My Ultimate Guide to Paris, France
As you can imagine, I've been to Paris countless times for Fashion Week and family vacations, but each time that I go, I always find new places to see, amazing food to try, and of course, new places to shop. Below you'll find a guide to the best places (including my favorites) for Paris from where to stay, the best cocktails to try, and so much more!
WHERE TO STAY:
Amastan - I love to stay at the Amastan because the location is so central, it's located just near Champs Elysées and Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The hotel itself is very chic too, it's decorated very modern and I love their avocado toast with poached eggs for breakfast.
Hotel Lutetia - Hotel Lutetia is luxury at its finest. It's the only luxury hotel located on the city's Left Bank, with rooms that overlook the Eiffel Tower. The restaurants and bars are a definite must see, but my absolute favorite is their Akasha Holistic Wellbeing spa.
Le Meurice - As pictured above (middle), Le Meurice gives a Victorian vibe. It's centered in the middle of all sorts of museums, cafes, historical monuments, and so much more for you and your family to see!
Hotel Plaza Athénée - If you ever find a fireplace in your hotel room, you know it's going to be a good stay. The Hotel Plaza Athénée is a classy and romantic place perfect for couples. Speaking of couples, if you're planning a destination wedding in Paris, this hotel would be perfect!
Hotel du Rond-Point - This hotel is another one of my favorites to stay at when traveling to Paris. It's where modern meets the 1920s. I especially love staying at the Parisian Suite, as it's a really big suite, and just perfect for when my family comes along!
WHERE TO EAT:
Veramente - One of my favorites in Paris. It's a mixture of Italian, Mediterranean, and European dishes, and I love that they have vegan options, too! Their pasta is my favorite (of course), and their prices are really affordable!
Ferdi - If escargot isn't really your thing, and you just want to keep it casual for the night, I suggest stopping by Ferdi. It's a tiny restaurant, about a dozen tables, and have one of the best cheeseburgers in the city. A perfect combination of intimate and casual.
L'Avenue - Located next to all the major fashion boutiques (Dior, Balenciaga, Gucci, and more), this place is more of my taste in vibes and sights, than food (no pun intended).
Poilâne - If you're a light eater in the mornings like me, you'll love Poilâne. It's a sweet little bakery that has a wide range of decadent cookies, to pies, breads, and pastries! My favorite is the Les Punitions, which are small butter cookies, and I love the way they just melt in my mouth!
L'Abysse - A Japanese restaurant with the best sushi. Need I say more? Their fish is divine and you can tell it's very fresh. It's the perfect break from all the bread and pasta. 🙂
Hero - Hero has become a new favorite. It's asian inspired food along with the mixture of French and Anglo hip hop with K-Pop designs really gives the customer an electric experience. Oh, and their Korean fried chicken is a must try!
Malro - I love mediterranean food. I know my dishes will be healthy, yet very delicious. Malro is a beautiful restaurant that really makes you feel like you're in Greece, with windows wrapping around the entire place, bringing in the sunshine is one of the things I love about this place. I took a chance and ordered "fish of the day" and I wasn't disappointed!
CoCo - This restaurant has a beautiful outdoor seating area where you'll find yourself basking in the sun while sipping your afternoon tea. It also gives you a sense of home with familiar dishes such as pork chops, soft-cooked eggs, and so much more!
CUISINE - If you're looking for a restaurant to have date night, look no further. CUISINE's elevated menu that's infused with Japanese influences will soon become your and your date's favorite spot. The place itself has a vintage vibe, so it still feels cozy.
Café Maison Kitsuné - I love this place for its decor. The pieces of green and gold coincide so well together, but what I really love is the treehouse look from the outside! They have a menu full of classics like benedicts, avocado toast, a farmer's market salad, and so much more making it easy to choose and love any option!
Maison - Maison has considerably a rustic look to it, and not to mention, it's a house! Chef Sota serves a menu of "non-classic" French cuisine at his first restaurant in Paris.
La Gare - If I don't go for the food, I definitely go for the decor. La Gare will have you feeling like you're eating right in the middle of a garden, with its Latin and Mediterranean inspired designs. And with their food matching the influences of their decor, you'll know you'll be eating fresh, healthy foods.
WHERE TO GRAB DRINKS:
Hôtel Costes - The bar at Hôtel Costes is the best detour spot after having a filling meal at their restaurant. The bar is very dimly lit, making it the perfect place for a night cap.
Lulu White - If you love enjoying your carefully crafted cocktail with live music, Lulu's is the place to be. They have live music ranging from Jazz, Blues, and Contemporary Folk. By the end of the night, you'll find it hard to stay sitting!
Four Seasons Hotel George V - If you find yourself in Paris for work, the bar at Four Seasons Hotel George V is great to have meetings or to do some work. It has seating other than at the bar, and you can enjoy their delicious appetizers and coffee (if you're not up for a drink) while taking care of business.
Maison Lautrec - This uber chic bar fulfills all my dreams of elegance and peppy-ness all in one. I love how the room feels sophisticated, yet has just the right amount of color from their yellow chairs, to make the place pop. If you're going in the summertime, I highly recommend trying their cocktails -- so bright and refreshing!
