Paris Travel Guide

Can you even believe that I had never been to Paris until this summer?! Like who am I?! Well it was a great way to spend my 29th birthday, that’s for sure. Paris was everything I thought it would be…beautiful, romantic and a wee bit snobby, in the best way possible of course haha. I still can’t wait to return next year for my birthday 😉 #manifestit

Read on for where to stay, eat, drink, shop and more! Also I bookmarked all the places I went (or wanted to go) on a map at the end of this post, hope it helps you plan your next Parisian adventure!

Where to Stay

Le Marais is the best area to stay in, awash with classic cafes, hip bars and shops. We split our time between Les Bains and Hotel De Jobo, two boutique hotels in the area. They’re a bit pricey but it was my birthday week and a time in our trip where we wanted to splurge a little more (plus we split the cost with friends 😂). Most chic hotels in Paris you’re going to pay upwards of $200/night especially during the summer months. Airbnb is an amazing alternative and predominately what we used throughout Europe….anyway, most importantly, stay in Le Marais!

Where to Eat

LouLou Restaurant
This is where I went for my birthday dinner and it blew me away, although expensive. Take an earlier seating so you can enjoy the view of the Tuileries Garden and watch the sunset. Don’t forget to order the truffle pizza!

Bistrot Paul Bert
The best steak frites you’ll ever have (tip: get the black peppercorn sauce). No joke, Katie and I went back for a second time at the end of the week it was that good. 🥩🍟

Girafe Restaurant
Instagrammed by Vogue Paris amongst every other , this highly photogenic restaurant has patio views of the Eiffel Tower, fresh seafood and Italian bites — perfect for a long drawn out rosé lunch. However it’s extremely hard to make a reservation, the best tip I can offer is having your hotel concierge call on your behalf, (it’s a french thing). 😋

Cafe De Flore & Les Deux Magots
Two quintessential and historical Parisian cafes, where you can sit out on the sidewalk, sipping an espresso or a spritz and people watch, my absolute favorite pastime in Paris.

Breizh Cafe
With a few locations around Paris, Breizh Cafe is the place to go for both sweet and savory crepes. Get the ham & cheese with an egg and caramelized onions (it was the best in our group’s order) + a french cider to match!

Where to Drink

Danico
Randomly swung by Danico with a friend and it ended up being the best cocktails Katie and I had in Paris! 🎊Get their clarified milk punch and this hot cheesy ham bread appetizer roll – it was incredibly delicious.  Their cocktail menu changes frequently but the attached restaurant, Daroco, will always have killer pizzas and pastas.

No Entry
Speakeasy bar under the infamous Pink Mamma restaurant. Really decorative drinks with elaborate ingredients but half the fun is just trying to find out how to enter!

Ritz Hotel Bar
The most expensive drink you’ll have in Paris but at least it’s worth it (not like Hotel Costes lol). They are a work of art. 🍸

Andy Wahloo
A funky cool vibe with a light up dance floor and weird wall art. And if the cocktails get you hungry, pop in the back restaurant, Derriere, for the gnocchi and pork chop.

Experimental Cocktail Club
Another hit from the Experimental Group (an infamous hospitality collective). This bar sets the standard for Parisian cocktails, perfect for a pre or post-dinner drink however be aware if you go too late it can get quite crowded and loud. I’m more into being able to sit and talk to my fiancé lol so I’d go earlier next time.

Boat Parties (summer only)
In the summer months, lots of river cruise boats convert into bars that are stationed along the river. I mean, who doesn’t love a boat party?! Check out Rosa Bonhuer Sur Seine, or Mademoiselle Mouche, a garden chic open-air bar which is located at the end of the Bateaux Mouches pier.

 

Where to Shop

Kiliwatch
The best vintage shop in Paris! Funky prints, trendy items and walls of Levi’s jeans (I got 2 custom tie-dye Levi’s 501s and wore them nonstop the rest of the trip).

Sandro Paris and Ba&sh Paris
Two french designers that are not to miss while in Paris. Of course we can shop them online here in the states, but everyone knows the inventory is better in France! 😉

L’Appartement Sezane
The mecca of Parisian style, and such an amazing store design. Not sure what I did more of in there, perusing the new styles or snapping pics of the interior haha.

Le Bon Marché
A high-end department store, basically the French version of Harrods. Definitely ride the escalators and marvel at the merchandise. 

What to Do

Picnic in the Park
Legit all I wanted to do in Paris was to pop into the different shops for all the different picnic fixings and then lay in the sun for hours with my babe, just as the Parisians do…right? 😛 The best places to picnic are Champ de Mars (views of the Eiffel Tower) or Luxembourg Gardens, a more beautiful ambiance (sans tower view). For all the goods, start at the corner of Rue Montorgueil & Rue Tiquetonne and walk north upwards, you’ll find the charcuterie, patisserie, fromagerie etc. Just don’t forget to pop into a wine shop for a Gamay.

Louvre
A tourist must if you haven’t done it before (if you have, then hit up the Musee D’ Orsay instead). But I highly suggest picking your top 3 exhibits and just hitting those otherwise you’ll loose an entire day in there! We did Ancient Egypt, because mummies, duh. Ancient Greek and Roman statues because, beauty duh and the Decorative Arts, because gold and glitz duh. Oh and of course, had to peek an eye in on the tiny Mona Lisa. 😉

Eiffel Tower
Another tourist must if you haven’t before but here are some use tips to improve your Eiffel Tower experience:

1. Don’t wear a dress/skirt because it’s very windy up there (made that mistake lol)
2. Absolutely get tickets online beforehand, and climb the stairs — you’ll avoid all lines and stairs are not bad at all
3. You don’t need to go to the tip top, the 2nd level is enough

Crazy Horse Cabaret
An absolute must if you’re down with a little nudity. The sexiest burlesque show I’ve ever been to, actually the only burlesque show I’ve ever been to haha but now I’m ruined they set the bar so high! It was so artistic and entertaining, I can see why Beyoncé was so inspired by these ladies. I was joking with Katie I want to fly back to Paris next year so I can spend my birthday at Crazy Horse again.  (PRO TIP: get the ticket that comes with a half bottle of champagne. totally worth it and seemed to be the MO there). 🥂😘