Paris is a dream destination for many people – and for good reason. World class food, the best shopping in Europe, iconic monuments and museums. This city has all that and more!
We are lucky to have a number of friends who have been to Paris and they gave us many recommendations. We did not have enough time in France to pursue them all! But we will return someday and carry on.
If you are planning your first trip to the City of Light, this guide will help you make the most of your time there.
Paris Museum Pass
My best practical tip is to buy the Paris Museum Pass. It gives you free access to a number of monuments, museums and lets you skip all those ticket lines! You can buy multiple days to fit your personal schedule. For a list of the attractions and to purchase the pass online here: https://www.parismuseumpass.fr
Paris Transport Card
This card gives you unlimited travel on all public transportation (metro, bus, trams) in Paris. To purchase your transport card visit: https://www.ratp.fr
Eiffel Tower
Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
Some say ascending the Tower is expensive and the long lines ruin the experience. However, if this is your first trip, you have to! Unfortunately, The Paris Museum Pass does not include entry to the Eiffel Tower. Buy your tickets online here before you go: https://www.toureiffel.paris/fr
Husband and I were posing in front of this 130-year-old landmark, when I noticed a family taking pictures of themselves. I was feeling pretty confident about my French fluency after a couple of CDs of Rosetta Stone, so I walked up to them and asked (in what I thought was very good French),
“Voudrais-tu que je prenne ta photo?“ (“Would you like me to take your picture?”) They all stared at me and then the man of the group said to me (in ENGLISH) “We’re Italian.”
Oh.
Just as I was about to slink away and hide behind Husband, the man held out his camera. After taking some great shots of them, I handed back his camera. The man said, “Merci Beaucoup!” and gave me a wink.
Arc de Triomphe
Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
The most famous monument in Paris. Many claim that the top of the Arc gives the best view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower.
With Paris’ crazy traffic, don’t even try to cross the rotary to get to the monument! Take the underground entrance near the North side of the Champs Elysees instead.
If you would like to take the 280 steps to the top (or if you have limited mobility, the elevator), use the Museum Pass or buy your tickets online in advance here: http://www.paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr
Every evening at 6:30pm, there is a very poignant ceremonial laying of the wreath and a rekindling of the eternal flame.
Sainte-Chapelle
8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris, France
This beautiful jewel box of a cathedral, with its nearly 50 ft tall windows, hosts one of the most extensive collections of stained glass windows in the world. Entering Sainte-Chapelle was like stepping inside a kaleidoscope, with the morning sun dispersing patches of blue, red and green light in every direction. I sat on one of the chairs along the wall and just took it all in. I did not want to leave! Use the Museum Pass or buy your tickets online in advance here: http://www.sainte-chapelle.fr
Catacombes de Paris
1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
An eerie but surprisingly peaceful walk deep under the streets of Paris. I was overwhelmed by the scope of it all. It is estimated that more than 6 million bodies are interred in what is purported to be more than 200 miles of tunnels. Even though you are only allowed to tour a small section of the catacombes, wear comfortable shoes as there are lots of stairs.
Unfortunately, The Paris Museum Pass does not include entry to the Catacombes. Buy your tickets online here before you go: https://www.catacombes.paris.fr
Champ de Mars
2 Allée Adrienne Lecouvreur, 75007 Paris, France
Spend a leisurely afternoon on the grass in this beautiful park in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
A very Parisienne pastime!
A number of places in Paris can pack you a basket of cheese, wine and other nibbles, but Picnics in Paris by Zia does it particularly well and they are a 5 minute walk from Champ de Mars.
Order online here: http://www.picnicsparis.com/picnic-to-go
Notre-Dame de Paris
6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
Even though most of Notre Dame is still undergoing repairs, the Plaza and the Main entrance have reopened a year after the devastating fire that roared through this 13th Century Cathedral in April of 2019. The earliest expectation of complete restoration is late 2024.
Use the Museum Pass or buy your tickets online in advance here: https://www.notredamedeparis.fr
Cruise the Seine
A cruise along the Seine in the Paris twilight is magical. Sailing slowly along, you experience a new perspective of the City of Light. The Eiffel Tower dresses up in her best light show, dancing every hour on the hour each evening after dusk. One of my favorite memories of Paris is from our Seine River cruise, as we watched couples performing the tango on the sidewalk to a lone guitar player in the moonlight.
La Marina offers both lunch and dinner cruises on the Seine in their glass topped boats and barges.
For more information and to book your cruise:
Porte de Clignancourt Paris Flea Market
99 Allée des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France
There are many places in Paris to purchase a memento, but I encourage you to check out the Paris Flea Market. Clothes, jewelry, furniture, housewares, antiques! Come home with something more unique than a coffee cup or keychain. Even if you don’t buy a thing, it’s an adventure to stroll around all of the stalls and search for treasure!
Jardin du Trocadéro
Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France
This lovely garden lies across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. Standing on the busy plaza above the pool and fountains, it felt like we were in the middle of everything. There is a restaurant here called Café de l’Homme, with an awesome view of the Eiffel Tower. We spent a dreamy evening there, sharing a Crème Brulee and sipping champagne. It’s a perfect place for a romantic dinner.
