General Information
In Paris, a friendly “Bonjour” goes a long way. A few French words that are helpful to know: Bonjour (hello), Bonsoir (good evening), Merci beaucoup (thank you very much), and Au revoir (goodbye) — honestly, these were the only words we used, and they were enough!
I had heard a lot about French service being more reserved, but in our experience, everyone we met was friendly and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better.
Parisians love to sit in cafés and people-watch, so take your time and enjoy the experience rather than rushing. When visiting museums, don’t try to see every corner—pick the highlights or you’ll spend the whole day inside.
Be mindful of pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like public transport, tourist sites, and busy streets.
We loved our visit to Paris—it’s such a romantic city, and you’ll catch glimmers of love everywhere. Parisians really know how to relax and enjoy life, and you can see it in the cafés, the Luxembourg Gardens, and along the Seine River.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and early autumn is considered the best time to visit Paris. We visited in March, which is considered off-season, but it turned out to be the perfect time. The city was still lively without feeling overcrowded, we could get into some places without reservations, and we were lucky to have great weather throughout.
Local Food
If it’s your first time in Paris, there are a few classic French foods and drinks that are worth trying at least once.
- Croissant – A flaky, buttery pastry best enjoyed fresh from a local boulangerie.
- Pain au Chocolat – Croissant dough filled with melted chocolate.
- Baguette – Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside; a daily staple in France.
- Steak Frites – Steak served with crispy fries, a classic Paris bistro dish.
- Escargot – Snails cooked with garlic butter and herbs.
- Boeuf Bourguignon – Slow-cooked beef stew in red wine with onions, carrots, and herbs.
- Croque Monsieur – Toasted ham and cheese sandwich topped with béchamel sauce.
- French Onion Soup – Rich onion soup topped with bread and melted cheese.
- Duck Confit – Slow-cooked duck leg with crispy skin.
- Foie Gras – Duck or goose liver delicacy, often served with bread or brioche.
- Quiche Lorraine – Savory tart with eggs, cream, and bacon.
- Macarons – Delicate almond cookies with flavored fillings.
- Éclair – Choux pastry filled with cream and topped with icing.
- Crème Brûlée – Creamy custard topped with caramelized sugar.
- Crêpes – Thin pancakes served sweet or savory.
- Profiterole – Choux pastry filled with ice cream or cream, topped with warm chocolate sauce.
- Mont Blanc – Chestnut cream dessert popular in Paris.
Local Drinks
- Champagne – Sparkling wine from the Champagne region, perfect for celebrations.
- French Wine – Try varieties from regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, or the Loire Valley.
- Café au Lait – Classic French coffee with hot milk.
- Hot Chocolate – Thick and rich hot chocolate often served in Parisian cafés.
Paris Eateries Guide
Paris has so many different types of eateries, and it can get confusing at first. Here’s a quick guide to help you know what to expect:
Bistro – A small, casual restaurant serving classic French home-style dishes. Cozy, intimate, and perfect for a relaxed lunch or dinner.
Bouillon – Budget-friendly, traditional French restaurants that serve classic dishes in a large, lively setting. Great for affordable meals without compromising on authenticity.
Brasserie – Larger than a bistro and open all day, serving a wide menu from breakfast to late-night meals. Slightly more formal but still relaxed — think seafood platters, steak frites, and wine.
Café – More about the vibe than the food. Perfect for coffee, people-watching, light meals, or a glass of wine.
Boulangerie – Your go-to for fresh bread, croissants, and quick bites. Ideal for breakfast or a grab-and-go snack.
Pâtisserie – Specializes in delicate pastries and desserts like éclairs, macarons, and tarts. More refined than a boulangerie.
Transportation
Paris is a pretty big city, and has good public transportation. Get the Navigo pass daily, you can get it straight from your apple wallet and it works everywhere – buses, metro and even in the funicular up in Montmarte.
If you need to book a cab, download the Bolt app, we found it to be cheaper than Uber and FreeNow.
Stay
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (districts), numbered starting from the city center and spiraling outward in a clockwise direction. Each area has its own vibe, so where you stay can shape your experience of the city.
We decided to stay in the 7th arrondissement, which is close to the Eiffel Tower. Since this was our anniversary trip and our first time visiting Paris together, we liked the idea of being within walking distance of such an iconic and romantic landmark. We also found a comparatively good rate for a nice hotel in this area (always call and ask for any additional corporate discounts).
Another area that seemed like a great place to stay is Saint-Germain-des-Prés, since it’s very central to many of the main things you’d want to see and do in Paris.
Hôtel Le Tourville – This is where we stayed. Keep in mind that they do add additional city tax per day on top.
Restaurants
Les Cocottes – Our first meal in Paris, and what an unforgettable start! We tried the escargots, which were already removed from the shell—perfect for easing into this classic dish. Honestly, this was my favorite escargot of the trip. We also loved the squid ink ravioli.
Pierre Hermé Macarons – I’ve never had macarons so pillowy and delicate. This stop gave me a whole new appreciation for these iconic French treats.
Bel Canto – An amazing dinner and opera experience rolled into one. It was a set menu with choices for each course, and everything we tried was delicious. The opera performances in between made it a truly unforgettable evening.
L’Atelier Roulière – We came here specifically for the steak frites, and the peppery sauce was incredible. We also tried escargots served in the shell. As a special touch, all the women at the table were given wine to celebrate Women’s Day—a lovely gesture.
