PARIS, FRANCE
Updated: 2 days ago
Tu me manques. The French way of saying “I miss you” translates more literally to “You are missing from me.” That is exactly how I felt about Paris before I ever visited—as though a part of me was already there.
I have always loved French films with English subtitles. They are romantic, dramatic and REAL! If you enjoy witty romantic comedies, watch Priceless, starring Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh. Another favorite is Midnight in Paris, which captures the fantasy of traveling back to a time when some of the world’s greatest artists and writers found their inspiration in Paris.
Paris is my favorite city in Europe. It has an elegance that feels modern while transporting you back in time. The history, art, architecture, culture, cuisine, pastries, gardens and, of course, the shopping! What more could you ask for? I could spend hours exploring its palaces and museums, admiring the intricate interiors and imagining the lives once lived within those walls.
“Paris is always a good idea.” - Audrey Hepburn
I have visited Paris in spring, summer and winter, and each season feels completely different. Paris is one of the few cities I would happily return to in the cold. Christmas and New Year’s bring something magical: sparkling lights, elaborate decorations and an energy that makes simply walking through the city an experience. I especially love visiting the luxury hotels to see their holiday displays—even when I’m not staying there.
In spring, my idea of a perfect afternoon is wandering through the gardens, sitting on a bench with a French pastry and people-watching before strolling along the Seine. Sometimes, the best part of Paris is leaving time to enjoy being there.
A few tips for planning your visit:
Reserve ahead. Book the museums, palaces and experiences you care most about as early as their booking windows allow. Popular time slots can sell out, and advance reservations can help reduce time spent waiting.
Start early. I prefer booking one or two nearby sights in the morning, followed by lunch and an afternoon exploring gardens, shops and the surrounding streets. Early visits often feel calmer, although some sites stay busy throughout the day.
Explore by area. Paris is wonderful on foot when you group nearby sights together. For longer distances, take a taxi or Uber—and bring comfortable shoes. You will want to keep walking!
TOP PARIS DISTRICTS
Louvre / Palais Royal — 1st Arr.
Heart of Paris — Louvre, Tuileries, Palais Royal, Place Vendôme; luxury hotels, shopping and beautiful architecture.
Le Marais — 3rd & 4th Arr.
Charming and fashionable — boutique shopping, cafés, galleries, Place des Vosges and beautiful historic streets.
Latin Quarter — 5th Arr.
Historic and lively — Panthéon, Sorbonne, bookstores, cafés and classic winding Parisian streets.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés — 6th Arr.
Classic, elegant Paris — famous cafés, boutiques, galleries, Luxembourg Gardens and one of the loveliest areas for strolling.
Eiffel Tower / Invalides — 7th Arr.
Iconic Paris — Eiffel Tower, Invalides, Musée d’Orsay, Seine walks and elegant residential streets.
Champs-Élysées / Golden Triangle — 8th Arr.
Luxury and high-end — Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, Arc de Triomphe, Grand Palais, palace hotels and designer shopping.
Opéra / Grands Boulevards — 9th Arr.
Shopping and architecture — Palais Garnier, Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, restaurants and classic Haussmann buildings.
Montmartre — 18th Arr.
Romantic and artistic — Sacré-Cœur, cobblestone streets, cafés, artists and some of the best views over Paris.
Notre-Dame / Île de la Cité & Île Saint-Louis — 4th Arr. — Notre-Dame, Seine views, historic Paris and charming Île Saint-Louis.
Trocadéro — 16th Arr. — primarily worth including for its spectacular Eiffel Tower views, museums and elegant surroundings.
HOTELS (photos of hotels below)
Ritz Paris
Four Seasons Hotel George V
Cheval Blanc Paris
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Le Bristol Paris
La Réserve Paris
Le Meurice
The Peninsula Paris
Mandarin Oriental Lutetia
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
Mandarin Oriental, Paris
Shangri-La Paris
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme
Bulgari Hotel Paris
Maison Villeroy
J.K. Place Hotel
Hotel 1, Place Vendôme
Reasonable and still in prime location
Monsieur George Hôtel & Spa - Champs Elysées (5 star)
RESTAURANTS
Le Cinq - (Four Seasons)
L’Avenue
Le George - (Four Seasons)
Bar Vendome - (The Ritz)
Girafe
Gloria Osteria Paris
Loulou
GiGi
Café Lapérouse Concorde (Hôtel de la Marine)
Ober Mamma - Italian Restaurant
Fabula Restaurant (Garden)
Cuppa Gallery - small brunch / coffee cafe (the French toast is delicious!
