What if we quiched under the Eiffel Tower?
So I basically procrastinated my 2022 Paris blog into nonexistence. I went to Paris right after graduating college, and I swear I intended to write about it…but life got in the way. Like all good forgetful people, I started to blank on the details of that trip.
But good news: I just went to Paris again! Which means I’ve got bigger and better recommendations for your Parisian vacation.
My best friend Rena and I went to Paris for 5 days and it was filled with croissants, wine, and lots and lots of shopping! My dream date. Since we’d both been to Paris before, this trip was a lot more for vibes and shopping. We both had our touristy experience the first time, but never fear, I’ll be sure to include a few recommendations from my first trip as well as this one.
If you want to focus on tourist attractions like museums, tours and sight seeing, skip to Day 3: Paintings, Parks and Popping Champagne . If you want the TLDR, skip to the very bottom!
Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn
The weather in early June was ideal though it tends to rain off and on during this month. Our stay at the Hotel Andre Latin was decently priced at $1600 total for 5 nights, which is pretty standard if not on the lower cost end. I’d definitely recommend our hotel. It wasn’t anything fancy but it was comfy, clean and the perfect 3-star accommodation for those who aren’t going to be at the hotel much anyway. It’s also located in the 5th arrondissement which is a safe and quieter neighborhood that’s still a short walk from a cute shopping district.
Balcony moment at Hotel Andre Latin
The arrondissement you stay in depends on your style, but typically first-time visitors are recommended the 1st or 6th for luxury and walkability, or the 4th arrondissement (Le Marais), a top-rated for trendy dining and vintage shopping. I couldn’t stop gushing over Le Marais and would’ve gladly resided there too. It’s where all the best shopping and charming coffee shops are.
That being said, the city is easy to get around regardless of where you reside. I’d download the Île-de-France Mobilités app (formerly Vianavigo) for accurate navigation and easy to get bus and metro tickets.
Day One: Oat Milk has landed in Europe
I arrived a few hours before Rena, so I passed time with a quick coffee run to Melané, a Korean cafe with pastries, coffee and bingsu. I was surprised to find most coffee shops here had oat milk since 5 years ago it was impossible to find in Paris. No need to bring your lactase pills.
I also got a late lunch at Chez Jeannette and had the best Salade de melon et jambon cru. It’s a seasonal French salad with cured ham, cantaloupe, mozzarella balls, pesto and crunchy breadsticks.
Use your melon!
Once Rena arrived, we took a late afternoon stroll through Jardin du Luxembourg, where locals and tourisis tanned and enjoyed the perfect weather. We didn’t have a dinner reservation but somehow managed to get a spot at the bar at Chez Janou. I’d recommend this eatery if you want to try french dishes. The duck confit and chocolate mousse are house favorites.
The vibes here were so upbeat, but it was as packed as a can of sardines. Chez Janou is a good restaurant to people-watch, as it does attract tourists from all over. Many solo travelers socialized with each other at the bar, bonding over the mousse.
After dinner, we went to Moonshiner, a speakeasy disguised as a cozy pizza shop called “Da Vito. “ With its vintage style and dimly lit interior, this cocktail bar is a great spot to get your night started or have a romantic date.
Day Two: 2 Pastries Please
While most French locals start their morning with coffee and a cigarette, we opted for coffee and a pastry. Rena and I went to Poilâne, an artisan bakery in Paris most known for four basic ingredients: sourdough, flour, water and sea salt. The sourdough is supposedly phenomenal, but we opted for something sweeter and got the apple pastry. Flaky, fresh and made with perfectly sweet apples. The best thing since Cosmic Crisp.
Bon apple-tit!
We then grabbed lattes from Cortado, a trendy cafe in Le Marais. It’d 100% be my go-to cafe if I lived in Paris, and based off this trip, I’m one convincing conversation away from moving here. I loved the casual and stylish vibes and the tall windows inviting natural light in.
Caffeine: check. We were ready to get to work (shopping). Our first stop was Merci, a “concept store” that specializes in unique Parisian home goods, stationary and clothing.
