Full Guide: Paris, France
Paris is always a good idea, and this beautiful, romantic city will leave you swooning for more.
We’ve put all our recommended spots from this guide into a Google Maps list to make it easy for you to save them and navigate during your travels.
Getting There:
Paris is one of the most accessible cities in the world, with Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Orly Airport (ORY) offering flights from nearly every corner of the globe. From CDG, the RER B train takes about 30–40 minutes to the city center, while taxis and Ubers can take longer, depending on traffic.
CDG Tips: Charles de Gaulle is a sprawling airport, so leave extra time for connections or departures. Also once you get past security, you still need to go through customs before you can get to your gate, so don’t get stuck in Duty Free for too long… Many terminals have cute local dining options; grab a baguette sandwich or a sweet éclair at Maison Pradier before your flight.
If you’re already in Europe, the Eurostar connects London to Paris in just over two hours, and the TGV high-speed trains make traveling from other cities like Amsterdam or Geneva fast and convenient.
Getting Around Town:
Paris is an incredibly walkable city, with most major attractions within a reasonable distance of each other. Strolling through its charming streets is the best way to feel the romantic allure and discover hidden gems, cozy cafés, and picturesque spots. For longer distances, there are a variety of options:
Metro: The Paris Metro is fast, affordable, and extensive, with 16 lines covering nearly every corner of the city. Tickets can be purchased individually or in packs (carnets) for savings. Download the RATP app to help navigate the system easily.
Bikes & Scooters: For a more eco-friendly option, rent a bike through Vélib’ Métropole or hop on one of the many electric scooters scattered around the city. Bike lanes are increasingly common, making this a safe and fun way to explore.
Taxis & Ride-Shares: Taxis can be flagged down or found at taxi stands, but ride-share apps like Uber and Bolt are often more convenient and cheaper for quick trips. During peak rush hour times, expect these rides to take a while.
Seine River Cruises: Both functional and fun, the Seine river cruises or water taxis make for a scenic way to get around between key sights.
What to See & Do:
Historic Paris
Eiffel Tower: Ok it’s obvious, but no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to this world-famous landmark. Whether you choose to ascend to the top or admire it from the Champ de Mars, the Eiffel Tower is always worth a visit. Be sure to pass by in the evening when it sparkles on the hour for a magical experience.
Notre Dame: Having reopened just this week(!!) since the tragic fire in 2019, this gothic masterpiece has been restored to its glory with architectural and historical significance. Walk around the Île de la Cité for stunning views of the exterior. Book lovers, check out Shakespeare and Company nearby.
Arc de Triomphe: Situated at the top of the Champs-Élysées, this monumental arch is a symbol of French history and pride. Climb the spiral staircase to the top for panoramic views of the city, including the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Arc of La Défense.
La Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre: This stunning basilica sits atop Montmartre, offering breathtaking views of Paris below. The interior is just as impressive, with its beautiful mosaics and peaceful ambiance. Afterwards, explore the charming cobblestone streets of the Montmartre neighborhood.
Arts & Culture
The Louvre: Home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and thousands of other treasures, the Louvre is a must-see. With its iconic glass pyramid entrance and maze-like galleries, you could spend an entire day getting lost here. Pro tip: Book tickets in advance to skip the lines. And yes, there will be lines, especially if you want to see any famous artworks, just come prepared to brave the crowds and be patient.
Fondation Louis Vuitton: A visit to this contemporary art museum and cultural center is worth it, even if just for the architecture alone. Designed by Frank Gehry, it’s a masterpiece to behold inside and out. When we were there, the Mark Rothko exhibit was captivating. The surrounding park makes for a nice stroll before or after and actually has a small theme park and Korean gardens a 10-minute walk away.
Gallerie Perrotin: For contemporary art lovers, this globally renowned gallery in the Marais is a treasure trove of thought-provoking exhibits.
