I present you the Ultimate Paris Travel Guide!  Based on my personal favorites from MANY Parisian trips over many years, if you stick to these suggestions I guarantee you’ll have the time of your life!  Just don’t blame me if upon return, you spend your free time trying to figure out how to move your whole life there 😉  Also, be sure to check out my personal interactive Paris map at the end (I’m very proud of this)!!

Ok!  I’ve laid out this post into the categories below:

Reading Paris like a Map

City Views

Things to Do

Museums

Shopping

Places to Picnic (our favorite warm weather activity in Paris!)

Eating: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Bars

Excursions

Paris City Guide Map by Cappuccino and a Dream

Reading Paris like a Map

Before we get into it, I’ve listed the closest metro stop and zip code of each location for ease of recognizing where they are in the city.  Every Paris zip code starts with ‘750’, and the last two digits tell you which arrondissement it is in.  For example, 75001 means the location is in the 1^st arrondissement.

The arrondissements are laid out like a snail’s shell (or as they say, l’escargot): 1 and 2 are in the very center of the city (half of the Ille de la cité and just above on the right bank), and spiral out clockwise from there.  The big ones to remember:  the Louvre is in the 1^st, trendy le Marais in the 4^th, the Latin Quarter is the 5^th, Eiffel tower is in the 7^th, Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées are in the 8^th, and Montmartre is the 18^th.

See how it makes the snail’s shell below?

City Views

First and foremost, my favorite spots to get a great view of the city.  You know how much I love a good vantage point!

1. Arc de Triomphe ❤️ – Go to the top is a must for perfect city views! Try to time it to go up about 30-45 minutes before the sun sets.  This way you can get pictures in normal daylight and as the sky turns pink with perfect views of the Eiffel tower <3 Charles de Gaulle – Etoile 75008
2. Sacre Coeur Steps – day or evening, this is such a great hang out spot!  You are literally on top of Paris, on the Montmartre hill and the city sprawls out below you.  Bring a bottle of wine and enjoy with your loved ones! Absess or Lamarck -Caulaincourt, 75018
3. Center Pompidou – this is Paris’ museum of modern art, but it also has really pretty city views! Châtelet, 75004
   

   
4. Notre Dame Rooftop ❤️ – There may be a long line, but if it’s a clear day going to the top of the Notre Dame has the some awesome views, from the gargoyles vantage points on the top! Reminds me of Quasimodo. You’ll have to walk all the way up the medieval tower but I really loved it.   Saint Michael – Notre Dame (ile de la cité), 75004 **Note, due to the fire in 2019 this is closed until they rebuild the Notre Dame but I am leaving it here to bookmark for when it re-opens, as it really is that good!
   

   
5. Galeries Lafayette Rooftop ❤️  – not only is inside the Galeries a must-see/do, but the rooftop is sublime.  Ride the escalators all the way up and it leads right outside.  You can see the Opera (you’re right behind it), Eiffel Tower, Pantheon, and even the hilltop of Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur.  Make sure to come here!!! Opera or Lafayette, 75008
   

   

   

   
6. Eiffel Tower – Going up the Eiffel is definitely fun, but just remember when you’re standing on the Eiffel, you can’t see the Eiffel!  Champ de Metro – Tour Eifel or Bir-Hakeim, 75007

Things to Do

1. Sainte Chapelle ❤️ – chapel from the 13th century, 360 degrees of beautiful stained glass that King Louis IX built to house the crown of thorns (believed to be worn by Jesus). So gorgeous. Back in the day the bottom chapel was only available for the palace staff, and the top floor chapel was reserved for the king and his royal family.  Saint Michael – Notre Dame (ile de la cité), 75004
2. Palais Garnier Opera ❤️ – the most beautiful opera house! You can take tours here but I HIGHLY recommend grabbing tickets to see an Opera!  We’ve been to two shows (the first time was on the evening that David proposed to me!), it is the perfect excuse to get dressed up and feel like Parisian royalty.  The level of dressiness is up to you but we like to go all out!  When in Paris, right?  Make sure to see the hall of mirrors here which IMO is more beautiful than the one in Versailles.  Opera, 75009
   

   

   

   

   

   

   
3. Rue Mouffetard Market ❤️ – the best market street in Paris and our personal favorite. Go all the way down to Place Saint Médard (last picture).  It is always lively and so much fun.  If you’re hungry for a snack, grab some fresh huîtres or oysters and a glass of Riesling at the Poissonerie or fish monger.  Sundays in square Saint Médard until 14:00 they always play music and couples dance – so cute. (most shops closed Mondays, closes by 1400 Sundays). Censier Debetaun or Place Monge, 75005
   

