visitor's guide to paris

Here are my top recommendations for anyone visiting Paris!
Absolute Non-Negotiables
  • See the Eiffel Tower sparkle
  • Watch ducks in Tuileries gardens
  • Stroll around Montmartre and see the Sacre Coeur
Things To-Do
  • MOULIN ROUGE: The moulin rouge is iconic and is an absolute must see. Worth every penny. Tickets sell out months in advance, so plan ahead.
  • Shakespeare and Co.: beautiful bookstore with amazing history located right by the Notre Dame.
  • Tea time at the Ritz! Very expensive (about 70 euro) but so so worth it! I went with my parents and it was one of my favorite memories here ever.
  • Exploring the Ritz in general
  • Watch the sunset on top of the arc de Triomphe
  • Rent lime bikes and bike around the city- just don’t get hit by a car
  • See a concert at L’Olympia, my favorite venue ever.
  • See a PSG game, even if you don’t love sports, I promise it’s so fun
  • Watch ducks and read in the Tuileries gardens. I know I already said it but it's so good. Bonus points: get ham and cheese sandwiches from the Ritz pastry shop and bring them for a picnic
  • See a show at the Opera house OR, if you can’t get tickets, just take a tour inside
  • Get a drink at the restaurants in Printemps and/or Galaries Lafayette for a beautiful view of the city
  • Have a picnic in Place de Vosges
My Top Museums
  • Petit Palais: free and tiny. Has a beautiful courtyard garden thats perfect for a glass of wine.
  • Rodin: This museum is beautiful and has a beautiful garden. Go on a pretty day.
  • L’Orangerie: Monet’s water lillies
  • Louvre: Touristy but worth it. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance.
  • Orsay: Again, touristy but worth it. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance.
Restaurants
  • La Maison Rose: Picteresque restaurant in Montemarte, with cocktails and cuisine as good as the view.
  • Le Soufflee: Tiny French restaurant in the Madeleine neighborhood with all different soufflees (savory and sweet) and traditional French dishes, like onion soup and escargot.
  • Ferdi: This tiny restaurant blew up after Kim Kardashian said it was her favorite place to get a burger, and I can confirm that it’s the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had. Make sure you get a reservation in advance.
  • Au Bon Accueil: French restaurant right by the Eiffel tower
  • Les Relais de l’Entrecote: Steak frites restaurant thats touristy, but worth it. There’s usually a line to get in so get there early, and bring bottles of wine to drink while you wait!
  • Beefbar: Not french at all, but one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to.
  • Le Train Bleu: Gorg fancy French restaurant inside of an old train station
  • Noto: Really yummy italian food with the best tirimisu. Also super fun- turns into a party with a DJ at around 10:30
  • Au Pied de Cochon: Super touristy white table french restaurant that's open until 5am- so it's perfect after a night out. Serves all of the traditional French dishes
  • Restaurants for Eiffel tower views: Bambini, Girafe, Au Bon Acceuil
Bars
  • Bar les Ambassadeurs- My favorite bar ever! Located in a famous hotel with an atmosphere that looks like Versailles and live Jazz on Friday nights. They even have a board game menu where you roll a die to pick your drink. The only set back is that it’s expensive- about 30 euros a cocktail- so beware.
  • Bar Hemmingway- Like bar les ambassadeurs, this bar (inside the Ritz hotel) will cost you about 30 euros a drink, but it's so worth it for a special visit. There’s only 30 seats inside and no videos are allowed, so you feel extra special. The service is amazing and the bartenders take so much care to help you pick out the perfect drink. You even get a rose!
  • Bisou- At bisou, there are no menus. Instead, bartenders just ask you questions and create a special drink personalized for you. It’s about 14 a drink, and a super fun experience.
  • Nolinski - Another cool hotel bar, super social with great vibes.
To dance the night away
  • Le Caveau de la Huchette: Super awesome jazz bar in the Latin Quarter. Touristy (it was in la la land!), but worth it.
  • Boum Boum: Especially fun on Sundays
  • Silencio: Artsy vibes, definitely dress up
  • L’arc and Deflower: If you want the luxury club experience, perfect for celebrity sightings
Specific Foods Items
  • Ham and creese crossiants: Ritz Le Comptoir (also really good Madeleines, and pastries)
  • Cream Puffs: Dunes Blanches (so good)
  • Hot Chocolate: Carette
  • Crossiants: Cedric Grolet (you’ll have to wait in line for 1-2 hours, but it’s worth it)
  • Steak Frites: Les Deux Magots
  • Onion soup: Le Comptoir de Gastronomie
  • Burgers: Ferdi
  • Caviar: Caviar Kaspia
  • Baguette sandwiches: Le petite vendome
  • Soufflee: Le Soufflee
Shopping
  • Thrifting: The Marais
  • Food: Galeries Lafayette Food
  • Luxury: Rue Cambon (start by Chanel)
  • Somewhere with everything: Galeries Lafayette and Printemps (they’re right next to each other)
  • Lingerie: Fifi
  • Evening gown dress rentals (perfect if you’re going to a ball): Une Robe Une Soir
Gift Ideas
  • Custom Dior lip glosses from the Dior Museum or Galeries Lafayette
  • Non-perishable food from the Galeries Lafayette food store (I suggest truffle olive oil from Maison de Truffe)
  • Books from Shakespeare and company (get them stamped)
Day Trips
  • Epernay: My personal fav, it's in the Champagne Region
  • Giverny: Monet’s gardens and apartment
  • Versailles: The Classic
  • Bordeaux: wine & vineyards
Overrated
  • Cafe de Flore/Les Deux Magots: If you’re interested in the history behind these cafes, I highly recommend strolling by, but don’t waste your money on their food. It’s very overpriced and not all that.
  • Angelina- Carette hot chocolate is better
  • Walking down the Champs d’Elysee: Going to the arc is a non-negotiable, but you can skip walking along the Champs d’elysee. It’s kinda boring and not all that special.
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