There’s no place quite like Paris. A city where elegant Haussmannian façades frame intricate gardens and cafe chairs are perfectly positioned for sidewalk people-watching. Around every corner you’ll find the chicest boutiques and galleries, world-renowned museums, and a food scene that few cities can rival.
Days are best spent on foot, strolling along the Seine and wandering through the culturally rich arrondissements that spiral out from its banks. Evenings unfold over a bottle of wine, lingering until late at a neighborhood brasserie. It’s the simple moments that give Paris that je ne se qoui. This is our curated guide to experiencing our favorite city.
TO STAY:
Hôtel de l’Abbaye, Saint-Germain-des-Prés - 6th arr.
Located in the incredibly chic Saint-Germain-des-Prés, tucked just off the main boulevard yet within close proximity to it, you’ll find the leafy, gated courtyard entrance to this boutique hotel. There is an immediate air of quiet luxury—a calming gem in one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods. The Parisian townhouse was converted into a hotel in the 90s, but it retains the feel of a beautifully decorated home thanks to the collaboration between French designer Michel Boyer and the original owners, Gisèle and Pierre-Antoine Lafortune.
The details are perfection, from the sunflower arrangements, to the fresh floral and fig scents of Diptyque filling the space, to the trickling fountain in the back garden—a courtyard where you can dine al fresco or beneath the beautiful glass conservatory.
Each room feels entirely its own, as though this were a grand 43-bedroom manor house rather than a hotel. Striped and floral wallpapers, toile-upholstered bedframes tucked into wallpapered niches, marble bathrooms, and views overlooking the garden give each space its own distinct character. Have breakfast in the courtyard before starting your day, or return for a cheese plate and glass of wine before dinner. This is the kind of hotel you want to linger in.
Average €359 per night.
Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais, Le Marais - 3rd arr.
Nestled among the buzzy boutiques, galleries, and restaurants of the historical Marais quarter and just blocks from the Seine, this boutique hotel housed in an 18th-century townhome transports you back to the theatrical elegance of Paris in the time of Beaumarchais. The entry parlor sets the scene, with a piano-forte from 1792 and a harp that appear as if the musicians have just stepped out, taking a break from the soirée. The Louis XV period furniture and lighting evoke pure rococo escapism.
The 19 rooms all feel as if you’ve entered a private boudoir, adorned with antique wooden beams and cheeky art. Be sure to book a front-side room as they are larger and look out onto the charming streets of the Marais, and if you don’t mind a smaller space, the front-facing rooms on the 6th level have balconies with the best view. Have your breakfast spread of flakey croissants, coffee, and fresh fruit brought up to your room, and enjoy a morning overlooking the historical heart of Paris.
Average €211 per night.
Hôtel National Des Arts et Métiers, Arts et Métiers - 4th arr.
Located on the edge of the Marais, the new Hôtel National Des Arts et Métiers designed by Raphael Navot is a blend of timeless French design and modern innovation, a palette of sophisticated raw materials awaiting behind a classic Haussmannian facade. The 65-room hotel has an Italian restaurant and two bars onsite: the moody Herbarium cocktail lounge on the first floor, and the Hotel National Rooftop.
Average €278 per night.
La Fantaisie, Faubourg-Montmartre/Pigalle - 9th arr.
One of two newly opened hotels in Paris designed by Swedish interior designer Martin Brudnizki, La Fantaisie is a homage to the 9th arrondissement and to playful maximalism. The lobby is a gloriously cozy lounge that honors the literary salons of Paris, and the lush courtyard garden, rooftop bar, and onsite spa invite you to unwind in style after a long day on your feet.
This hotel is next on our list to stay at! Check out a full review of this hotel on our friend the moderne museletter’s post.
Average €419 per night.
Les Bains, Le Marais - 3rd arr.
Once a 19th-century public bathhouse turned era-defining nightclub where the likes of Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Yves Saint Laurent would be spotted, Les Bains had already lived many lives before being re-envisioned as a boutique hotel. Deep jewel-toned velvets and Carrera marble set a luxurious tone throughout both the rooms and public spaces of this five star hotel, an elegant take on this cultural phenomenon.
At Les Bains you will find innovative global cuisine, a bar, salon, and a spa are all at your fingertips, steps from the Haute Marais district. The hotel’s restaurant Roxo is a destination in its own right, where dining below an undulating reflective red ceiling that forms into shapes of giant water drops reminds you of the hotel’s beginnings. Tables are set over the legendary black-and-white-checkered dance floor, and if one meanders downstairs, they will find a neon-lit, mosaic-tiled pool for a fitting late night soak.
Average €558 per night.