Crazy Horse: Book tickets here if you want to experience a Parisian cabaret. Much less touristy than the Moulin Rouge, the Crazy Horse theater takes performing arts to another level with their famously risqué show that makes for a fun night out with friends.
Where to Shop:
Nice Piece Vintage: This charming vintage shop offers a curated selection of unique clothing and accessories. Whether you’re after a timeless trench coat or quirky statement pieces, this spot is a gem worth discovering.
Thanx God I’m a VIP Vintage: A beautifully organized vintage store that feels more like a boutique. From designer finds to fun retro pieces, this shop is a dream for vintage enthusiasts and is on the radar of pro stylists like Danny Santiago.
Polène: Known for minimalist leather bags, Polène has become a personal favorite and a go-to for timeless Parisian accessories. Since they’ve grown in popularity, expect to wait in a long line to get into the store.
SNS Paris: It stands for “sneakers n stuff” so sneakerheads will want to visit this store for a carefully curated selection of limited-edition sneakers and on-trend streetwear.
Kith Paris: The Paris outpost of Kith’s flagship stores is a stunning space of high-end design meets casual streetwear. Check out their exclusive Kith Paris collections, plus they have a Sadelle’s inside if you get hungry.
Le Bon Marché: Paris’s original department store is a haven for luxury shopping. With its beautifully curated selection of fashion, home goods, and gourmet foods, this iconic spot is perfect for scoring all the Parisian specialties.
The Broken Arm: This minimalist concept store in the Marais is a favorite among the trendy set. It has high-end clothing, accessories, and books, plus an adjoining café.
Paraboot Saint-Honoré: Located on the famous shopping street Rue Saint-Honoré, Paraboot is known for its high-quality leather shoes, loafers, and boots for men and women, perfect for elevating your wardrobe with a touch of Parisian style.
Explore Canal Saint-Martin: When in doubt, wander around Canal Saint-Martin. This area is packed with indie boutiques, local designers, and unique concept stores. We actually stumbled into a couple cool shops around here that we forgot to save on Google Maps.
Where to Eat:
There is an abundance of fine dining in Paris, which is most apparent in the fact that it has the second-highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants after Tokyo (121 to be exact). If you’re looking to have one fancy meal in this city, some of the top contenders on our list were: Alléno, Pavyllon, Kei, Septime, and Plentitude. Since we arrived after having an elaborate two Michelin star meal in Bordeaux, we opted for more of the local vibe with classic cafés, cozy bistros, and a sexy chic night out— all of which you’ll find below.
Brasserie Lipp, Café de Flore & Les Deux Magots: These iconic Saint-Germain cafés are steeped in history and remain classics for a reason. Sip a coffee with a pastry or indulge in classic French favorites like escargot and steak frites while imagining the literary greats who once frequented these spots. Try to get a table outside for the quintessential sidewalk café experience with great people watching.
Hotel Costes: The ultimate vibe. This hotel has a bar and restaurant, both known for sexy chic settings. Come here for a glam date night with a menu of international fare. You can only book the restaurant for a table the same day, so call in the morning or ask your hotel to help out. Otherwise go for a drink at the bar.
Le Colimaçon: A cozy bistro in Le Marais that serves delicious French comfort food. Ideal for a romantic dinner or a quiet meal after exploring the neighborhood. This was recommended by our hotel, and we loved it.
Chocolat Alain Ducasse: A chocolate lover’s paradise, this shop offers everything from rich pralines to velvety ganaches. Stop by for a sweet treat or to pick up gifts.
Dalmata Pizza: Lovers of all things pink and pizza will enjoy Neapolitan-style pies and spritzes at this cute and tasty spot.
Breizh Café: Go here for authentic Breton crepes. They have a few locations— we went to the one by Canal Saint-Martin, which was great for a laid-back brunch before walking around the area and shopping.
Freddy’s: Recommended to us by a friend and industry insider, Freddy’s is a small yet lively wine bar. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy their creative small plates.
Bistrot des Tournelles: A recommendation from a friend who has spent a lot of time in Paris, this is a charming Parisian bistro that satisfies any French cravings— including Cordon Bleu, which they’re known for.
