Curator’s statement
Paris is one of my favorite cities – delicious food, beautiful architecture, incredible museums, and amazing day-trip opportunities out of the city. I will confess, however, after I first visited over a decade ago, I wasn’t much of a fan. My now husband dragged me back, as it was on his bucket list, and I am so grateful he did! What I discovered is that there are a few keys to enjoying your time in this city: the time of year you visit, as well as understanding & accepting cultural differences. But there is no reason to visit the City of Lights and not have an absolutely marvelous experience with these recommendations!
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Where to stay In Paris
Le Bristol Paris, Oetker Collection
Le Bristol is an icon of French elegance and art de vivre, boasting 190 completely renovated rooms and suites in the heart of Paris with a lush garden courtyard.
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$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa
An unforgettable stay in a Haussmann mansion just off the Champs Elysées, with a spa and two-Michelin-starred restaurant.
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$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Cheval Blanc Paris
This Art Déco heritage hotel carries with it the stately hospitality known to the Cheval Blanc name — located near the Seine in the center of Paris.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
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Complimentary round-trip private airport.
Hôtel de Crillon
A celebration of the spirit of Paris and French art de vivre set within a timeless, legendary and unabashedly elegant castle in the middle of the City of Light.
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$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris
This luxurious retreat on avenue Montaigne, Paris' premier fashion destination, is famed for its glamor, exquisite French cuisine, unbeatable views and impeccable hospitality.
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$100 hotel / resort credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Things to do In Paris
Museums
There are over 140 museums to choose from, so there is something for everyone’s taste! Of course, the Louvre is a must-visit if you’ve never been, but make sure to visit others like Musée d’Orsay, Musée Rodin, Musée de l’Orangerie, Petit Palais, Invalides, and so many more. Whatever type of art you love, there is most likely a museum dedicated to it.
Landmarks
Paris has no shortage of landmarks, monuments, and famous sites you have to take in! The usuals include the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Elysées, Notre-Dame (which is still being rebuilt after a catastrophic fire) and the Palais Garnier. Be sure to also visit Saint-Chappelle, Place de la Concorde, the Panthéon, Pont Alexandre III, Sacre Coeur, and the Montmartre Cemetery (home to the final resting places of author Alexandre Dumas, painter Edgar Degas, and artist Gustave Moreau, among many others).
‘Flâner’
Along the lines of wandering through Montmartre Cemetery, do as the Parisians do across the city: ‘flâner’! Stroll along the famous cobblestone streets, cross the numerous bridges over the Seine (or walk along it!) or meander through the many covered passages across the city (from the Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas, and Passage Jouffroy are a few of my favorites).
River cruise
Some of the best views in the city come from rooftops (like the Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, or Sacre Coeur), as well as the Sacre Coeur, but a river cruise also provides some of the best sights. You can either take a scenic one or a lunch/dinner cruise. If the latter, a few to look into include Le Calife, Ducasse sur Seine, and Bateaux Parisiens.
Picnic
One of the best things you can do in Paris is to grab a picnic and lunch at the park or gardens across the city (some listed below). Grab a baguette or sandwich, sample some macarons, pop open a bottle of wine or champagne and just relax, taking in the sights!
Gardens
The most touristed ones include the Champ de Mars, the Trocadero Gardens, and the Tuileries. But if you want an amazing experience, head to perhaps the best in the city: the Jardin du Luxembourg! Another great place to take in nature in a beautiful setting are not gardens but the canals of Saint-Martin.
Shopping
Whether you’re looking for a specific designer (each brand has multiple shops across the city) or a department store (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marché, and Samaritaine are a few), there’s no shortage of places. If you’re looking to score some bargains, head out of the city to La Vallée Village (reachable by car, shuttle or Metro) or La Piscine in the city (you never know what they’ll have, but there’s always high-end brands). Remember to bring your passport to get the right paperwork to collect your tax refund at the airport.
Christmastime/December
If you happen to visit during the holidays, be sure to check out the Christmas markets across the city! The dates vary, with some opening end of November but others opening only 1-2 weeks before Christmas, so do your research on the dates you’ll be visiting. I recently visited and fell in love with the Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market, while the Tuileries one gave me claustrophobia from the number of people there. Others highly recommended (but that weren’t open yet) include Abbesses near Sacre-Coeur, Notre-Dame, and La Defense. There are also numerous other smaller ones across the city!
Day Trips
Versailles & the beaches of Normandy are perhaps the two most popular choices. If you want to visit wineries, head to the Champagne or Burgundy regions. You can also go wine tasting in the Loire Valley while visiting gorgeous castles as well! You can also head to the abbey & tidal island of Mont-Saint-Michel in the west, or check out the charming villages of Strasbourg & Colmar in the east. If you want to head to another country, the Eurostar runs to Brussels (1h30m each way) & Amsterdam (over three hours away, so a large portion of the day will be traveling).
Places to eat & drink In Paris
Hot chocolate
Depending on how you like yours, the top three are considered to be Carette, Les Deux Magots and Angelina. I feel Carette’s is too watery; Le Deux Magots is sweet but not overly saccharine, and Angelina is just rich & decadent.
Desserts
In addition to the previously mentioned Cafe Angelina, check out Stohrer (the oldest patisserie in the city), Le Bon Georges (delectable chocolate mousse), and La Crêperie de Josselin.
Breads & croissants
Depending on what you’re wanting to indulge in, visit Le Grenier à Pain (delicious baguettes), Du Pain et Des Idées (buttery, flaky croissants), and Mamiche (for pain au chocolat tastiness).
Wine & bars
If you’re looking for wines, head over to ô Chateau or Les Caves du Louvre for incredible selections (and wine tastings!). If you’re looking for cocktails and a bar setting, check out Danico (listed on the World’s 50 Best Bars) and Little Red Door (also on the World’s 50 Best Bars list).
Restaurants
For some of the best onion soup in the city, head to Bistrot des Vosges. And no trip is complete without steak-frites, so a visit to L’Entrecote is a must. But if you’re looking for food with a view, you can’t go wrong with Kong or Les Ombres
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Travel Advisor
Rod Carrillo-Lundgren
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For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Nikki Lakin's guide, A Solo Female Traveler's Guide to Paris.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Paris.