A Weekend in Paris
I visited Paris for the first time when I was 12, and I absolutely fell in love with the city. That trip led me to study French in high school and I promised that someday I would find a way to live there. I’ve been back three times since that first trip, and, every single time, I am reminded why it holds such a special place in my heart.
To me, Paris represents the idea of prioritizing beauty, art and design, simply because life is better when we do so. All you have to do is take one look at the bridges, buildings and monuments to see that, since it’s conception, Parisians have placed a high value on creating a place that feels elegant and vibrant.
Being in Paris feels like every romantic cliche happening at once, but in a way that seems completely authentic. It is champagne at midnight, the perfect outfit, or the sun soaked pages of an old poetry book. It’s over the top and understated all at once, and I love every single bit of it.
Planning a trip to Paris can feel overwhelming because there is so much to see and do, and while yes, you should make an effort to see all of the main sites, I believe that Paris is definitely best when you wander off the beaten path. Below I’ve included my list of recommendations for places worth seeing and food worth eating!
Tips to Make the Most of Your Trip:
1) Go in the off season- I have been to Paris 4 times now. Once in August, once in June, once in February, and once in November. Although I love the warm weather of the summer months, I absolutely prefer having the city to myself in the fall/winter (aka WAY less tourists!) Avoid going June-August if you can, and try to stick on the off season months as much as possible. It makes it much easier to get around, and can make for a much cheaper trip too. February was a bit cold and rainy, but I loved the perfect fall weather of our October/November trip. I’ve yet to visit Paris in the spring but I’m sure it would be delightful as well!
2) Take your time- Give yourself more than a day or two here. There is SO much to see, and if you just rush from one tourist attraction to the next you will miss out on so much of the charm of the city. If your schedule allows for it at all I would seriously recommend giving yourself AT LEAST 3 days here, but ideally 4 or 5. (Or like your entire life. Either way.)
3) Get ready to walk- One of my favorite parts of Paris is that every inch of it is worth seeing. While the metro is cheap and easy to use, I usually choose to walk just to see more of the city! I could spend hours just wandering down the wide streets, drooling over the white washed buildings and dreaming of building a life in one of the 3rd story apartments.
4) Bring a journal- Really this is a big tip of mine for any trip you take, but make sure you take the time to document your trip! I love looking back on my travel journal entries, and it helps keep the trip alive even when you get back home.
5) Bathrooms can be tricky… I always try to use the restroom before I leave a coffee shop/restaurant, but if you are out and about and need to go you can sometimes find public restrooms (little pods on the streets that cost 1) or you can swing into a Starbucks (can be easily found all over the city) and I’ll usually just grab a tea to use the bathroom.
Complete list of Recommendations:
Areas to Stay:
Bastille: Probably my favorite area I’ve stayed in Paris! It feels like the spot where all the cool, Paris natives live. It has a younger crowd, and the energy to match. Lots of bars and late night restaurants around, and the streets are always full of people. There’s also an amazing crepe place here where I ate not 1, but 2, Nutella banana crepes in the course of an hour (would not recommend this move.)
Montemarte: A bit more removed than some of the other areas, but I loved when we stayed on the outer edges of Montemarte (look for arrondissement 18.) We got a beautiful AirBnB for a great price, and were only a 3 minute walk from a metro stop on the #4 line. This area is more absent of tourists, and is a bit quieter than the rest of the city.
Opera: A bit busier than the other areas mentioned, but if you want to be in the center of it all (without paying the price of being able to see the Eiffel Tower out your window) this is a great option! There are plenty of restaurants, shops, cafes, and monuments near this area, plus it is close to a ton of metro stops that can take you to anywhere in the city in 10 minutes.
Le Marais: Similar to the feel of Bastille, but a bit closer to the action of the city center. This is a great area if you want to be close to everything, without sacrificing the feel of authentic Parisian lifestyle. Le Marais is full of trendy coffee shops and delicious restaurants, so you’re sure to find something you love.
