J’adore Paris! La Ville Lumière, The City of Light…the French capital really needs no introduction. Paris is synonymous with culture, fashion, food, architecture, and history.
The city steals the hearts of all who visit its cafe-lined streets and walk along the banks of River Seine.
Magic radiates through the centuries-old architecture. Old world meet new world and a new adventure awaits around every corner. The fabric of the city is woven through the creatives, artists, writers, thinkers, and musicians that have found life in Paris. Paris was made for strolling—strolling down laneways, strolling along the Seine, and strolling through its countless museums, cathedrals, gardens, and galleries.
Paris offers endless opportunities and each person’s experience will be different, but there are definitely some places that are MUSTS, especially for first time visitors.
By all means let the city move you first and if you have the chance we’ve compiled some great additions to your Parisian adventure, avec plaisir!
You've made it to Paris, now it's time to blend into the fabric of the city and enjoy yourself like a Parisian.
Stroll along the River Seine
Admire Paris’ monuments and architecture as you follow the two-mile pedestrian walkway along the river through the heart of the city. The promenade from the Tuileries to the Bastille, which is shared with cyclists and rollerbladers, takes you by several cafes, green spaces, and seating areas, and is perfect for a leisurely stroll. Make sure to check check out:
Pont Alexandre III
Built for the 1900 World Exposition, The Pont Alexandre III is the most ornate and beautiful bridge crossing in Paris and a historical monument.Pont Neuf
The Post Neuf was constructed during medieval times and is now the oldest standing bridge connecting the two banks of the River Seine with the Île de la Cité.
Montmartre
During the Belle Époque, many artists had studios and/or worked around Montmartre, including Salvador Dali, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Money, Henri de Toulouse-Latrec, Vincent Can Gogh, and Pablo Picasso. This area became famous for its cafes, bars, clubs, and cabarets. The hills’ artistic community is still thriving.
Don’t forget to check out the Wall of Love on which “I love you” is written 311 times in 250 languages.
La Marais
You can’t visit Paris without visiting La Marais. Stroll the medieval laneways lined with lively restaurants, bars, hotels, boutiques, boulangeries, galleries, and museums. The remaining intact pre-revolutionary former residences of the wealthy were abandoned after the revolution so bohemians moved in and revitalized the area.
Latin Quarter
Named because of the numbers university students in the area who spoke only Latin to their professors until the revolution, this Rive Gauche (Left Bank) neighborhood continues to preserve the classic Parisian atmosphere.
Visit a Street Market
Markets are part of the quintessential Parisian experience. A place for tourists and locals alike to wander, get fresh produce, and enjoy delicious ready-to-eat foods. There are many scattered around the city and various ones open on different days of the week. If you can’t decide, try a few of our favorites:
Marché des Enfants Rouges
Address: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France
Hidden in a hall behind some gates is the oldest market in Paris dating back to the early 1600s, with fresh produce and tasty treats.Marché Bastille
Address: 8 Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 75011 Paris, France
One of the largest in Paris, this market stretches along the Boulevard Richard Lenoir, just off the Place de la Bastille, and has a huge variety of products.
Champs-Élysées
Address: Stretching between the Place de la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle with the Arc de Triomphe
Definitely the most famous street in Paris, and perhaps one of the most famous in the world, this wide avenue hosts a variety of city's events and is lined with restaurants, shops, and boutiques.
Galeries Lafayette
@galerieslafayette | Address: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
For the ultimate Paris shopping experience, spend time at the beautiful Galeries Lafayette. This posh French department store carries some of the most luxurious brands. Don't forget to look up and admire their dazzling ceiling.
When people think of Paris, they think of The Eiffel Tower…Notre Dame…the Louvre, but these are just landmarks. They don’t make up the culture, the energy, or the attitude of the city. You’re in Paris, soak it up!
Sip coffee outside at a Parisian café
Everywhere you walk in Paris, you'll find chairs and tables lined up on the sidewalk outside cafés with people sitting (facing out), sipping coffee, drinking wine, most likely smoking, and simply enjoying conversation and some people watching. Cafés are a place to see and be seen. Order yourself a latte, a croissant, and fade into the café culture.
You could go to a different café in Paris everyday for the rest of your life and still only have scratched the surface. Here are a few we enjoyed:
Dose @dosedealerdecafe | Address: 73 rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris, France
Charming cafe with delicious coffee, tasty brunch, and reasonable prices.Café Kitsuné @cafekitsune | Address: 51 Galerie de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France
A hidden gem in the beautiful arcade of the Jardin du Palais Royal. Grab a coffee, a cake, and find a seat by the fountain for a peaceful morning.Le Café Lomi @cafelomi | Address: 3 ter Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris, France
Unlike most Parisian cafés where the actual coffee is an afterthought, Le Café Lomi puts coffee first. In fact they roast their own beans on-site. Hidden from the touristy part of Montmartre, the café also boasts fresh pastries and hipster vibes.
La Cuisine Paris
@lacuisineparis | Address: 80 Quai de l'Hôtel de ville, 75004 Paris, France
An English-speaking cooking school offering french cooking class and food tours in Paris. Our class—Le Croissant & Breakfast Pastries—was truly a highlight of our trip to Paris. Of course I couldn’t eat much with my dietary requirements, but I did cheat a little and it was worth it! Everything was delicious!