Experimental Cocktail Club - At the ECC, the robust looking seating and grand piano will make you feel like you're in the middle of a Great Gatsby scene. If you're more into hard drinks instead of fruity ones, make sure you stop by the Experimental Cocktail Club, you won't be disappointed.
Chez Mila - Known for its ample view of the Eiffel Tower, this bar has more of a "party" feel as oppose to a sophisticated, elegant one. It's the place to go when you just want to dance all night under the Parisian nigh lights.
Secret 8 - A bar hidden within a bar, Secret 8 is definitely amongst the coolest places to grab a drink. Nestled within Buddha-bar Paris, this place has 10 amazing signature cocktails served with or without alcohol.
Le Charles - This subtly romantic bar has some of the best cocktails. It's dimly lit, but still has a brightness to the room with the pops of yellow. I love having their Old Fashioned every time I go.
WHAT TO SEE:
Palace of Versailles - The Palace of Versailles is an absolute must see when in Paris. My favorite part to explore is the House of Mirrors. The room is so elegant with gold accents and the most beautiful paintings on the ceiling.
Eiffel Tower - If you don't get a picture with the Eiffel Tower, did you even go to Paris? The Eiffel Tower is a classic place to see -- it's great to take pictures, take a tour, and even have a picnic!
Louvre Museum - Home to Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Lourvre Museum is known to be the world's greatest art museum. It's the best place to see the arts from all ages, and the Louvre at night is just beautiful when it's lit up!
Musée du Chocolat - If you're traveling with kids, I highly recommend taking them to the Musée du Chocolat (or if you're a big chocolate lover yourself!). It's a chocolate themed museum where you can learn the history of cocoa and the best part? All you can eat chocolate! *Adds to the itinerary*
Musée National Picasso-Paris - I remember learning about Pablo Picasso's work back in high school, so it was amazing to see his actual work in Paris. The museum is filled with his unique paintings, and hosts incredible exhibitions -- keep your eye out for that!
WHERE TO SHOP:
Buly 1803 - This place is a haven for all things skincare and fragrance. Everything from the interior decor to the products themselves is like a piece of art. It's the best place to shop for gifts for your loved ones, or to splurge a little for yourself!
The Neighborhood Pharmacy - Just like in your hometown, Paris has some of the best pharmacies and drugstores out there. (i.e. in the U.S. we have target, CVS, Walgreens). You'll be amazed what beauty products you'd find there -- one of my favorite dry shampoos was bought from their local pharmacies.
Merci - The cute little red car parked out front is what really brought me to Merci at first. But once I shopped around, I saw what amazing selections they have from clothing, to accessories, and even bedding! You'll end up buying things you never knew you needed. ha!
Galerie Lafayette - This is the best place to go to when you're not exactly sure what you're looking for, or even if you just want to do a little window shopping. They have an array of stores and places to eat, and it doesn't hurt that the inside of this place looks like a church -- it's just beautiful.
Champs-Élysées - This outdoor attraction should be on everyone's 'must visit' list. Thousands of people go every year to enjoy a shopping spree, look at the beautiful monuments, and even attend the events and festivities that are organized here.
Boulevard Saint Germain - One of the major cities in Paris, there is so much to do at the Boulevard Saint Germain. But if you're wanting to do a little guilt-free-splurge shopping (everyone deserves one of those days), here is the place to do it. From Hugo Boss to Burberry and Louis Vuitton. You just can't go wrong.
Le Marais - Also known as SoMa (South Marais), this place is filled with great boutiques, galleries, and so much more! My favorite place to eat is Eataly Paris Marais -- so good!
Le Bon Marché - A department store on the left bank's Rue de Sèvres. The store is so beautifully curated and offers well known brand names along with smaller European/American collections exclusive to Le Bon Marché.
BEST PLACES TO GET PAMPERED:
Joëlle Ciocco - I love facials, especially when I've been traveling to places that are hours ahead of my time. I could really use a pick me up and a quick refresh, so I love to stop by Joëlle Ciocco for a little TLC on my face. It's so relaxing and I love the way my skin looks and feels once I'm done!
Biologique Recherche - I'm sure you've heard of the famous french toner, Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 - it's been praised to transform skin in just a few uses, so what better than to have a facial at the same place that product is sold?!
Maison Guerlain - Not that I don't think being in Paris alone is wonderful, but I suggest amping up the experience with a massage at Maison Guerlain. The marble flooring and gold accents is what sold me in the first place but the massages is what will bring me back time and time again!
The Nail Kitchen - Found on the ground floor of BHV Marais, this place had such a nice chic and modern feel to it. The shelvings on the walls is any neat-freak's dream! They had a great selection of colors, from neutral to brights, and of course, the french tip. I even walked out of there with their Konjac Balm nail oil - so good!
David Mallett - Located in the Hotel Ritz, the David Mallett salon is a great spot to get your hair done, whether it's a cut and color, or just a blow dry! The earthy tones of the interior really put you at ease, and I think that with the relaxation of someone pampering your hair is the perfect recipe for happiness.
Le Tigre Yoga Club - If you need a break from all the walking around you have done, the Le Tigre Yoga Club is the place to do it. They have many locations all around Paris and is a great place for beginners. You can advance at your own pace in connection with your mind, body, and soul. It's definitely my favorite way to wind down.
xx
Brittany
