The Complete Travel Guide: Paris, France

The Language in PAris

French and a few simple phrases to learn before your trip

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currency in paris

Euros & Payment Methods

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Best time to visit paris

February-June / September-December

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the arrondissements of paris

The Neighborhoods of Paris

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Where to stay in paris

Our Favorite Parisian Hotels

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Transportation in paris

Metro & Walking

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things to do in paris

Museums, Landmarks, Markets & Shopping

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Where to eat in paris

Cafes, Coffee Shops, Course Dinner & Boulangeries

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Day trips from paris

An Hour or Less from Paris

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Overnight Trips from paris

For a Larger Itinerary

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What to pack for paris

The Essentials + How to Look Parisian

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Bonjour

If this is your first time on The Weithouse - welcome! My name is Taylor and I’m the girl behind the screen and camera bringing you resources to help you plan the trip of your dreams. I know that planning a trip to a country or city you’ve never visited before can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to and my hope is that this travel guide equips you to plan your trip to Paris entirely on your own.

In January of 2022, my husband and I left our home in Atlanta, packed our bags and moved to Paris! Every day we wake up in disbelief that we get to call this incredible city our home, a city full of rich history, world-renowned food, and beauty hidden around every corner.

Whether you have one day or endless days this Complete Guide to Paris will guide you through the city that one never grows tired of exploring.

LANGUAGE: FRENCH

The French are very proud of their language, meaning if you want to avoid the stereotype of the French being mean to Americans/English speakers, my encouragement is to at least attempt to learn a few phrases before you arrive. It takes very little effort to begin a conversation with “Bonjour” or to say “Merci” when your food arrives, and those simple efforts can completely change the interactions you have with the French. Below are a few basic phrases to practice before your trip:

GREETINGS + PLEASANTRIES

• Bonjour (in the first part of the day)/Bonsoir (in the second part of the day): always start with this greeting. Whether you’re in a grocery store, restaurant, museum or taxi, it is the French way of saying hello.

• Merci: The French language is full of pleasantries, with merci being the most common. You should use this phrase when your food arrives, after ordering your tickets, at the boulangeries, and whenever you’re exiting a shop (even if you didn’t purchase anything).

• Merci beaucoup: For whenever you feel extra grateful. This is beyond the basic “merci” and will delight and surprise the French.

• Bonne Journee: Meaning “have a nice day” use this phrase whenever you are leaving somewhere. And follow up with the below.

• Au Revoir: This means goodbye. The French will say it to anyone and everyone who is leaving. They won’t miss you. Be sure to respond.

• Pardon or Excuse-moi: We have both of these in the English language, so this should be easy. You can use these phrases on the metro when you need to get around someone and can also use them to flag down a server or ask someone a question.

• S’il Vous Plaît: When you need to say please, mostly used in a restaurant, but you should always add it when requesting or ordering, even at a patisserie or boulangerie.

• Parlez Vous Anglais: Meaning, “do you speak English,” and probably the most helpful, because eventually you won’t understand something in the interaction. Rather than just blurt out in English, ask in French if your converser speaks English for a more natural transition.

whenever you leave a shop/restaurant you will hear “bonne journee, au revoir” which you can respond to with “Merci, bonne journee, au revoir”

RESTAURANT PHRASES

• Très bien: If you really want to impress your server at dinner, when they ask you how the meal was, respond with “Très bien” which means very good.

• Réservation: In Paris, you almost always need a reservation, and when you walk into the restaurant you can let them know by saying something like “réservation pour deux” which translates to reservation for two.

• L’addition, s’il vous plaît: When you’re ready to pay, use this phrase to ask for the bill. The server normally won’t bring it to you automatically.

• Toilettes: Another easy one, for when you need the restrooms. The proper phrase would be “où sont les toilettes” but even in English we rarely say, “where are the restrooms?” and instead ask a simple “the restrooms?” when in a restaurant or shop, so using “toilettes?” usually gets the point across.

Obviously, you could go much further than these phrases, but the above should get you far enough during your interactions and help you impress the French! If you want to really practice before your trip, download the Duolingo app to learn even more phrases and basics.

CURRENCY: EUROS

Paris is card-friendly and tap to pay is the most common option. For ease, load a card to Apple Pay before you come, and you can tap to purchase at most locations. You don’t need to carry a lot of cash, unless you plan to visit some of the antique or food markets. Even at the markets some vendors will take card, but it’s always good to have cash just in case.

There are ATMs throughout the city, so you don’t need to get the cash beforehand. Taxi drivers are required to take card in the city, meaning you don’t need cash to get from the airport to your hotel.

BEST TIME TO VISIT Paris

Not to say there is ever a bad time to visit Paris, but there are definitely best times of year to visit Paris, as some seasons and months are going to provide a much more pleasant experience than others.

If it’s your first time visiting Paris, I would not recommend visiting Paris in January or August. January in Paris can be quite cold, has short days, and just overall isn’t Paris at her finest, while in August, the heat is at an all-time high and every Parisian goes on their summer holiday, meaning restaurants and shops will be closed. Other than those two months, Paris has something special to offer regardless of when you come.

(January)

• Cons: Cold, short days, Paris at her worst (which is still pretty good)

• Pros: Little to no crowds, cheap hotel prices.

(February)

• Cons: Still cold, still short days, dreary

• Pros: Valentine’s Day in the most romantic city in the world?

