Where To Go & What To Eat…
Looking for some recommendations? When I moved to Paris in August 2018, I noted everywhere I went from attractions to meals in the first few months. While there are TONS of places to go, things to see, and foods to try, below are some of my favorites!
CLASSICS
EIFFEL TOWER
Hopefully this was already on your list! Read about it here.
ARC DE TRIOMPHE
Make sure you head to the top to get an amazing view of Paris
SEINE
Grab a bottle of wine and head for a walk down this river bend. A Parisian classic.
LUXEMBOURG GARDEN
Beautiful garden with chess, tennis, ponds and mini boat races!
TUILERIES GARDEN
The most beautiful garden of Paris (minutes away from Parsons Paris!) giving you a view of the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, all at the same time!
LA PETITE CEINTURE
An old train line with overgrown flowers and vines… and a couple skull carvings…
OPERA
Beautiful architecture only a hop, skip and a jump away from the Louvre and Tuileries!
NOTRE DAME
Check it out both at night and during the day, it’s truly breath-taking! Plus, the relic museum inside is worth the extra 3 euros, but overall entry is free!
MOULIN ROUGE
Even if you don’t go in for a show, you must go see this classic fan fave!
SACRE COEUR
A stunning cathedral worth all the stairs
CHATEAU DE VERSAILLES
You’re right, it’s not in Paris… But the RER makes it super accessible. A perfect day trip where you can explore the gardens and palace. There are restaurants inside but you can bring your own food too and picnic. Rent a boat and paddle up the man-made lake, or grab a bike and peddle along.
MUSEUMS
LOUVRE (RUE DE RIVOLI, 75001)
If you spent 3 seconds looking at every object, it would take you 3 months before you get out of the Louvre! So make a game plan beforehand, and never buy tickets off scalpers!
MUSÉE D’ORSAY (1 RUE DE LA LÉGION D’HONNEUR, 75007)
Really cool impressionist gallery, known for its tunnel of sculpture works
MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS (107 RUE DE RIVOLI, 75001)
Attatched to the Louvre, this museum shows all the insights of Parisian decorative arts, proving French taste is spectacular.
PALAIS DE TOKYO (13 AVENUE DU PRÉSIDENT WILSON)
A cool modern art building with everchanging exhibits, definitely check their website for updates.
MUSÉE RODIN (77 RUE DE VARENNE, 75007)
Honoring the artist August Rodin in a contemporary way.
POMPIDOU (GEORGE POMPIDOU SQUARE, 75004)
A cool library with modern art inside
QUAI BRANLY MUSEUM (37 QUAI BRANLY, 75007)
A museum featuring the indigenous art and cultures of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas
MUSÉE DE L’ORANGERIE (JARDIN TUILERIES, 75001)
An art gallery of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings
MUSÉE YVES SAINT LAURENT (5 AVENUE MARCEAU, 75116)
I mean, come on… You already know who this is, and how amazing this museum is!
MUSEE BOURDELLE (18 RUE ANTOINE BOURDELLE)
A fully free museum with hidden courtyards and stunning sculptures
SHOPPING
LE MARAIS
A ton of vintage shops
RUE SAINT HONORE
Personally, I cannot afford anything here, but I love to window shop all the name brands!
PRINTEMPS
Massive department store
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
All the name brands in one place
PORTE DE CLIGNANCOURT
Awesome antiques and designer vintage
BRUNCH AND COFFEE
SHAKESPEARE AND CO. COFFEE SHOP (37 RUE DE LA BÛCHERIE, 75005)
There are not alot of places to eat around this area, but this little café, just next door to the famous bookstore Shakespeare & Co. is an option if you want something quick and easy. They usually offer little sandwiches, a daily soup, cookies and cakes.
HOLY BELLY (5 RUE LUCIEN SAMPAIX, 75010)
A (non-Parisian) Parisian classic at this point. Eggs, bacon, great coffee, famous pancakes and delicious daily specials for lunch awaits.
KB CAFESHOP (53 AVENUE TRUDAINE, 75009)
Amazing coffee, cakes, pastries, and full brunches and lunches!
CARETTE (25 PLACE DES VOSGES, 75003)
If you want a classic Parisian brunch, meaning slices of baguette, jams, croissants, juice, (not the greatest) coffee, scrambled eggs with cheese or smoked salmon… I would visit Carette by Place des Vosges. It’s cute, it’s French, and it’s incredibly well-located in the Marais.
BRAUNNOTES CAFE (31-33 RUE DE MOGADOR)
A bit pricey… But amazing coconut-filled nutrition bowls!