Bread & Roses cafe with healthy and traditional Parisian pasties / quiches / etc
DRINKS
Le Bar at Plaza Athenee
The Red Door (speakeasy)
The Four Seasons lounge
Ritz Paris lounge
Peninsula rooftop with view of Effiel Tower
SHOPPING (**ALWAYS have your passport with you if you are shopping since you will need it to recieve a VAT TAX form that you can submit at the airport to save on taxes and get the refund instantly in cash or you can request it goes onto your credit card)
If you are seeking luxury shops, the best areas are:
Avenue Montaigne
Avenue George V
Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore
Rue de Sevres
Avenue de Champs- Elysees (mix of basic and luxury)
MUSEUMS
Château de Fontainebleau - 1 1/2 hours drive from Paris
Louvre
Petit Palais - Free access to the permanent collection - Tuesday to Sunday (10:00am- 6:00pm)
National Archives Museum - free access
Carnavalet Museum - free access (Located in two mansions in Le Marais - Tuesday - Sunday 10am-6pm)
Musée de l'Orangerie - water lily
Musée de l'Homme (at this location you can see the Eiffel Tower
Grand mosque of paris
Musée Marmottan Monet (large Monet collection)
Musee d'orsay (large clock)
Hôtel de la Marine
Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology
Gardens and Parks
Luxembourg - the most beautiful park / garden
Parc Monceau -Small hidden gem
Jardin des Tuileries
Jardin du Palais Royal
Jardin des Plantes
LE MARAIS
Le Marais - Explore this trendy area - open 11am
Rue des Francs-Bourgeois: Heart of Le Marais shopping with brands like Maje, Sandro
Rue Vieille du Temple: Known for curated fashion, art galleries, and the Uniqlo flagship.
Rue des Archives & Rue du Temple: Excellent for trendy, high-end fashion, and menswear.
Rue des Rosiers: Famous for historic charm, specialized boutiques, and bustling food, located in the Jewish Quarter.
Place des Vosges, one of the most beautiful squares in Paris
Excellent boutique shopping (fashion, home décor, and specialty shops)
Charming cafés and pastry shops
Great streets to wander and photography
***ATTEND AN OPERA OR BALLET AT Palais Garnier
Get lost on all the street and admire the Parisian architecture
TOURS
Eiffel Tour (It is best to tour at night since it’s mesmerizing to see the vast city lights captivating you from high above.)
The Arc de Triomphe (I recommend touring this during the day, so you can see Paris with its lush green and astonishing symmetry)
Palais Garnier Opera (A must see! If you can attend a show at night, I advise it. If Opera or ballet isn’t your thing, visit during the day and you won’t regret it)
If you attend a show at night, you get a chance to see the rooms empty and it’s truly spectacular.
The Louvre (If you’re into art, you’ll love it. If you’re not, you’ll be bored - It’s worth seeing the outside at night, as the pyramid is lit up beautiful.)
Notre Dame (It was closed when I was visiting due to the fire. It was still worth seeing from the outside and exploring that area that has shops, cafes and a medieval façade. Across the street is the Sainte - Chapelle which is known for its stain glass windows and sadly it was closed the day I tried to see it)
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre (The church you can enter for free and there is a separate entrance for a higher level that overlooks Paris. This area Montmarte is worth a visit and is a 20-30 mins drive from central Paris. It’s the artistic district so it has boutique shops and creative works of art with cafes you can sit outside.
Seine (Walk along it since it’s nice to see, especially if the weather is warms. You’ll find many people having picnics or riding bikes)
Jardin du Luxembourg (A peaceful park and garden to sit and relax)
Jardin du Palais Royal
Musee Rodin
Hotel de la Marine Musesum
The Orsay Museum
Pastry / cooking class (It’s a nice activity even if you’re not a good chef)
LIDO (burlesque show at night if you are seeking Parisian entertainment *nudity)
HOTEL PHOTOS
Hôtel Plaza Athénée captures everything I love about Paris: elegant interiors, iconic red awnings and flower-filled balconies overlooking Avenue Montaigne. Surrounded by couture boutiques, it brings together Parisian glamour, exceptional dining and, from select rooms, views of the Eiffel Tower.
The Chopard hotel in Paris is called 1, Place Vendôme - An intimate retreat from the family behind the jewelry house, it has just five rooms and ten suites, each individually decorated and named after gemstones or precious materials. Think elegant Parisian interiors and the atmosphere of a private residence in an iconic setting. (A hidden gem in the heart of Paris)
The Ritz Paris Hotel is iconic. It isn’t just where Coco Chanel and many other celebrities have lived or stayed over the years, it’s magical!
During Christmas it’s the most extravagantly decorated hotel in Paris and in summer the property is so beautiful and peaceful to have lunch or just go to the outdoor area behind the lobby and sit to listen to nature. If you do have lunch at Bar Vendome - have the veggie burger and French fries! Or have tea time in their tea room.
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris Hotel
This hotel is STUNNING! The flowers and decor are always over the top in the lobby and restaurants. I’ve had dinner a few times at both and they are 10/10!
The Peninsula Hotel
This hotel is elegant and modern with classic charm. Our room was spacious with a very large walk in closet and a bathroom that had his and her sides to it. We also had a seating area. (I apologize for my room photos being not so clear, I forgot to take photos and I only took a video so I had to screen shot the video)
The hotel has a rooftop that in warm weather it’s nice to sit outside and overlook the Effiel tower.
