Paris, France Travel Guide
“You stumble and you soar. And if you’re lucky, you make it to Paris for a while.”
Amy Howard
There is beauty in walking without direction, amid the crowds, yet so very separate and in your own gentle motion. To feel part of something - that of a ballet of explorers in a beautiful land - occasionally a more exotic dance.
Paris reveals its gifts most to those who embrace the present.
In the City of Light, wandering is a rite of passage.
So slow down as you pass the Eiffel Tower, as you gaze as its dazzling shimmer in the moonlight. Take a deep breathe as you see the Notre Dame and embrace its history. Saunter through Saint Germain, peering into shop windows without glancing at your phone. Breathe in the French air as you pass by cafe terraces, and you hear snippets of stories of human beings catching up with old friends.
Allow Paris to illuminate your sense of self.
I believe there’s a right and a wrong way to experience Paris, which is why it sometimes gets a bad rap.
I’ve personally seen the grit of Paris. I’ve walked the streets at night in a bad neighborhood. But trust me, there is boundless magic here - You just have to find it.
Paris, the city of love, chalk-full of esteemed palaces, monumental squares, centuries-old churches, famous boulevards, romantic bridges, magnificent palaces, and Montmartre's cobblestone streets make it oh so glamorous.
Some ideas to make your trip to Paris especially unique:
Side car tour
Paris underground street art tour
Notre Dame
See the catacombs
Cooking class
Opera Garnier
Moulin Rouge Dinner and Show
Bike ride and picnic in Versailles Palace and Gardens
Lunch at Madame Brasserie (Eiffel Tower) or dinner at Jules Verne
Macaron Making With An Expert Chef
An engaging baking lesson with a private chef at a Parisian culinary school
A painting workshop with an experienced art teacher where you will create an Impressionist reproduction of Monet's Water Lilies as a family
The Musee d’Orsay
The Centre de Pompidou
Seine River Cruise onboard a Bateau Mouche with Bateaux Parisiens
The Rodin Gardens
The Latin Quarter
The Sacre Cour + Montmartre
The Sorbonne
The Jardins de Tuileries and Luxembourg
Notre Dame, Medieval Paris and an Impressionist Workshop
Louvre Mystery Hunt – with your Italian Renaissance and Ancient Egypt guide, you’ll be given an artistic introduction and then you will have to solve the different riddles. With the answers in hand, the crypt will open!
In the Footsteps of Emily Tour: Explore the Luxembourg Gardens, Pont des Arts, Tuileries Gardens, Palais Royal and finally Place de Valois while playing a fun card game teaching you all you need to know about Paris. You'll be stopping to take polaroids to keep as a memory of your trip and ending at the Palais Royal for your final photo, all sporting with your new berets. Talk about a unique bonding experience!
Pétanque game with wine & cheese: Spend a delightful afternoon learning one of France's favorite activities: pétanque! Learn the history and the rules of this beloved game of boules from your local guide and practice your throwing skills in a friendly game! Enjoy a glass of French wine and a selection of French cheeses during the game while taking in the beautiful surroundings. A true Parisian experience.
Day trip options:
► Monet's House & Gardens in Giverny from Paris. "It is in Giverny that you should see Monet in order to know him"! Enjoy a 5 hour tour from Paris to Giverny for a delightful visit of his colorful and flowery gardens as well as his house! A visit that will take you back in time and reveal his other passions from painting!
► Champagne Tour & Tastings from Paris, full day
Visit the cellars of one of the big Champagne houses such as Moet&Chandon, Mumm, Lanson, Mercier | Subject to availabilities
Stop in the vineyard for a Champagne tasting led by your wine expert guide
Enjoy breathtaking views over the vineyards and the picturesque villages of the region
Savour a gourmet French lunch perfectly paired with Champagne
Taste more than 8 different Champagnes during the day
Get picked-up at your hotel and dropped-off in central Paris (Hôtel de Ville)
Visit of a big Champagne house with 1 tasting
"Tasting in the wild" led by your wine expert guide in the vines (from March to November)
Gourmet French lunch paired with champagnes at a family-run winery or a traditional restaurant
Visit of a Champagne cooperative + 3 tastings
► Loire Valley
► Fontainebleau
Have more time after Paris?
As a luxury travel advisor, I’m here to design every ounce of your trip, and outline the best itinerary for what you love.
Perhaps you want to explore the South of France, or experience Monet Garden, Mont St Michel, and/or the Norman Castles, see the Lavender Fields of Provence, or even take the train to Amsterdam or London.
Let’s design your trip so that your investment is allocated in the best possible way.
