Ahhh Paris. There’s a reason that people write songs about Paris. This city is for lovers, explorers, foodies, and especially for shoppers. When I was walking around Paris, I noticed how beautiful everything is. Parisians take beauty very seriously. Everything in the city has to be perfect, whether that be the piles of pastries in each bakery, each and every little bistro lining the streets, and their incredible outfits. My god, their outfits! Everyone was beautiful. And it’s an effortless beauty; that level of perfection that has you saying, “oh yes, I rolled out of bed, grabbed my croissant, and left looking like this.”
We spent 3 days taking in every bit of Paris, and I can’t wait to share with you all the tips and tricks I learned along the way!
Where to Stay
Le Marais An area full of rich culture, eclectic shops, and bustling sidewalk restaurants, this has been named the “young, hip” part of Paris that you’re going to want to check out. Spend some time getting lost in these charming streets, enjoy a baguette in one of the many beautiful parks, and make sure to get some shopping in on Rue Veille du Temple!
Saint-Germain-des-Prés A friend of mine recommended this spot, and I would probably stay here next time since we spent the majority of our time in this area! In my opinion, these streets are home to some of the best shopping in Paris, and everything here is unbelievably beautiful.
My favorite favorite part was a street called Rue de Buci, a tiny little street that will WOW you. Grab a Cafe au Lait, rest your feet, and take it all in.
With a View… If I could afford it, I would absolutely stay in one of those idyllic hotels with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Since I didn’t stay in any of these glamorous hotels myself, check out this amazing article I found to give you some serious inspo.
Where to shop
Le Marais Again, Le Marais is SO COOL and HIP. You have to do your shopping here! Don’t miss the main shopping street, Rue Veille du Temple, where you can find both funky boutiques and well known establishments. This street will not disappoint!
Madeleine Neighborhood Known for being one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Paris, this is a terrific spot for designer shopping, or jewelry buying. We actually went here to buy my engagement ring! If you are looking to buy a nice piece of jewelry, definitely go to Marthan-Lorand (ask for Thomas, he’s an absolute gem. Haha, get it?). I also went into Chanel here in my NICEST outfit, and the lovely salespeople looked at me like I was a walking garbage bin. So pick wisely.
St. Germain My favorite area, for a few reasons! First, you can get a wide variety of shops here, from very expensive to damn affordable (and adorable might I add). We spent some serious dough at Zara, before exploring some of the shops on Rue de Buci (that adorable little street I love). Closeby you can also check out Le Labo, one of my favorite shops for perfume and candles.
Champs Elysee You probably already know this one, but don’t skip it just because it’s touristy! This street is absolutely gorgeous (especially if you go at dawn, just saying). The shops are exactly what you would expect- a mix of designer goodies and lower end shops such as H&M, Zara, and Gap. You probably don’t need to spend a ton of time here, but it’s worth seeing!
Eat
Pink Mamma Everyone and their mother recommended Pink Mamma to us before we went to Paris. And yes, it is THAT GOOD. Go for lunch, and go early. They open at 12 pm for lunch, and we got there around 12:30. We got a table
instantly. By 1:30-2pm, the line was out the door! They don’t take reservations, so plan accordingly. GET.THE.BASIC.PASTA. Holy cow I cannot even explain how unbelievable this pasta was. It was literally just spaghetti with San Marzano tomatoes, basil, and burrata. I died and went to Heaven! The pizzas also look ahhhhmazing. But the pasta, wow. We also got the fried mini pizza starter, and this was absolutely glorious. Pro tip- don’t skip the cocktails!
L’Entrecote
A Parisian classic! Even though this place is oh so touristy, it’s not to be skipped. There are several locations throughout Paris, and they all have lines down the block because it is just THAT good. If you’ve never been, this concept may seem a bit foreign. You get to choose your wine (yay) and your dessert, but everything else is set. You start with a basic (but yummy salad) and then you get to the main event- a big plate of steak, fries, and a delicious green sauce. I mean, lick the plate delicious. But there’s more! When you finish your first portion, they REFILL YOUR PLATE. TWO SERVINGS OF MEAT Y’ALL. Stand in line. Don’t skip this experience. Thank me later.
Laduree
Actually the best croissant in Paris. Even the Parisians think so! They also have several locations. I highly recommend getting a ton of pastries and macarons and eating them all. Pro Tip- these pastries are not much more expensive than any other bakery, so this should be your #1 spot for baked goodies!
Le Rusti
What is it about the French that allows them to service better Italian food than they do in Italy?? If you don’t have time to visit Italy, check out Le Rusti. Absolutely divine Italian food, perfect for the person who likes a big plate of pasta (i.e. me).
Grum Gelato
Looking for the best gelato in Paris (I swear this article isn’t actually about Italy). We went to Grum right after our exceptional dinner at L’Entrecote. What a great end to a great night of food! I loved the Grum gelato, aptly named after the shop. Prepare to order in French here, as they didn’t speak any English with us!
Cafe de Flore
One of Paris’ most famous bistros is Cafe de Flore. Delicious coffee, croissants, and quiche, this is where you will find all of Paris’ most fashionable (all sitting out in front, how very Parisian). Located right next to Louis Vuitton, so you know what you’re getting into!
Sightseeing Tips
The best thing we did during our time in Paris was getting up before dawn to see the city. Experiencing Paris before it’s truly awake is such a magical way to see things that are usually more touristy. During our three days, we did the Champs Elysee, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre all during sunrise. Pure MAGIC. Do this, you seriously won’t regret it (Pro Tip- coffee is necessary).
View the Eiffel Tower from somewhere else! A couple great spots are the Bir Hakeim Bridge (very popular for brides too, so we got to watch a lot of wedding shoots which was fun!), the Terrace of Saint Jacques Tower, or the Haussman Buildings. Grab a baguette and a coffee, go to one of these spots, and take it all in!
Visit the Pere Lachaise Cemetary (especially if you’re going in the Fall). I know, I know, a cemetery probably isn’t the first place on your list to visit when in Paris. But trust me when I say that this is truly a stunning spectacle. In fall, the trees turn yellow, orange, and red, and it turns into a Fall Paradise. Bonus, Jim Morison, among many other incredibly famous people, have been buried here!
Walk/ Take scooters everywhere! As I’m sure you know, Paris is a STUNNING city. Every building, restaurant, and cobbletsone are beautiful. And don’t even get me started on the Parisian fashion!
You don’t want to miss this. Bring your good walking shoes (and I mean GOOD, like the comfiest shoes you own) and prepare to walk a ton! We took scooters whenever we could, because it was faster than walking, but still a ton of fun and we got to see everything. Ubers and the metro are also good options!
Whatever you do during your time in Paris, just enjoy it. Act like a Parisian and enjoy every moment, every sip of coffee, and every swipe of your credit card. Take a siesta and stay out late! Get up early! Enjoy every moment, because it really is one of the greatest cities in the world.
