A First Timer’s Guide to Paris

Oh Paris 😍I don’t think there are too many things in life you can describe as being ‘just like the movies’, but really —Paris was everything I thought it would be and more. I was on the phone with my mom today already trying to plan when we can go back together.  I just got home to New York (still weird to say) after two weeks in Portugal and Paris and couldn’t wait to write this post to tell you guys more about the trip.

Paris has been the number one spot on my bucket list for such a long time. The architecture, cafes, street corners, food, wine, the people…everything was just as perfect as I pictured it in my head. It really is the most romantic city.  I don’t have any other seasons to compare it to, but I think early fall (late September/early October) is the best time to go. The weather ranged from low 60s to 70s which was perfect for a light jacket and layering. The leaves were just starting to turn colors, and accordingly to John who’s been several times, the city was much less crowded than it is during the summer months.

John and I spent 5 days in Portugal before heading to Paris to meet Alicia and my friend El in Paris. We had so much fun exploring the city together all week while shooting content, eating too many carbs, and staying up past 2:00 AM every night trying to pack everything we could into our days. Below is my list of all the things we did and loved and some things at the bottom we didn’t have time for that I definitely want to do on my next trip. Please comment any of your favorites spots or things to do while in Paris in the comments below or on my Instagram post tonight, and thank you guys again for all the suggestions you sent during my trip! My next blog post this week will have all of the outfits I wore during my trip 😊

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My Favorite Things We Did

1. See the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night

This was the most magical thing I’ve ever seen. Every night, every hour on the hour, the tower is covered in golden lights and sparkles for five minutes. Grab a bottle of wine, a blanket, load up on baguettes & croissants, and sprawl out with friends in the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower at night.

2. Rent bird scooters to explore

We did this on one of our last days in the city, but I wish we would’ve done it the whole week. You can rent electronic scooters called birds and ride them around town – all you have to do is download the app so you can locate them. It was so fun and the best way to zip around town and get from place to place.

3. The Louvre

Home to the Mona Lisa and I.M. Pei’s famous glass pyramid,  this is a must!

4. Palais-Royal

A peaceful place to walk around and admire the garden & fountain. Grab a coffee at Kitsuné and sit on any of the chairs around the garden. Wander through the chic cafes and shops. And snap a picture standing on Daniel Buren’s striped columns in courtyard.

5. Notre Dame

The most epic display of French Gothic architecture, the cathedral was so beautiful! Get there early (before 10 a.m) or come for Catholic Mass to skip the tourist line.

6. Arc de Triomphe

This was so much bigger than I imagined! Looking up at the intricate designs of the decorative arches was breath taking and you can’t beat the 360-degree views of Paris from the top.

7. Luxembourg Gardens

We spent hours in here one day shooting and lounging around. It’s so peaceful and relaxing and especially pretty in the fall when the leaves are turning colors. The park is huge and there are so many things to do – walk through the trees, have a picnic, read on a bench, sit by the round pool, admire the gardens..

8. Shopping in Saint Germain

The essence of Parisian shopping. This was my favorite area to explore – so picturesque with the cobblestone streets, intricate French balconies, and gorgeous storefronts.

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Top 3 Breakfast + Brunch Spots

1. Holybelly

Get the pancakes (the sweet stack or the savory stack).

2. Café Méricourt 

Such a cute spot. Great ricotta pancakes & breakfast roll with egg, bacon, and chili jam.

3. Fragments

Swedish-style cinnamon buns and really good espresso drinks.

 

Favorite Lunch Cafes:

1. Cafe de Flore – we sat outside here for lunch under the heaters and loved every minute of it. Great food, & people watching at one of the oldest cafes in Paris. A perfect spot to take a picture is right in front of the cafe along the crosswalk in Saint Germain.

2. Le Maison Rose – adorable spot with fresh food. Charming and very Instagrammable – the cutest little pink and green cottage.

3. Ralph’s – great meal and a lovely setting. A great spot to eat if you need a break from all the French food an want a classic American meal.

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My 5 Favorite Dinner Spots:

Derrière – favorite dinner of the week. Quirky, trendy, and eclectic.

Relais de l’entrecote – The only one thing on the menu is steak and frites. The special sauce is amazing. Simple, fast, and so good!

East Mamma – We went here our first night – easily one of my favorite dinner experiences. It was right next to our Airbnb. The vibe was so awesome and the truffle pizza is A MUST.

Pink Mamma – Trendy and great ambiance with incredible interior design and a different atmosphere on each floor. Order: the truffle pasta.

Le Hibou – Cute spot to eat dinner on the patio in the heart of Saint Germain. I had the lobster and the french fries, delish!

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Where To Grab Coffee/Sweets:

Matamata Coffee  – cute & cozy. Get the mochachino & avacado toast.

Café Kitsuné – inside the garden of Palais Royal. Outdoor seating and fox-shaped cookies.

Cafe Le Brebant – really cute, Insta-worthy.

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Nightlife

Les Bain – lounge/bar + rap dance club

Bar Hemmingway – must!!

Le Calbar – get the spicy marg!

La Mary Celeste – great tapas and drinks

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Where we stayed…

We found a really cute spot on Airbnb – I think that’s the best option for finding a place to stay. My only advice would be to look pretty far in advance, we waited way too long to find something so it made that process more stressful!

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Top of My List for Next Time…

Louis Vuitton Museum: I wish we would’ve had time to see this! I’ve heard from several people that this is a must-see for fashion and art lovers. Home to some of the city’s best contemporary art – and the sailboat-shaped building that is a masterpiece itself.

Palais Garnier: 19th century Opera house that’s one of the most recognized opera houses in the world and now home to the Paris Ballet.  Dying to see the giant glass chandeliers and marble staircases!

Musée Jacquemart-André: After seeing pictures of this mansion, it’s now at the top of my list for my next time in Paris! This museum is the former home of one wealthy couple, Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart who traveled the world and collected art to decorate their lavish mansion.

Rue Crémieux: Said to be one of the most charming streets in paris and one of the best places to take a picture in front of this pretty pastel backdrop.