(March)

• Cons: Still pretty cold and may be pretty rainy

• Pros: Low crowds, cheap hotel prices, Spring has started to show herself!

(April)

• Cons: Potentially very rainy, spring break crowds

• Pros: Longer days, Spring, still less crowded than peak season months.

(May)

• Cons: Crowds, higher prices

• Pros: Beautiful weather, long, warm days.

(June)

• Cons: Crowds, higher prices

• Pros: Beautiful weather, long, warm days, seasonal produce.

(July)

• Cons: Crowds, higher prices, starts to get very warm.

• Pros: Long, warm days, seasonal produce, Bastille Day.

(August)

• Cons: The French go on holiday, everything is closed, very hot

• Pros: An empty city to explore.

(September)

• Cons: Lingering crowds at the beginning of the month from peak season

• Pros: Pleasant weather, falling prices, reduced crowds, changing of the seasons.

(October)

• Cons: Potentially very rainy, cooler evenings

• Pros: Potentially beautiful/sunny fall weather, fall foliage, cheaper prices, less crowds.

(November)

• Cons: Potentially very rainy, cold evenings

• Pros: Lingering fall foliage, cheaper prices, less crowds, Holiday decor and festivities.

(December)

• Cons: Potentially very rainy, cold evenings, holiday crowds

• Pros: Christmas markets, Holiday décor, potential snow, still less crowds than peak season.

Pont Neuf in February

Pont Neuf in May

Pont Neuf in March

Pont Neuf in September

ARRONDISSEMENTS: THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF PARIS

The direct translation of arrondissements to English is districts. Paris is made up of 20 arrondissements and they are the best way to understand how the city is laid out (in addition to which side of the river you’re on). All 20 of the arrondissements sit inside a “circle” that is roughly 6 miles (or 9.5km) in diameter. The arrondissements are in numerical order, designed on a spiral out from the center of the city to the edge of the perimeter.

To help you understand the layout of the city and what areas you will be spending your time in, outlined below is a list of my favorite arrondissements inclusive of the famous Parisian landmarks within each.

As you read through the information, think about which arrondissement sounds most attractive to you, as it can help guide where you decide to book your hotel during your visit to Paris.

To start, if you want to feel like you’re in the heart of Paris, the 6ème Arrondissement, 18e Arrondissement, 9ème arrondissement, 1er Arrondissement and 3eme Arrondissement would be my top recommendations for a first time in Paris.

6ème Arrondissement

This is where we live and I fall more and more in love with the area every day. Known as the Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarter of Paris, it is home to Jardin Du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens), the famous Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore cafes, and the beautiful Eglise de Saint Germain des Prés.

It is a much quieter area of Paris and is a good arrondissement to stay in if you prefer less hustle and bustle in the late hours of the night. A good hotel option in this arrondissement is Hotel Saint-André des Arts.

Read our complete guide to the 6th arrondissement.

Interior of Eglise de Saint Germain des Prés in the 6ème arrondissement

Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6ème arrondissement

18e Arrondissement

Also known as Montmartre, this area of Paris in the 19th and 20th centuries was a completely separate village and has a history of being the neighborhood of famous artists, such as Van Gogh and Renoir. Montmartre sits atop a hill overlooking Paris, and today is the home to Sacré-Cœur (those famous steps you’ve seen when looking up pictures of Paris), portrait artists in the square, some of the prettiest streets in Paris (including the Instagram famous, La Maison Rose), and amazing views of the Eiffel Tower.

A livelier area of Paris, especially in peak seasons, book your stay in Montmartre if you prefer late evenings with friends or staying up to catch the Eiffel Tower every time she sparkles on the hour. For a beautiful hotel in Montmartre, book a stay at Monsieur Aristide.

Place du Tertre (square) in Montmartre, Paris

Portrait artist in Montmartre

9ème arrondissement

Directly South of Montmartre and the 18eme is the 9eme arrondissement, which is most well-known as the arrondissement home to Palais Garnier (Opera House), the famous Parisian department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, and in my personal opinion, some of Paris’ best authentic French cuisine.

Book your hotel in this area if you enjoy being in what feels like the heart of the city, to be near good restaurants, and to stumble upon and stroll through the historic covered passages of Paris. For views of both Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower, book a stay at Hôtel Rochechouart.

View from Galeries LaFayette rooftop

Florist in the 9eme arrondissement 9ème arrondissement

1er Arrondissement

The Louvre, Louvre Tuileries, Palace Royale, Musée de l'Orangerie, and Les Halles all sit within this arrondissement. The 1er arrondissement of Paris is a great location if you want easy walking access to many of the previous mentioned destinations as well as other parts of the city, however, it can be very crowded, is much pricier and just feels a bit more touristy than many of the other more authentic neighborhoods of Paris.

The 1er arrondissement is home to five-star hotels such as The Ritz Paris and Mandarin Oriental. For a beautiful and more affordable hotel in the 1er arrondissement, book a stay at Maison Armance.

Interior courtyard of Palais Royale in the 1er Arrondissement

View of the Louvre Pyramid

3eme Arrondissement

Home to Place des Vosges, the Picasso Museum, Nicolas Flamel House (said to be Paris’ oldest stone house), and the Jewish Quarter, this small and bustling neighborhood in Paris is one of my favorites for shopping, eating, drinking coffee and strolling. Also known as Le Marais, it has some of the most narrow and enchanting streets in Paris, trendy shops, good coffee, and unique pop up and concept stores.

