PARIS

Where to start? A person could spend a month in Paris and still have only seen a fraction of what Paris has to offer. With that in mind, here are a few of my top “must-do” experiences in Paris:

• Take in the views at the top of the Eiffel Tower – Undoubtedly the most iconic site in Paris, the Eiffel Tower offers stunning views of the entire city.

• Enjoy an evening dinner cruise on the Seine – A boat cruise on the Seine, especially at night, is a spectacular and unforgettable way to see Paris and its landmarks.

• Explore the Louvre – See some of the world’s artistic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo at the Louvre, the world’s most famous art museum.

• Discover the Notre-Dame Cathedral – Explore the most famous cathedral of the Middle Ages. *Note: Notre-Dame is almost completely restored since the devastating fire in 2019.

• Explore a Neighborhood – Spend an afternoon exploring the charming Montmartre, chic La Marais, or trendy Saint-Germain.

• Picnic at Luxembourg Gardens – Pick up some cheese, baguettes, a bottle of wine, and have a picnic at the lovely Luxembourg Gardens.

• Visit the Palace of Versaille – Just a short train ride from Paris, the opulent palace and beautiful gardens of former French royals, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, is definitely worth a visit.

• Visit the Champs-Elysees and Arch de Triomphe – Explore the luxury shops on the most famous street in Paris, and then at dusk, walk to the nearby Arch de Triomphe to see as the flame is lit at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

• See works of art at Musee d’Orsay – View the largest collection of Monet’s in the world.

Hotel Odeon is located in the heart of Paris’s trendy 6th arrondissment, Saint-Germain-des-Pres. It’s a wonderful boutique hotel with a fabulous staff. Read my review of Hotel Odeon here.

The Hotel de Josephine Bonaparte, affectionately known as Hotel de Jobo, mirrors the eclectic charm of its neighborhood, Le Marais, renowned for its mix of boutiques, art galleries, and cozy cafes. My mother and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would gladly return. What impressed me most was their exceptional service: a few days after our departure, they emailed me about a forgotten scarf and gloves, even offering to mail them to my home in the US. Such attentive care truly distinguishes their hospitality. You can read more about my experience at Hotel de Jobo here.

Getting around Paris is easy and there are many options. Here are some of the best ways to navigate the city:

1. Taxi or Uber: Taxis and Ubers are readily available in Paris.
2. Metro: The Paris Métro is a quick and easy way to travel within the city. It covers a wide network of lines that connect all major attractions and neighborhoods.
3. Bus: The bus network in Paris is extensive and complements the Métro, providing additional routes to destinations not directly served by the subway.
4. Boat: The Batobus is a scenic way to travel along the Seine and offers stops at many popular sites.
5. Train: The RER is a regional train network that connects Paris with its suburbs and nearby attractions like Disneyland Paris and Versailles. It’s useful for longer journeys outside the city center.
6. Walk: Paris is a very walkable, and many popular sites are within reasonable walking distance of each other.

La Boissonnerie – La Buissonnerie is an intimate restaurant located on a quiet street in Saint-Germain. My husband and I came back for a second visit because we had such a phenomenal meal on our first visit. The staff are very friendly, and they took a good amount of time translating some of the things we were unsure of on the menu. Our waiter made suggestions and recommended wine pairings. This restaurant is a gem, so give it a try, but be sure to make advance reservations.

Oktobre – While I have not yet tried Oktobre, it comes highly recommended by some friends, so it’s on the top of my list to try the next time I’m in Paris. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and is recommended in the Michelin guide.

Be aware of pickpockets – Way back when my husband and I were planning our first trip to Paris, we read in a Rick Steves book to be aware of pickpockets, and he proceeded to give a few examples of the thieves’ common tricks, one of which was a story about a lost ring. So, fast forward to our actual trip and the two of us were walking towards the Louvre, and this lady walks up to us and says, “I found this ring, does it belong to you?” We just backed away and avoided her, but I was so glad that we had been warned and didn’t fall for it.

In another situation, my friend Sheri was riding the train and had her purse hanging over her shoulder. They were able to snag her wallet. So, just be aware of your surroundings. Be sure to keep your purse on your front side and no wallets in the back pocket.

One last recommendation……leave the big diamonds at home. Purchase some nice CZ travel jewelry instead.

Plan Ahead – Map out all of the sites you’d like to see in advance of your trip, then you can plan your days based on the distance between sites. This will help you avoid going back and forth across town.

I would also recommend purchasing tickets in advance, especially for the popular sites and during the tourist season. Check the opening hours and closure dates as well. My friends went all the way to Versailles only to find out the Palace was closed on Mondays. Oops!

Make Dinner Arrangements – If you’d like to get a seat at the most popular restaurants, be sure to reach out in advance to make reservations. Also, note that Parisians dine at a later hour than Americans. You’ll find many restaurants don’t even open their doors for dinner until 7:30pm.

Stay in a Centrally located Neighborhood – It will make it much easier to see all the sites and get along if you’re staying nearby. Saint-Germain-des-Prés is where I prefer to stay, but Le Marais, Montmartre, and the Latin Quarter are also great options.

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