   

   

   

   
4. Pantheon – Massive and impressive!! You can also go downstairs to see where Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Marie Curie and more are buried.  Just outside the exit, across at to the right, is la Sorbonne.  Cluny/La Sorbonne, Place Monge, or can walk from St Michael/Notre Dame 75005
   

   

   
5. Luxembourg Gardens – My favorite gardens in the city. It’s so fun to stroll through the tree lined paths, sit and relax in the chairs and benches, watch the boats in the pond, and see the flower arrangements throughout the different seasons.  Fontaine Medicis is also a really pretty spot north-east side of the gardens.  Walk from Pantheon. 75006
   

   
6. Pont Alexandre III ❤️ – the most beautiful bridge in Paris. Great photos on the bridge or just on the right bank day, dusk, or night.  You can see the Eiffel from the bridge and surrounding areas.  Also fun to hang out below the bridge on the Left Bank of the Seine, some cafes/restaurants also here, or picnic on the right bank of the seine overlooking the Eiffel tower and bridge.  Fun fact, this is where David proposed to me!! Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau 75008 
   

   

   
7. Palais Royal – fun to take pictures with the white black striped columns. Palais Royal Musée du Louvre, 75001.
8. Le Moulin Rouge – See a show here if you can… it is pretty entertaining and a “classic” to do in Paris 🙂 after the show, drinks at a cafe on Rue Lepic or Rue des Abbesses. Abesses, 75018
9. Sacre Coeur – perched on top of the Montmartre hill, this massive Sacred Heart church is a sight to see.  The steps of the Sacre Coeur offer sweeping views of the city.  If you want to see views of the Eiffel, you’ll have to walk to the right to glimpse it through the park.  The inside the church is stunning! Absess or Lamarck -Caulaincourt, 75018
10. Artist’s Square in Montmartre ❤️ – this is the cutest square in the cutest, winding hilltop neighborhood of Paris!  Artists from the 1920s have been hanging out here and it feels quintessential Montmartre. Just to the left of the church, Absess or Lamarck -Caulaincourt, 75018
11. Le Tour Eiffel ❤️ – The beautiful iron lady!  If you go in Spring/Summer and want to go to the top, make sure to book tickets online ahead of time. Perk for visiting in the Winter is there’s essentially NO LINES for anything you want to do.  Crêpes at the carousel area, or bring some goodies and picnic on the Champ de Mars.  Catch it sparkle on the hour once night falls, it is magic <3  Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel 75007
    

    
    

    when gopros were cool 🙂

    
12. Jardins du Trocadero ❤️ – Classic vantage point for pictures with Eiffel behind you. If you’re looking for classic Parisian instagram pictures, this is THE spot.  Walk across the Seine from Eiffel, or train to Trocadero. 75016
    

    

    
13. Shakespeare and Co. English Bookstore ❤️ – there will probably be a small line, but it’s worth the quick wait. It is #bookstoregoals, what your library looks like in your dreams full of nooks and crannies and crooked wooden beams.  This was a hangout spot for Hemmingway, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, and ‘the lost generation’ in the 1920s and it’s still running.  Downstairs is the bookstore, upstairs is the ‘library’ where you can hang out and read or play the piano.  St-Michael Notre Dame or Cluny – La Sorbonne, 75005.
14. Notre Dame Cathedral – constructed from 1160-1260, this ‘Church of Our Lady’ resides in Paris’ oldest neighborhood and was the star of Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame. This is the center of Paris, where it all started.  The inside is worth a visit!  St Michel Notre Dame or Cité, 75004 **currently closed due to the 2019 fire but you can still take pictures from the bridge crossing over from the left bank or at the park near Shakespeare & Co.
    

    
15. Seine River Cruise – you can pick these up from Eiffel or Pont Neuf.
16. American Cathedral in Paris – English speaking Episcopal church, right on Ave George V. Very similar to our church in Charleston, Grace Church Cathedral. 11am Sundays. George V, 75008.
17. Make sure to WALK the city!  You never know what you’ll run into, be it a beautiful geometrical wall mural in Montparnasse, many gorgeous doors, or a spectacular sunset along the Seine!
    