TO EAT:
Morning:
Au Petit Versailles du Marais - 4th: for classics in the Marais, founded in 1860. Order a quiche, the almond croissant or the pain au chocolat.
Boulangerie Utopie - 11th: sesame roule or the brioche, but you really can’t go wrong here.
Du Pain et des Idées - 10th: the escargot chocolat pistache !!!
Noir Coffee Shop - throughout the city, visit the 9th, 18th, or 4th locations: great interiors and coffee, + financiers and citrus loafs for a sweet treat.
Order crepes made fresh from a stand - a ham, egg and cheese, a jam crepe - fraise (strawberry) or framboise (raspberry) - or a classic sucre-citron (sugar and fresh squeezed lemon)
Mid-Day:
Café Madame - 6th: came here wanting to try their well-known omelette, but in Paris breakfast is typically over at 11am (difficult for a non-morning person New Yorker) but ended up getting the cheeseburger and fries it was incredible! A must try burger!
Chez Janou - 3rd: one of our absolute favorite dining experiences in Paris. A sunny little spot that brings the south of France to the city with its provençal cuisine. Try pastis from their extensive menu (anise-flavored spirit and apéritif, it tastes like licorice but was fun to try), for lunch order the ratatouille, the mussels, the escargot, and the salmon tartare. If you want something heavier, the duck looked fabulous. You’ll want to save room for their famous chocolate mousse, it really is the best ever! This would be a perfect spot for dinner as well but it’s difficult to get a reserveration. Put your name in for lunch and grab a glass of wine around the corner while you wait- it’s worth it.
Bouillon Pigalle - 9th/18th: Come at an off-time (late lunch or early dinner) to avoid the lines and you’ll be glad you didn’t miss this truly authentic French experience (and the three-course meal with wine for under €25 doesn’t hurt, either.) This popular spot is a fresh take on the traditional Bouillon (the original casual eateries of Paris) with the interior of a modern diner. Order the veal or the beef bourguignon and don’t forget the pomme frites.
Marché des Enfants Rouges - 3rd: This might be one of the best-kept foodie secrets of Paris! The oldest covered market in Paris was established in 1615 in the Marais and has been recognized as a historic monument since 1982. Make your way through the dense aisles of independently run food stalls, a vibrant melting pot from Moroccan couscous at Le Traiteur Marocain to a Japanese bento box from Chez Taeko. Visit the famed Chez Alain Miam Miam and watch Alain himself grilling hearty sandwiches topped with fromage comté (come hungry!!)
Grab some cheese, a baguette, pâté, and cornichons and picnic at a park or in front of the Eiffel (park recommendations below!)
Evening:
Le Servan - 11th: This sister-run neo-bistro features a seasonal menu where chef Tatiana’s French training is infused with flavors from Southeast Asia, rooted in her Philippino background. She cooks on display from the open kitchen while her sister Katia, the sommelier, selects your French natural wine. Order the blood sausage wontons and the oysters with chili dill dressing. For mains, opt for the crispy skin-on chicken in a truffle sauce, the merlu fish with curry butter, or the veal sweetbread (a French classic). Top off your meal with the Paris-Brest – a choux pastry ring filled with praline cream, or go for something seasonal- we loved the rhubarb tart with sorbet à la framboise.
Bistrot des Tournelles - 4th: A quintessential Parisian bistro. Look no further! One of the best meals we’ve ever had in Paris. While they only opened in 2022, you would never know it with their warm, homey interior and traditional menu. They nail the classics: Sautéed oyster mushrooms, Steak au Poivre, and the Cordon Bleu with comté & prince de paris ham. 10/10!
Sugaar - 6th: Quite possibly the sexiest dinner in Paris. Located just off Boulevard Saint-Germain, the chic lower dining room is fully lacquered in a moody, deep burgundy envelope, with candlelit tables. Upstairs, the space transforms into a vibrant late-night cocktail bar. The food is elevated Basque dishes and open-flame charcoal cooked meat and fish. Order the tuna tartare (best ever), the legendary 25-Day Dry-Aged Txuleta (bone-in Ribeye) for two with a side of mashed potatoes (mindblowing), and the Basque Burnt Cheesecake to finish. The top layer is torched and carmelized like a crème brûlée, the perfect fusion.
Parcelles - 3rd: Nestled into a quiet block of the Marais, this intimate spot has a menu that focuses on seasonal produce and changes daily. Cozy up and order the White Asparagus and Maltese Turnips, Gnocchi in Sage Butter, and the chocolate tart.
