Insider Paris Travel Tips: What to Do, Where to Eat and Where to Stay in the French Capital

Image courtesy of Vincent Leroux for Le Grand Mazarin

There’s always something going on in Paris. New hidden gems constantly pop up, while tried-and-true favorites keep locals coming back. We recently met up with a select group of savvy Fora Advisors. Together, we visited several of the city’s best hotels and sampled its array of cafés, restaurants and bars. 

Below, our advisors provide their insider Paris travel tips, from what to do and where to eat (and drink) to where to stay in the City of Lights. Read on for their intel. Then, connect with one of the featured advisors to plan and book your dream Paris getaway — whether it’s your first trip or your 1,000th. 

What to do in Paris

Luxembourg Gardens

You’ll never run out of things to do when you visit Paris. (There’s a reason it is one of Europe’s most-visited cities.) And one of our favorite things to “do” is to wander. Leave time for spontaneity, even (or especially) if it’s your first time. Get off-the-beaten-path. Channel your inner flâneur or flâneuse for a self-guided walking tour, with no particular destination in mind.

Fora Advisor Slaveiko Savov loves strolling along the Seine’s left bank. (Also consider a Seine River cruise for a unique sightseeing experience.) Fora Advisor Covadonga Riesco recommends relaxing in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, “one of the most unexpected parks in Paris,” with streams, waterfalls, a lake and a great spot for taking in city views. Walk around the Luxembourg Gardens and watch locals reading a book, sunbathing or enjoying an impromptu picnic. Then peruse the neighboring Latin Quarter and its quaint cafés and bars.

Another must is a stroll along the Bassin de l'Arsenal, near the Place de la Bastille: “It is a good opportunity to see the calm of those who arrive in Paris by boat,” Covadonga said. “Relaxed and colorful, walking from here to the Pont Neuf is a fantastic activity to soak up the essence of the Seine.”

If you’re after something more modern, head to the 13th arrondissement for innovative architecture, like the Jean Nouvel-designed Tours Duo.

But if you want a bona-fide scheduled activity, our advisors have your back. Take a cooking class at the Ritz Paris’ École Ritz Escoffier, says Fora Advisor Daniela Chavez Molina. There are various types of courses and workshops, from pastry-making to preparing seafood and shellfish. For an additional foodie moment, Slaveiko recommends shopping the Marché des Enfants Rouges, the city’s oldest food market, for a well-curated picnic — a self-guided (and delicious) food tour of sorts. Another fun option is to grab dinner at one of the restaurants in Bercy Village, a paved shopping courtyard composed of old warehouses, Covadonga added.

The Musée Picasso Paris, tucked away in the Marais, is “generally underrated, not very crowded and in a beautiful Parisian mansion,” Slaveiko said. Another fun museum option for first-timers and seasoned visitors alike is La Galerie Dior, “a must-visit for every fashionista.”

To discover niche brands and bespoke objects, head to the eclectic Beau-Oui, a concept store in the stylish Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and a favorite of Fora Advisor Emmanuel Perez.

Related Article: Destination Debrief: Paris

Where to eat & drink in Paris

Cafés, bistrots & brasseries

For great Provençal cuisine in the Marais, Emmanuel recommends Chez Janou — and to save room for their chocolate mousse. Try Café Charlot for a fun vibe and great people watching, and Café Le Nemours for another classic café moment. Near the Louvre, Emmanuel loves Café Marly, a beautifully decorated brasserie. Also on his list are Le Petit Lutetia, a chic local brasserie, and hotel Cheval Blanc’s Le Tout-Paris. (Cheval Blanc is also one of our favorite Michelin Key hotels in France.)

“Amazing bouillabaisse and can't even emphasize enough on the chocolate tart soufflé!” Emmanuel said.