Maison Villeroy
This hotel is perfection! It’s a mansion with 11 rooms that are modern and STUNNING! The detail in all things between the decor, service and ambience. It is also the perfect location. A true hidden gem. I will say, it also holds a special place in my heart because my love proposed to me at this hotel and surprised me by flying my family in to witness the moment! The hotel was so kind in arranging the engagement for him to propose to me.
JK Place Hotel
This hotel is a smaller boutique vibe, but they are attentive and it’s very clean. The room was spacious and had a small walk in closet.
DAY TRIP
Versailles - 40 mins drive from central Paris (**Something special most people don’t know. YOU CAN STAY AT VERSAILLES and be treated like Royalty! Yes, it’s true! I did it. You stay in a wing at the end of the palace that was once the Controllers Estate, that is now transformed into a boutique hotel called Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle and you feel like you transported back in time. They called me “My Lady”, they are dressed in attire from a different time period. I had teatime, a royal feast for dinner, a Royal wake up call in the morning and the list of Royal treatment goes on….)
The best part about staying at Versailles is you get private tours of the King and Queens Chambers after hours and access to the garden. I stayed in winter so the garden wasn’t green and vibrant, but I went back and stayed in summer and it was alive. If you take a day trip, you need 2-5 hours depending how much you want to see since the Palace is very large and the grounds are even larger! There are smaller Estates on the property that are worth visiting.)
When stayed in summer, I went outside the to the garden before the palace opened to the public and it’s was surreal. I looked out at all the gardens and fountains and thought “woah, imagine being king or queen back in time and this is your home. You built this. You can walk this any time day or night. You can hear the silence of the morning with only a few birds flying by and the fountains flowing around the property.”
(If you cannot afford to stay there or just prefer to visit during the day, Versailles Palace is a must see and a guided tour is recommended since the history is fascinating! Versailles has a charming village to walk after you tour the Palace.)
Monet Garden in Giverny - 1 hour drive from central Paris (Monet lived here and most of the inspiration for his paintings came directly from his garden.)
Walking distance Musée des impressionnismes Giverny
Champagne Region - 1 1/2 hours drive from central Paris (There are a few different wineries depending on your taste in wine.)
RANDOM PHOTOS ON MY ADVENTURE!
Itinerary Example for Winter if you choose to stay part of the trip at Versailles
December 20th - Depart Miami International Airport at 5:40pm
December 21st -Arrive in Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport) at 9:30am
The chauffeur will transport you to your hotel, it’s approximately a 30-40 mins drive from airport.
J.K. Place Paris (Prestige Room)
12:00pm lunch at L’Avenue on Avenue Montaigne
(10 mins drive or 20 mins walk from hotel)
After lunch, explore that area since it has some of the best designer shops and 2 blocks away from the famous Champs- Elysees
(*Provided on a separate page is all the districts in Paris worth exploring)
December 22nd - Airelles Chateau de Versailles
2:00pm the chauffeur will transport you to Versailles, it’s approximately a 30-40 mins drive from Paris.
*All experiences and tours are optional, but included
3:00pm Check in
3:30pm Royal Tea Time with traditional small plates and pastries
5:45pm Exclusive private guided tour at Versailles Palace of King’s Chambers (90 minutes duration)
8:00pm Royal Feast dinner
December 23rd
7:30-9:30am Royal Breakfast is available for in room dining or restaurant
9:40am Private guided tour of the Petit Trianon (90 mins duration)
*Explore the Queens Hamlet and Gardens at your leisure (golf carts upon request)
*book a facial or massage
3:30pm Royal Tea Time with traditional small plates and pastries
5:45pm Exclusive private guided tour at Versailles Palace of Queen’s Chambers (90 minutes duration)
7:30pm Special Christmas event - Parcours du Roi
8:30pm Royal Feast dinner or in room dining experience
December 24th
7:30-9:30am Royal Breakfast is available for in room dining or restaurant
9:40am Private guided tour of the Grand Trianon (90 mins duration)
*Explore the charming city of Versailles. 5-20 mins walking distance to shops from hotel
12pm Check out of Versailles and transportation will take you back to Paris and check into The Peninsula Hotel
*relax or explore a district you find appealing on the separate guide
December 25th
11:00am The Ritz Carlton Brunch (A spectacular Christmas brunch with jazz music)
*Walk the Latin Quarters where you will find Notre Dame and Saints Chapel
*Treatment at hotel such as; facial or massage
7:00pm Eiffel Tower tour to the top (it’s best to experience at night and see the lights)
December 26th
10:00am Tour the Arc de Triomphe rooftop for a spectacular view of Paris
11:00am Take a taxi (20-30 mins drive) to Montmartre and visit The Basilica of Sacred Heart Cathedral and explore the shops and cafes
4pm Take a taxi to the Louvre and if you’re interested in art, tour inside or just admire the beautiful structure from outside and walk that area which has gardens surrounding it and walk along the Seine
December 27th
10:30am Tour the Palais Garnier Opera (*if you like theatre, we can book a performance one of the nights. I recommend “Carmen”)
*walk 10-15 mins and explore the amazing shops by using google maps to locate The Ritz Carlton Hotel and walk that area
*If you like classes, take a private cooking or pastry course
December 28th
Departure to airport
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