Curator’s statement
I celebrated my 30th birthday in Paris and often find myself thinking about all of the great food I ate there! All of the sightseeing needs some major fuel. From decadent desserts to savory pastries and everything in between. The French have a flair for the dramatics, and that translates to the food and dining rooms as well. Enjoy this list of some of my favorite to-dos and best bites.
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Where to stay in Paris
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Things to do in Paris
1. Hop On./ Hop Off Tour - Paris is a BIG city. Why not see the sights and get a sense of the city’s layout from the top of a bus? Sit back, relax and learn about the cities most famous and historic landmarks. This is always my favorite way to acquaint myself with a new city.
2. Sainte-Chapelle - Don’t miss the beautiful stained glass in this 13th century Gothic Style chapel. Part of the Palais de la Cite, a small island in the Seine, it was previously part of the residence of the Kings of France. The best time to visit is in the morning when it's quiet, otherwise, allow some time to wait in line, but the wait is worth it. Located less then a 10-minute walk from Notre Dame, so catch a glimpse of that as well.
3. Palace of Versailles- Either hop on the metro or grab a rideshare to explore this giant palace. Plan around two to three hours to walk around, it is MASSIVE. This entails a lot of walking, so when you inevitably start to get hungry, there are multiple options to check out.
Ore, a casual cafe, Salon du Cour, a cafe and tea salon, La Table du 11 a one Michelin star restaurant, or Le Bistrot du 11 the casual bistro offshoot of the aforementioned La Table du 11. If the weather is cooperating after your meal, check out the gardens as well!
4. The Louvre Museum - It’s recommended to spend three to four hours to really get a feel of what the Louvre is about, but want a crash course? -
- The Denon Wing - visit rooms one through three and see two Botticelli frescoes. Head through the Grande Galerie and arrive at the famous “Mona Lisa” in Room #711. She attracts a crowd, so be prepared to wait if you want to get close.
- The Sully Wing - stay on the first floor and see Da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks in room #303 and over 2,000 year old Venus de Milo statue in room #346.
-The Richelieu Wing-.Treat yourself to one of Paris’ best hot chocolates at Angelina Paris. Then walk through Napolean III’s apartments to see how Royalty of the past lived.
Day trips
- In the warmer months, check out L’Alsace region’s wineries.
- Around Christmas, head over to Strausborg and visit their famous Christmas markets!
- Families or Disney Fans might want to take a day to explore Disneyland Paris
Places to eat & drink in Paris
Meals:
Baccarat Paris Cristal Room - Maybe one of the most memorable meals in Paris. Enjoy creative takes on classic French dishes while you dine under crystal chandeliers. Once you finish your meal, enter the Baccarat museum, complimentary with a reservation, and see the history of the brand and their collaborations over the years.
Paparazzi Restaurant- Located Near L’Opéra. Make yourself at home in this Parisian apartment inspired dining room:.Come hungry! Each pizza covers two dinner plates, and the pasta is very tasty. .
La Duex Magots- A famous café that once was commonly frequented by historic intellectuals and elites. Enjoy some french charcuterie and don’t skip the hot chocolate. Open late.
Le Zimmer - One of the most beautiful cafe’s in Paris. Dine in a dark, ambient interior. The restaurant has been around for over 100 years, with ties to the Théâtre du Châtelet: Enjoy classics like French onion soup, burgundy snails, and truffle pasta.
L’Alsace- located on the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, enjoy Alsatian gastronomy. In the winter, get into the holiday spirit with some vin chaud (mulled wine).
La Palette -this cozy cafe was once the hangout place for creatives, from Jim Morrison to Pablo Picasso. There is a lot of outdoor seating as this attracts both Parisians and tourists alike.
Snacks:
Maison D’Isabella - A local gem. Previously has won the award of best croissant in Paris. If they run out of croissants, it happens from time to time, try the apple pastry and/or the pan au chocolat for 3€. Both are delicious of their own right.
Glace Bachir- Don’t miss this Lebanese style ice cream! They now have two locations, in Montmartre and Rombuteau, near Le Marais. Their motto is “100% LEBANESE AND 100% ORGANIC” Pick your flavor and have it coated in pistachios.
Ladurée - One of the most iconic treats in Paris ,try the famous Ladurée Macarons or any of their other offerings.
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Lauren Baroevich
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Paris.