Fora Advisor Joanna Alejandro recommends Café Madeleine for a local spot with great martinis, while Daniela loves the riverside bistro Le Voltaire. The historic Brasserie Lipp is a must for a classic Parisian dining experience. Fora Advisor Valeriya Vygodnaya mentioned that the food is better than the ever-popular Café de Flore. Other spots to sample French culinary tradition include Le Grand Véfour and Restaurant Au Petit Riche. 

Le Train Bleu is an ornate, regal option at the Gare de Lyon. It served the best gnocchi Joanna said she’s ever had. 

“The staff was so amazing and attentive,” she added. “It is hard not to stare at your meal when the entire inside is draped in gold.”

For onion soup, Slaveiko says Bistrot des Vosges is a solid option. Also try the family-owned Restaurant La Petite Charlotte for traditional French fare. For ingredient-driven French food in a swanky space, Fora Advisor Pierre Benet recommends L’Atelier Maître Albert, part of Guy Savoy’s restaurant group. For haute cuisine, try the Michelin-Starred Le Dame de Pic. 

Non-French food

Joanna recommends Buddha Bar for great vibes and great food. Fora Advisor Frances Hsieh loves Le Bec Fin — Chez Saïd for North African specialties like tagines. Daniela says Bar des Prés is the perfect spot for sushi in Saint Germain. For French-Middle Eastern fusion, Nessia is calling.

Hip haunts

Fora Advisor Nicola Lewis says Brasserie Fouquet's is the perfect chic local spot, just off the Champs-Élysées. Jaïs is a fun wine bar with the best food and the coolest French people watching, Daniela said, while the intimate Le 21 is a favorite of Pierre Benet, who said it’s filled with locals and serves the best fish. 

Le Bon Saint Pourçain serves innovative seasonal dishes and amazing bread in a chic, tiny space. Slaveiko said reservations are a must. Le Grand Salon, in the hidden Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, is another must for seasonal, refined French food in a cool, polished atmosphere. Valeriya said the restaurant has an ambiance of pure elegance.

Finally, La Felicità is a fun, casual food hall where everything is direct-from-producers and homemade. 

There are “eight kitchens, nine chefs, three bars and a huge dose of love,” Covadonga said.

Bakeries, bread, cheese & dessert

Paris gets a lot of things right, but high on that list are bread, cheese and dessert. Fora Advisor Chiara Viganò says Fromagerie Crèmerie Frescolet, in Pigalle, is the best in Paris. Slaveiko says to go to Petite Île Boulangerie, in the Marais, for their bread and pastries. Boulangerie Utopie is a must for baguettes and croissants, as is Ernest & Valentin, a traditional mainstay with several locations. And if you’re partial to soufflés, both sweet and savory, do not miss Le Récamier.

“You can make an entire meal of soufflés by having them as a starter, main and dessert!” Frances said.

Bars & clubs

Go to Folderol for ice cream and wine, a pairing we love. Septime La Cave is always popular for a reason (as is its Michelin-Starred restaurant, Septime). The elegant cocktail bar Cravan is a multistory maison where each floor has a different vibe, while Harry’s Bar is a historic spot with an expansive cocktail menu. For a swanky cocktail experience where the drinks only contain alcohol made in France, head to one of Frances' favorites, Le Syndicat.

Castel Club has a very “Left Bank feeling,” Pierre said. It’s hip and vibey, with a fun, playful aesthetic. Prescription Cocktail Bar is Emmanuel’s favorite bar in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

“Love the 1930s-themed décor,” he said, which “transports you to an intimate Parisian soirée of yesteryear.”

In the Marais, the Little Red Door beckons. 

“It's all about the cocktails here,” Emmanuel said, adding how the bar abides by a “farm-to-glass” ethos. “The apple cocktail is delicious and — weirdly enough — very refreshing!”

Danico is great for cocktails in a speakeasy-esque space, while the delightful Bisou. is dripping in pink. Slaveiko said there’s no menu at the latter: “tell the mixologist what you like and they create a concoction for you.”

And while the bar at Hôtel Costes may be a bit cliché, Emmanuel admitted, it still merits a visit.