Les Antiquaires – This place is always busy, so make sure to book in advance. We tried their famous beef bourguignon—the tender, melt-in-your-mouth pieces were perfection. We also loved the profiteroles here, which were the perfect sweet ending to the meal.
Kozy Bosquet – There might be a bit of a wait, but it’s absolutely worth it. The coffee, croissants—everything was great, but my favorite was the Halloumi Benedict.
Reservations
- Seine River Sunset Cruise – Reserve early before it sells out to avoid waiting in long lines.
- Bel Canto – Opera-themed dinner.
- Louvre Museum – Pre-book tickets to skip long lines and make the most of your visit.
- Les Antiquaires – This bistro is always busy; reservations are a must, especially for dinner.
- L’Atelier Roulière – Popular for steak frites and escargots; reserve if possible, but might be able to walk in.
Highlights
- Seine River Sunset Cruise – We booked the sunset cruise to enjoy the Eiffel Tower both in daylight and at night, and to see its first sparkle of the evening. Watching that first sparkle was incredibly romantic and quickly became a highlight of the trip. Parisians really know how to make everything feel magical — along the Seine, we saw people relaxing, dancing, and enjoying the evening. At one point, our cruise guide asked everyone to make a wish, close our eyes, and kiss their loved one before passing under a bridge. All those small moments have become one of our core memories from Paris.
- Bel Canto Opera Dinner – My sister had recommended this, and it turned out to be the most romantic dinner we could have imagined. The staff are professional opera singers who perform between courses. Even without understanding French, the emotion was palpable. The set menu was delicious, and for our anniversary, they brought our desserts with candles accompanied by a special opera song—everyone joined in, creating a joyful and intimate atmosphere. Adding to the magic, an older couple sitting next to us shared that they were celebrating their 40th anniversary later that year, and we dreamed about coming here again for special anniversaries. The finale was unforgettable: the singers invited us to join the chorus, circulated some champage, and went around toasting with all of us – Salut! Playful, emotional, and enchanting, it was the perfect Parisian experience—something about French opera, the ambiance, and everyone’s energy made it a highlight we’ll never forget.
- Arc de Triomphe – We didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as we did. Learning about the history made it even more meaningful, and the views from the top are incredible. There are quite a few steps to climb, but honestly, all the walking in Paris just means you can enjoy more food guilt-free. We didn’t book tickets in advance and were able to get them on the spot.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Arrival + Macarons + Eiffel Tower + Seine Cruise + Opera Dinner)
- Land at BVA → Shuttle to Paris
- Arrive near hotel → Drop bags
- Lunch at Les Cocottes → Escargot + squid ink ravioli
- Pierre Hermé → Macarons (Ispahan, Mogador, Infiniment Caramel)
- Coffee at a café → Sit and people-watch
- Hotel check-in & refresh → Hôtel Le Tourville
- Eiffel Tower stroll → Champ de Mars → Trocadéro → Optional: Pont Alexandre III
- Seine sunset cruise from Pont Neuf → Sit on top deck, watch first Eiffel Tower sparkle
- Dinner reservation → Bel Canto (opera-themed dinner)
- Optional → 38Riv Jazz Club
- Late night → Walk along the Seine back to hotel
Day 2 (Louvre + Notre-Dame + Luxembourg Gardens + Saint-Germain Shopping + Dinner)
- Bakery + coffee → Croissant + coffee near Louvre or Angelina (famous hot chocolate + Mont Blanc)
- Louvre (2–3 hrs, pre-booked)
- Notre-Dame stroll → Walk exterior + explore (free entry inside, can pre-book to skip lines)
- Lunch → L’Atelier Roulière (steak frites, escargots in shell) or Le Soufflé (closed on Sundays)
- Crêpes stop → Breizh Café
- Optional → Shakespeare & Co.
- Luxembourg Gardens → Relax, golden hour photos
- La Grande Épicerie → Bordier butter stop (which I had heard so much about, its good but we found it to be expensive)
- Shopping walk → Sèvres–Babylone → Le Bon Marché → Rue du Bac → Rue Bonaparte → Rue du Four (Polène, Sézane, City Pharmacy etc)
- Dinner → Les Antiquaires (famous beef bourguignon, profiteroles)
Day 3 (Arc de Triomphe + Montmartre + Sacré-Cœur + Crepes/Dinner)
- Brunch → Kozy Bosquet (halloumi benedict)
- Arc de Triomphe climb → Tickets on the spot
- Champs-Élysées stroll → Shopping
- Drinks → Flora Danica (people watching)
- Coffee & dessert → L’Occitane
- Metro to Montmartre (~25 mins)
- Montmartre exploration → Sacré-Cœur (funicular free with Navigo) → Sinking House → Place du Tertre → La Maison Rose (Emily in Paris) → Rue Lepic → Rue des Abbesses → Café des Deux Moulins (Amelie movie)
- Happy hour → Le Vrai (drinks + snacks)
- Optional → Moulin Rouge stroll
- Dinner → Bistrot De La Tour Eiffel (for Eiffel Tower views – tourist trap restaurant, go only for the views)
- Optional dinner → Bouillon Pigalle in Montmarte (make reservation if going)
- Night → Eiffel Tower base (no line at night) → Head to Champ de Mars for final sparkle (less crowded than the front)
Bonus
You’ll find beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower all across Paris, but most people tend to crowd in the front section. The Champ de Mars offers equally stunning views with far fewer crowds—and without people constantly approaching you for photos—making it a much more relaxed and enjoyable spot.
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