There is definitely no city in the world I love more than Paris. Growing up, it was always my dream to move there and spend my time strolling the bustling streets, speaking French with strangers, sipping coffee at a bijoux-cafe and wine on the Seine. In 2010, I got an internship in the City of Lights, and after a two week stint at the Cannes Film Festival, I made my way up north to Paris, where I spent the next three months adventuring (and blogging every day). I was fortunate enough to have one of my best friends, Andrew, also working there – by complete chance. We made a pact to adventure every single night – never to waste a moment in the most exciting city in the world. I honestly did not want to leave, so in 2010, after I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, I went back with my family. Again, in 2012, Sasha and I made our way to Paris, at the end of our vacation to Turkey and Greece. I genuinely think that being a tour guide in that city, which was once my home, is my favorite thing in the world. If you haven’t gone, you must. And when you go, I suggest you try some of my favorite things to do.
Food
Best Falafel: L’As du Fallafel (Le Marais)
Best Mediterranean: Chez Marianne (Le Marais) and Beytouti (Hôtel-de-Ville)
Best Romantic Dinner: Le Cafe de l’Homme (Trocadéro)
Best Casual Dinner: Le Pause Cafe (Bastille)
Best Lunch Cafe: Cafe Le Buci (Saint–Germain–des–Prés) and Le Restaurant (Luxembourg)
Best Dinner with Views: Restaurant Georges (Hôtel-de-Ville)
Best Dinner for People Watching: Le Bonaparte (Saint–Germain–des–Prés)
Best Frozen Yogurt: MyBerry (Le Marais)
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Drinks
Best Coffee + People Watching: Les Deux Magots
Best Peaceful Coffee: Telescope Cafe
Best Smoothies: Le Paradis du Fruit
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Sightseeing
Best Neighborhood to Get Lost In: Le Marais
Best Walking Tours: Paris Walks
Best Boat Tours: Bateaux Mouches
Most Extravagent Gardens: Le Palace de Versaille
Best Peaceful Park: Les Jardins de Luxembourg
Best Views of the City: Sacre Coeur
Most Iconic: Eiffel Tower (obviously)
Most Gorgeous “Square”: Les Places des Vosges
Best Way to Get Around Town: Velib
Best Church: Eglise Saint Germain des Pres
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Museums
Best Indoor Museum: L’Orangerie
Best (Mainly) Outdoor Museum: Rodin Museum
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Shopping
Best Boutiques: Le Comptoir de Cotonniers and Kookai
Best Department Shopping: BHV
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Accomodation
Best Hotel: Hotel Bel-Ami
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Nightlife
Best People Watching Bar: Le Petit Fer du Cheval
Favorite Night Activity: Drinking Wine on the Seine
Other Favorite Night Activity: Sitting on the Champs de Mars, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle
Favorite Bridge To Sit on at Night: Pont des Arts
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Some of my favorite pictures below from 2009, 2010 and 2012… time for another trip soon, especially as I’m reading The Paris Wife and am so nostalgic!
L’Arc de Triomphe, 2009
Le Petit Fer au Cheval (favorite bar!), 2009
Sacre-Coeur, 2009
Versailles Gardens, 2009
Le Louvre, 2009
Cars Rouges, 2009
Chez Francis, 2009
Le Jardin de Luxembourg, 2009
Paris Plages, 2009
Notre-Dame, 2009
Le Creperie Suzette (love this wine bar), 2010
Eiffel Tower, 2010
La Duree, 2010
Le Paradis du Fruit, 2010
Montmartre, 2010
Hotel Bel-Ami, 2010
L’As du Fallafel, 2012
Notre-Dame, 2012
Le Louvre, 2012
Arc de Triomphe, 2012
Eiffel Tower, 2012
PS What a difference a camera makes! Glad I finally got my DSLR.
PPS Illustrated map of Paris via Rifle Paper Co (love it)