The 3eme arrondissement of Paris is much more lively, so you’ll want to book a hotel here if you like the bustle of the city or a looking for some night life. For a hotel in the heart of the Marais, book a stay at Hotel Sookie.

Nike Lab store in Le Marais, Paris

Place des Vosges in the 3eme Arrondissement of Paris

Below are a few additional arrondissements that are worth exploring during your trip to Paris, even if you don’t book a hotel there.

4ème arrondissement: Covering Île de la Cité, Île Saint-Louis and part of the right bank, this arrondissement is home to Notre-Dame Cathedral, Marché aux fleurs Place Louis Lépine, Sainte-Chapelle, and the modern-art museum Centre Pompidou. This arrondissement also shares the southern portion of Le Marais and is a central location to everything in Paris. I personally love finding the perfect spot along the Seine on the less famous Ile Saint-Louis and watching the boat tours pass by.

Book a stay in the 4eme arrondissement if you want to be near the river, yet still in the heart of all the action of Paris. A beautiful new hotel to book in the 4eme is La Grand Mazarin.

Ile Saint Louis in the 4eme Arrondissement

A street on the Right Bank in the 4eme Arrondissement

5e Arrondissement

Also commonly called the Latin Quartier, the 5eme arrondissement sits on the edge of the 6th arrondissement and the banks of the Seine river on the left bank. The 5eme arrondissement is home to the Jardin de Plantes, Pantheon, Emily in Paris locations, Musée de Cluny (the medieval art museum), The Latin Quartier, Shakespeare + Co Bookstore, and the Instagram famous Odette Street. This is the university neighborhood of Paris meaning here you will find a lot of young adults and fun cheap eateries.

The 5eme arrondissement is a great area to stay in Paris if you’re looking for something slightly off the beaten path, yet easily accessible to all other parts of Paris. It’s also a wonderful arrondissement to stay in if you’re a book lover or spending your time in Paris studying or writing.

Pantheon - Paris 5eme Arrondissement

Famous Odette facade in the 5e Arrondissement

7e Arrondissement

Bursting with landmarks, the 7e arrondissement is home to Pont Alexandre III, Musee d’Orsay, Invalides, Tour de Eiffel, and Musee Rodin. Many tourists book a stay in this arrondissement due to its proximity to the Eiffel Tower, however, I personally think it lacks the Parisian charm in comparison to the arrondissements highlighted above.

The Rodin Museum in the 7eme Arrondissement

View of Eiffel Tower from the Orsay Museum in the 7eme Arrondissement

WHERE TO STAY in paris

According to ParisDiscoverGuide.com, 1500 is the officially recognized number of hotels in Paris, a number that doesn’t even include those labeled as “aparthotels” nor Airbnb listings. If that number doesn’t shock you, in comparison, New York City has around 258 officially recognized hotels and London comes in around 700.

That being said, choosing your Parisian hotel can feel overwhelming and time consuming. For the sake of convenience and your overall experience in Paris, start by trying to find a hotel within your budget in one of the above listed arrondissements. Each arrondissement listed above is within the “heart” of Paris and has metro lines to easily access all of the famous museums and sight-seeing, meaning you don’t need to book a hotel right on top of the Eiffel Tower to enjoy it.

To help get you started, in this post I’ve rounded up some of the most stylish boutique hotels in Paris, a few of which we had the pleasure of staying in when we first moved to the city.

You can also find all of our favorite Parisian hotels over on the Stay Well portion of our site, where we share a curated list of the best hotels and Airbnbs in the world. See the Paris hotels here.

how to get around paris

You do not need to rent a car when you come to Paris, in fact, I advise against it (unless you have mobility issues). Paris can and should be walked as much as feasible possible. There aren’t that many things to do in Paris that don’t require walking, and walking is how you will fall in love with the magic, mystery and beauty of the city. And don’t let the walk time dissuade you. A forty-minute walk might sound miserable in your hometown, but in Paris time flies as you find yourself in the lost in the winding streets, passing cafes, stumbling upon cute shops and taking in the architecture.

Aside from walking, Paris has a wonderful metro system which can get you to and from any point within the city. In order to use the metro, you’ll need to purchase a book of ten tickets, which will cost around 16 euros. Start by purchasing the book of ten and if you need more throughout your trip, purchase accordingly. You can purchase tickets at the entrance of any metro station. The book of ten tickets are single use tickets, meaning at the end of your one-way journey, you will need to throw them out. But be sure to hold on to them during your journey until you’ve exited the station, because sometimes you need them in order to exit, or you might be asked to present your ticket for the journey before exiting the station.

best things to do in paris

I’ve come to believe it’s simply impossible to see, do, and taste all of Paris. That being said, you should arrive in the city with a pretty solidified plan of how you want to spend your time to avoid decision fatigue once you arrive. Below is a list of museums to visit, landmarks to see, markets to explore, shopping and a few other favorite ways to spend time in the city. This list is meant to present everything in one place, rather than tell you to do every item on the list. Use it to pick your top priorities for your travels and to start building a plan.

top three musuems in paris

Although it’s commonly called the city of lights, Paris could easily be titled “the city of museums,” as it boasts over 130 museums within the city limits. Paris is also home to the largest art museum in the world (The Louvre). If you love art or history or architecture, pick a few museums as the base for your itinerary and build everything else around those visits.

if rain is in your forecast, museums are a great way to stay warm and dry while enjoying some of Paris’ most iconic architecture and art.

