A Mini Guide to Paris: Wrap Up

2 Days in Paris

After many trips to Paris and time living there as a student, I feel as if I have a great pulse on the City of Lights. Here’s a little summary of the best spots to visit, eat and explore in France’s chic capital! 

Hope this is helpful for anyone thinking of a potential trip to Paris!

BEFORE YOU GO

Save yourself a headache and pick up the Paris Pass before your trip. It gets you into 60 of the most famous Paris museums and attractions for free, including the Louvre and Notre Dame and you get to skip the lines (which can get wrap around crazy!) at the Musee d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou.

Also I always like picking up an ebook copy of Lonely Planet Paris so that I can have an offline map and never get lost. We did London + Paris together, which is a pretty popular option. The train was super crowded and there’s not much room for luggage.

If you’re thinking of also adding London to a trip to Paris, do yourself a favor and buy your rail tickets in advance. They get more and more expensive closer to the date and sell out in peak season!

WHERE TO STAY? You can’t go wrong with a stay at the elegant and timeless Prince de Galles hotel, steps away from the Champs-Elysées and Arc de Triomphe monument. For photos of the hotel and my review, read more here.

Recommended Neighborhoods

Best Hotels in Paris:

1 | Hotel Monge – A well decorated hotel in the Latin Quarter within walking distance to many local attractions (Pantheon, Jardin de Luxemberg, etc) and conveniently located near 2 subway stops.

Compare room rates: Booking.com | Hotels.com | Read TripAdvisor reviews

2 | Hotel Scarlett – Stay at this gorgeous boutique if you’re a repeat visitor to Paris and want to be removed from the tourist jungle. Great location, fabulous breakfast and cozy rooms.

Compare room rates: Booking.com | Hotels.com | Read TripAdvisor reviews

3 | Hotel Square Louvois – This hotel has a serene indoor pool (rare for Paris!) and is relatively new, ~9 months old. Rooms are comfortable with bathrobes, coffee makers and mini bars. Near the Louvre and great for museum lovers.

Compare room rates: Booking.com | Hotels.com | Read TripAdvisor reviews

4 | Hotel 123 Sebastopol – Colorful, punchy rooms within walking distance of Notre Dame and many must-see sights. Rooms are quite well sized for Paris and the metro stop is on the corner.

Compare room rates: Booking.com | Hotels.com | Read TripAdvisor reviews

WHAT TO EAT? Macarons from Pierre Hermé are some of the best in the world and available in the most unique flavor combinations including rose petal, passion fruit and earl grey! To try unique Parisien/Japanese fusion desserts, go to Sadaharu Aoki and for the thickest, richest hot chocolate of your life, settle down for a cup at Angelique.

WHERE TO EAT? One of the most amazing, authentic French meals I ever had was tucked away in the hilly cobblestone streets of Montmartre at Le Potager du Pere Thierry. Delicious french classics like foie gras and duck, potato and cheese gratin are served in a cozy and rustic restaurant, without the typical Parisian snobbery and best of all – it’s wallet friendly!

When I was a student, I stayed in the Latin Quarter (kind of like the student district) and there is a wonderful maze of back alley streets with everything from affordable sit down restaurants to street stands selling gelato, pasta and halal.

WHAT TO WEAR? Here’s my ultimate packing guide for visiting Paris in spring, summer and fall.

NOT TO MISS? A climb up to the towers at Notre Dame Cathedral for a close up with the gargoyles and chimera and an aerial view of Paris. Not to mention, the 387 steps make for a great workout.

MUST SEE? Hmm.. hard to pick one, so I’ll go with my three most favorite museums. The spooky crypt and upper level viewing deck from the Pantheon, the charming mansion of Musee Jacquemart-Andre, and the sculpture filled gardens at Musee Rodin.

Interested in seeing more of Paris?

Check out these sights:

• stained glass windows at Eglise Sainte Chapelle 
• art at the Louvre, Orangerie and Orsay galleries
• picnic at the Tuileries gardens
• take a nighttime stroll by the Arc de Triomphe 
• charming mansion of Jacquemart Andre
• the Thinker sculpture at the Rodin Museum 
• the Pantheon crypt, housing Voltaire, Marie Curie and Zola
• gargoyles at Notre Dame
• picnic at the Eiffel Tower

Paris Vacation Planning Articles

3 Days in Paris: A Travel Guide & Itinerary

Where to Stay in Paris

The Best Airbnbs in Paris

Luxurious Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views

Cozy Airbnbs with a View of the Eiffel Tower

Popular Paris Sights 

Musee d’Orsay & The D’Orsay Clock

Notre Dame & its Rooftop Gargoyles

Arc de Triomphe

Eglise Sainte Chapele

The Louvre

Paris Off the Beaten Path

Musee Jacquemart Andre and The Paris Pantheon

Rodin Museum

Where to Eat in Paris

Delicious Desserts in Paris

Lunch at Paul & a Romantic Dinner at Potager du Pere Thierry

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