The bar “still holds true — sexy, soultry (love the rich velour, subdued lighting),” he said, adding that a reservation here is a must. “The hosts can sometimes be 'snobbish,' but if your character can get past that, it’s definitely worth it. Dress the part!”

Where to stay in Paris

Our advisors visited numerous hotels during the trip, but we’ve listed a few crowd favorites below.

Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa

Image courtesy of Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa

This elegant, sophisticated boutique hotel sits on the Plâce des Voges, a tranquil park in the Marais. It’s housed within an 18th-century mansion, and feels cozy and intimate.

“The rooms and suites are a seamless blend of historical decor and modern comfort,” Valeriya said. 

Expect large bathtubs in sprawling bathrooms bedecked with black-and-white tiles and patterned wallpaper. There are stone hearths, wooden floors, tasteful carpets, record players and large windows framed by heavy drapes — not to mention Codage bath amenities.

Fora Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Le Grand Mazarin

Image courtesy of Vincent Leroux for Le Grand Mazarin

Le Grand Mazarin is a playful Parisian newcomer, also in the Marais. Its spunky, eclectic decor — boldly patterned wallpaper, cheerful colors — is courtesy of designer Martin Brudnizki. It has 61 hotel rooms, all uniquely designed. The relatively small number of keys allows for especially personable hospitality.

“It's easy to miss the hotel, and this is intentional — they want guests to feel as if they are arriving home,” Daniela said. “There is no ‘formal’ reception, and check-in is done in the salon while having a drink.” 

Don’t miss the hotel’s restaurant Boubalé, which serves elevated Yiddish cuisine in hip, lively environs. It’s no surprise the restaurant is favored by locals.

Ritz Paris

Image courtesy of Vincent Leroux for Ritz Paris

Nicola called this Paris icon “the epitome of luxury.” She’s right. The hotel is grand and polished, with a Michelin-Starred restaurant (Espadon) and three handsome bars to boot. Nicola raved about the hotel’s famed Hemingway Bar and its flower-adorned cocktails and mini hotdogs and burgers.

Another must: Le Grand Brunch, a Paris Sunday institution.

“It really was the most divine meal, with exemplary service” she added.

Fora Perks:

• Complimentary round-trip airport transfers, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Kimpton St Honoré

Image courtesy of Kimpton St Honoré

This trendy, youthful retreat on the glamorous Rue St Honoré — Fora’s top-booked Paris hotel — is another relative newcomer to the city’s hotel scene, and it’s already making waves. Many rooms even offer views of the Eiffel Tower (which a Fora Advisor can secure for you when booking). 

Fora Advisor Diana Morales shared how the hotel is pet-friendly — but they go above and beyond. They have pet amenities and can even personalize food and water bowls with your pet’s name. Daniela added that the staff’s knack for personalization extends beyond pets, and makes for a truly special stay.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the hotel’s rooftop bar: “This place was incredible. You can see all of Paris from up there!”

The Kimpton is also near some of Paris’ main tourist attractions, like the Louvre Museum and its Jardins des Tuileries, Sainte-Chapelle, Notre Dame and, across the Seine River, the Musée d’Orsay.

Fora Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, welcome amenities, breakfast daily, an upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
  
  

Related Article: A Conversation with Daniel Wilms of Kimpton St Honoré Paris

Helpful French phrases & terms

Many Parisians speak English, but a few key words and phrases can make a difference. Plus, the French really appreciate it when people try to speak their language.

Bonjour: hello

Salut: more casual hello

Merci: thank you

S’il vous plaît: please (pronounced see-voo-play)

Santé: cheers

Allons-y: let’s go

Où est / où sont_?: where is / where are?

Le Métro: Paris’ efficient public transportation system, the equivalent of the Subway. (The RER, or Réseau Express Régional, is another rail option.)

Ready to travel? Reach out to one of the featured advisors to plan and book your Parisian getaway today.