The Louvre (most visited art museum in the world): This is the museum you’ve heard of and is home to the world’s most famous work of art, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as the iconic glass pyramids. It is the busiest museum in Paris (according to Statista.com, in 2019, the Louvre attracted approximately 9.6 million visitors) as well as the largest, and your expectation should not be to see the entire thing.

Do some research before your visit to determine what works of art you would like to see and mentally prepare yourself that if you visit in the high seasons (May-August), it will be quite crowded. Depending on how much you’re interested in seeing and how long you enjoy museums, you could spend all day or just a few hours inside. The museum has a handful of restaurants and cafes for a break in the middle or a quick espresso (in the same wing as the Mona Lisa is Cafe Mollien which offers outdoor seating with beautiful views over the Louvre courtyard and pyramids below).

• Hours: The museum is open from 9:00AM to 6:00 PM Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays. The last entry is 1 hour before closing and the clearing of rooms begins 30 minutes before closing.

• Public holidays: the Louvre is closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. It remains open on all other public holidays unless they fall on a Tuesday, the museum’s day of closure.

• Tickets: a reserved time slot is needed prior to entrance, which you can purchase here and costs 17,00 € (under 18 admission is free with proof of ID). You can also purchase guided tours for an additional fee.

If you would prefer a guided tour of the Louvre, you can book one on Get Your Guide, like this one that has five-stars.

see the Mona Lisa with Less crowds by waiting in the Denon Wing until around 5:20 PM and enter the room a few minutes before it closes.

View of the Louvre Pyramid from inside the Denon Wing

Winged Victory of Samothrace in the Denon Wing of the Louvre

Musée d’Orsay: Famous for its collection of impressionist art on the fourth floor (including works by Monet and Van Gogh), this 1900 train station now houses artwork from the middle of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century (1848-1914). Although still a highly visited museum in Paris, it is much less crowded than the Louvre, with approximately 3.7 million visitors in 2019, roughly a third of those that visited the Louvre. The building itself sits across the river from the Louvre and Tuileries and can be identified by its two clocks facing the Seine.

• Hours: The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am - 6pm. Last access to the museum at 5pm, last access to the exhibitions at 5:15pm, closing of the rooms from 5:30pm. Late opening on Thursday until 9:45pm. Last access to the museum and exhibitions at 9pm, closing of the rooms from 9:30pm The museum is closed every Monday, May 1 and December 25

• Tickets: you can purchase tickets here for 16,00 € (under 18 admission is free with proof of ID).

Degas ballerina sculpture in the Musée d’Orsay

Overhead shot of the Musée d’Orsay

Musée de l'Orangerie: A former winter shelter for the orange trees that lined the garden of the Tuileries Palace (built in 1852), the Musée de l'Orangerie is now home to Monet’s famous Les Nymphéas, or Water Lilies, which have been on display in the museum since 1927. The display is made up of 8 large-scale compositions of water lilies in a natural light setting across two rooms and is a really unique museum experience for anyone who loves Monet or impressionism. The museum is located in the Louvre Tuileries and is an easy add on when in the area, as you don’t need too much time to visit.

• Hours: The museum is open Wednesday to Monday 9:00am - 6pm and a timeslot is still required. Last admission is 5:15 pm, rooms close at 5:45 pm. The museum is closed every Tuesday, on May 1, July 14 morning and December 25

• Tickets: You can purchase tickets here for 12.50 € (26-year-old residents of the EEA or -18-year-old are free).

get the tranqiul lilies all to yourself by booking the earliest morning time slot for your visit.

Les Nymphéas by Monet at Musée de l'Orangerie

One of the two oval rooms at the Musée de l'Orangerie

The previous three museums are the most popular and the ones that you should prioritize for your travels, however, if you have additional time, or you’ve been to any of those before, below are two other beautiful museums to visit:

• Musée National Picasso-Paris: In the 3eme arrondissement, this museum is home to the lifework of Pablo Picasso. Even if you aren’t a Picasso fan, the building itself is breathtaking and worth walking through. Find hours and book tickets here.

• Musée Rodin: In the 7eme arrondissement, this museum is home to the lifework of sculptor, Auguste Rodin. It is a beautiful display of his work, housed in a historic building with one of the prettiest gardens in Paris. Find hours and book tickets here. P.S. - this is one of my favorite places in all of Paris.

• Petit Palais: Located in the 8eme arrondissement, across from the Grand Palais, this stunning piece of architecture was built in the 1900s for the Universal Exhibition. It is now a museum of fine arts, which is free to visit. There is a small, yet wonderful garden in the courtyard of the building where you can enjoy a petit dejeurner or a glass of wine. You can find the museum hours here.

Interior of the Petit Palais Museum in Paris

Winter light on a sculpture at Musée Rodin in Paris, France

top landmarks to see in paris

Paris itself is one big famous landmark created by the littering of historic eglises (churches), ponts (bridges), parcs (parks), and bâtiments (buildings) throughout the city. One of my most frequently requested pieces of advice from people coming to Paris is what are my “non-touristy” recommendations on things to do. But quite frankly, the touristy things ARE the things you should do when you come to Paris. Maybe social media or Pinterest has convinced you that some of these landmarks are overrated or overcrowded, but they are famous and crowded for a reason. Every bulleted item below is a must-see when in Paris, and yes, they are the touristy things to do. Just do them. They are that good.

