Paris Travel Guide
Paris will always hold a special place in my heart. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamed of living here—and every time I return, I fall even more in love with the city. From its grand architecture to its irresistible food and beautiful language, Paris has a way of captivating me completely. I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice so far, and I know I’ll never get tired of coming back. I’m even learning French with the hope of calling this city home one day. Until then, here are my favorite recommendations on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Paris.
Where to Stay
Hotel de Londres Eiffel
If you’re looking for a charming boutique to stay in Paris, consider Hotel de Londres. The hotel has a cozy, Parisian feel to it with its warm decor and small size. It makes you feel like you’re staying in a guest house versus a hotel. Be sure to read my pros and cons to be sure it’s the right fit for you though!
Pros: Location! You can walk to the Eiffel Tower in just minutes as it is only a few blocks away. This was the main reason why I chose this hotel because I wanted to get as many views of the Eiffel Tower as I could (typical tourist here). The neighborhood is also filled with plenty of cafes, bakeries, and shop. There’s a wine bar just right below the hotel.
Cons: The rooms are very, very small. I know this is typical for some European cities, but the one I had gotten for my mom and me to share barely had any room to walk around the bed or lay your suitcase on the floor. We ended up booking a second room so we could have more space. I would stay here again because of the location, but I would just ensure I had my own room. So if you’re planning to share, this may not be the right hotel for you.
Sights to See
Arc de Triomphe - Famous monument at the end of the Champs-Élysées that honors those who fought for France. You can climb to the top for amazing views of Paris.
Canal St. Martin - One of my favorite areas. Many cafes, restaurants, and boutique stores line the Seine River. It’s the perfect place to picnic and enjoy wine.
Cathedral Notre Dame - This cathedral has stunning Gothic architecture that you have to see.
Champs-Élysées - Popular avenue in Paris filled with shops, cafes, and theatres. It also directly connects the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe.
Eiffel Tower - Obvs. Definitely see it both during the day and when it sparkles at night.
Jardin du Luxembourg – A favorite park for both locals and tourists, especially in spring and summer.
Jardin des Tuileries - Popular French garden where you can enjoy a leisurely walk through or sit and people watch.
Jardin du Palais Royal - Historic and beautiful garden in the center of Paris. Perfect place to sit on a bench and enjoy the scenery.
Louvre Museum - The world’s largest museum, and where you can see the Mona Lisa. Even the glass pyramid outside the entrance is worth seeing.
Monmarte Catacombs - An underground ossuary that holds the remains of over six million people, created in response to a public health crisis caused by overcrowded cemeteries and severe sanitation issues.
Musée d’Orsay - Museum known for its collection of impressionist art, including Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir.
Palais Garnier – A stunning opera house.
Palace of Versailles – Just outside Paris, but it has just gorgeous architecture, and many people count it as a must-see.
Panthéon – Historic resting place of many French luminaries.
Père Lachaise Cemetery – Cemetery where Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and many others are buried.
Sacré-Cœur & Montmartre – The basilica on the hill with panoramic views of Paris, plus the artsy Montmartre neighborhood.
Sainte-Chapelle – A historic royal chapel known for its breathtaking 15-meter-high stained glass.
Things to Do
See the Eiffel Tower (from multiple viewing points)
One of the things I love to do is find as many viewing points to see and take pics of the Eiffel Tower. Here are some of my favorites:
Jardin du Trocadero: This is my favorite viewing point. It gives you an elevated view from across the water and of the Trocadero fountain.
Rue de l’Université: For a close-up and amazing side view, head to the Rue de l’Université street (the cross street is Avenue de la Bourdonnais).
Jardin de la Tour Eiffel: For a close-up front view or a spot to picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower, head to Jardin de la Tour Eiffel.
Pont d'Iéna bridge: If you’re coming from the other side of the Seine, you can walk across this bridge to get your first view (not pictured).
Pont de l’Alma: A bit further away from the other photo opps but can still get a beautiful view of the Eiffel tower from here.
Hang out in Canal St. Martin
This is one of my favorite neighborhoods to explore! Even if you arrive without a plan, you’ll quickly stumble upon charming cafés, restaurants, and unique boutique shops tucked along its streets. It’s the perfect area to linger—grabbing a seat at an outdoor café, people-watching, and soaking in the Parisian atmosphere. Part of the neighborhood borders the Seine, giving you the chance to enjoy scenic riverside walks. You can easily grab a bottle of wine and some takeaway bites and sit along the water when the weather permits.
Go the Louvre
For someone who is not the biggest fan of museums, the Louvre has me amazed. It is massive! There’s a popular phrase I heard about the Louvre that says, “It would take around 100 days to see everything in the Louvre if you spent just 30 seconds looking at each of its 35,000 works of art — and that’s without taking any breaks! Don’t let that deter you, though. If you visit and check out a few of the famous works of art like the Mona Lisa, you will be amazed!
Check out Emily in Paris Filming Locations
If you’re a fan of the Emily in Paris show like I am, then you might find extra joy in visiting some of the filming locations. Here’s a list of some of the main spots:
Jardin du Palais Royal - Where Emily meets Minday.
Some of the other landmarks are listed above already, including Sacre Coeur, Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Canal St. Martin, and Jardin du Luxemborg just to name a few.
Go shopping
If you’ve read some of my other blog posts, then you know that the only time I love to go shopping is when I travel. I love finding unique stores and purchasing items that will hold a special meaning for me. There are so many opportunities for shopping in Paris, see below:
Champs-Élysées – Has a mixture of flagship stores, luxury boutiques, and international brands.
Avenue Montaigne & Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré – Home to high-fashion stores such as Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton.
Le Marais – A trendy neighborhood filled with boutiques, concept stores, and vintage shops.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann – Technically a department store, but not your average one by any means. It’s more of an experience with its breathtaking glass dome and rooftop views. It has everything from designer fashion to gourmet foods.
Printemps Haussmann – Another legendary department store, known for its upscale fashion, beauty, and even rooftop terrace views.
Les Halles (Westfield Forum des Halles) – More of a modern shopping center to check out and get your Parisian shopping fix.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés – Elegant streets filled with art galleries, bookstores, home décor shops, and stylish boutiques.
Canal Saint-Martin – More bohemian and artsy, with unique local designers and concept shops.
Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen – The famous flea market just outside Paris, great for antiques, and vintage finds.
Where to Eat
I have to admit that I don’t think I’ve found a ton of gems when it comes to places to eat in Paris, yet. So, for now, I am just listing a few places that I think are worth checking out. I will definitely update this list after my next visit.
Angelina Paris: For some delicious French pastries, tea, and coffee, I recommend Angelina Paris. It is a popular tourist spot and there is a line to get in, but it is worth it.
Big Mamma Restaurant Group: Well-known restaurant chain that has a collection of delicious restaurants across Europe, bringing authentic Italian flavors to cities from Paris to London to Madrid and beyond. They have several restaurants in Paris that are worth a try.