The Paris Guide I Send My Friends
Bonjour, it's Beverly!
Paris is one of those cities that you can visit over and over again and still discover something new. Between the museums, cafés, gardens, neighborhoods, and incredible food, there is no shortage of things to see and experience.
Whenever friends tell me they're planning a trip to Paris, I usually end up sending them the same list of recommendations. So I decided to put everything in one place. It isn’t meant to be an exhaustive guide to Paris, but a collection of places I enjoy. Let's get into it!
Getting Around Paris
One of my favorite things about Europe is how easy it is to get around using public transportation, and Paris is no exception. I recommend downloading the Île-de-France Mobilités app before your trip. You can purchase and reload your Metro, RER, bus, and tram tickets directly from the app, making it convenient to travel around the city. If you prefer a physical ticket, you can also purchase a rechargeable Navigo Easy card from the ticket machines located at every Metro station. For times when public transportation isn't the best option, Uber, Bolt and G7 are all widely available throughout Paris.
Pro tip: Google Maps does an excellent job navigating the Paris Metro system and will tell you exactly which line to take, where to transfer, and how long your journey will take.
My Favorite Ways to Experience Paris
Before we dive into attractions, here's one piece of advice: Don’t over-plan Paris. Some of my favorite memories are spontaneous moments of random gems discovered randomly during a walk. Before I share a list of things to do, see or try, Here are a few experiences I'd recommend to anyone visiting:
Pick up pastries from a neighborhood boulangerie or patisserie.
Buy a bottle of wine, some cheese, fruit, and a fresh baguette for a picnic in one of Paris' beautiful parks.
Wander through neighborhoods without an itinerary.
Admire the colorful doors and beautiful architecture (my fav’).
Spend an afternoon people-watching from a café terrace.
Where to Stay in Paris
One of the questions I get asked most is where to stay in Paris. Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong staying anywhere within Paris, especially if you're close to a Metro station. Being near public transportation makes exploring the city incredibly easy. Every neighborhood has its own personality, but these are the ones I typically recommend.
Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements) ⭐ My Favorite: If I could recommend just one neighborhood, it would be Le Marais. It's centrally located, walkable, filled with boutique shopping, cafés, beautiful architecture, and fantastic restaurants. It's also one of my favorite places to simply wander without a destination.
Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement): The Latin Quarter is one of Paris' oldest neighborhoods and has a charming, lively atmosphere thanks to its universities, bookstores, and historic streets. It's a wonderful place to explore if you enjoy history, cozy cafés, and wandering through smaller side streets
7th Arrondissement: If seeing the Eiffel Tower is at the top of your list, the 7th arrondissement is an excellent place to stay. You'll be within walking distance of several iconic landmarks while still enjoying quieter residential streets.
République (10th & 11th Arrondissements) If convenience is your priority, République is a fantastic option. Several Metro lines meet here, making it super easy to reach almost every neighborhood in Paris.
Montmartre (18th Arrondissement) Montmartre feels like a village within Paris. Located on a hill, this charming neighborhood is filled with artists, cafés, hidden streets, and breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the city. Just keep in mind that there are plenty of hills and stairs, making it a little less convenient if you're traveling with a stroller or have limited mobility.
Things to Do in Paris
Paris is filled with incredible museums, landmarks, and neighborhoods. Here ara few I’d recommend:
Museums
The Louvre
Even if you're not a huge museum person, I think the Louvre is worth visiting at least once. As the world's largest museum, it's home to thousands of works of art and historical artifacts, including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. My biggest recommendation is to book your tickets in advance and arrive early. The museum is enormous, so don't feel pressured to see everything. Grab a map, choose a few galleries you're most interested in, and enjoy them. Also, don't forget to look up! Some of the ceilings throughout the museum are just as impressive as the artwork hanging on the walls.
Musée d'Orsay
The Musée d'Orsay is probably one of my favorite museums in Paris. Originally built as a railway station, it now houses one of the world's finest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. You'll find works by Monet, Renoir, Manet, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne, and many more. Even if you're only casually interested in art, the building itself is worth visiting.
Musée de l'Orangerie
Smaller than the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay, this museum is most famous for Claude Monet's breathtaking Water Lilies murals. It's a peaceful museum that can easily be visited in a couple of hours.
Musée Marmottan Monet
If you’re a Monet fan, or a fan of Impressionism, this one is for you. The Musée Marmottan Monet is an art museum dedicated to artist Claude Monet. The collection features over three hundred Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings by Monet.
Petit Palais
One of Paris' underrated gems. ot only is admission to the permanent collection free, but the building itself is stunning. The courtyard café is also one of my favorite places to take a break after exploring nearby attractions.