• The Eiffel Tower: See it from Champ-de-Mars, Trocadéro, rooftops, a river cruise or go to the top and/or have dinner inside (if you plan to have dinner, be sure to book in advance).

• Notre Dame Cathedral: The interior is closed until 2024 due to renovations after the fire, but you can still stroll in front of the building and read about the construction that is underway.

• The Seine River: Stroll along the Seine River at any time during your trip and blend in with the locals by having a picnic along the banks, or hop on a river cruise to see the city by boat.

• Sacré-Cœur basilica/Montmartre: If you dare, take the 222 steps (there is also a funicular if needed) up to Montmartre and visit the Sacré-Cœur basilica, get your painting done by one of the famous artists in the square and go after sunset to get a hilltop view of the Eiffel Tower sparkling. This is also where the Insta-famous “La Maison Rose” building is located.

• The Louvre Tuileries: These are the gardens in front of the Louvre and are the perfect spot to picnic or take a break from your Paris-filled day.

• The Louvre Pyramids: Even if you don’t plan to visit the inside of the Louvre, be sure to stroll past the Pyramids in both the daytime and at night.

• Palais Royal: Where the famous black and white striped columns are, this is an easy add if you’re near the Louvre.

• Jardin du Luxembourg: Read a book or drink some wine by soaking up the beautiful gardens, and make sure you stroll by the Medici Fountain, or if you have children, rent a sailboat.

• Pont Alexandre-III: Directly in front of Invalides, this is the prettiest (and most famous) bridge in Paris.

• Arc de Triomphe/Champs Elysées: Book tickets to the top of Arc de Triomphe for beautiful views of the city sprawling out from the monument in an etoile or star design.

• Covered Passages: One of my favorite discoveries in Paris, most can be found on the Rive Droite (right bank) and are a good spot to find vintage books and postcards. A few of my favorites are Passage Jouffroy, Galerie Vivienne, Passage du Grand-Cerf, and Passage des Panoramas.

• Bibliotheque National France: Visit the oval room for a stunning display of 20,000 books, free to the public.

• Opéra Garnier: Visit a show at the Opéra or simply take a tour of the beautiful interior.

Find a simplified list of the best things to do your first time in Paris in this guide.

View of Sacre-Couer from the Hotel Rochechouart rooftop

Sitting on the Seine River at Pont Neuf

best experiences in paris

If you’re looking for an experience while in Paris, there are a few unique activities I would recommend, especially if you’re traveling with a family member that has a special interest. All of the activities bulleted below are tried and tested and can highly recommend them for an amazing Parisian experience.

• Cooking Class at Le Cordon Bleu: You don’t have to be enrolled in culinary school to take a cooking or baking course from the best of the best. Le Cordon Bleu Paris offers individual workshops throughout the year, perfect for travelers that want to up their cooking or baking skills. You can find a list of the short courses offered here.

• Croissant Making Class with Maison Fleuret: Learn from the pros on how to bake those buttery croissant layers to perfection. This class is perfect to do with a group of travels or if you have children that love to cook and bake! Book your class here.

• Flower Arranging Workshop at L’Arrosoir: Walking around Paris, you can’t help but fall in love with the endless bouquets on the streets of every florist throughout the city. Learn the art of bouquet making at this floral workshop and head home with a new skill in your back pocket. Book the workshop here.

Interior of L’Arrosoir fleuriste in Paris

Exterior of L’Arrosoir fleuriste in Paris, France

paris brocantes and markets

France is known for its market culture, and Paris is a great location for experiencing it. In Paris, you will find weekly (sometime bi-weekly) food markets as well as monthly pop-up brocantes (flea-markets). Paris is also home to the world’s largest antique market, Le Marché aux Puces, if you’re ready to dive head-first into hundreds of years of antiques. Below are the two antique markets worth visiting while in Paris.

• Le Marché aux Puces: Located north of the city, this is the largest concentration of antique dealers and second-hand dealers in the world, totaling more than 5 million visitors a year among whom we meet many foreign tourists and even very often celebrities (www.pucesdeparissaintouen.com). The dealers range from curated, high-end antiques (frequently shopped by celebrities and designers) as well as more “flea-market” style items. There are 12 covered markets and five shopping streets, meaning the market is quite vast and overwhelming. Nevertheless, if you’re in search of an antique painting, beautiful French mirror, or various other knick-knacks to bring home as a souvenir, you’re sure to find it at one of the booths. You can find all the details on how to access the market as well as hours and vendors here.

  • For when you inevitably get hungry, grab the petite gourmet burgers from Térèse, located at 19 rue Paul Bert, 93400 Saint-Ouen.

  • For when you need some more caffeine, grab a cup from La Crème Cafe (located in the Paul Bert Serpette Market) and sit on the terrace for a view over the market, or if inside Marché Dauphine, grab a cup from the Noir location towards the back.

• Les Puces de Vanves: If the previous market sounds a bit too overwhelming, yet you still want to find that French diamond in the rough, every weekend you can find similar gems at the Les Puces de Vanves market. It is a more traditional street market, still covering a few streets, but a bit more manageable. The market is every Saturday and Sunday, year-round, and features 380 merchants. Be sure to bring cash!

If you love antiquing, be sure to read our guide to the best flea markets in Paris.

