The elevator pitch: an international mecca of arts and culture, you can’t deny the magic of Paris. Yes, you will OD on wine and cheese (as you should).
When to go: you’ll love this city year round. For milder temperatures and smaller crowds, aim for April, May, June or October. Summer will be the most expensive, and winter will be cheapest. Also, a lot of local businesses shut down in August.
Where to stay: Kimpton St. Honore, ChouChou and Hotel du Sentier are a few of our boutique favorites.
How to get around: a combo of walking and the metro will get you where you need to be 90% of the time. Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (districts), and it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the layout before you go.
Odds and ends: Parisians eat a late dinner, usually 8-9pm.
TRIP OVERVIEW: Paris Classics
What this is: a little bougie, a little hipster, and a lot of class bundled together into the perfect Paris getaway.
What this isn’t: stuffed with tourist attractions that will have you waiting on long lines with huge crowds.
Day 1: Friday
Breakfast at Ernest & Valentin in the 3rd
Wander and shop the Marais in the 3rd
Lunch at Joia in the 2nd
Sightsee at the Arc de Triumph in the 8th
Stroll the Champs Elysees in the 8th & Tuileries in the 1st
Drinks and snacks at Le Fumoir in the 1st
Visit the Louvre in the 1st
Dinner at Frenchie in the 2nd
Drinks at Andy Wahloo in the 3rd
Day 2: Saturday
Brunch at Holybelly 5 in the 10th
Relax by the Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th
Wine Tasting at O Chateau in the 2nd
Visit the Pinault Collection in the 2nd
Drinks at Bisou in the 3rd
Dinner at Le Mary Celeste in the 3rd
Drinks at Little Red Door in the 3rd
Day 3: Sunday
Breakfast at Breizh Cafe in the 3rd
Visit Musee Picasso Paris in the 3rd
Sightsee at the Eiffel Tower in the 7th
Lunch at La Fontane de Mars in the 3rd
Visit Pere Lachais Cemetery in the 20th
Dinner at Septime in the 11th
Drinks at Moonshiner in the 11th
THE DETAILED GUIDE
Day 1: Friday

Ernest & Valentin
Breakfast in the 3rd arrondissement
map | site | @ernestetvalentin
Popular and tasty. We got a hot tip from a local to go here for the best croissants in the Marais. (They were right.)
Le Marais
Wander the Marais district in the 4th arrondissement
map | wikipedia
Fashionable & charming. Pop into some shops (we love Merci), people watch, and get your steps in as you stroll this buzzy neighborhood. For the cutest French boutiques, make sure to go down Rue Charlot.

Joia
Lunch in the 2nd arrondissement
map | site | reserve | @joiaparhelenedarroze
Warm and elegant. Contemporary french cuisine with an incredible brunch on Saturday and Sunday!
Arc de Triumph
Sightseeing in the 8th arrondissement
map | wikipedia
Majestic and touristy. Definitely go see it, but keep it moving and don’t get caught up in the tourist crowds. It will lead straight into a stroll on the Champs Elsyees.

Champs Elysees
Walk the Champs Elysees in the 8th arrondissement
map | wikipedia
Iconic and chic. Arguably the most famous street in Paris. Beautifully tree-lined and packed with tourists, it’s great for a stroll but we wouldn’t dwell here for too long.

Jardin des Tuileries
Stroll the gardens in the 1st arrondissement
map | wikipedia
Serene and expansive. Whether you’re sunbathing or power walking, these gardens are a great place to grab some fresh air.
Le Fumoir
Snack in the 1st arrondissement
map | site | reserve | @lefumoirparis
Charming and cozy. Right by the Louvre but it’s not a tourist trap, we swear! Get a cocktail or a fresh pressed juice. Make a reservation to snag a spot in the charming back library.
Musee du Louvre
Museum in the 1st arrondissement
map | site | tickets | wikipedia
Epic and legendary. The most visited museum in the world and home of the Mona Lisa. On Friday it’s open until 9:45pm, so our hot tip is to go late and skip the daytime crowds.

