Le Paris Travel Guide: After Living there for a Month
Sacre Coeur
I recently spent a month in Paris during June, and I’ve gathered some of my favorite spots and tips to help you make the most of your next trip to the City of Lights!
Restaurants
There are so many great options! I found that my favorite spots were the smaller wine bars, where you can easily walk in and enjoy a rotating menu paired with excellent wine. I’ve organized my recommendations based on what you might be craving. Just steer clear of the tourist traps (watch out for places with fake flowers), and you’re sure to have a fantastic meal.
Notable Cafe’s
The Coffee get the vanilla latte
Cédric Grolet very expensive but worth trying
Carette had the best croissant here
The french have requirements for baguettes and croissants so as long as you are buying the “traditional ones” you can’t go wrong
Casual Dinner Spots
Frenchie Bar à Vins lots of great dishes to share and you sit at community tables and can chat with your neighboors as well
Maison Maison had an amazing trout here for lunch and perfect for a happy hour
Terra bar à vins my favorite spot near my airbnb, has the best oysters and I loved watching the chefs prep food
Le Mary Celeste easy to walk in and sit at the bar with a great wine selection
Les enfants du marché in the back of the market with counter seats. They pour you whatever wine they have open and highly recommend the mussels
Lunch/Sandwich Spots
L'As du Fallafel always a line but worth it
Wild & The Moon vegan spot for lunch and smoothies
AURA juice bar
La Baracca di Tony amazing sandwiches
Miznon the chicken salad is crave worthy
Dinner Spots
Chez Janou great classic spot
Pink Mamma more worth the vibes than the food
Gigi Paris dinner with a view and heavenly clam pasta.
Au Père Louis (Bar à Vins Paris - Saint Germain des Prés Paris 6) non-touristy spot in a touristy area for classic french food
Bombance great decor and food
Terra bar à vins
Museums
Musse d’orsay - My favorite with a great impressionist section on the top floor.
Picasso Museum - Love this Museum as well it is small and in a beautiful building, worth checking out and spending some time in Le Marais.
Musee d’orange - The large Monet’s are here, but not much else, I would skip unless those are a must see for you.
Lourve - I would skip unless you really want to see specific pieces like the Mona Lisa, but it is crazy busy and touristy
Gardens
Luxembourg
Tuileries Garden
Musee d’orange
Neighborhoods
Le Marais was my favorite, trendy with lots of restaurants and shopping. Walkable to all the sites, but doesn’t feel like all tourists. Feels like Soho.
Tips
Wear Layers and Neutrals the weather can be unpredictable and it rains a lot of good to carry an umbrella. I’d avoid bright colors bc you still stick out like a tourist and more likely will get pickpocketed on the subway. The parisians wear a lot of blacks, whites, blues.
French Culture -it is considered rude to not initially say Bonjour and make eye contact when greeting and walking into a store, etc. If you do this they will be much nicer to you