    

    

    

    

    
18. WINTER: Ice Skate at Hotel de Ville or Champs de Mars ❤️ – Check dates as some ice skating rinks open during different times of winter.  So much fun.  Suggest going before and during the sunset! <3 Chatelet or Hotel de Ville, 75004 or Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel 75007. 
19. BONUS: ❤️ If you can catch a World Cup or Euro Cup football match in the city, let me make this loud and clear: DO IT.  You will NOT regret it.  We came to Paris for Bastille Day (their version of 4th of July) and the World Cup finals featuring France v Croatia just so happened to land on that Sunday.  We watched under le Pont Alexandre III, it was one of the best experiences of my life.  France won, by the way, and the city went CRAZY in the best way heading to the Champs-Élysées to celebrate.  Champions du monde, champions du monde, allez! allez! champions du monde!!
    

    

    

    

Museums

1. Louvre – most obvious and famous. Plan for 3-4 hours at least.  Amongst incredible art, you can see a section of Napoleon III’s apartment. *Under the glass pyramid, there’s a smaller Fragonard boutique. Louvre, 75001
   

   

   

   

   
2. Musee d’Orsay ❤️ – One of my favorite Museums in Paris set in a beautiful beaux-arts train station.  Featuring many impressionists like Monet, Van Gough, Renoir, etc. and has a great section of Art Noveau furniture.  Go to the very top to see the clock tower with views of Montmartre through it.  RER C Gare Musee d’Orsay, 75007
   

   

   

   

   
3. Cluny – This is a smaller Museum in the 5th, and I really liked it. Medieval Museum.  Also houses the beautiful Lady and the Unicorn (La Dame à la licorne) tapestries  (bonus: I noticed in the HP movie series, these tapestries line the Gryffindor common room!) Cluny/La Sorbonne, 75005
4. Musee Rodin ❤️ – one of my absolute favorites!  Rodin was a phenomenal sculptor.  You can see many of his works in the gardens and inside the mansion, including ‘le Penseur’.  The gardens are SO NICE to walk around if it is a pretty day out, and the manse is literally my dream house, architecture, floors, fireplaces, everything is perfection.  Make sure to see both outside and inside! Varenne, 75007
   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   
5. Catacombs – The boys will love this, and I found it much more interesting than I expected. You learn some great history about ancient Paris and from the 1700s!  Denfert-Rochereau or Saint-Jacques, 75014.
   
6. Petit Palais ❤️ – Just near Pont Alexandre III, the Petit Palais is the museum of Fine Arts and is really special.  The permanent exhibition is stunning and free to enter!  The building itself really is a palais.  Enjoy the garden in the back as well as the cafe.  A gem of a museum! Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau, 75008
   

   
7. Picasso – If you enjoy Picasso, this is a great museum with a ton of his works housed in a gorgeous building with classic black and white tile and wood flooring.  5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003.
   

   

   

   

   

Shopping

1. Galleries Lafayette ❤️ Every girl’s dream IMO. Cafe and bar inside for the boys 😉 . Even if you don’t want to shop, walk inside and look up. Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette, 75009
   

   

   
2. Le Bon Marche –  Reminds me of Harrods. The world’s first ever department store. Rive Gauche 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007
3. Printemps – The third Grand Magazine of Paris along with Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marche.  I honestly prefer Garleries to Printemps, but it is still worth a visit, even if it’s only to enjoy a coupe de champagne in their top floor cafe, under the gorgeous blue glass dome. Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette, 75009
4. l’appartement Sézane ❤️ – Who doesn’t love Sézane’s beautiful clothing? The physical store of the stylish online French label is everything you’d expect.  We had to wait in a line to enter but it was so worth it! 1 Rue Saint Ficare, 75002
5. Les Puces – Paris’ famed flea markets.  Saturday/Sunday only.  Fun if you enjoy but it can be pricey of course. We didn’t get anything but it was fun to look.  Pretty far north, and you have to walk through a slightly sketchy area but an easy train ride. Approx address 110 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen.  

Places to Picnic

A picnic is an absolute must-do if the weather is nice.  Some of my fondest Paris memories are hanging out along the Seine or in the grass and enjoying our surroundings over a some wine and accoutrements.  The bonus part?  You’re likely to make some Parisian friends with your picnic neighbors.  In your local market (ours is on Rue Mouffetard, in the 5^th), go to the boulangerie for a baguette, la fromagerie for some cheeses, boucherie for meats, and of course the cave for a bottle of wine (just ask them to uncork it when paying).  Then head to one of these spots for a romantic Parisian picnic!

1. Champ de Mars ❤️ – this is the large grassy park extending from the Eiffel, and the perfect place to picnic! I guarantee you will have a big smile on your face the whole time!
   

