PARIS
SLEEP
Airbnb - Look for apartments in the 3rd, 4t, 5th or 6th arrondissements
Babel Belleville - Cool, affordable hotel in the edgy Belleville with close proximity to the center of Paris by metro and Canal St Martin/Marais by foot. Very close to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont - a natural gem!
*Hotel Abbaye - Quintessential boutique Paris hotel with charming rooms and common spaces, perfectly situated near Jardin Luxembourg in Saint German (6th arr.)
Hotel Le Petit Beaumarchais - Boutique hotel near Place des Vosges
Hotel Le Marianne - If you must be near Champs Elysées, this is a great option
Hotel Duc de Saint Simon - If Abbaye is booked!
EAT
le petit dejeuner
Café du Flore - People watching and a cappuccino
Eggs & Co - Breakfast in Saint Germain
*Gerard Mulot - A delicious croissant and pastries in the heart of Saint Germain
Poilâne - Bakery known for their sourdough
le dejeuner
L’Éclair - Great lunch on Rue Cler, known for its fresh specialty markets
Café Lapérouse Concorde - Beautifully designed restaurant with terrace overlooking Place de la Concorde
Cafe St. Regis - People watching + views of the Seine on Île Saint Louis
Le Grand Colbert - Beautiful brasserie for lunch or dinner followed by a stroll in Palais Royal
Maison Rose - If you find yourself in Montmartre, grab a glass of natural wine and cheese at this picturesque spot
Le Petit Lutetia - Elegant, classic lunch or dinner
Le Square Trosseau - Perfectly Parisian
Crêperie Little Breizh - Seriously delicious crepe spot in Saint Germain
Chez Julien - Lou Pescadou - Casual Parisian lunch with a great Chèvre chaud salad + onion soup near Odéon
*Hotel Particulier - Hidden hotel in Montmartre with a beautiful garden for lunch
le dîner
Allard - Elevated bistro in a traditional ambiance operated by Alain Ducasse
*Aux Crus de Bourgogne - Too good to keep to myself
*Le Bon Pourçain - Perfect setting on a cobble stone street in Saint German with a chic, local crowd
Chez Janou - Popular dinner spot in the Marais
Chez Julien - Parisian hotspot by the Costes brothers with stunning decor and good food.
*Chez Georges - A personal favorite that’s been discovered by tourists but remains excellent
*Fontaine de Mars - Quintessential Parisian bistro near the Eiffel Tower. Catch the 5 minute Eiffel Tower Light Show after din (every hour on the hour after dark)
*Frenchie Bar à Vins - Frenchie’s intimate wine bar with creative plates and amazing wine
Les Gourmets des Ternes - Delicious spot near Champs Elysées loved by locals
Les Enfants du Marché - Great for a snack and glass of wine after a day of shopping in the Marais
La Méditerranée - Old school seafood opposite the Odéon theater
Pizza Chic - The name speaks for itself
*Semilla - Modern French food and one of my favorites
Soma - Excellent Japanese in a trendy setting for lunch or dinner
Sugaar - Fun, sexy environment serviing Basque food in Saint Germain
Le 404 - Fun Moroccan and mezze in the 3rd
Specialty Shops
Androuet - Amazing cheese shop by Bon Marché
Biologique Recherche Flagship - Stock up on your beauty products on Champs Elysées
*Dilettantes à Champagne - Incredible selection and presentation of Champagne
*Jean-Paul Hévin - Favorite chocolatier, bring home a stack of their chocolate bars for friends & family
La Grande Epicerie du Bon Marché - Impressive food market on the department store’s ground floor
Pierre Hermé - Special croissants + macarons
Rosebud Fleuristes - Lovely florist in Place de L’Odèon
*Tapisserie - Pastry shop with two locations in the 11th and by Invalides
Quick Bite
L’Avant Comptoir - Perfect standing apéritif in Saint Germain
*L’As du Falafel - Popular spot near Places des Vosges
Bread & Roses - Grab some delicious to-go food for a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens
Cosi - Excellent sandwiches on freshly baked Foccacia in Saint Germain
Pastavino - Gourmet to-go food for a picnic in Jardin Luxembourg
SEE + DO
Art Galleries - Rue de Seine, Rue Mazarine, Rue Vieille du Temple
Bois de Bologne - Gorgeous, rural park by Fondation Louis Vuitton
Bourse de Commerce - Pinault’s collection showcased in a beautifully renovated space
Canal St. Martin - Hip, up-and-coming area with many boutiques and restaurants
Catacombes - Historical underground maze
Cartier Foundation - Contemporary art space
Ecole des beaux arts - Try and get a peak at this beautiful, influential art school off Rue Bonaparte
*Eiffel Tower by night - Sparkles after dark, every hour on the hour for 5 mins
*Louis Vuitton Foundation - Architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Gehry housing a rotating collection. After your visit, take a walk in the beautiful Bois de Bologne (forest/park).