Frenchie
Dinner in the 2nd arrondissement
map | site | reserve | @frenchieruedunil
Rustic but chic. The brainchild of Chef Gregory Marchand with a 5 course dinner menu.
This can be a tough reservation to get - a fantastic and slightly more casual spot nearby is Juveniles.
Andy Wahloo
Drinks in the 3rd arrondissement
map | site | reserve | @andie_wahloo
Eclectic and funky. Strong Moroccan vibes, delicious cocktails and good DJs on weekend nights make this spot a winner.
Not done yet? Try Le Syndicat for more great cocktails with an underground vibe.
Day 2: Saturday

Holybelly 5
Brunch in the 10th Arrondissement
map | site | @holybellycafe
Lively and cheerful. Breakfast and lunch is served all day - don’t skip the pancakes. Sister restaurant Holybelly 19 nearby is smaller and more lunch focused (no pancakes here, so don’t confuse the two).

Canal Saint-Martin
Relax and people watch in the 10th arrondissement
map | site | @holybellycafe
Trendy and vibrant. This is where the young, hip Parisians come to hang out. Sit by the canal, stroll the streets, take it all in.

O Chateau
Wine tasting in the 2nd arrondissement
map | site | @o_chateau
Cozy and welcoming. Learn a little, drink a little. They offer wine tastings in English!

The Pinault Collection
Museum in the 2nd arrondissement
map | site | tickets | wikipedia
Modern and stunning. Paris’ former stock exchange is now home to the contemporary art collection of French billionaire and mega collector Francois Pinault.

Bisou
Drinks in the 3rd arrondissement
map | site | @bar_bisou
Stylish and lovable. No cocktail menu here, you’ll get something unique and personalized each time!

Le Mary Celeste
Dinner in the 3rd arrondissement
map | site | @lemaryceleste
Airy and contemporary. Come to this neighborhood spot for inventive cocktails, seafood-leaning dishes and a buzzy vibe.

Little Red Door
Drinks in the 3rd arrondissement
map | site | @littlereddoorparis
Inventive and shabby-chic. Don’t try to go through the actual red door (it’s the one to the left). If you love cocktails, you’ll love it here!
Still not ready to call it a night? Head to the taqueria Candelaria nearby for tacos and cocktails (a winning combo, we think).
Day 3: Sunday

Breizh Cafe
Breakfast in the 3rd arrondissement
map | reserve | site | @breizhcafe_fr
Genuine and friendly. Locals and tourists love this place, so it can get hectic. We’d say make a reservation just to be safe.

Musee National Picasso
Museum in the 3rd arrondissement
map | site | tickets | wikipedia
Staggering and exquisite. Houses the largest collection of works by Pablo Picasso in the world (yes, you read that right, the world).

La Fontaine de Mars
Lunch in the 7th arrondissement
map | site | reserve | @lafontainedemars
Colorful and chic. A classic French bistro that will charm you immediately.
Eiffel Tower
Sightsee in the 7th arrondissement
map | wikipedia
Classic and touristy. Listen, we get it, it’s the Eiffel Tower. Go see it, snap your selfie, and make this a quick hit.
Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Sightsee in the 20th arrondissement
map | wikipedia
Serene and relaxed. Pay your respects to Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison at the most visited necropolis in the world.

Septime
Dinner in the 11th arrondissement
map | site | reserve | @septimeparis
Rustic and relaxed. A foodie favorite, this one books FAST. Grab your reservation as soon as they open, 3 weeks before the date you want.
If you can’t snag a rez, try sister restaurant Clamato (but head there early because they don’t take reservations)!

Moonshiner
Drinks in the 11th arrondissement
map | site | @moonshiner_cocktail_bar
Vintage and cool. A speakeasy cocktail bar - enter through restaurant Pizza Da Vito and head through the metal door of the walk-in fridge.
What didn’t make the list?
Head to Fromager Marie-Anne Cantin (a specialty cheese shop) or La Grande Epicerie de Paris (a gourmet bakery) to pick up some treats.
Want more museums? Musee D'Orsay and L'Orangerie house impressionist art.
Foodie at heart or celebrating something special? Snag a reservation at David Toutain.
Nearby places to visit
London - a quick train ride away! Jaunt coming soon.