Street in the Vernaison open air market in Le Marché aux Puces

Antique lighting store in Vernaison open air market in Le Marché aux Puces

where to shop in paris

Paris is the fashion capital of the world, so if you have shopping on your Paris itinerary, you’re headed to the right place. Even if you aren’t a big shopper, some of the stores below are worth a walk through, if just to appreciate their stunning architecture and interiors and in some cases, breathtaking rooftop views. In addition to the grand magasins (department stores) there are endless local designer boutiques covering every category from shoes to a French-tailored suit. Oh, and if you really want to tap into French culture, bring your eye prescription and pop into any of the very hip eye glass stores (there are a lot).

And I’d be remiss to talk about shopping in Paris without mentioning Champs-Élysées. Head there to shop your Parisian designers or to feel like you’re on the Fifth Avenue of Paris.

The Grand Magasins

• Galeries LaFayette: Located directly behind Opéra Garnier, this is the biggest of the Parisian department stores and also the most stunning. Head to the center of the ground floor, look up and you’ll see why. The store has a free access rooftop with great views overlooking the Opéra and the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Come at Christmas for a beautiful display, or in January/July for Soldes (sales).

• Printemps: Just down the street from Galeries LaFayette is Printemps. It is similar to Galeries LaFayette and also has a less-known rooftop.

• Le Bon Marché: The “hip” grand magasin, located in the 6eme arrondissement near Hotel Lutetia. It is famous for its iconic central escelators and always has a themed display throughout the store.

• La Grande Épicerie de Paris: Next door to Le Bon Marché is an “ultra-refined gourmet food emporium.” It is a food-lovers paradise and a great place to buy local groceries or souvenirs for your trip home!

• Samaritaine: Located on the right bank, directly across from Pont Neuf, Samaritaine is another beautiful architectural experience.

Samaritaine decorated for Christmas

View from the Galeries LaFayette rooftop

The Boutiques

• Merci Paris: Located in the 3eme arrondissement (111 bd Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris), Merci Paris is a combination of French clothing, home decor and home goods. Don’t miss checking out their used book cafe next door!

• Sézane: Locations scattered throughout Paris and inside a few grand magasins, Sézane is a women’s clothing store that started in Paris and offers beautiful French clothing. Find a location here.

• Marin Montagut: Flagship location just off of Luxembourg Gardens, head here to find beautiful artisan souvenirs to bring home, like glasses with your favorite rues of Paris or porcelain mugs with hand painted Parisian chairs. Located at 48 Rue Madame, Paris 75006

• L’Officine Universelle Buly: If you’re looking for a unique Parisian perfume, head to this beautiful boutique to experience true perfumery with authentic formulas in a historic setting. Located at 6 rue Bonaparte Paris 75006

• Hermès Paris Sèvres: If you find yourself near Le Bon Marche, be sure to stop in the nearby Hermès store (17, rue de Sèvres) for a beautiful retail experience. The interior of the building used to be a swimming pool, and has now been coverted to the beautiful space it is today. You can find all of the Hermès goods, as well as a small bookshop and a tearoom.

Perfumes at L’Officine Universelle Buly

Where to Eat in paris

A friend of mine once said, “Paris is one big restaurant” and I couldn’t agree more. There are tens of thousands of restaurants in Paris, sometimes making it overwhelming to figure out where to eat during your travels. To help, I’ve broken the restaurants into various categories that will give you a more robust Parisian eating experience.

the best Cafés/BRASSERIES in paris

First and foremost, you should eat at a cafe/brasserie at least once during your trip to Paris, if not every day. It is a cultural experience, especially during petit dejeuner (breakfast). At a traditional petit dejeuner, you will get a hot drink, orange juice, croissants, toast and jam, and can sometimes add an egg. The goal is to sit curbside, facing the street, and watch the passersby as you consume your coffee and croissant at a leisurely pace. The difference between the words café and brasserie is that one is for getting coffee and one is for drinking. In Paris, they are most often synonymous, as you can get a coffee in the morning and dinner and a drink at night. Below are the more famous, or our favorite café/brasseries in Paris, however, there are thousands of cafés in the city so don’t feel like you have to pick one of these (this is just a starting point if you need one).

• Les Deux Magots (also a “brasserie” option for lunch or dinner)

• Café de Flore (order the cappuccino to get a coffee that says “Cafe de Flore”)

• Le Bonaparte (also a good cafe option, near Deux Magots)

• Café Varenne (in the 7ᵉ, near Musée Rodin)

• Les Antiquaires (7eme arrondissement, near Musee D’Orsay)

Les Deux Musées cafe near Musée d’Orsay, in the 7eme arrondissement

Café La Palette in the 6eme arrondissement

the best coffee shops in paris

If you’re a coffee lover, there is no shortage of caffeine in Paris. If you need a break or a boost, you can pop into any cafe and order an espresso at any time of day. If you’re more of a coffee connoisseur, Paris does have a good supply of coffee shops. Below are a few of my favorites, or you can find my complete list of the best Paris coffee shops in this post.

• Maison Fleuret (6ᵉ arrondissement)

• Noir Coffee Shop (locations in 7ᵉ. 8ᵉ, 16ᵉ & Ile Saint-Louis)

• Café Kitsuné (Palais Royal, Tuileries, Louvre, Vertbois)

• Cuppa Café Paris (7ᵉ arrondissement)

• Saint Pearl (6ᵉ arrondissement)

Maison Fleuret Coffeeshop in the 6eme arrondissement

Noir Coffeeshop on Île Saint-Louis

best traditional french food in paris

There is no shortage of French food in Paris, and a simple search on TripAdvisor or The Fork near your location is honestly your best bet to find an authentic, delicious, French restaurant. Below are a few that we’ve tried or taken our guests to and that have always been enjoyable.