Derrière - 3rd: This cheeky restaurant welcomes you into what feels like an eclectic-chic Parisian apartment, with the option to dine in the kitchen, boudoir, living room, or (as we would recommend) the outdoor terrace for what feels to be an intimate, invite-only dinner party. Classic comfort dishes like the Duck Confit and the Sweetbreads are the stars here, with the deserts changing seasonally. If they have the chocolate and pistachio “petit pot”, don’t think twice about indulging yourself. And if you happen to hear music coming from the antique armour near the toilettes, then you may have found your way to their hidden speakeasy.
Robert et Louise - 3rd: A coat of deep red paint slacked on the exterior will let you know you’ve found this family-run bistro. It was founded over 60 years ago by the eponymous Robert and Louise and their daughter and her husband now run the show. Wood-fired meat from the open hearth of a massive stone fireplace takes center stage- think smoldering ribeye, t-bone steak, and leg of lamb (don’t forget the escargot!) Tip: Sit downstairs in the cozy wine-cave, stone-clad basement.
Le Café des Musées - 3rd: Yet another classic brasserie in the Marais, but this one is a Paris institution that opened over 100 years ago in 1924. All you need to know is that the award-winning beef bourguignon (cooked for five hours) deserves all of it’s accolades, and you absolutelty must order it. Thank us later!
Late Night:
Le Mary Celeste - 3rd: A neighborhood cocktail and oyster bar in the Marais. The central bar spins out fresh seafood tapas and creative cocktails with literary quotes for descriptions.
Le Perchoir - 11th: When in the 11th arrondissement, stop at Le Perchoir for a drink at sunset. Depending on the time of year you are in Paris, this could very well be after dinner as the sun doesn’t set until 10:00pm in the summer months. In any case, you may end up staying until close at this rooftop bar, dancing to the dj set under the disco ball, looking out over Sacré-Cœur.
Septime La Cave - 11th: Around the corner from Septime, one of the best contemporary Michelin-star French restaurants in Paris, is their chic and romantic little wine bar. This is the perfect pre-dinner or post-dinner wine bar, with elevated bar snacks and 10 rotating choices by the glass daily.
Bambino - 11th: Our server at Bistrot des Tournelles recommended this spot to us on our most recent trip to Paris and it did not dissapoint! This is a listening bar inspired by Tokyo jazz cafes and London clubs. Records are spinning, people are dancing and craft cocktails + wine are flowing. They play a mix of soul, funk, disco and house until 2am.
Le Comptoir General - 10th: On our list for our next visit is to explore the Canal St Martin area, especially to some of the late night dance parties. Hidden behind an anonymous wall along the canal is this massive, cinematographic space filled with lush planting, vintage mid-century furniture and hidden rooms. Resident DJs spin high-energy afro-funk, reggae, and disco tracks and their signature rum-based cocktails are served from the tiki bar.
TO SEE & TO DO:
Museums and galleries (beyond the Louvre):
L’Orangerie - 1st: One of the most iconic museums in Paris. See Monet’s water lilies in the panoramic oval rooms on the upper floors, as well as works by Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir.
Musée Rodin - 7th: the largest collection of the master bronze sculptor’s work in the world. The museum contains most of Rodin’s significant creations, including The Thinker, The Kiss and The Gates of Hell. It features 6,600 sculptures and 7,000 objets d’art, inside and outside of the mansion. You can spend the afternoon making your way through the beautiful gardens admiring the extensive collection.
Musée Picasso - 3rd: Located at the Hotel Salé in the Marais, a rich heritage mansion from the 17th century where the largest public collection of Picasso’s work is on display. Alongside the many paintings are also his letters, sketches, and poetry, a close look into the life of the famous painter in the city where he spent most of his artistic life.
Musée de Montmartre - Jardins Renoir - 18th: along the narrow, cobblestone streets of one of Paris’s oldest neighborhoods, you’ll find this small museum of studios that once were the homes and meeting places of many artists, most notably Pierre-August Renoir. The museum is meant to be experienced as the studio would have looked then, with art displayed on easels and antique furniture scattered about. Out back, the cafe and gardens overlook the local vineyards, Vigne Montmartre, and the plains to the North of Paris.
Fluctuart - 7th: this is the world’s first floating urban art center: a sleek multi-level gallery and bar that explores various movements in urban and street art. Fluctuart’s mission is to make art accessible to everyone and challenges the notions of traditional museums- and they offer free admission to the gallery. The top boat deck is the perfect spot to have a drink on the Seine, then browse both their temporary and current collections downstairs and pick up a coffee table book to bring home. (Indoor exhibition hall closes at 8PM, the lively rooftop bar is open until 2AM!)