Musée du Louvre
@museelouvre | Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
The Louvre is the world's largest art museum, historic monument, and former royal palace, with galleries containing over 38,000 items dating from prehistory to 21st century. Closed on Tuesdays. A must!
Musee d’Orsay
@museeorsay | Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
This museum’s galleries is home to the world’s greatest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist classics, including works by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh.
La Tour Eiffel
@toureiffelofficielle | Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
Paris’ most iconic landmark, the wrought iron lattice tower was constructed for the 1889 World Exposition. Walk some stairs, and take the elevator up for 360 degree panoramic views of the city.
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
One of the most iconic Parisian structures, this Gothic cathedral built in 1163 boasts rose windows, stunning architecture, sculptures, and carvings. It’s also the setting of Victor Hugo’s classic “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.”
Catacombs of Paris
Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
The Catacombs of Paris are an enormous collection of bones and ossuaries under the city. The overpopulated cemeteries in the 18th-century Paris gave rise to these subterranean ossuaries and more than 6 million people were moved over to this tremendous grave. Imagine this whole underground network of caves and tunnels – all lined with skulls and bones!
Place de la Bastille
This plaza is the former site of the Bastille prison where the “storming of the Bastille” took place, marking the start of the French Revolution.
Sainte-Chapelle
Address: 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris, France
This Gothic royal chapel is lesser known than it’s neighbor Notre Dame, but boasts the most awe-inspiring, breathtaking stained glass interior. Its stained glass collection is considered one of the most extensive of its kind around the world.
Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre
Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France
The Roman Catholic church’s white dome is highly visible around the city as it’s the second highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tour. The hill and steps are a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to hang out and take in the amazing view.
Arc de Triomphe
Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
Engraved with some of French historic victories, battles, and great military leaders, the Arc de Triomphe is the most recognizable triumphal arch in the world, and the site for many French events till this day like the final leg of Le Tour de France and Bastille Day.
Château de Versailles
@chateauversailles | Address: Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France
A short train ride from Paris will have you at the gates of one of the most extravagant example of French Baroque architecture. Take a guided tour of the palace, walk around the expansive gardens and by the numerous fountains, then grab some lunch and enjoy a picnic on the grounds.
We stayed in Airbnbs, shops at groceries, and ate almost all breakfasts and dinners at home so this isn’t the most extensive list, but these are great options, reasonably priced, and delicious!
Senoble Pâtisserie
@senoble_famille_gourmande | Address: 11 Rue des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris, France
Relax in the upstairs salon with a hot cup of tea and dessert. They have beautiful, authentic pastries, fresh sorbets, and flavors of macarons that range classic pistachio to chai, matcha, blueberry, and more. Yum, yum, yum!
Hank Burger
@hankrestaurant | Address: 55 rue des Archives, 75003 Paris, France
This fast casual joint served up delightful 100% plant-based burgers to satisfy your cravings.
Hank Pizza @hankrestaurant | Address: 18 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris, France Vegans rejoice for Hank (Have A Nice Karma) and their delicious pizza flavors. They also had some gluten-free crust options. Their desserts are also 100% plant-based. Not going to lie I got multiple cookies. :) Perfect for a fast casual lunch.
The Hardware Societe
@hardwaresociete | Address: 10 rue Lamarck, 75018 Paris, France
Close to Montmartre, this gem served us a fabulous brunch. All our dishes were on point, and were identified on the menu for dietary preferences. Even so they were able to adjust my dishes to be dairy-free as well.
Yummy And Guiltfree
@yummyandguiltfree | Address: 3 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris, France
A fantastic gluten-free shop serving up excellent sweet and savory waffles. They also have dairy-free options. We could have eaten 5 of the croque monsieurs and the chocolate waffle was decadent.
Via Emilia
Address: 22 Rue la Bruyère, 75009 Paris, France
In the mood for authentic Italian? Our pasta dishes were ahh-mazing! Staff translated the menu for us and made recommendations that lived up to the hype.
We Are Juice
@wearejuice_ | Address: 34 Rue des Jeuneurs, 75002 Paris, France
Healthy options, fresh juices and smoothies in an open, bright cafe setting.
NOGLU
Address: 16 Passage des Panoramas, 75002 Paris, France + 69 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France
Gluten-free restaurant with bakery next door in the oldest covered cozy alleyway, The Passage des Panoramas. A little pricey, but worth it to be able to enjoy some fresh bread and desserts without regret.
Miss Kô
Address: 51 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France
Yummy Japanese - Asian fusion dishes in a large space, funky decor, fast service, reasonable prices, and great location (just off the Avenue Des Champs-Élysées).
Visiting Paris...well that's always been my dream. A dream which came true last summer. Little did I know that the city that's always had a peice of my heart would become even more meaningful—it became the city where the love of my life asked me to be his always. Because of that, I know we'll be visiting this city again soon.
There is so much more to see and on our next visit, we can't wait to check out:
- Centre Georges Pompidou
- The Catacombs
- Palais Garnier Opera
- Musée de l’Orangerie
- Père Lachaise Cemetery
- Clignancourt Flea Market