17 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75116 Paris, France
Musee d’Orsay
1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
This left bank museum contains the finest Impressionism collection in the world. It is right on the Seine in a former train station. Be sure to get your Instagrammable photo with the clock tower.
Use the Museum Pass or buy your tickets online in advance here: https://www.musee-orsay.fr
Musee de l’Orangerie
Jardin Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France
This small museum next to the Place de la Concorde holds a gorgeous collection of Monet water lilies paintings. Monet created a series of huge canvases that he intended to display in an oval room with natural light. Two vestibules are dedicated to these paintings. Walking around the room gave me the experience of being in the garden, watching the light change over the course of a day.
Use the Museum Pass or buy your tickets online in advance here: https://www.musee-orangerie.fr
The Louvre
Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
The Louvre is so large, one could spend a week there and not see it all. Inside you will find the Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa, and Winged Victory among other priceless artwork and furniture. We downloaded the map of the museum before we left for Paris. We scouted all of the “greatest hits”, and plotted our route through the Louvre, starting with those furthest away from the entrance and then meandered back toward the front exit.
Download the map here: https://www.louvre.fr/en/plan
We’ve done some of the legwork for you, but the website is searchable for any of the priceless treasures you want to see.
Mona Lisa – Denon wing, 1st floor, Mona Lisa Room, Room 711
Virgin of the Rocks – Denon wing, 1st floor, Grande Galerie, Room 710
Husband’s Favorite:
The Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon and the Coronation of Empress Joséphine – Denon wing, 1st floor, Daru, Room 702
Winged Victory – Denon wing, Ground floor, Room 703
Aphrodite (Venus de Milo) – Denon wing, Ground floor, Parthenon room, Room 346
Use the Museum Pass or buy your tickets online in advance here: https://www.louvre.fr
Musee National Picasso-Paris
5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris, France
This museum presents an exceptional compilation of Picasso’s paintings, sculpture, drafts, notebooks, etchings and many items from the personal collection of this prolific artist.
Picasso is one of my favorite artists, and while visiting this gallery, I felt like I had a glimpse into his creative process. He even wrote poetry!
Use the Museum Pass or buy your tickets online in advance here: http://www.museepicassoparis.fr
Ladurée
75 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France
This world class cake shop on Champs-Élysées is a must do in Paris. They are renowned for the macarons. I loved them – especially the Lavender. They offer assorted chocolates as well. Give your taste buds a splurge!
Kong
1 Rue du Pont Neuf, 75001 Paris, France
This 5th floor Asian fusion restaurant with its unique glass dome is an unforgettable dining experience. Fans of the TV Series “Sex and the City” will recognize Kong from Season 6 when our heroine Carrie Bradshaw moved to Paris. There isn’t much in the way of vegetarian dishes. I had the Risotto with Truffles and it was a little plate of paradise! Husband had the Wagyu Beef with Bernaise sauce. A light rain was falling and it felt like we were dining in a snow globe.
Photo from their website: https://www.kong.fr
Paris Hard Rock Café
Husband’s Hard Rock addiction. Any city in the world that has a Hard Rock Café, you’ll find him there. This spot is one of his favorites – second only to the London Café – the original location.
La Closerie de Lilas
171 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris, France
Grab a table in the leafy patio area and have a drink at this famous watering hole of literary and artistic giants. Hemingway called La Closerie de Lilas “One of the best cafes in Paris.” Legend has it he wrote portions of his novel “The Sun Also Rises” here.
Le Flore en l'Île
42 Quai d’Orléans, 75004 Paris, France
If you want to experience typical French bistro dining, this restaurant near Notre-Dame in Paris is an excellent choice. They are famous for their Berthillon ice cream, so save room for dessert. I recommend the salted butter caramel – oh, the sweet, salty, creamy deliciousness!
Photo from their website: https://lefloreenlile.fr
Pommes Aligot
This cheesy, creamy, stretchy potato dish is served all over Paris, but the L’Ambassade d’Auvergne does it best and with a dramatic tableside flourish. They are able to stretch the potatoes 3 to 4 feet high – it’s amazing to watch!
L’Ambassade d’Auvergne
22 Rue du Grenier-Saint-Lazare, 75003 Paris, France
https://www.ambassade-auvergne.fr
I loved these potatoes so much, I have made this several times since our return from Paris. Here’s my blog post with the recipe:
https://thetravelingdelanys.com/potatoes-the-french-way-pommes-aligot/
Marché des Enfants Rouges
39 rue de Bretagne, Paris 75003
The bustling Marché des Enfants Rouge is the oldest covered food market in Paris. Its name comes from the Orphanage that used to occupy the site. You will find all manner of ethnic foods, organic fruit and vegetable stands here. We had lunch at the famous food stall Chez Alain Miam Miam (Miam Miam is Yum Yum in French) whose sandwiches are fresh meat, cheese and vegetables stuffed into a sort of flatbread made on site in crepe pans. Really delicious!
We hope we have given you some ideas or inspiration for a future trip to this very special place in the world! There are many other things to see, places to eat and things to do in the City of Light. However, don’t plan out every second of your time in Paris. Leave room in your schedule for spontaneous adventures! It’s been a while since we visited Paris, and while we made memories that will last a lifetime, we plan to go back!
Anyone care to join us for a Tango on the banks of the Seine?
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