Galerie Patrick Seguin - 11th: A haven for midcentury design enthusiasts! This furniture gallery and exhibition space features the best of twentieth-century french modernism. Patrick Seguin has devoted his career to ensuring the works of Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, and Jean Royère are internationally recognized for their importance in art and design history.
Laura Gonzalez - Gallery Paris - 6th: The iconic French interior designer Laura Gonzalez’s gallery space is essential viewing for interior design lovers. The immersive space is designs as a series of residential vignettes, making it feel more like a layered home than a traditional showroom. The gallery showcases her studio’s collection, with their signature maximalism mix of bold colors, patterned textiles, sculptural furniture, and handcrafted pieces by local artisans.
Perrotin - 3rd: one of the leading contemporary art galleries in the world, with locations in New York, London, and Tokyo, among others. Part of the intrigue of this location is its setting inside of an 18th-century hotel, the gallery juxtaposing historic architecture with cutting-edge contemporary art. They represent a mix of internationally renowned artists alongside emerging talent with rotating exhibitions, making this one of Paris’ top galleries to visit.
Gardens:
Jardin du Luxembourg - 6th: spend an entire afternoon exploring these beautiful gardens and you’ll completely forget that you are in one of the most major, metropolitan cities in the world. See Luxembourg palace and wander through the rose gardens, watch or play a game of boules, have a picnic between the manicured trees of Esplanade Gaston-Monnerville, and most importantly - grab a few of the iconic green Senat chairs and bask in the sun. (If you want to take a piece of Paris home with you, the chairs are now manufactured by Fermob in Thoissey and are available to order online. The signature Paris green: RAL 6013, is made exclusively for the city parks, but Willow Green and Cactus are a close match!)
Jardin des Tuileries - 1st: Located next to the Louvre, Tuileries represents the pinnacle of French landscape design with its formal, manicured garden.
Place des Vosges - 4th: The oldest planned square in Paris boasts a beautiful park with a central fountain surrounded by red-brick mansions.
Jardin du Palais Royal - 1st: The landscaped grounds surrounding this 17th-century palace feature tree-lined paths and the Colonnes installation by Daniel Buren.
Sites:
Rue de l’Abreuvoir - 18th: In the arrondissement that was once home to both Dali and Picasso, all of the streets are unbeliebably picturesque, but Rue de l’Abreuvoir just might be the best- it’s widely regarded as the “prettiest street in all of Paris”. It begins at La Maison Rose, the historic restaurant standing at the corner in a charming pink house with green shutters and continues down the winding cobblestone street, the dome of Sacré-Cœur peeking out over the ivy-covered homes.
Sacré-Cœur - 18th: The Romanesque-Byzantine style basilica is located at the highest point of Montmarte and is well worth the trek up for the unmatched panoramic views of Paris.
Pont Alexandre III - 7th to 8th: the most grandiose of all the bridges along the river. Stop to admire the sweeping views and the gold statues standing centennial on either side.
Shops:
Yvon Lambert bookshop - 3rd: This renowned modernist bookshop and gallery in the Marais founded in the 80’s helped shape the neighborhood into what it is today, a hub for the worldy art crowd and creatives. This was one of the first locations that American artists were ever showcased in Paris. Browse the extensive collection of art and photography books, and pick up a limited edition exhibition print.
Le Bon Marche - 6th: Visit Paris’s oldest and most iconic department store for all your luxe needs, or for excellent window shopping if you’re on a budget. The interiors are just as beautiful as the merchandise, with the bright sky-lit atrium and iconic tiled escalators.
Mercie - 3rd: This shop is much more than it appears from its discreet courtyard exterior, with ivy-covered walls and a vintage red fiat reading merci. Inside is a 16,000-square-foot concept store sprawling over three stories filled with furniture and homeware. From the fashion aficionado to the interior design-minded, there is no shortage of inspiration or gifts to be found. The shop regularly holds gallery exhibitions, such as a past collaboration with Maison & Objet design show. Though it can be very busy with tourists, you can retreat to the cafe tucked inside, a cozy spot for a coffee break, lined floor-to-ceiling with thousands of secondhand books.
L’Appartement Sézane - 2nd: The original Appartement on rue sainte-fiacre, the Parisian street where Sezane was born. Designed as a dream Parisian apartment!
Boutiques in the Marais!! There is no shortage of incredible shops in this area, from handmade jewelry, bespoke fragrances, and curated designer vintage. A few vintage clothing shops on our list for our next visit: Bobby, THE ROOM, and Revoir Vintage.
Et Viola! Bon Voyage!
Can’t wait to visit some of these spots on my next trip!
Enchanting guide to your favorite city!