• Bouillon Pigalle, Republique, Chartier (lunch + dinner) - NO RESA, you just get to wait in line as part of the experience!

• La Grange Aux Canards (dinner) - RESA needed

• La Vache et Le Cuisinier (dinner) - RESA needed

• Sacrée Fleur (lunch, some days + dinner): French/Steakhouse - RESA needed

best course MEALS in paris

If you’re looking to have a gourmet food experience in Paris, you can google search for Michelin meals, or again, use TripAdvisor or The Fork to find an endless list of options. Below are two “course” dinners we’ve had that are at the top of our food experiences in Paris and that I would highly recommend for a culinary experience.

• Signature Montmartre (dinner) - Michelin Guide 2021, Korean/French Fusion - RESA needed

• Mumi (7 course fixed menu) - RESA needed

best FOOD/DRINKS with a view

There’s no shortage of views in Paris, meaning you can find a dinner with a view scattered throughout the city. Unfortunately, this normally comes at a higher (sometimes steep) price point, but you can normally opt for lunch prices or just drinks only if you’re looking to get the view without the cost.

• Gigi Restaurant (Lunch or Dinner) - RESA needed

• Bambini (Lunch or Dinner) - RESA needed

• Restaurant MUN (Lunch or Dinner) - RESA needed

• Le Tout Paris (Lunch or Dinner) - RESA needed

• Monsieur Bleu (Lunch or Dinner) - RESA needed

• Loulou Restaurant (Lunch or Dinner) - RESA needed

• Hotel Rochechouart Rooftop (Lunch + Drinks)

Exterior shot of Bouillon Republique in the 3eme arrondissement

Dessert from Signature Montmartre in the 18eme arrondissement

best BOULANGERIES & Desserts in paris

The main reason you came to Paris, right? It wouldn’t be a true Parisian experience if you didn’t spend every single day feasting on baguettes and croissants and pain au chocolats and tartes and eclairs and every other delicious, buttery delicacy you can get your hands on. You will pass hundreds of boulangeries and pastry shops throughout Paris, and my advice is to try as many treats as you can stomach. They are a French pride and a true art, both in appearance and in flavor. Here are a few of our favorite shops to get our fix of all the above.

• Babka Zana (Boulangerie) - Mainly Babka, if you’ve never tried, you’re missing out.

• Mamiche (Boulangerie) - A more traditional French boulangerie.

• La Meringaie (Dessert) - A meringue shop.

• Cédric Grolet (Dessert) - You’ve probably already seen these tasty treats on Instagram. They are high in price but equally high in beauty.

• La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac (Dessert) - Another famous patisserie in Paris, pricey, but beautiful and delicious. Located throughout the city.

• Sebastien Gaudard (Desserts + Chocolate) - Pastries and desserts and chocolats

• Poilane - Another traditional French boulangerie.

• Aux Merveilleux de Fred - our legitimate favorite dessert in all of Paris. Get the Caramel L'Incroyable (even if you don’t like caramel, just do it) and also the Chocolat Brioche.

The beautiful desserts from Cedric Grolet Opera

Poilâne Boulangerie in the 6eme arrondissement

The best macarons in paris

Another Parisian must, the macaron. If you’re one of those people that “doesn’t like macarons” I would challenge you to try one while in Paris. There are macaron stores all over Paris, but our favorite is Pierre Hermé. We normally encourage our guests to try both Pierre Hermé and Ladurée to see which they prefer. My favorite flavor is vanille (vanilla).

• Pierre Hermé

• Ladurée

DAY TRIPS AN HOUR OR LESS FROM PARIS

If your trip to Paris is longer than just a couple of days, then building in a trip outside of the city is the perfect way to see other breathtaking parts of France. Train travel in France is easy, and all of the trips listed below are an hour or less from Paris by train, meaning they can be visited within a day. You can book your train tickets here.

Train tickets are cheaper the earlier you book them, so book as soon as you know where you’re headed.

Château de Versailles: This is the most famous day trip from Paris, as it is essentially an extension of the history of Paris itself. A visit to Versailles is a full day affair, and you should be sure to allot the day to seeing all the château and grounds have to offer. If you’ve never been to Paris, I highly recommend visiting as there is nothing similar to it within the city. Find all of the information to plan your visit here.

Château de Chantilly: Home to the largest horse stables in Europe as well as a stunning Château and grounds, Chantilly is my preferred day trip (over Versailles). Chantilly is much less visited than the more-famous Versailles, the horse stables are truly stunning and overall, the experience is much more pleasant. There is a direct train from Paris to Chantilly that takes roughly 30-minutes, and Chantilly is also said to be the place where Chantilly Creme was invented. You can find our Complete Day Trip Guide to Chantilly here.

Giverny: If you love the work of the famous French Impressionist Artist, and/or you love gardening, then a visit to Giverny, France, and more specifically, to Monet’s home and gardens, is a must. His gardens are absolutely stunning, and you can see the pond and lilies that inspired his work for Musée de l'Orangerie. Visit in April for a beautiful, colorful display of tulips, in May for Irises, and in June/July to see the lilies in bloom. You can book tickets here or read this post with all the details on how to get from Paris to Giverny.

