If there can ever be a good time to embrace the cliché, it would have to be on a visit to Paris. Let me explain.
What's so great about this city? Is it the rich artistic heritage, the exquisite buildings, the endless cafes with people watching opportunities? Is it the glamour of the designer boutiques? Or perhaps the effortless cool of the average Parisian citizen? Well, it's all of it! It all just works so well together to form the essence of Paris, that it inspires just under 20 million people to visit every year. It could really be an extremely touristy and freakishly expensive experience... unless you know your way around. I am someone who generally avoids visiting the same place more than once, but I have been to Paris eight times now. I'm actually nowhere near growing tired of it! Read on for a few reasons why you should buy into the hype around this gorgeous city and visit it too.
Here's the niyaorfar curated list of the best attractions, restaurants and bars. Save it to your Google Maps and impress even your most picky, hard-to-please travel buddies!
When to go: Paris is most beautiful when blooming, and temperatures in May are perfect for long walks and outdoor wining and dining. If you'd rather avoid the crowds, it's less busy in high summer when locals flee South for their annual holidays. However, I feel that takes away from the Parisian feel of the city. It can still be fun in winter too, but keep in mind the cold climate will likely force you indoors. Your visit might revolve around exploring the museums and galleries, and indulging in extra vin rouge to stay warm.
Key tips for visiting: Use the subway to get around. Buy tickets in packs of 10 as it's much cheaper than buying one at a time. Look out for the station signs which read Metro or Metropolitain. The pace of life is slow, so count on getting the bill at a restaurant taking a while. Tipping is not expected but leaving 1-2 euros on top is generally the norm.
Mingle with the locals - where to eat & drink in Paris:
La Jacobine - tiny French restaurant in the Latin Quarter offering the best onion soup and snails in Paris. We had to wait for a bit but once we were seated service was great and the food was fantastic. Totally worth it.
Café Pouchkine - the quintessential French café with outdoor chairs for people watching at a prime location near the Madeleine. Full disclosure - it's quite pricey, but the decor is gorgeous and their Croque Madame is second to none. Only in Paris can a ham and cheese toastie look so fancy! It was surprisingly filling, too.
Café de Flore - the main draw of this charming establishment is its rich history. The story goes that a string of famous writers, philosophers and artists (including Picasso) used to frequent it. As you can imagine, it's overpriced. Still, it could be worth checking out if you're in the area, even if you only get a coffee.
Pink Mamma - the best way to describe this Italian gem is as an experience. You can't book for dinner so be there 15 minutes before opening as the ceremony is quite something! The enchanted forest decor creates a magical atmosphere and the food is to die for. We ordered the Mammargharita, the Double Truffle and the Carciofi Folie pizzas, along with some prosciutto and burrata (all amazing!).
Bambou - I can only last so long without Asian food. Also, Bambou is such a great Thai place that it would be a major fault to miss it off this list. As you enter the dimly-lit restaurant you find yourself in a lush jungle with rattan cages swinging in the foliage. Their fragrant curries can easily transport you to the far East at first bite.
Café Kitsuné Louvre - a beautifully designed space with plush velvet chairs and a great second-floor view. They offer French bistro classics with a Japanese spin. I had the Fancy Nicoise salad, which had the distinct feel of a poké bowl.
Odette Paris - a quirky vintage tea room and pastry shop. They specialise in cream puffs with a range of flavours, from classic vanilla and chocolate, to salted caramel and pistachio. Well worth a visit to this 17th century building, if only for the stunning view of the Notre Dame Cathedral!
Jacques Genin - this handcrafted chocolate and pastry shop has been on my must-try list for ages, but sadly I've never had the chance to visit. If you get to go, please order the praline cream Paris-Brest and let me know if it tastes as heavenly as it looks!
Eataly Paris Marais - the perfect combination of a restaurant and a deli counter under the same roof if you love all things Italian. They're also in New York, but not in London, so I always make it my priority to pay them a visit when nearby to stock up on delicious ingredients.
Wild & the Moon - an unassuming little vegan restaurant in the Marais with really great healthy brunch options. They have coconut and matcha everything, which makes them a winner in my book.
Daroco Bourse - another noteworthy Italian restaurant with an impressive interior. This lofty haunt has a mirrored ceiling and a small terrace above the bar, which makes for an exclusive dining experience if you can get your hands on one of the tables on the second level. The food is absolutely superb!
Hotel Costes - the trendy lounge bar housed in this hip hotel that has inspired the sets of many an international DJ is not to be missed. The atmosphere is amazing and perfectly captures the essence of effortless Parisian chic in my opinion.