Landmarks
Palace of Versailles
If I had to choose my favorite attraction near Paris, it would be the Palace of Versailles. I've visited three times, and every visit has been different. Located just outside Paris, Versailles deserves at least half a day, if not a full day, to properly explore. Originally transformed into the royal residence of King Louis XIV, the palace is famous for its Hall of Mirrors, extravagant rooms, and beautifully landscaped gardens. If your schedule allows, make sure you spend some time walking through the gardens as well—they're just as impressive as the palace itself.
Eiffel Tower
You simply can't visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower.
I actually recommend seeing it twice:
During the day to admire its architecture.
At night when it sparkles.
One of my favorite viewpoints is from Trocadéro, but you'll also catch beautiful glimpses of the tower while wandering through nearby streets. Starting after sunset, the Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes at the beginning of every hour until late evening.
Spend a Day in Montmartre
Rather than simply visiting Sacré-Cœur, I'd encourage you to dedicate an afternoon to exploring Montmartre. Wander through its charming streets, stop by local cafés, admire the artists at Place du Tertre, and eventually make your way up to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The basilica offers one of the best panoramic views of Paris, making the climb absolutely worth it.
Parks & Picnic Culture
One of my favorite things about Paris is how many locals spend time outdoors. On a sunny afternoon, you'll see groups of friends sharing a bottle of wine, families enjoying picnics, and couples relaxing in beautiful parks.
Grab a few treats from a local boulangerie or fromagerie and head to one of these parks:
Jardin du Luxembourg
Jardin des Tuileries
Place des Vosges
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Shopping
Whether you're looking for luxury fashion or simply enjoy window shopping, Paris has something for everyone.
Some of my favorite shopping destinations include:
Printemps
Le Bon Marché
La Vallée Village: an outlet mall with some good deals
Galeries Lafayette Haussman: this specific one has a great rooftop
La Grande Epicerie de Paris: if you want some gourmet items as souvenirs
If you're staying in Le Marais, don't forget to spend some time browsing the smaller independent boutiques as you'll often discover brands you won't find elsewhere.
Cafés
One of the best ways to experience Paris is by slowing down at a café. Order a coffee, hot chocolate, or glass of wine and spend some time people-watching.
Café Kitsuné
Sipp Coffee Paris
Angelina (famous for its hot chocolate)
Carette: the one you probably saw on IG. It’s cute if you want the Eiffel Tower views!
Restaurants and Bars
Paris has no shortage of restaurants and bars, but these are a few that I personally recommend if you want a taste of authentic French food. France is super international, so I invite you to try different cuisines while you’re in town:
Bouillon: If you're looking for affordable, classic French cuisine. There is almost always a line at all the different locations they have, so I recommend arriving early or dining outside of peak hours.
Le Relais de l'Entrecôte A French classic that you can find in different neighborhoods. The true definition of less is more with their simple menu.
Mosuke par Mory Sacko⭐: A Michelin-starred restaurant that blends African, French and Japanese culinary techniques.
L’Escargot Montorgueil: A great place to try different flavors of escargots. After dinner, spend some time wandering Rue Montorgueil.
Pain Vin Fromages: If you're visiting during the colder months, this is the perfect place for fondue or raclette.
Le Train Bleu: Located inside Gare de Lyon, Le Train Bleu is a beautiful restaurant in Paris.
Le 17.45: A fun concept where you build your own charcuterie board by selecting different cheeses, meats, and accompaniments.
Frenchie Bar à Vins: A cozy wine bar offering French wines and small plates.
Bistrot Instinct: A small and intimate restaurant mentioned in the Michelin guide. I dine there every time I come to Paris.
Zara Food: an Ivorian restaurant that serves Sauce graine and Foutou, a classic dish from Ivory Coast.
Rooftop Galeries Lafayette: you can grab a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne on their rooftop.
Foods You Have to Try
Even if you don't make it to all of the restaurants above, there are a few French specialties that you shouldn't leave Paris without trying.
From the patisserie and/or boulangerie:
Croissants
Pain au chocolats
Éclair
Macaron
French classics:
Steak frites
Escargots
French onion soup
Foie gras
Frog Legs
Crepes: the best ones can be found in Montmartre
Drinks and cocktails
French Wine: from champagne, Sancerre, Cote du Rhone, Crémant, Chablis,etc.. you won’t run out of options!
St Germain
A shot of chartreuse
Kir Royale
Final Thoughts
Paris has a huge amount of things to discover, but my favorite activity remains walking around and admiring the architecture. I hope you enjoy your Paris trip and try some of the spots I’ve shared here!
A bientôt,
Beverly