Paris, France

Nestled along the banks of the Seine River, Paris stands as a testament to elegance, romance, and timeless beauty. Known as the "City of Lights," this enchanting metropolis has captured the hearts of millions with its iconic landmarks, cultural richness, and a palpable atmosphere of joie de vivre. Like most, millennial women I adore Paris. I have been there a handful of times and often daydream about going back. Now, I’m not one of those girls who wants to live in Paris although I would love to spend a few months there someday but, I do make an effort to visit at least once a year.

Culinary Delights

Parisian cuisine is renowned worldwide for its sophistication and variety. From delectable pastries in local patisseries to fine dining experiences in Michelin-starred restaurants, Paris offers a culinary journey that caters to every palate. Sidewalk cafes and street markets also contribute to the city's diverse food culture. I will say my list of recommendations is extensive and goes far beyond what its listed here but, these are my favorites.

First let’s talk about pastries. No trip to Paris would be complete without at least one to five pastries a day. Here are some of my favorite patisseries: Poilane, Laurent Duchene, Stoher, Le Maison d’Isabelle, Des Gateaux et du Pain, and Maison Landemaine Cambronne.

Next up cafes. In my opinion cafes are fantastic for breakfast, coffee, or a light lunch. I will pop into any cute cafe when the moment presents itself but, I do really love Cafe de Flore and Les Deux Magots even though they are often considered tourist traps.

Since Paris has so many amazing restaurants I do really think you should do a sit down lunch and dinner. I will admit I usually avoid tasting menus so unless the menu accommodates for allergies I probably will skip over that restaurant. With that being said here are my favorite restaurants:

Cozy Accommodations

Paris boasts a diverse range of hotels catering to various preferences and budgets. Whether you're seeking luxury accommodations with a view of the Eiffel Tower, charming boutique hotels nestled in historic neighborhoods, or budget-friendly options that allow for a more economical stay, Paris has it all.

Besides obviously budget the main thing to consider is what neighborhood you want to say. I’ve personally stayed in a few different area and I will say it makes a world of difference the type of experience you have. My personal favorite is Saint Germain but, I also think the Marais, 2nd, 1st, 7th and 8th are all fantastic locations.

My hotel recommendations include: Grand Hotel du Palais Royal, Hotel Madame Reve, Le Burgundy, Les Bains Paris, Sinner Paris, Grand Powers, Hotel le Narcisse Blanc, Hotel Dame des Arts, Faubourg Saint Germain Pavillion, Hotel des Grands Boulevard, and The Hoxton Paris.

Pro tip: Paris is not a city you need to visit in the summer or even the spring while, its beautiful with the perfectly manicured gardens. It’s actually way too hot and crowded to enjoy the city. The hotels are usually double the cost and most hotels don’t have AC. I actually enjoy Paris the best in the winter as its more mild than most cities in the United States and its much better temperature to enjoy a casual stroll around the city.

For more recommendations and things to do please send me an email to purchase a customizable guide.