Le Duc des Lombards - an intimate jazz bar with live music from acclaimed artists. We treated my dad to front-row seats for his birthday a couple years ago and he absolutely loved it. They serve you drinks and nibbles which you can enjoy at your table while listening to world-class jazz music.
Be a savvy tourist - cultural attractions in Paris:
Musée d'Orsay - if you only explore one museum while in Paris, be sure to make it this one. This stunning gallery is filled with 19th and 20th century European art. It's laid out in a former railway station, which makes for a truly one-of-a-kind setting.
Grand Palais - another exhibition and cultural event space which is well worth a trip. It's located only a short walk away from Place de la Concorde. In winter the glass-domed atrium turns into the most gorgeous ice-skating rink imaginable.
Jardin du Luxembourg - by far my favourite park in Paris, if not the world! Lounge in one of the iconic green chairs around the lake to soak up the sunshine, admire the beautiful palace, or seek out the decorative Medicis fountain for a few serene moments in the shade of the trees.
Place Vendôme - the column in the middle of the square was erected to commemorate one of Napoleon's greatest achievements, the victory of Austerlitz. Its spiralling plates are made from the melted cannons of the European armies that Napoleon defeated (very Game of Thrones, I know!). Take a walk down Rue Saint-Honoré for some seriously luxurious window-shopping.
Ritz Paris - a hotel, even an institution such as the Ritz, might seem like a weird entry in a list of city attractions. However, on my last visit I decided there was no reason it should be off-limits and I strolled inside like I owned the place. You absolutely should, too! Not only does it have a gorgeous inner courtyard, but it also houses an elegant shopping arcade full of quirky little boutiques.
Galerie Vivienne - beautiful covered shopping arcade dating back to the 1800s. Well worth a stroll if you're already in the vicinity of Place Vendôme. It's also home to one of the restaurants I recommended above, Daroco Bourse.
L'Appartement Sézane - a quirky apparel and homeware boutique in a stylish apartment setting. When I went the downstairs area had a popcorn machine and a mini cinema, which I thought was awesome. Prices are a bit over the top, but if you're looking to splurge, then it's the perfect place.
If you have half a day to spare, exploring the hilltop district of Montmartre could be a good way to spend it. It's more than a little touristy, I'll give you that, but I find its winding cobbled streets full of cafes and souvenir shops very charming. The sweeping views of the city below are just incredible. If you're feeling adventurous (and fit), you could climb the 300 steps to the top of the Sacré Coeur basilica for an even better view, especially at sunset when Paris bathes in a rosy glow.
La Maison Rose - Montmartre used to be the haunt of numerous poets and artists, and the story goes that they would meet in this picturesque pink establishment to exchange views, ideas and inspiration. Nowadays it's a fairly inexpensive French restaurant.
Musée Gustave Moreau - I've never been to this museum but hopefully during my next trip! Its symbolism art collection is highly rated. It also hosts cultural activities such as concerts, theatre lectures and sketching classes, all in the beautiful setting of this Parisian artist's apartment and studio.
Jardin des Plantes - another park to explore on a sunny day. Particularly interested to visit this one as it boasts a small menagerie and a river-side botanical garden. Sounds absolutely delightful.
For the gram - great photo spots in Paris:
Rue Crémieux - this quaint cobbled street lined with pastel-coloured cottages definitely gets Instagram gold. It's right across the bridge from Jardin des Plantes. There's barely anyone there as it's a residential area, so you can almost certainly have it all to yourself.
Rue des Martyrs - the top street for a lazy stroll in Paris. Everything is picture-perfect, from the art boutiques to the florists and cheese shops. It's on the way to Montmartre from Pigalle metro station.
Les Deux Plateaux - the Buren columns are a collection of rising sculptures in the inner courtyard of the Palais Royal palace in central Paris. They are open to the public and are a great example of contemporary art injecting a bit of fun into what is otherwise a very grand and solemn-looking building.
Pont de Bir-Hakeim - recently made more popular by its appearance in the Inception movie, this photogenic steel bridge is also one of the best spots for photos featuring the Eiffel Tower. Because of the sheer height of the tower, it's usually best to capture it from a bit of a distance. If you prefer it slightly closer you could also try from the Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel (marked on the niyaorfar Paris map) and the Trocadero esplanade.
Take a piece of Paris home: Gifts & souvenir ideas
Berets are great quirky accessories to have and they travel well as you can pack them flat unlike many other types of hats. I got mine from Mademoiselle Charivari's stall at the base of Montmartre (No. 4 Place Suzanne Valadon). Let me know in the comments if you have some original gift ideas to add to this!
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