Paris Guide: What to do in Paris, France

This complete guide to Paris, France and has been a LONG TIME COMING. This is a jam-packed, curated list of all of the tips, tricks, and recommendations I’ve spent years researching, countless miles walking to find, and days spent wandering the street.. ya know, “for research”. I’ve given out some of this advice so much that I figured it was finally time to put all of my information into a consolidated blog post.

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Check back often because I’ll continue updating as I find new and fun things!

Why am I so obsessed with Paris?

Paris is pure magic. Every time I see the Eiffel Tower twinkling at night I almost cry…. Okay, I do cry. It’s emotional! The sheer amount of history in Paris fuels me with the desire to see everything. The beautiful Haussmannien architecture, historical monuments everywhere you look. The baguettes, croissants and pastries lining patisserie windows down every street... It’s just heaven, at least to me.

Now, I will back up for a second… I think Paris is one of those “love it or hate it” type of places. Paris is is like the NYC of Europe, but with more old-world charm. I’ve heard many people say they don’t care for Paris, and to each their own… But, they’re wrong. Paris is huge city and it can seem a bit daunting if you’re not expecting it.

HOW TO GET AROUND

Remember what I said about the old-world charm in Paris? Well, keep that in mind when you’re planning to traverse the city. It’s large and you can find yourself walking many, many miles a day if you don’t properly plan. Check out my Paris itinerary guides here to get an idea on how to maximize your time in Paris! Be sure to have a fully charged cell phone to use Apple Maps/Google Maps. I always like to bring a portable battery charger with me because I always run my phone down using the map all day. I have this and this.

Uber: works the same as in the US readily available in most areas but the most expensive
Taxi: they’re everywhere; G7 taxi service is very reliable, especially for airport transfers
Metro: the metro is incredibly easy to use - follow my guide!
Hop On Hop Off Bus

WHAT TO SEE

Everything can be an experience in Paris, if you let it. Strolling the streets, peaking in the windows of patisseries in the morning.. Shelves lined with meat and cheese stuffed baguettes and assortments of quiches. There’s countless landmarks to take in all over the city, there’s so much more to Paris than just the Eiffel Tower (don’t get me wrong, she is incredible). Here are a few things I suggest doing to really soak up the Parisian charm that I completely fell for.

Walk in Montmartre
Get skip-the-line tickets and take in the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.
Rue Saint Dominique: start at the Invalides and walk towards the Eiffel Tower, lots of Parisienne boutiques
Seine River Dinner Cruise
Take the line 6 metro across the Seine
Palais Jardin Royal - don’t miss the iconic black and white beams and it’s beautiful garden courtyard
Rodin Museum (incredible gardens!)
d'Orsay Museum (most recommended museum by locals)
Louvre Museum (DEFINITELY buy skip-the-line tickets)

WHERE TO EAT

This section got completely out of hand so I moved it to its own post. Click here.

But, here are a few brief tips.

My best tip for eating in Paris: find one or two restaurants that you are absolutely dying to eat at, and then the rest of the time, leave it up to chance. I’ve learned this the hard way by having reservations for 3 meals a day only to be disappointed by canceling said reso’s because we’re too full to eat again.

There must be a million cafes, brasseries, bistros, sandwich shops, Michelin rated fine dining experiences etc. etc. in Paris and I swear, you’ll want to try them all. My second-best pointer for eating in Paris: stop into the brasseries and cafés that are full of people. If it’s full of locals, this is your sign that it’s good. And maybe only stop for drinks around big tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower and along the Champs Elysees because it’ll be the most expensive (and not as good).

Pink Mamma is always my #1 recommendation for restaurants. It’s Italian food, in the 9th arrondissement. A little out of the way of downtown, so be sure to check out the old red light district (Pigalle) and go see the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre while you’re up there. They have several sister restaurants. I've eaten at East Mamma (also great) near Bastille and Pizzeria Popolare that my friends in Paris frequent. They’re all kind of the same type of food but Pink Mamma is the coolest of them all and it’s in a cool neighborhood. Click here to explore all Big Momma Group restaurants. I would recommend making reservations at any location.

Au Sauvignon (6eme/Saint Germain) which is awesome sandwiches and people watching
Bar Moulin (1eme) near Palais Jardin Royal, cheap drinks and good people watching.

Here is the link one more time to my entire Paris Food Guide.

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel Lutetia| Saint-Germain-des-Pres, 6eme - This is my favorite hotel in the world. So much WW2 history. Not to mention incredibly beautiful.
Nolinksi Paris| 5-star incredibly chic hotel near the Louvre
Hotel Bowmann| 8eme, Gorgeous gold clad rooms; near Opera Garnier, surrounded by beautiful Haussmann architecture.
Hotel St Regis| 8eme - incredible terrace view rooms; near Champs Elysees & Avenue Montaigne
The Parisianer| 10eme, Great location & affordable if you have a train departing from Gare Lyon

BAILIE’S FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOODS

Saint-Germain-des-Pres| 6eme, best for shopping, eating, and getting lost on the cobblestone streets
Madeleine| 8eme, I have a major crush on the architecture in this area
Trocadero| 16eme, best views of the La Tour Eiffel and great bars and restaurants
Montmartre| 18eme, old-world Paris charm, be sure to visit the Sacre Coeur and overlook all of Paris

WHERE TO SHOP

Rue. St. Honore| high-end shopping
Galeries Lafayette| 8eme, beautiful department store
Le Bon Marché| 6eme, maybe the most well-known department store in Paris
La Grande Épicerie de Paris| 6eme, amazing groceries; a must visit to bring goodies home
Le Samaritaine| 1eme, another gorgeous high-end department store, great gift shop at entrance
Avenue Montaigne| 8eme, endless high-end shopping, Crazy Horse Cabaret
Comme des Garçons| Rue. St. Honore
Caravane| toiletry bags + more
E. DEHILLERIN| kitchen supply

How to Dress in Paris

Paris is very fashion forward, obviously. You will see every kind of look possible in Paris. Not only is Paris (and all of France) fashionable and trendy, it’s very sleek and put together. There is a definite aesthetic to the fashion of French people and I’m here for it. Buttoned up, elegant, and always completing each look with the proper accessory; scarves, belts, hats, etc. The French know how to dress, if you’re asking me.