Paris

Eat

Meals

Septime

Chef/proprietor Bertrand Grebaut is the youngest French chef to win a Michelin star. He brings pure, clean seasonal cuisine to his beloved Septime.

Quick tip: Be sure to try the fromage blanc ice cream on pumpkin puree, if it’s available. Reservations are a must.

septime-charonne.fr

Chez Denis

This wonderfully informal and easy-going bistro is open till 5am. They are known for their rich and juicy meat dishes such as veal kidneys and their legendary Charolaise rib roast beef.

Le Clown Bar

This quirky bistro is decorated and named in honor of the clowns who came here to eat and drink after performing in the rings at the nearby Cirque d’Hiver. Today, it is an eclectic eatery for modern French fare.

Clown-bar-paris.fr

Le Dôme

“I don’t eat fancy food, so most of my recommendations are for bistros and other elbows-on-the-table sorts of places — like this one, where Hemingway met painter Jules Pascin, commemorating their story in A Moveable Feast. Here, the fish is still prepared in an old-school way (i.e., filleted tableside) and the maître d’s still wear tuxedos.” — Dorie Greenspan, author of Baking Chez Moi.

Snack

Huîtrerie Régis

In the City of Love, oysters are perfect given their supposed aphrodisiac quality. Sourced from the Marennes-Olero region on France’s west coast.

Bakeries

Chambelland

This gluten-free partisserie leaves all its honored guests satisfied, even the gluten-eaters amongst you.

chambelland.com

A la Mère de Famille

A sweet feast for the eyes and lips. From marzipans to handmade chocolates to their legendary macarons, this treat shop is a must.

Angelina

If you don’t know what a Mont Blanc (the dessert, not the pen company!) is, you should go find out. They are the originators of this scrumptious dessert.

Drink

Experimental Cocktail Club

Some describe it as “tiny, sexy, and young”, others say “plush” and “funky”. Either way, this chandeliered sensual hideaway has a deep drinks list.

Cafe Laurent at Hotel d’Aubusson

Favored spot for literary and jazz figures since the 17th century; Voltarie, Camus and Sartre have all bent an elbow here. The piano bar and luxurious salon remain popular with the area’s chic residents. Sit back and relax in front of the fireplace with the signature cocktail “Laurent”.

See

THATLou

According Henri Loyrette, former director of the Louvre, 80% of visitors go to The Lou just to see the Mona Lisa. That’s a crime which THATLou looks to solve by getting visitors to see more of what the museum has to offer via a scavenger hunt.

thatlou.com

La Cuisine Paris

Learn to cook like a Parisian as a team of English-speaking chefs walk you through how to make traditional French goodies like macarons and croissants. Participants are led to a market where produce that is purchased is also used in the cooking class.

Foundation Louis Vuitton

Its bold design in the quiet calm of a public park ruffled quite a few feathers. It hosts works belonging to the luxury group LVMH, including pieces by Basquiat and Jeff Koons, among others.

Quick tip: We recommend taking an electric bus from Place Charles de Gaulle directly to the Foundation. There should be a bus every 10–15 minutes.

Shop

Maison Kitsune

The music-label-fashion-house is pioneering a new type of fashion. They sell trench coats, shirts, and sweaters for men and women alike.

Quick tip: Be sure to check out Cafe Kitsune, which provides a nice little pit-stop.

kitsune.fr

Mariage Frère

Who doesn’t love fancy tea? Mariage Frère is an overwhelmingly charming gourmet tea company that has existed for over 130 years.

L’Atelier Beau Travail

On Saturdays, the public is allowed to peer into the world of this mini workshop. Visitors will find colorful trinkets, homeware, art, and clothing. Art made by young emerging artists are on display. Everything is beautifully unique and hand-made.

Coffee break

Honor

Paris’s first and only outdoor independent coffee shop couldn’t be sweeter. Take a quick and quiet coffee break at this lovely little cafe in Madeleine.

Quick tip: Be sure to try their savoury tarts.

Honor-cafe.com

Stay

Hôtel Costes

Nestled among boutiques, Hôtel Costes is a hip yet elegant option outfitted with a perfumery and a lounge teeming with models and Paris’ most beautiful people. Another perk is that it is a 10-minute walk from the Musée du Louvre.

Average price per night: $715

Hotel Providence

There are only 18 bedrooms, and they are all exquisite. Actors swarm to the bar post-show because the hotel neighbors numerous theatres. We promise interesting interactions.

Average price per night: $293

Le Meurice

Hailed as the city’s first “palace hotel” and ranked as one of the most elegant hotels in the world, Le Meurice is a destination in of itself. Facing the gorgeous Tuileries Gardens in the heart of Paris, it mixes Louis XV furnishings and decor with modern touches.

Average price per night: $1,122

Quick tip: This hotel is perfect for those looking for a rejuvenating spa experience (their spa is called ‘Spa Valmont’).

Obvious (But Fun!) Hotel Pick:

Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

The Obvious

The Eiffel Tower

Opening hours: mid-June to early September, 9:00am-12:45am local time | stairs close at 12:45am

Rest of the year, 9:30am-11:45pm | stairs close at 6:30pm

Quick tip: Waiting for the elevator can take hours. Why not get a little cardio in and take the stairs? It’s much faster and far more rewarding. You’ll also get the same great vantage spot from the first and second level as you would from going all the way to the top.

The Louvre

Opening hours: M, Th, S, Sun 9:00am-6:00pm

W, F 9:00am-9:45pm | closed on Tuesdays

Quick tip: Instead of sitting outside and baking in the sun in the courtyard waiting to get into the main entrance through the Pyramid, either purchase your tickets in advance, or take metro line 1 or 7 to the Palais Royal Musee du Louvre and enter through via the underground metro stop. You can always exit via the pyramid for that iconic photo op.

Arc de Triomphe

Opening hours: April to September, 10:00am-11:00pm

October to March, 10:00am-10:30pm

Quick tip: Instead of trying to cross through the incredibly congested traffic that weaves its way around the Arc de Triomphe, look for the underground tunnels just opposite the Arc on the Champs Elysees.