Rena at Merci
We also browsed 29 Rue Charlot Vintage, Summup Tiny Dragon Charms (pop up), Jonak Paris and Rouge. We were lucky to stumble upon so many pop-ups renting out spaces in Le Marais. Parisian prices might be a bit high, but their style never falls short.
29 Rue Charlot Vintage
Somewhere between trying on shoes and discarding tops that didn’t fit, we took another coffee break at Sevenly Heart. It was giving…abandoned doll house but in a cool way.
We ate dinner at Hando, a handroll chain that’s perfect for when you start missing Asian food. That clearly didn’t take too long for us. We had a solid sushi date here. Rena also recommends her favorite noodle spot, My Noodle, if you’re craving ramen!
Day 3: Paintings, Parks and Popping Champagne
One thing I love about a good tour: I can turn my brain off. Reading little plaques at museums and on statues isn’t my thing; I’m much more of an auditory learner.
If it’s your first time in Paris, the museums I recommend are The Louvre for the Mona Lisa and other paintings, Museum d Orsay for its statues, Musée de l'Orangerie for Monet’s work, Notre-Dame Cathedral for its Gothic architecture, and the Saint Chapelle for its marvelous stained glass windows.
Saint Chapelle during my 2022 visit
I always book guided tours so someone can talk to me about the significance of it all - otherwise my eyes start to gloss over things. If you don’t want a group tour, I’d still advise buying skip-the-line tickets to beat the long waits these museums can have. Especially the Louvre!
Say cheese, Mona
I’d also consider a day trip to the Palace of Versailles, which is the chateau that Marie Antoinette and all the Kind Louis’ lived in. It’s nothing short of lavish. The Hall of Mirrors and Garden of Versailles were some of the most unbelievable things I’ve seen. I partook in this tour in 2022 and enjoyed it so much!
Other worthwhile stops to make along the way include the Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triomphe, Seine River, and La Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre. PRO TIP: go to the top of the Arch de Triomphe and not the Eiffel Tower. The former has a much better view.
If the weather’s in your favor, do NOT skip the Parisian gardens. One thing that Los Angeles really lacks are good parks. There isn’t much of a park culture here, and most of the green space is for billionaire golfers. France has the most gorgeous urban parks I’ve personally ever seen with pretty fountains and perfectly trimmed bushes and trees. You can enjoy a picnic at Jardin du Luxembourg, Tuileries Garden, or Parc Monceau.
Lastly, if you fancy wine and champagne, visit the French countryside. This is the place to visit beautiful wineries and champagne houses. If you like Napa, you’ll love this. Our third day was spent on a Champagne day tour from France. We went to two champagne houses, one of which was Champagne Michel Fagot in Rilly-la-Montagne, (and that’s fag-oh, not the other American word). It was so cottage-esque and felt like a family run establishment. The champagne was actually tasty. My Cook’s Cellar days are over.
We went to another champagne factory as well, but it was extremely modern and less memorable. I actually didn’t love the second champagne house, so I linked a tour I’d recommend over ours here. If you’re leaning more wine, I’d recommend a wine tour in Chablis and Burgundy instead!
We returned late that day and had dinner at BRU, a Michelin restaurant in the 9th arrondissement. Despite their star, they embody a more casual, beach-y ambience that I appreciated. The menu, though smaller, is delicious and affordable. We enjoyed seasoned corn on the cobb, grilled maquereau, heirloom tomato salad, and ribeye with peaches - foodies would appreciate how adventurous the flavor combinations are.
BRU knows how to curate a vibe
Day 4 & 5: Shop Until You Drop (Your Croissant)
After a getting our coffee fix from Naughtee Cafe, we took the metro to Montmartre, a historic, bohemian hilltop village in the 18th where you can see the La Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre. Just below it is a lovely park where you can sit on a bench and read… or eat a giant croissant from the nearby Philippe Contini.
The picturesque La Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre
We pre-ordered our XXXL croissant the day before for 40 euro and picked up that bad boy on our way to the park. It was heavier than expected. I couldn’t stop laughing as we held up our prized carb for pictures as little French kids yelled “whaaa cwoissant??” as they walked by. It was as photogenic as it was tasty.
Our last two full days were back-to-back “Le Marais shopping days.” My wallet is still recovering.