   
2. Under the Pont Neuf ❤️ – the prettiest spot on the quai de la Seine and Ille de la Cité. This is also a spot for river boat cruises (facing the Right Bank) so you can buy wines from the boat if needed.  We love sitting facing the Left Bank, looking out to a big willow tree.  Enjoy the sunshine or watch the sun set and the city of lights shine with a glass of wine and baguette, both day and evening are magical.  Pont Neuf, 75001 
   

   enjoying the winter sunshine!

   

   my husband is a Parisian model 🙂

   
3. Banks of the Seine next to Pont Alexandre III ❤️ – we have picnicked on both the left and right banks of the bridge, both are awesome!  You can order takeaway drinks on the left bank side or pack your own picnic for the right bank.  We always end up chatting with locals.  It is a popular (and beautiful) picnic hang-out in summer evenings.
   

   

   

   

   

   

Eating

Maybe the most important part of the guide!  Make sure to enjoy the leisurely French pace for meals – feel free to linger, enjoy your company and the delicious food in front of you.  One extra piece of advice: in Paris tap water is always free (this is HUGE coming from Stuttgart) and don’t skip the baguette served with each meal!

Breakfast

1. Dose Coffee Dealers ❤️, 73 Rue Mouffetard, 75005. The best place!  Delicious cappuccinos, fresh pressed juices, amazing avocado toast, and yogurt cups.  Our favorite breakfast in our favorite street!
2. Ob La Di, 54 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 – if you’re staying in le Marais, this is the healthy breakfast spot you’re looking for!  Avo toast and smoothie bowls for breakfast, please.
3. Le Café Saint Médard, 53 Rue Censier, 75005 – petit dej here is cheap and includes a ton – le Français includes an orange juice, hot tea or coffee of choice, croissant, and portion of baguette with jam and butter.  Le petit dej Anglais includes all of the above plus an omelette. (Great spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks!)

Lunch

1^st/3rd/4th, Ile de la Cite / le Marais / Ile de St Louis area

4. Les Philosophes, 28 Rue Vielle du Temple, 75004 – Nice standard bistro cafe. Pretty tiled floors inside 🙂
5. Berthilion – on the Ile de St Louis, 75004, “best ice cream in Paris”
6. Auberge de la Reine Blanche on Ile de St Louis, 75004. Cozy, classic, good. Also have good soup l’oignon and glass of St. Emilion wine.
7. Ma Salle a Manger 26 Place Dauphine, Ile de la Cité, 75001 – cozy on west side of Ile de la Cite.
8. Breizh Cafe ❤️, 109 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 – authentic crêperie from Brittany, a region in France where crepes come from. Wonderful little restaurant.  I recommend the Gallette (a crepe made with buckwheat flour, filled with salty foods) complete for a time-tested traditional, washed down with a Brittany cider!  All of the ingredients here are imported from Brittany!

5th, near Cluny/Panthenon/Mouffetard/Luxembourg

1. L’invitée ❤️, 8 Rue Thénard, 75005. Have really good Formule Midi for 16.00 eur including 2 courses espresso. Great food! (closed Sundays and Mondays).  Close to Cluny museum.  Reservations recommended.
2. Les 5, 136 Rue Mouffetard, 75005. Good food, easy, good wines. St Médard / Mouffetard area.
3. Le Cafe Saint Medard, 53 Rue Censier, 75005. Nice cafe at the St. Médard / Mouffetard area. Location of the cafe is my favorite, looking out to the square Saint Médard and fountain!
4. Saveurs de Savoie, 83 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 – if you like Savoyard food you will enjoy this. Good classic food and mains come with roasted veggies (sold!)
5. La Veille Tour 62 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 – good classic French and decent prices. Also have tarteflette here (a popular dish in the Savoie, French Alps and ski resorts).

6^th

1. Bouillion Chartier Montparnasse ❤️ – The food is decent but the atmosphere is Art Nouveau dreams and absolutely out of this world. The décor hasn’t changed since 1900, when Paris was known as the center of the Art Nouveau world.
   

   
   

   
2. Café le Bonaparte ❤️ – 42 Rue Bonaparte, St Germain des Pres 75006 – iconic grand café with adorable blue, blanc, and rouge awning. Nice stop in for lunch, café drinks, or dinner.