HOLIDAY CAFE (192 AVENUE DE VERSAILLES)
Super aesthetic, and great coffee
MATAMATA COFFEE (58 RUE D’ARGOUT)
Perfect for posting up to do work in the basement
CAFE KITSUNE (PALAIS ROYAL)
Cute and quaint
TELESCOPE (5 RUE VILLEDO)
Small and off the beaten path, making it excellent for underrated snacks and coffee
LE PELOTON CAFE ( 17 RUE DU PONT LOUIS-PHILLIPE)
Did someone say waffles?
LUNCH
LES DEUX MAGOTS (6 PLACE SAINT-GERMAIN DES PRÉS, 75006 PARIS)
This Parisian classic used to be a go-to spot for writers like Hemingway and de Bauvoir, and with its stunning terrace seats, grabbing a quick bite on a nice fall day makes this place one of my favorites.
IOVINES (7BIS RUE COLONEL DRIANT, 75001)
Amazing pizza! This restaurant is always packed, but totally worth the wait!
BIG FERNAND (40 PLACE DU MARCHÉ SAINT-HONORÉ, 75001)
My go-to place for lunch when I’m stuck at school! This burget shack serves up amazing takes on the classic burger, and their fries are powdered with the most amazing spice rub… it’s like tasting gold.
LE JU’ (16 RUE DES ARCHIVES)
Perfect spot on a mid-shop day in Le Marais! Amazing Thai bowls and cheap wine with incredible deco.
CAFE LE HAMEAU (84 AVENUE DES TERNES)
This cute cafe is right down the road from me, and has a wide range of menu options, incredible drink deals and amazing desserts. I love going here with my readings and grabbing a drink on their terrace.
WILD AND THE MOON ( MULTIPLE LOCATIONS)
Amazing smoothie bowls
SUNDAY IN SOHO (7 RUE SAINT-MARC)
Perfect spot to eat fried chicken in the streets
DINNER
BISTROT D’HENRI (16 RUE PRINCESSE, 75006 PARIS)
Best beef bourgignon I’ve ever had! This restaurant serves up classic French dishes in its small yet charming space.
CHRISTIAN DE LA COCOTTES (135 RUE SAINT DOMINIQUE, 75007 PARIS)
Chef Constant’s more modern approach to French cuisine (versus his more traditional take over at Café Constant next door). Everything in this cute restaurant is served in a little cocotte!
LE RELAIS DE L’ENTRCOTE (101 BOULEVARD DU MONTPARNASSE, 20 RUE SAINT-BENOÎT & 15 RUE MARBEUF)
You come here for one thing and one thing only : the steak and fries. They have multiple locations all around Paris and yes, it’s pretty touristy… but their steak, fries and secret sauce hits the spot every single time.
LES BON GEORGES (45 RUE SAINT-GEORGES, 75009 PARIS)
By far my favorite restaurant in all of Paris. This place puts a spin on classic French dishes, and their wine selection is to die for! A bit on the expensive side, but totally worth it.
PINK MAMMA (20BIS RUE DE DOUAI, 75009)
One of the more recent additions to the Italian food scene by Big Mamma Group is Pink Mamma. This beautiful restaurant serves classic Italian dishes, and… there’s a secret speakeasy in the basement through a refrigerator door!
DALMATA (8 RUE TIQUETONNE, 75002 PARIS)
This cute pizzeria serves up some of the best Neopolitan pizza in Paris! Reasonable priced and with an amazing aesthetic, this is this perfect spot for a night out with friends.
LE BOIS (29 RUE BOIS LE VENT)
Amazing vibes and stellar dishes.
LE CAFE DU COMMERCE (51 RUE DU COMMERCE)
Who wouldn’t want to eat in a three-story courtyard? Wicked dishes perfect for sharing.
BARS
ROSA BONHEUR SUR SEINE (PORT DES INVALIDES, QUAI D’ORSAY, 75007)
Amazing vibes in the summer! Cheap pizza and wine, and a cool boat and Seind-side pizza oven. Make this bar a go-to after a long day at school!
BOUM BOUM (37 AVENUE DE FRIEDLAND, 75008)
A wild club playing classic Top 40 songs and serving up drinks all night long.
ROOFTOP CAFE OZ (34 QUAI D’AUSTERLITZ, 75013)
This bar has an amazing view of all of Paris! Worth every stair you have to climb to get up there.
LAVOMATIC (30 RENÉ BOULANGER STREET, 75010)
This cool speakeasy is in a laundromat! They serve amazing cocktails, cheap bottles of wine, and their aesthetic is totally pleasing.
LITTLE RED DOOR (60 RUE CHARLOT, 75003)
A cool place for cocktails, but a bit on the expensive side
THE KEY ( 8 BLVD DE MADELEINE)
Perfect spot on a Thursday night… Make sure you wear your heels!
LE PERCHOIR MARAIS (BHV ROOFTOP)
Cocktails and views, but a bit pricey
LA FOURMI (74 RUE DES MARTYRS)
Cheap drinks, cheap dishes, good vibes