Food:
L’as du Falafel: The BEST pita sandwich you will have in your life- guaranteed. My husband and I go here nearly every day whenever we visit Paris and it is always delicious. Only 6,50 and its more food than you can eat. The shop opens at noon (get there early to avoid the lines) and you just order at the window and then eat while you walk.
Les Protges: French food is delicious, but can be a bit pricey. This gem is tucked on the southern edge of Montmarte, and is an amazing bang for your buck (still on the expensive side, but a good deal) with truly authentic French food, and a crowd to match (I think we were the only English speakers in the restaurant on the night we went.) Make sure you get the creme brûlée.
Creperie des Pêcheurs: Tucked on a side street in the Latin Quarter, this is the best crepe I’ve had in Paris. I always order the Citron (butter, sugar and lemon- yum) and my husband gets the Nutella crepe. You can sit inside or order at the window and take it to go (it’s cheaper at the window.)
Ble Sucre: The single best croissant you will find in Paris. Trust me. We’ve done our research (aka eating a croissant from every bakery we pass), but if you don’t believe us then just let the out-the-door line of locals speak for itself.
Wild & The Moon: Perfect for when you are looking for a healthy break from all the bread and butter! They have adorable locations all over the city, and have some amazing superfood lattes, smoothies and healthy lunches.
Higuma Ramen: My husband is an avid ramen lover and he claims this is some of the best he’s ever had. Plus for only 7,50 per bowl it’s a great deal compared to the more expensive restaurants you normally find in Paris.
Coffee & Tea:
Ob-La-Di: We. Love. This. Shop. They have DELICIOUS matcha and a good variety of high quality coffee drinks as well. Plus their vegan chocolate chip cookie is the best cookie I’ve had, vegan or normal. Seriously I’m drooling for it right now. The space is small (seats about 15 in close quarters) but cute, and their breakfast options looked great as well.
Wild & The Moon: As mentioned above, but I really appreciated seeing all the unique coffee-free drinks like the rose latte and golden milk.
MataMata Coffee: A super cute coffee shop just a 10 minute walk from the Louvre. They have lots of tea options as well (crucial for this non-coffee drinking girl) and their downstairs seating area looks like a fairy home. I know that’s a weird description, but just go and you’ll see what I mean.
Spots to see: (other than the obvious ones)
Musee D’Orsay: If I could only visit one museum for the rest of my life, this would be it. The building itself is spectacular, and it houses many pieces by artists such as Degas and Monet. I make it a point to visit every time I go to Paris and every time I love it as much as the last.
Latin Quartier: One of my favorite areas to walk around! Every street feels like a unique discovery. It starts out a bit touristy, but as you move south you’ll find cute shops tucked in between delicious bakeries and creperies. A wonderful place to spend an afternoon exploring.
Cafe Universal: The jazz bar you’ve always dreamed of. Small, dark and full of locals. There’s no cover which is always appreciated, and the music is wonderful. The night we went was an open mic night and many of the performers were students from the nearby university. We loved every minute we were there and can’t wait to go back. *if you want more of a high-end, traditional jazz experience I would suggest skipping this one and choosing one of the many options located closer to the Siene.
Shopping:
& Other Stories: One of my favorite places to visit when I’m in Europe! They have such a beautiful, classy style (with some more edgy pieces spread throughout) and their price point is more accessible than a lot of other shops in Paris. Their jewelry in particular is beautiful and super affordable!
Rue de Rivoli: In my opinion this is the best street for shopping. It’s less crowded than many other shopping areas in Paris and it has a perfect blend of vintage shops, high end boutiques, and classic shops like H&M and Zara.
Mad Lab: One of the largest, most colorful vintage stores I have ever seen! I loved skimming the different racks and was amazed at what a large variety of styles they had there.
TILT Vintage: A bit on the expensive side, but they have some seriously cute pieces that would definitely be worth the investment.
the classics like Zara and H&M (sometimes they have different pieces in Europe that we can’t find in the states!)
If you have the chance to try out any of the spots next time you’re in Paris, let me know what you think! I’d love to hear about your trip, and I hope you fall in love with the city the same way I have!