once you enter for you to “bow down” as you look at his tomb? Napoleon being Napoleon).

For lunch, I recommend Beefbar, a spectacular place in Paris with the most delicious beef, near the Champs-Élysées (a twenty-minute walk from the tower). Afterward, I cannot recommend visiting either the Musée Yves Saint Laurent OR La Galerie Dior, two fashion staples and great, quick museums to visit.

After lunch:

Stroll along the Champs-Élysées and do some much-needed shopping. I recommend you head up the Arc de Triomphe as it’s a much better view than going up the Eiffel Tower (the reason I say this is because the perfect view of Paris MUST include its iconic tower. Going up the tower, you have okay views of the city, and many Parisians will tell you there are many different locations to go to instead of going up the tower.) If you are feeling in need of some pampering, I can recommend making an afternoon facial with Biologique Recherche on the same avenue. This is the epitome of French skincare; you will leave feeling the best you have ever had.

Head back to the hotel and get ready for dinner. I will recommend one of the best places in Paris for dinner: Racines — a truly spectacular combination of French classics with a modern twist.

Being so close to the Louvre, I would dedicate my whole morning to visiting this exquisite museum. It will be impossible to see everything in one go; I suggest investigating the spots you must see beforehand. I always recommend seeing the actual Palace du Louvre, where the king and queen used to live before Louis XIV created the magnificent Versailles.

Lunch:

Head over to the neighborhood Le Marais, where I recommend either Chez Janou for traditional provençal cuisine OR Vins des Pyrénées for a superb French meal with delicious wine pairing. Both are located in Le Marais.

After lunch, walk around the beautiful Marais, where fantastic shopping and pedestrian streets will be found. I recommend two must-visit museums in Le Marais: Le Carnavalet (a free museum that details the history of Paris and the first French Revolution) and Musée Cognac-Jay, a truly exquisite private collection. Another exciting find will be near Place de Vosges. You will find Victor Hugo’s house, which is also free to enter. I recommend having an aperitif with some soothing jazz at Serpent A Plume in the Place.

Head back to the hotel and prepare for dinner.

I recommend one of the best Michelin-starred restaurants, L’Oiseau Blanc, a superb French restaurant with even better city views for dinner.

We are heading to the 6th arrondissement. While it is within walking distance (around a 40-minute walk), I recommend taking the metro or a taxi to Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This is the writer’s arrondissement, where they gathered in the 1920's and discussed some of the most influential novels today. You can head to Les Deux Magots for some hot chocolate (I like this restaurant much more than Café de Flore) OR head to the new Ralph Lauren Restaurant for a fantastic breakfast. All are located on the same street.

If you love skincare, you cannot miss CityPharma near the restaurants to find some of the best French skincare products (the pharmacists there are super knowledgeable and speak all languages). Afterward, I would head south to the Jardin du Luxembourg, one of the most peaceful parks in Paris, and honestly the most gorgeous (try and find the Statue of Liberty, which was gifted from the French to the US, and see how vital Franco-American relations are).

Afterward, I suggest you return to Saint-German and head north on Rue Bonaparte. For lunch, there is nothing more Parisian than Le Relais de l'Entrecôte. Although having to wait in line is absolutely a must in Paris. Another recommendation if you don’t want to wait in line is Le Pré Aux Clercs, next to Le Relais, another favorite spot of Hemmingway's. After lunch, continue on Rue Bonaparte, stop by Ladurée for a few macarons, and head to the most beautiful pharmacies in Paris: Officine Universelle de Buly 1802.

Now, the last thing to see is Montmartre. Take a taxi to Pigalle and head up the cableway to Sacré Coeur (you must purchase a metro ticket), where you will have another breathtaking view of Paris. You can then shop around the gorgeous Montmartre (especially Rue de Martyrs). Stop by Place du Tertre, the artist’s square, and head down Rue Lepic to find the gorgeous Moulin Blute-Fin and Van Gogh’s house in Paris.

Head back to the hotel in a taxi to freshen up for dinner. I recommend the beautiful Michelin-starred La Tour D’Argent for your last night in Paris. With its spectacular cuisine and gorgeous views of Notre Dame, you will finish off your Paris leg, having touched all the essential spots in Paris.