As a francophile who has been lucky enough to live in France several times throughout my life, the city of Paris holds a very special place in my heart. It is my absolute favorite place to be, and is truly la plus belle ville du monde. Whenever my friends are headed to The City of Lights, they always contact me for recommendations, so I wanted to share with you all my official Paris Guide. The guide features my “Paris in One Day” walking tour (which I highly recommend for travelers who don’t have a lot of time in the city), and also a list of some of my other favorite spots in Paris (restaurants, shops, etc.) Hope you all enjoy!

Before we get started with the walking tour, it is first important to understand the layout of the Paris. The city is divided into 20 arrondissements, with the Seine River flowing through, separating the city into two sides: the Right Bank (Rive Droite) and the Left Bank (Rive Gauche). In the middle of the two banks lies l’Ile Saint Louis (where you’ll find La Cathédrale de Notre Dame). Here’s a helpful visual from @GirlsGuidetoParis:

Paris in One Day Walking Tour

The tour begins at the Arc de Triomphe, which is located at the west end of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées at Place Charles de Gaulle. To arrive here, I recommend taking le metro like a true Parisienne (I recommend this Paris Metro App, which works without wifi!) Take metro line 1 to Charles de Gaulle — Étoile. Follow the signs for the Arc to Triomphe to exit. When you reach the top of the escalator, you will be in awe.

Head east, away from the Arc de Triomphe, down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the most famous avenue in all of Paris. The Champs-Élysées runs 1.2 miles through the 8th arrondissement in northwestern Paris, from the Arc de Triomphe in the west to the Place de la Concorde in the east. It is lined with shops (both high-end shops as well as more modest) and restaurants (but I recommend avoiding most of these restaurants as they are overpriced and touristy). As you wander the Champs-Élysées, Ladurée will be on your right. You must stop inside because the interior is stunning, and while you’re there you must treat yourself to a macaroon (or two!) Their tea room is also a nice place to stop and rest if you’re feeling sluggish.

Continue on the Champs-Élysées, and you will eventually stumble upon Avenue Winston Churchill, which will be on your right. Down this street, you will see Le Grand Palais on your right and Le Petit Palais on your left. Le Grand Palais hosts several artistic events throughout the year (it is where they hosted the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2016), and Le Petit Palais is an art museum. I recommend walking down the street until you reach a beautiful, ornate bridge. It is called Le Pont Alexandre III – you can’t miss it. It is considered the most extravagant bridge in all of Paris. Definitely go there to snap a picture on the bridge, with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Head back towards the Champs-Élysées, continuing away from the Arc de Triomphe, until you reach Place de la Concorde where you will see the Obélisque de Louxor, which was a gift to France from the Egyptians in the 1800s. The Obélisque is surrounded by ornate golden fountains. Surrounding Place de la Concorde is the US Embassy and the famous Hotel Crillon (both on your left).

As you continue around Place de La Concorde, you will arrive at the Jardin des Tuileries, one of my favorite spots in Paris. When you first enter from Place de La Concorde, you will find the Musée de l’Orangerie on your right. I highly recommend stopping here, if you’re up for it, to see Monet’s famous Water Lilies Exhibit! If not, just mosey through the beautiful Tuileries Garden, where you will see Parisians and tourists alike enjoying the sunshine, smoking cigarettes, and people watching. Grab a chair and rest your legs if needed!

At the end of the Jardin des Tuileries lies the Musée du Louvre, housed in the Louvre Palace. You will see the iconic pyramid, which is the entrance to the museum. It is one of the world’s largest museums and a historic monument in Paris. It is also the most visited museum in the world (Get your selfie with Mona Lisa if necessary!!

Continue to walk around the Louvre Pyramid. To your right will be the Love Lock Bridge, aka Le Pont des Arts. The French actually removed the love locks and changed the bridge, making it harder for lovers to secure their locks, but you will still see some locks there. It is also a nice bridge for a pretty view of the buildings along the Seine with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

But, if you’re up for it, I recommend continuing from the Louvre to your left, to Rue du Rivoli. It’s a huge street with lots of shops. Parallel to Rue du Rivoli is Rue Saint Honoré, which I love to wander down. It doesn’t seem filled with tourists, and you can find your way to très chic Place Vendome (Stop at the Ritz Paris  for a drink at newly reopened Bar Hemingway). After, head down Avenue de l’Opéra until you reach the Opéra de Paris aka Palais Garnier, one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Paris.

Some of my other favorite spots in Paris:

• Le Champ de Mars & La Tour Eiffel (bien sûr!)
• Le Jardin du Luxembourg
• Le Jardin du Palais Royal

• La Basilique du Sacré Cœur
• Hôtel de Ville
• La Cathédrale de Notre Dame
• Galeries Lafayette/Printemps (beautiful department stores!

Some of my favorite restaurants:

• Benedict – great for brunch
• Semilla – hip restaurant with creative menu
• Carette – great for small bites & sweets
• Cafe de Flore – a Parisian classic
• Septime – upscale dining, reservation only.
• Candelaria – fun taco restaurant with speakeasy hidden in the back
• La Cave Gourmande – tiny restaurant in Montmartre with classic French food
• Frenchie – tasting menu restaurant with wine bar sister restaurant next door
• Pizza Chic – trendy Italian restaurant specializing in wood-fired pizzas
• Les Deux Magots  – a bit touristy, but a classic.

Some of my favorite Neighborhoods:

• the 3rd/4th, aka Le Marais: I was lucky and actually lived in this hip neighborhood in 2013. Lots of shopping, restaurants, and bars. Must stop at Place des Vosges.
• the 6th, aka Saint-Germain-des-Pres: tres chic, lots of fancy restaurants and boulangeries. Must stop at the Luxembourg Gardens
• the 1st, aka Palais-Royal/Place Vendome: you’ll definitely spend lots of time here, as this is where you will find the Musee du Louvre, Palais Royal, & Musee d’Orsay. Must stop at the Tuileries Garden.

 

If you have any questions/comments/suggestions, feel free to let us know!