Luxembourg gardens - Favorite place in the world for sun, reading + people watching
*Musée L’Orangerie - Monet mecca
Musée Montmartre - If you want to see Montmartre but stay away from the crowds, stroll through the gardens here and and dont’s miss the views in the back
*Musée Rodin - A relaxed museum experience, with most time spent in a gorgeous garden filled with Rodin sculptures
*Musée d’Orsay - World’s best impressionist collection
Musée Picasso - One of my favorite buildings in Paris
Opera Garnier - See a show in the theater with a Marc Chagall ceiling or opt for a quick visit to the ‘Golden Room’, Paris’s most opulent room
Palais Royal - Enclose garden filled with locals and cute shops
Palais de Tokyo - Contemporary art space
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont - Get your nature fix in this beautiful park by the Belleville neighborhood!
Rue Cler + Rue du Bac - Streets known for their food markets
Sacré-Coeur - Beautiful church on top of Montmartre with best view of the city
Saint James Paris - Check out this beautiful hotel for drinks or tea in their backyard
*Sainte-Chapelle - Incredible church, known for incredible stained glass
SHOP
Agnès B. - Men & Women’s clothing in Saint Germain
APC & Surplus - Men & Women’s clothing in Saint Germain
Astier de Villatte - Upscale ceramics
Banyan - Boutique on Île Saint Louis with beautiful scarves, clothing and home goods from India
Bon Ton - Cute children’s stores with gifts
Bon Marché - Luxury department store
Fragonard - Gifts, perfume, etc
Headoniste - Cool hat shop in the Marais
*La Marelle - Very good luxury consignment + vintage in the beautiful Galerie Vivienne
La Soeur - Cute french label
*J’Y Troque - Great luxury consignment + vintage by Palais Royal
Maison Labiche - Striped and monogrammed shirts
Marin Montagut - High-end home goods and gifts near Luxembourg gardens
*Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen - Large antique market with incredible history, worth a visit if you have time and enjoy home decor. The Paul-Bert Serpette area was best for design inspiration and browsing. Marché Vernaison is filled with objects, glassware, etc. and fun to stroll as well
Merci - Concept store with an excellent curation
Odetta Vintage - Chic consignment in the Marais
*Open Dressing - One of the best luxury vintage/consignment shops out there
Oxyde - Women’s clothes with multiple locations
Roseanna - Great French brand
*Sabre Paris - Beautiful flatware and servingware in Saint Germain and the Marais
Sartore - Boots
*Tabio - Socks with embroidery station, a perfect gift
*Vanessa Bruno - Their totes are the best souvenir
DRINK + Dance
Andy Wahloo - Hip cocktail bar with fun decor
Bambino - Fun listening bar in cool neighborhood
Castel - Very fun, atmospheric nightclub
Hotel Costes - Elevated Parisian lounge, go for a drink and ignore the snobby staff
Le Carmen - Great spot for drinks + music in a beautiful setting
Chez Georges - Lively, low key wine bar in a basement on a busy street in Saint Germain
Experimental Cocktail Club - Great drinks with a cool crowd and NYC-feel
*Le Montana - Quintessential Parisian hotspot with a very tough door
*Silencio - Always fun