Fontainebleau: If you’ve visited Versailles, and are looking for a different day trip, take a visit to the Château de Fontainebleau. The château is equally beautiful to Versailles, has a lovely grounds and gardens with a lake where you can rent boats, and is next to the Fontainebleau Forest which is perfect for hiking in good weather. You can find our Complete Day Trip Guide to Fontainebleau here.

Chartres: If you want to see a cathedral said to rival Notre Dame, take the 1-hour train to the village of Chartres. You can easily spend the day strolling through the streets of the village, and if you stay until evening, enjoy the projected light show from July-January. You can read our Chartres Day Trip Guide here.

Discover all of our favorite day trips by train from Paris in this post.

Interior hall of Château de Versailles

The pond outside of Château de Fontainebleau

best overnight trips from paris

If seeing Paris is only part of a larger itinerary and you want to explore more of France or Europe, you can easily do so. Charles de Gaulle is the hub for connecting to destinations in Europe, meaning you can easily (and normally cheaply) fly to just about anywhere from Paris. If, however, you want to stick to the train system once on the ground, below is a list of places you can access by train from Paris.

France (by train)

• Normandy (read our Normandy travel guide here)

• Mont Saint Michel

• Bordeaux

• Brittany

• Annecy (The French Alps)

• Alsace Region (Strasbourg and Colmar) (read our Alsace Christmas Market Guide here)

• Provence (read our complete guide to Provence)

• French Riviera (read our French Riviera travel guide)

Europe (by train)

• London, England (read our London at Christmas guide)

• Milan, Italy

• Amsterdam, Netherlands (read our Amsterdam travel guide)

• Brussels, Belgium

• Barcelona, Spain

• Cologne, Germany (read our Cologne Christmas market guide)

• Munich, Germany (read our Munich Christmas market guide)

• Switzerland

The white-chalk cliffs of Etretat in Normandy (read the Normandy guide)

The ancient olive trees in the village of Lourmarin in Provence, France (read the Provence guide)

what to pack for paris

The time of year you’re visiting Paris is going to greatly impact the types of things you need to pack for your trip. However, regardless of when you visit, there are few must haves that will help make your Paris trip the most enjoyable.

• Walking Shoes: I know that you really want to be a Parisian fashionista, but Paris is not friendly to your feet, meaning you will want to pack some tennis shoes or shoes with a good grip on the bottom. Many of the streets are cobblestone and the stairs marble, so grip will be your best friend.

• Raincoat/Umbrella: It’s not a Parisian week if there isn’t some (sometimes a lot) of rain in the forecast, so be sure to pack your raincoat (or waterproof winter coat if it’s the season). An umbrella is also your friend, but you can always grab one from the supermarche (supermarket) around the corner once you arrive.

How to dress Parisian

If you want to blend in, you’re going to want to pack a few simple items. The French wardrobe is one of perceived effortlessness, but that does indeed require some effort. Oh, and let’s be honest, French people don’t wear berets. Of course, take your cute beret photos throughout Paris if you so desire, but just know, it’s an immediate red flag that screams TOURIST (although you will sometimes see them on the older generation).

Here are my tips for blending in with the locals:

• Jeans: French women love their denim, and most often wear a simple straight cut sans holes or embellishments.

• White Tops: That classic French wardrobe, jeans with a white top, is actually true. The top can be a t-shirt or more feminine, whatever suits your fancy.

• Trench or Blazer: Layer up with a simple trench coat or your go to blazer and you’ll blend right in.

• Canvas Tote or Simple Handbag: Although sometimes carrying around your backpack is inevitable when traveling, if you want to blend in while in Paris, opt for a canvas tote or a simple handbag.

• Don’t over fix your hair: I know for my hair-curling American ladies this one is tough, but French women don’t really “fix” their hair. It’s normally a natural style, again, looking effortless.

• Don’t layer on the make-up: Another big beauty difference is the makeup in France is light and simple. Very little foundation, maybe a light mascara, and sometimes the bold French lip, but often, a light stain or no color at all.

FINAL WORDS

Everything in this post is research compiled from over 22 months of living in this city and I hope that my experience helps you plan the trip of your dreams. On that note, I want to close out the post with one final piece of advice. Even after an entire year of living in this city, we STILL haven’t done all there is to do. Keep that in mind when you’re planning your trip and don’t feel like you have to squeeze everything in. Because you simply can’t. Pick those items that spark the most excitement in your soul, do those as fully as you possibly can, and if (when) the magic of this city captures your heart, know that you will be back.

And even if you never make it back to Paris, you will have your memories, your souvenirs, unique to you, to treasure for the rest of your days.

Au revoir (GOODBYE) & à bientôt (see you later),

Taylor

QUESTIONS

Have questions? Ask away! There is a comment box at the bottom of this page to ask any and all questions you might have about anything in this post or anything I didn’t cover. I may or may not know the answer, but I do presently live in this city and have a unique insight into all of the ins and outs and am happy to help put your mind at ease.

STICK AROUND FOR A WHILE

Need help planning the rest of your trip?

If you’re exploring more of France, be sure to check out this South of France itinerary, check out our roundup of boutique hotels in Paris, read our quick guide to visiting Monet’s Home & Gardens, or learn what it’s like to live as an American expat in Paris.

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