Day 3 was “designer brand focused.” We went to ALAÏA, a French luxury brand founded by Tunisian-born designer Azzedine Alaïa, where Ren got a gorg yellow leather bag. This was a great place to window shop, but you won’t find jeans going for less than $2000 here. And yes I mean two thousand dollars. I looked at two price tags and then sat down as Rena looked for her dream bag.
If you’re looking to get a designer purse, especially of French origin, get it in Paris. The prices will be better, and you can show your passport to most stores and get a document for tax refund of 12-15% (you have to get those docs stamped by a customs agent at the airport at the country of purchase FYI). The tax refund is slightly lower for secondhand items.
For even more designer shops, the 1st arrondissement just outside Tuileries Garden and the Avenue des Champs-Élysées has a street with all the big names: YSL, Hermes, Chanel and more.
We opted for a classic French lunch atL’Escargot Montorgueil. It’s my favorite spot for traditional dishes such as escargot and frog legs, both of which are a must-try. If you’re questioning frog legs, just close your eyes and try a bite. It tastes shockingly like chicken.
I’ll also mention our dinner at Le Florentine, which is a popular authentic French bistro in the 8th arrondissement! Perfect for a hearty meal after deciding not to buy anything at YSL and Chanel. Le Florentine boasts over 4k Google reviews and is best known for their french onion soup, duck and escargot! Just be warned, apparently lots of pickpocketing happens to customers that sit by the front doors.
Day 4 was “vintage shop focused.” My highlights were Comptoir Vintage, Aime, and Bobby. They’re all relatively close to each other in Le Marais. My absolute favorite was Aimé because their curated clothes were so stylish and there was a broad range of colors. I felt like I hit the jackpot with all the cute tops, jackets and accessories. It was kind of like the French Moody Goose Vintage (iykyk). I also bought my first designer bag: a vintage Gucci handbag from Comptoir Vintage - great store for high-end secondhand brands (what a mouthful).
Bobby Vintage
Once our shopping bags started to weigh down heavily on us, we stopped for a bite at the famous Chez Alain Miam Miam, a sandwich shop that will always have a line out the door. You should try to line up by or before noon. The toasted sandwiches are excellent and made with fresh ingredients: fresh cheese from the wheel, artisanal bread and a yummy selection of pastrami, chicken and ham.
If you’re a sandwich enthusiast, you might think these are simple sandos, but it’s perfecting the basics that won them the Traveler’s Choice Award.
Pastrami and Chicken Sando
Our last dinner date was my favorite: Le Petit Lutetia. A lot of the ‘trending’ restaurants we found on IG or Tiktok fell short of their reviews, but this brasserie was an 11/10. I loved the fancy and tasteful interior and vintage atmosphere.
The miso salmon was exquisite, and the espresso martinis are one of the best I’ve ever had! Try to make a reservation, but if you go on the earlier side (the French eat late), you could probably get a table. Oh, and absolutely do not skip out on their dessert special: the thinnest apple pie.
Girl dinnerrrrr
Last Day: Left No Crumbs
We had a few hours before heading to Copenhagen, so I bought a coffee at Strada Cafe near our hotel. Initially, I just picked it because it reminded me of the Strada in Berkeley, but it turned out to be super cute. I sat outside the blue cafe for a bit before Rena and I went to La Grande Epicerie de Paris, the famous “gourmet supermarket” in Paris.
My second favorite type of shopping: grocery shopping.
This food hall is 4 stories tall and has been providing the French with gourmet snacks, fancy mustards and premium artisan cheeses since 1923. Not to mention, it also has a patisserie, deli and bakery for quick meals. If we had more time, we would’ve picked up ingredients here and made ourselves a picnic by the Eiffel Tower.
We instead bought some chocolates, dijon mustard, and jams to bring as souvenirs, then got a quick lunch at Cafe Biboune. It was a casual and cozy brunch spot with an open kitchen that made the atmosphere super welcoming.
Brunch at Biboune
They specialize in lighter salads, buttermilk biscuits, and delicious chocolate chip cookies. I loved their seasonal dishes made with lots of fresh veggies. The staff was also very friendly and sent us off with an “au revoir!” as we got ready for part two of our girls trip.
