Paris; it’s self-explanatory. However, a little-known fact is that Paris was named after the Parisii tribe dating back to the Roman period of the mid-third century BC.

Arriving

We arrived by train from Cologne Germany, at Gare de Lyon. Albeit one of the busiest stations in the city, the access to taxis is highly organised and will get you from A to B, unless you’re eager to hit the Métro.

For those arriving by air, Charles de Gaulle is around 37 minutes by car or can be 30 minutes to an hour by train, depending on the terminal you arrive in.

Things to Do

Presuming that all the main events are on your list (i.e Louvre, Musee d’Orsay), I will skip to the more refined spots. Hot tip: if you’re travelling in August, be mindful that many restaurants and places will be closed due to the summer break.

If you have a spare day up your sleeve and looking for a short trip out of the city, a visit to Monet’s Garden is a special one. From Saint Lazare Station, travel 1 hour and 20 minutes to Vernon by train before hopping on the Monet-themed bus that takes you to the small village of Giverny. Monet’s Garden is the site where his impressionist art was inspired, among the lily and flower gardens scattered across his property. Highly recommend pre-booking tickets for the Gardens, as the line to purchase was astronomical!

To learn about the hidden Parisian secrets, a small walking tour is essential. I opted for the Private Walking Tour Le Marais for a duration of 3 hours (trust me, it went quickly) that stopped by all of the must-do eateries, smaller galleries/exhibitions to visit, key shopping hubs, and the history unearthed around the area. Other tours may include Champagne tastings, personal shopping guides, or stories from the liberation of Paris during World War Two.

Rather travelling around via the underground, the Bato Bus is THE best way to see the city and travel from icon to icon. The boat travels along the Seine River, stopping at nine main attractions in the city from The Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame Cathedral, giving you the option to hop on and off as you please.

For fashion fiends, a visit to La Galerie Dior inside the flagship store DIOR Paris 30 Montaigne is a non-negotiable to view the luxury label’s museum of designs. Uncover the work of Christian Dior and his rise to producing Haute Couture.

Find the Versailles alternative, Chateau de Chantilly, just under an hour by train from Paris. It is the perfect option to beat the crowds while immersing yourself in Parisian opulence. Find an incredibly large array of antique paintings, the immaculate Château suites from the 18th century, and 115 hectares of gardens.

The most aesthetically-pleasing shopping experience can be found at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, known for its incredible glass dome roof and over 3500 brands to peruse. Admittedly, the designer brands are also slightly cheaper when shopping in Paris, if that is any incentive. Alternatively, Le Bon Marché is another incredible department store, founded in 1838. For trendy shopping along the cobblestone streets, the Marais district is an essential visit.

This should be enough to get you started.

Dining

There are roughly 38, 000 restaurants in Paris, and 118 are Michelin starred; travellers are spoilt for choice. But here are a few to ignite the taste buds:

Le Train Bleu - this is quintessential Paris. Hidden above the station Gare de Lyon, you’ll find the immaculate interior of Le Train Bleu, a historically recognised restaurant/bar. The interior boasts paintings, chandeliers, gilt, floors, panelling, and leather banquettes reminiscent of old-world Paris. A special occasion restaurant that offers traditional French cuisine from grilled turbot with herb Beurre blanc sauce to “à la royale” hare, presented at your seating. A glass of the Brut cuvée spéciale Bollinger is highly recommended.

Le Gourmet at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann - a serious must, even for a snack or to peruse the incredible food designs. Grab a seat at one of the many sweet or savoury counters, or purchase the most amazing caviar, truffles, cheeses, and everything in between. You’ll be left with decision fatigue once you find the macarons.

Le Mary Celeste - a great spot in La Marais for a crafty cocktail and small plates to share. Grab a seat on the footpath on a balmy evening, and indulge in zucchini, nori vinaigrette, and celery puree with smoked ricotta salad. Santé!

Les Bougresses - a quaint spot for a home-style French meal to dream about for weeks to come. The restaurant doesn’t have a website (maintaining its hidden gem status), but you’ll find this cosy eatery at 6 Rue de Jarente. Think salmon Gravlax with citron cream, or ravioli with truffle oil.
L’As du Fallafel - the BEST Middle Eastern food found in Paris (located in the Jewish Quarter of La Marais); expect to queue for a feed if you’re feeling a falafel.
Kong - for one of the best views overlooking Paris. The restaurant is an entire glass dome, perched atop the buildings that line Rue du Pont Neuf. Futuristic in design, the chic atmosphere is combined with a Tokyo-inspired menu from spaghetti "Udon" with lobster to roasted duck breast with Sichuan berries.
Glace Bachir - end on an incredibly popular sweet note and be prepared to line up for the famous Lebanese pistachio ice cream.
CoCo Paris - from the Instagrammable side of the fence, CoCo Paris is one that goes beyond the content. Set in the gardens of Opéra Garnier, enjoy brunch or a few cocktails with dinner on the terrace in a classy oasis nestled amongst the city.

Bars

Let’s chop it down to a few key ones.

Le Perchoir Marais - this is the vibe you need. Found atop the BHV Marais department store, enter via the back entrance and you’ll find a swanky line of individuals waiting to jump into the elevator. Once you reach the top, expect panoramic views over Paris with a DJ set and a large drink list. Try to arrive early, as seats are highly sought after!

Sequoia Rooftop Bar - the rooftop bar of the Kimpton St Honoré Hotel has the most idyllic view of the Eiffel Tower, and comes alive at sunset. Indulge in some tacos at this cosy bar among the stylish. Not too loud, and bookings can be made via the website to avoid any heartbreak.

Carnavalet Museum - hear me out, the gardens of the oldest museum in the City of Paris come alive in the summertime. Perfect for a pre-dinner tipple, or to take in the summer buzz.

Where to Stay

She’s a large city, divided into twenty arrondissements. So to assist in narrowing down the options, pick a particular area that most interests your needs. Food and wine? 6th arrondissement around Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Champs Élysées or Arc de Triomphe? 8th arrondissement. Eiffel Tower? 7th arrondissement. And so on.

My recent stays:

Intercontinental Paris Le Grand - an illuminating slice of Parisian heaven in the 9th arrondissement. Within walking distance to Place Vendôme (hello, cocktail at The Ritz) and overlooking Palais Garnier opera house, the hotel opened in 1862 and remains a 5-star luxurious stay to this day. The rooms are immaculate with many offering an essential balcony, with exclusivity heightened in the Club Lounge that offers a little quiet time from the bustle. The breakfast boasts the highest quality cheeses and other various delicacies to set the daily tone, and don’t forget to swing by the immaculate bar for an Old Fashioned.
Hotel Dandy - experience more from Paris and alternate locations during your stay. Hotel Dandy is a boutique stay in the district of Châtelet-les Halles (1st arrondissement), just a short distance from the Louvre. In a bustling area of various shopping, exhibitions, bars, and restaurants, the hotel is a quiet escape from the surroundings of La Marais and is exquisitely chic in design.

Departing

From there, I took a train south to Avignon, or stay in Paris a little longer if you like.

PARIS