Where to Stay in Paris
Cour des Vosges, Evok Collection
This lovely hotel has a vibe that feels much more like a cozy guesthouse – you’ll find 12 butler-serviced rooms, a Tea Room with light gourmet, and a patisserie serving Parisan pastries. Cour des Vosges Paris is a hush-hush hideaway for those seeking gastronomy, history, or just a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Glowing in authentic Parisien ambience, this is exactly what you dream a French hotel to look like. From sitting in the living room by the fireplace with complimentary drinks, you feel as though you are in a private residence. The location is pristine – in the chic Saint Germain des Pres on the Left Bank.
Set just steps from the Arc de Triomphe in the city’s elegant 16th arrondissement, The Peninsula Paris is within walking distance of some of the world’s most famous monuments, museums, and luxury shopping districts. The Peninsula Paris is a coveted location for memorable stays in the French capital. Ideally situated along Avenue Kleber with views of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, this hotel occupies a superbly restored 19th-century Haussmanian building that embodies Parisian elegance. In addition to the hotel’s six distinctive restaurants and lounges, an 1,800 square meter tranquil oasis awaits travelers at The Peninsula Spa.
With its pastel-hued rooms and suites, antique fireplaces, and wrought-iron balconies, Grand Powers is the epitome of Parisian chic. Enjoy healthy, seasonal cuisine at Café 52 (including plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options), holistic treatments and beauty rituals in the Thala Spa, and thanks to its prime location in the city’s famous Golden Triangle, a short walk to the Champs-Elysées and Avenue Montaigne, home to high-end boutiques like Prada, Armani, and Louis Vuitton.
The new Parisian hotel of the Maisons Pariente group, is located just a stone's throw from the Hôtel de Ville, at the corner of rue de la Verrerie and rue des Archives. Martin Brudnizki, the famous Swedish interior designer, is the artistic director and has given expression to his modern vision of Parisian luxury by mixing styles and periods.
The Grand Mazarin is the destination of choice for a unique Parisian experience: a restaurant, two bars, one of the few swimming pools in the Marais, excellent service and 50 rooms and 11 suites that revisit French classicism with a breath of refined modernity. In this mythical old Paris, strolling through the streets is an endless promise of charming surprises and unusual discoveries. Everything is in place to make the Grand Mazarin a must-see destination.
This 17th century mansion offers timeless glamour with period furniture and Classic French dishes such as ratatouille and the chef’s signature chocolate soufflé fill the tables at Anne (named after the country’s former queen). And in the spa, you’ll find a relaxing, Zen-like space featuring treatment rooms, a jacuzzi, and a hammam.
With its Art Nouveau façade and idyllic location in the heart of the city, Kimpton St. Honore is an urban sanctuary that’s dedicated to classic Parisian luxury. Stay in one of the 175 apartment-style rooms and suites boasting balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and curated art. Savor California cuisine with a French twist at Montecito Restaurant (try the langoustine tostadas). And indulge in craft cocktails and 360-degree views at the elegant Sequoia Rooftop Bar.
Facing the Palais Royal Garden entrance, the Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal is the only property with this unique location. In a refined and chic style, the 59 rooms and suites offer a warm and serene atmosphere with beautiful views of the city and from their balconies.
Just steps from the iconic Louvre, this is the only hotel with guest rooms offering a peek into the Palais-Royal gardens. From an exotic pine tree in the lobby, to a beautiful outdoor terrace, to newspapers and art books inviting you to soak up the romance of Paris.
Renovations from October 2022 to April 2023 will make the new one-bedroom suites even more perfect for family trips and special occasions to celebrate in the city of love. Guests can enjoy a seasonal and colorful cuisine at the Café 52 and a moment of relaxation in the Holidermie spa.
The Grand Hotel du Palais Royal is a haven of peace just a few steps from the Louvre Museum and the Parisian effervescence! There’s even an EIffel Tower view room!
Inspired by my partnership with Virtuoso
When you book any of these preferred hotels with a luxury travel advisor, you receive the following amenities, that you can’t get booking yourself:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
And more, depending on my relationship with the hotel
Tips
The closer you get to the main sites such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triumph, the more expensive the cafes will be.
Download the app "City Mapper" before you go for the best Paris public transport maps and helpful info!
Do you want to say oui oui to experiencing Paris?
Let’s take these ideas, and make the trip custom to YOU. When working with a luxury travel advisor, your investment is better allocated toward quality recommendations that fit your travel style.
Sit back, relax, and let’s elevate the way you travel.
“London is a riddle. Paris is an explanation.”
G.K. Chesterton
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