If you’ve followed me for any length of time, or even just checked out my social media profiles, you know I am in LOVE with Paris!
Apparently I spent one day there with my parents when I was three years old.
Danced around, fell asleep going up the Eiffel Tower (whoops!), but somehow it got in my blood.
We’ve also learned in the last few months that just a few generations back, there is a French lady in my family tree! So now I can say I’m officially partly French 😉
I went back to Paris in the winter of 2010-2011 to consider moving there for grad school, but ultimately it didn’t feel like the right time.
I returned again in 2012 for my honeymoon with my love, and 2 years later for an anniversary trip as part of a grand European tour – on that second trip, we got some epic couples photos done with Fran of The Paris Photographer, which are sprinkled throughout my sites!
All that to say, those who know me and my love for Paris often come to me for tips and recommendations, and I LOVE giving them! The second best thing to going to Paris myself is knowing that someone I love is!
Which made me realize – why have I not shared my favorite places with all of you?!
This list is already long, and I’m sure I will think of more which will lead to subsequent parts of this series … 😉
… but this will get us started!
Allons-y!
FAVORITE WALKS + VIEWS:
Anywhere along the river from the Eiffel tower to Notre Dame and Ile St Louis is a great area of gorgeous views, classic attractions, and little cafes and shops. Once you get past the Ile St Louis, I would turn back – it tends to get a little sketchy. But that is a HUGE stretch – almost too far to walk!
The Arc de Triomphe is classic and gorgeous – you go under a very safe tunnel to get to it as it’s in the middle of a super busy traffic circle, and can climb up to the top for a view over Paris.
The back of Notre Dame is a beautiful little garden area, often has live music and people picnicking, and is generally much less crowded than the front, but possibly even more stunning. But still see the front and do go in – it’s a long line but it moves fast!
Bateaux mouches are the flat tourist boats that go down the river – be prepared to be shuttled along with many other tourists, but the views are still worth it, especially at night, and going under those bridges is quite romantic! 🙂
Jardin (Garden) du Luxembourg is absolutely gorgeous and lovely – especially on a Sunday when all the French families are there. There is often live music.
Sainte Chapelle is a very small chapel with incredible stained glass. I think there’s a fee to get in and it really is pretty small, but still stunning.
Pont Alexandre III is one of the big bridges across the river and the most ornate. It’s worth walking across and taking pictures at because it’s so stunning!
Trocadero for Eiffel tower views; there is a cafe there called Carette which has fabulous thick hot chocolate and great views of the busy intersection and tower.
Champ de Mars which is the other Eiffel Tower angle on the other side of the river, big open grassy space with some crepe stands; great for a picnic!
FAVORITE RESTAURANTS + CAFES:
The restaurant at the Minipalais is super chic and yummy.
L’avenue on Avenue Montaigne, tucked in with all the designer shops, is fabulous for people watching.
There are lots of places to eat along the Champs Elysées, but you will find it can get sketchy at night, has a lot of beggars, and is pretty touristy. Still great and worth walking down from the Arc de Triomphe! But maybe not at night 🙂
A neat new restaurant in the Eiffel tower called ‘58 Tour Eiffel‘ is casual at lunch, a bit fancier at dinner. Make a reservation because it’s popular for dinner 🙂
Tea house Angelina near the Louvre is famous and has gorgeous pastries – it is well known and there is often a long line
Ladurée is similar and there are several locations; a beautiful one is right on the Champs Elysees and is both sit down for tea and food or take out for macarons 🙂
FAVORITE VIEWS WITH FOOD 🙂
Chez Francis is a great restaurant with a beautiful view of the tower as it lights up at night.
It also happens to be very close to Berthillon ice cream, on the island next to Notre Dame (Ile St Louis), which is FAMOUS and fabulous and should be open in the summer!
Near the Louvre and Tuileries Garden, Cafe Marly is my favorite place to eat at sunset, overlooking the Louvre and Eiffel Tower as the lights come on – MAGICAL.
And that wraps up this preliminary list! I’m sure I’ll be back with more soon … 😉
Have you been to Paris? What are your favorite spots?
With love,
FAVORITE PARIS HOME DECOR PICKS