   

7^th – 9^th

6. FLOW Paris 4 Port des Invalides, 75007. Outdoor cafe with smaller menu, but has nice views of Pont Alexandre III. Lots of runners, bikers, strollers along the Seine as well.  Have lounge chairs and bar for hanging out.
7. La Terasse at Galeries Lafayette – 40 Blvd Haussmann, 75009 Only open in the summer months as a lunch spot with amazing views (see City Views for pictures).
8. Faust – Rive Gauche, Pont Alexandre III, 75007. wood fired pizzas just to the left of the Pont Alexandre III.

Dinner

1. Au Bougnat ❤️ – 26 Rue Chanoinesse, 75004. Close to Notre Dame but very local, absolute favorite for good quality french food, cozy.  24 eur 2 courses or 29 eur 3 courses.  Also open ‘in-between lunch and dinner’ when most restaurants are closed.  We always order champagne to start. 🙂
   

   

   
2. Les Chouettes – 32 Rue de Picardie, 75003. Large, modern looking interior with great food.
3. Le Petit Commines ❤️ – 16 Rue Commines, 75003. Great dishes, natural food, very friendly, awesome place near bars mentioned below. 
   

   
4. Le Procope ❤️ – 13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comedie, 75006. Founded in 1686 and still in business, the oldest café in Paris (as in, the first place to sell coffee in Paris: 1686). Famous for the site of ideas of the French revolution, hangout of Voltaire and Victor Hugo, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, as well as Napoleon who left his hat here. If you would like to dine with history I recommend it!
   

   

   

   
5. KONG – 1 Rue du Pont Neuf, 75001 – Asian fusion with a gorgeous top floor, floor to ceiling window view over Paris. Ask for a good view of the city when making reservations.
6. Les Papilles – 30 Rue Gay-Lussac, 75005. Cool place, set 4 course dinner (nice but not too fancy). Pick bottle of wine straight from the wall. Only negative is it’s a little bit out of the way for evening activities.
7. Chez Julien ❤️ – 1 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004 – One of the prettiest corner restaurants around. In the summer months, outdoor tables are lined around a red carpet and wonderfully fragrant jasmine climbs up the walls.  The interior is designed so beautifully.  Private room upstairs that would be perfect for an intimate party.  Food and clientele are smart, you will have a wonderful time here!  Bonus: after visiting, I noticed this restaurant is where Serena and Blair dine in a Gossip Girl scene. 🙂
   

   

   

   

   
8. La Colimacon ❤️ – 44 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 – This is restaurant is smaller but so cozy and wonderful! The food was some of the best I’ve had.  A perfect cozy date spot.
   

   
9. Restaurant Le Coupe Chou, 11 Rue de Lanneau, 75005. Cozy, darling spot with a fire.
10. Le Basilic, 33 Rue Lepic, 75018. Near Moulin Rouge, nice cozy dinner place in Montmarte.
11. La Mascotte, 52 Rue de Abbsess, 75018. If you’re looking for champagne and oysters in Montmartre, this is your spot!!

Bars

1. Lavomatic ❤️, 30 Rue Rene Boulanger, 75010 – The best speakeasy type bar! Access to the bar upstairs is through… can you figure it out? 😉 One of my favorite places.  Get there at 18:00 or before 19:00 for a guaranteed seat.
   

   
2. Little Red Door, 60 Rue Charlot, 75003 – Cool speakeasy type vibe. The cocktails are named after personality types and their menu is a fun book, it’s pretty cool!
   

   
3. Candelaria ❤️, 52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 – Access the back bar through the narrow Mexican taqueria (also so tasty!). Cool cocktails, love this place! PS, right next door to breakfast spot Ob La Di.

Excursions

1. Reims or Epernay: The heart of Champagne, France. About 1 hr train ride.
2. Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte: about 1 hour transit from Gare de l’Est. Beautiful 17th century chateau and extensive formal French Gardens. Fun to go Saturday evening May – Sept (ish) they have Saturday candlelight evenings.  Really stunning.  Fireworks at 22:00 candlelight evenings.
3. Versailles: King’s residence (based off of chateau Vaux le Vicomte). Classic excursion to see where the Royals of France lived and held court, and where Marie Antoinette had lavish parties.

Paris City Guide Map

I’ve created this Paris Guide Map for you to reference everything above!  Reference this to plan you trip, and again when on the ground in Paris.

If you want to view only a certain group, click the icon on the top left to show the side bar, and you can check or uncheck any groups!  I hope you enjoy!!

Paris is my passion and I could talk about the city all day long.  If you have any questions, please leave them in a comment below, shoot me an email, or find me on Instagram and send me a DM!  I’d love to help plan your amazing holiday to Paris!  Similarly if you’ve used my guide and had a great time I’d love to know too!

xx