Paris Must Sees
Le Jardin du Luxembourg
“There are some days when I think I’m going to die from an overdose of satisfaction.”
Although I have not lived in Paris for more than two months at a time, I can provide quite a few tips to an incredible Parisian experience. I’ll jump right in as to not bore anyone with my affinity for this magical city.
If you’ve had a less than amazing experience in this city, then it’s not your fault, it’s the fault of the person you were with. There is no excuse for this. I hate this for you, and we’re going to change that now.
Step one, you must download the Ulmon app. Ulmon is an app that provides offline maps of each arrondissement, as well as the ability to mark your favorite cafes, scenic streets, museums, gardens, etc. Each time I visit Paris, I add to my Ulmon maps.
I’m a huge foodie, and most of the spots I will list below are for munching, but this list is peppered with several shopping and site seeing gems as well.
For Snacks:
If you like pie, you must stop by Le Loire dans La Theiere (3 Rue des Rosiers), the line will be long if you hit this charming cafe in the middle of the day. The pie’s are made fresh daily. There won’t be a menu, so you’ll need to walk up to the pie stand and take a peek at all their flavors. If you need help, ask one of the bustling, long time employees to try to explain each kind to you. Be sure to check their hours before you trek there, as most cafe’s in Paris close around 4pm. It's a neighborhood staple in Le Marais and absolutely worth your time.
For the best ice cream in Paris, go to Berthillon on Ile Saint Louis (31 rue saint louis en l'ile), the little island. There are several places on Ile Saint Louis that serve Berthillon, besides their original large establishment. My favorite spot to grab a cone is at Pom'Cannelle (27 Rue des Deux Ponts) at their little walk up window. You can walk the entirety of Ile Saint Louis in minutes. It's full of shops and sights to see, and you’ll end up with the best ice cream in all of Paris.
Pear sorbet ice cream, Berthillon
Check out Cafe Carette in Trocadero (4 Place du Trocadéro), for a traditional French patisserie breakfast and a view of the Eiffel Tower nearby.
For Food:
I love traditional French places and French food, and Cafe L'Auberge, next to Pont Neuf (4 Rue Bertin Poirée) is amazing. There are fire places and pianos in the restaurant, there’s also usually a little kitty to come visit you at your table. The owner is always the kindest person, and if you speak a little French back to him, he might just offer you some free wine.
Very close by and on your walk across Pont Neuf, on the back side of Notre Dame, is the hidden traditional French restaurant called Ma Salle Manger (26 Place Dauphine). It's adorable and nostalgic looking/tasting. It’s very small though, so maybe don’t plan to bring a large group.
For an experience, visit Kodawari Ramen (29 Rue Mazarine) in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The line will be long unless you get there right when they open around noon. But it's worth it. The atmosphere looks and feels like you are IN Japan. The bottom floor looks like a bustling Japanese izakaya street. The top floor looks and feels like you’ve entered your home, just off of the busy street. There’s a small television in the corner, and little slippers left by the door. Oh! And the ramen is amazing, of course.
Black garlic oil Ramen, Kodawari Ramen
Pain Vin Fromage (3 Rue Geoffroy l'Angevin) is an awesome stop for true cheese lovers. Located in a converted stone wine cellar for incredible, traditional, Swiss fondue, in Le Marais. Don’t expect music and a kitschy atmosphere here. Here they say, “The music is your own conversation.”
The best tacos, and better than tacos in America, (no joke), are at the famous and unassuming, Candelaria (52 Rue de Saintonge) in Republique. I'm listing this place again later for the best cocktails too!
La Paulette (10 Rue de Bretagne) also in Republique, this might just be where you find your new favorite risotto. They have mushroom, and truffle, and zucchini risottos, and crisp rosé wine.
Mushroom and zucchini risotto, La Paulette
Up by Pigalle, Le Petite Canard (19 Rue Henry Monnier) is where you’ll find incredible duck dishes. It’s large enough here to bring a group, and definitely come hungry!
For Cocktails:
As mentioned earlier, Candelaria (52 Rue de Saintonge) in Republique is world renowned for their delicious cocktails. They have a sneaky, beautiful bar attracting hip French locals, hidden in the way way back past the kitchen of this taco shop.
Very near by is The Little Red Door (60 Rue Charlot), titled as one of the top 10 cocktail bars in the world, this is a do-not-miss spot.
For a traditional absinthe experience, you must go to LuLu White's (12 Rue Frochot) by Pigalle, just south of Montmartre. It was started by a small, old, Louisiana woman, who wanted to bring Cajun cocktails to France and blend them with the real deal!
One of my favorite places to sit and have a drink is Le Comptoir General (80 Quai de Jemmapes). It’s a little difficult to find as it's hidden in the back of an alley on the north east bank of the canal in Republiqe. The interior looks like a jungle, they have live music all the time, and it’s one of the few places I feel like I’ve gone right into a time warp whenever I enter it.
Le Comptoir General
For Walking and Sight Seeing:
If you’re of the morose mind, I recommend visiting the Cimetière de Montmartre (20 Avenue Rachel). It's old, beautiful and creepy. Though, it’s rare that such a place could provide such peace and beauty. For photographers, it’s a bit of a paradise. Too weird?…
You may also love walking around the traditional French children's toy stores on Rue Francois Miron, by Le Marais. You'll also find, in the vicinity closer to the water, some familiar spots from some famous movies, and just north of this spot are tons of lovely boutiques in Le Marais!
Speaking of boutiques, boutique after boutique can be found just south west of The Little Red Door in Républiqe. They also line the canal as you get closer to Jardin Villemin.
Also in République, is the specialty coffee and tea shop and beauty boutique called Le Grand Café Tortoni (45 Rue de Saintonge). In the back of the cafe is where Auguste Rodin cast ‘The Thinker’. This is definitely on e of the most unique and beautiful boutiques I’ve visited.
Le Grand Café Tortoni
Window shopping and shopping for snacks and treats at Le Bon Marché (24 Rue de Sèvres) and their food store Le Grande Epicerie de Paris is major fun. They have everything French that you can think of! From truffle puree to champagne, and Mont D’or, my favorite cheese! The department store itself, (above), is gorgeous and full of some of the most amazing finds!
Paris is full of so many amazing open air street markets. They sell food, both prepared and ingredients, clothing, trinkets, and flowers. So many of these markets are truly amazing, but my personal favorite is in the neighborhood of Trocadéro. It’s called the Président Wilson Market, at Av. du Président Wilson, 16th Arrondissement. You can access it by Metro off the Léna or Alma Marceau (line 9), or Pont de l’Alma (RER C). It’s only open two days a week. So be sure to look up the hours online before you travel!
That’s a fairly good start for now. Wherever you wander, be sure to tag me so I can keep up with your journey! I’ll love to see where you’ve visited and how you’ve enjoyed some of these favorite spots of mine!