Next stop: Copenhagen.
Bien cordialement,
Hannah
The TLDR
Food/Drinks:
Le Petit Lutetia: my personal fave; good for phenomenal French dishes, classy yet trendy ambience, and excellent cocktails
L’Escargot: has a fun old French, antique decor and delicious escargot and frog legs
Chez Janou: slightly chaotic but upbeat atmosphere; well known for their chocolate mousse and duck confit
Cafe Biboune: cozy little spot for light brunch dishes like toasts, salads, and baked goods
Chez Jeanette: good casual brasserie for casual French dining
Hando Handrolls: solid handroll and sushi bar
Chez Alain Miam Miam: trendy sandwich shop; simple ingredients toasted to perfection
BRU: an affordable, Michelin restaurant with a casual environment and experimental menu selection; foodies will appreciate how adventurous the flavor combinations are
Strada Cafe: I chose it because it reminded me of Berkeley but I actually loved this cute cafe; good coffee and brunch options
Le Florentine: we ate at this popular authentic French bistro; it’s highly rated on Google but I thought it was okay (maybe I ordered the wrong thing). It’s best know for their french onion soup, duck and escargot - great vibes overall!
Moonshiner: very vibe-y speakeasy hidden behind a casual pizza shop; the vintage decor and cozy seating make it perfect for a sit down date
La Grande Epicerie de Paris, the famous gourmet supermarket in Paris; grab the best artisan ingredients and picnic it
Cafes:
Cortado: my absolute favorite coffee shop; lattes were spot on and it was trendy without being tacky
Sevenly Heart: interesting vibe with it’s “haunted doll house” / vintage shop decor; lattes were fantastic
Melané: Korean cafe with pastries, bingsu and your favorite coffee bevs
Naughtee Coffee: another cute spot for matcha or coffee; good sit down place with a cool vibe
Also consider: White Coffee, Latte Club, and Matcha Social Club
Bakeries:
Copains: has fancy sweet treats and all types of cookies and brownies; you can tell they’re high quality
Poilâne: insane bakery; apparently the sourdough is their most favorite but the apple pastry was #1 in my heart
Philippe Contini: pre order an XXL croissant from the bakery where the giant croissant trend started
Dada: this was actually a restaurant but for some reason their croissant was amazing
Also check out: Mamiche, Stohrer, and The French Bastards
Tourist Attractions:
The Louvre: home to the Mona Lisa and other iconic masterpieces by Leonardo Da Vinci, Venus de Milo and more
Museum d’ Orsay: holds mostly French art dating from 1848 - 1914; most prominent are the sculptures and paintings
Musée de l'Orangerie: famous for housing the Monet water lilies
Eiffel Tower: see it, love it, and don’t go to the top; catch it sparkling at night too!
Arch de Triomphe: gorgeous arch that actually would be worth going to the top (ticketed)
The Seine River: walk along the Seine River! It’s not very clean but the sunsets are picturesque
La Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre: a huge architectural wonder that looms over the neighborhood of Montemarte; I’d recommend a picnic in the steps and park area just below it
Saint Chapelle: gorgeous stained glass windows that will blow your mind
Palace of Versailles: lavish chateau where the King Louis(s) and Marie Antoinette lived; you’ll see the breathtaking gardens, bedrooms and ballroom
Also consider: a boat tour on the Seine, a food tour in Paris, and even a wine/champagne day tour
Parks:
Jardin du Luxembourg
Tuileries Garden
Parc Monceau
Best Shopping:
Aimé Vintage: hands down my favorite vintage shop in Paris!! Curated to perfection.
Bobby: fun store that feels a little more random in style. You can find some cute clothes and accessories here but there aren’t as many high fashion brands.
Comptoir Vintage: the clothes were a little older in style but their handbag and shoe collection was stunning (lots of big brands for big prices)
Amarsi: another great vintage boutique with a great selection of bigger and smaller brands
29 Rue Charlot Vintage: I didn’t find as many pieces that fit my personal style but still a great store!
Merci: Parisian concept store with cute home goods, clothes and stationary items
Rouge Paris: Paris-born brand with vintage-inspired, sexy style; lots of feminine dresses, cute accessories, and whimsy tops