Where to Drink:
Dreamin’ Man Coffee Shop: This hipster café has character with retro details and of course some finely brewed coffee and pastries. It’s nice for a quiet morning or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Cafe Kitsuné: With locations all around the city, Cafe Kitsuné is the trendy Parisian extension of fashion brand Maison Kitsuné.
Experimental Cocktail Club: Our hotel sent us here, and we’re so glad they did. We discovered this speakeasy-style bar with expertly crafted cocktails and an incredible bartender who talked to us about all of their unique drinks and ingredients. He even gave us some of the recipes to take home — a truly memorable experience. Turns out this is the cocktail bar that spurred a namesake hotel group that we’re new fans of.
Bar Hemingway at The Ritz: As one of Ernest Hemingway’s unofficial offices in the 1920s, this bar at The Ritz enjoyed his residency and was supposedly graced with the likes of Francis and Scott Fitzgerald, among others. The bar has since been reimagined in Hemingway’s honor and is known for its incredible service, bespoke cocktails and luxurious setting. Indulge your imagination with a Midnight in Paris kind of moment here.
Pro Tip: They don’t take reservations, and the wait can be quite long on a weekend evening. We didn’t have 40 extra minutes to spare before dinner, so instead we had a drink at The Ritz Bar just next to the waiting area and loved it. The bar design and cocktails are all created based on astrology signs and executed to perfection, making us feel like we weren’t entirely missing out by not getting to try Bar Hemingway… Yes, I tried the drink for my sign and yes, it was a perfect fit for me.
Little Red Door: They’ve been on the World’s Best Bars lists a few times, and for good reason. Little Red Door is a speakeasy with inventive drinks that bring farm to glass. We tried their cocktail tasting menu, and it was every bit as creative as you’d hope.
Lobby Bar at Les Bains: Stylish and sophisticated, this lobby bar really is a vibe on a Friday night. They have lounge seating and tasty bites, with a live DJ to keep the energy elevated. Downstairs you’ll find the iconic micro club, which nightlife fans will appreciate for its legacy and some late night fun.
Where to Stay
Les Bains: rates from $365, depending on season
Their website says ‘chic uncomplicated’ and that really does sum up our stay at Les Bains. It’s modern and trendy without being outdated, yet still retains a very classic Parisian feel. This boutique hotel’s rich history dates back to the 1800s when it was a bath house, but was launched into legendary status in the 1970s during its famous nightlife era with icons like David Bowie, Grace Jones, and Karl Lagerfeld. Its great location in the Marais was central to all our needs and walking distance to a lot of sights.
The room was well appointed and spacious for Paris standards, with an indoor sitting area and balcony, though it was too cold to sit out there in late November. The bathroom design is impressive, with beautiful lacquered wood, heated floors, a marble sink, and lighting that is beyond flattering.
We loved the little boutique hotel touches like the Les Bains stationary, the perfume sampler kit and Malin + Goetz amenities, as well as the turndown service with slippers by the bed.
The hotel not only has great food and beverage spaces as mentioned above, but also was exceptional with their restaurant and bar recommendations outside of the hotel and helping us book them. Plus there’s a downstairs steam and bath (les bains) for a little R&R after a day of walking around.
Be sure to go to the Les Bains concept store across the street where they have all their signature fragrances and other fun hotel merch, including prints of famous patrons of the club. Strike up a conversation with the gentleman who works there — he’s got some stories.
The Hoxton Paris: rates from $251, depending on season
With its stylish design, buzzing social spaces, and great location (nearby Les Bains), The Hoxton is another solid option for travelers looking for a mix of comfort and trendiness. It checks all the boxes and still has a boutique feel while providing the reliability of a global brand. We haven’t stayed here yet, but our friend stayed earlier this year and said she’d recommend it 100%.
How do these places stack up against any you’ve been to in Paris? Let us know what we should add to our list!