Paris 🇫🇷 – The Gomes Guide

By Shannon Gomes

Ah, Paris. The magnificent “City of Lights” that was one of the first European cities to adopt street lighting, but the nickname really gained traction during the Age of Enlightenment that followed. All of the cities I have traveled to in the world so far, Paris is hands-down the most beautiful. From the incredible architecture to the art to fashion and to food, there is a reason why Paris is so alluring and magical. It is a city everyone must visit at least once in their lifetime, but I have a feeling you’ll become so entranced after your first visit that you’ll want to come back time and time again!

🗓️ How many days do you need to visit Paris?

At minimum, you need at least 4 days. Paris is huge and there is so much to do and so many places to see (and places to eat!) so ideally you have a least 1 week.

🍂 Best time of year to visit?

Fall or Spring. The weather is mild, if not brisk, but it’s the perfect time to visit – especially without all of the massive crowds that come to visit in the summertime (when it can also be sweltering hot in the city!).

✈️ Best airport to fly in/out of?

Charles Du Gaulle (CDG) is the main international airport in Paris. For trips within Europe and other regions, you’ll want to fly out of the smaller Orly airport.

🚙 Do you need to rent a car?

No, you don’t need to rent a car unless you plan on driving to other areas of France after visiting Paris. You will find plenty of taxis and Ubers in Paris, and I also encourage you to explore the city via subway, electric bikes and electric scooters (in addition to walking everywhere). Paris even has its own separate (very safe) lanes for bikes and scooters – it’s awesome! 🛴

🏨 Where to stay?

As you can imagine, Paris offers a wide variety of hotel options for all different price ranges – from iconic (and pricey!) hotels like Hotel Plaza Athenee to boutique hotels throughout the city.

Before you start researching hotels, I recommend determining the neighborhood (known as arrondissements) you’d like to stay in. I personally love staying in the Marais district (3rd & 4th Arrondissements). I think the Marais has some of the best food & quaint shops in the city…it’s very charming but also very hip (think Soho or West Village in NYC). Instead of hotels, we love renting an apartment in the Marais district through Airbnb. There are also many HomeExchange apartments available in Paris, so you could arrange a home swap or stay using GuestPoints if you are a member.

Other great arrondissements to consider staying in include:

Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Sophisticated, intellectual, bohemian
- Highlights: Legendary cafés (e.g., Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots), art galleries, antique shops, the Luxembourg Gardens.
The Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Lively, academic, historical
- Highlights: Sorbonne University, Pantheon, lively student atmosphere, bookshops (Shakespeare and Company), vibrant café scene.
Montmartre (18th Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Artistic, bohemian, picturesque
- Highlights: Sacré-Cœur Basilica, artist square Place du Tertre, cobblestone streets, panoramic views of Paris.
Opéra and the 9th Arrondissement
- Vibe: Elegant, central, lively
- Highlights: Palais Garnier, shopping at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, vibrant nightlife.
Le Canal Saint-Martin (10th Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Hip, trendy, relaxed
- Highlights: Picturesque canals, trendy bars and cafés, laid-back atmosphere.
Bastille (11th Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Lively, diverse, artistic
- Highlights: Bastille Opera House, vibrant nightlife, diverse dining options.
The 1st Arrondissement
- Vibe: Central, historical, luxurious
- Highlights: The Louvre, Palais Royal, Tuileries Garden, high-end shopping at Rue Saint-Honoré.

Each of these neighborhoods offers a distinct experience, catering to different interests and preferences. When choosing where to stay, consider what aspects of Paris you wish to explore and your personal travel style.

👀 Key sights to visit?

There are so many amazing and iconic places to visit in Paris, but here are my top picks. Tip: Always remember to check the websites in advance to ensure a location is open on the day you want to visit and to secure tickets in advance to the museums.

Paris Musée D’Orsay
Louvre Museum – Tip: Book a private or semi-private tour with an Art History expert and “skip the line” with either Airbnb Experiences or GetYourGuide
Basilique Sacré-Coer de Monmartre – after visiting the church, wander around the charming Monmarte neighborhood and have your portrait done by a street artist
Luxembourg Gardens
Musée Rodin – Tip: bring a picnic and enjoy a snack or meal in the gardens before or after your visit
Eiffel Tower – Tip: if you want to go up in the tower, book reservations online well in advance! I prefer to hang out in the big lawn by the tower during the day, or go visit after dark when the tower is all lit up.
Palais Garnier – take a tour during the day and see the Opera or Ballet there at night if a show is on! Get dressed up and enjoy an enchanting evening.
Arc de Triomphe
Norte Dame

🌟 What are some unique, must-do tours?

My entire family absolutely loved Paris by Mouth tour of the South Marais! I can’t recommend this tour enough. Our guide, Faye, was fantastic and we visited and sampled delicious croissants, pastries, cheeses, bread and wine – my idea of absolute heaven! They offer several different tours of different neighborhoods throughout the city and you learn so much. *Pro tip- book this tour at the beginning of your trip as you will learn about so many fantastic places to eat throughout your stay.
I also highly recommend going on a bike tour of Paris! I’ve done two different bike tours and greatly enjoyed both! For e-bike tours, book with Paris Charms & Secrets and for regular bike tours that also includes a boat ride down the Seine River, book with Fat Tire Tours.
Enjoy futbol/soccer? If so, be sure to tour the PSG – Paris Saint-Germain stadium. And if you are lucky enough to be there during the playing season, be sure to get tickets to see a game!
Love fashion? Be sure book a ticket in advance to see La Galerie Dior. It’s a spectacular look at Dior’s incredible designs over the years. Highly recommend!
Two additional unique tours that have been recommended to me by friends but I haven’t had the chance to do yet are Cedric’s Paris Tours and Secret Wine Doors.

🥐 Let’s talk food!

As you can imagine, food scene in Paris is just phenomenal. Not only can you enjoy some of the best pastries, breads, cheeses and wines but you can also enjoy a wide range of international cuisine and of course indulge in Paris fine dining. For the latest and greatest restaurant recommendations, I recommend checking out Paris By Mouth’s & David Lebovitz’s newsletter and check out Eater’s Paris list. For all of the popular French restaurants, I highly recommend booking reservations online or over the phone a few weeks prior to your arrival.

Here are some of my favorite spots:

Best pastries/baguettes

Pierre Herme – croissants
Yann Couvreur – croissants and pastries
Cedric Grolet – croissants and pastries
Christophe Michalak – pastries
Poilane Au Petit Versailles du Marais – baguettes

Best cheese shops

Laurent Dubois Fromager – if you love cheese, you must visit this shop!
La Maison Plisson – best grocery store in Paris, in my opinion
Barthélémy – another fabulous cheese shop

Best international cuisine

Shifu – best dumplings I’ve ever had
Chez Omar – delicious Algerian food
L’as du Fallafel – excellent Middle Eastern food

French cuisine

All of the following are classic French bistro restaurants that serve delicious French cuisine. Enjoy!

🍷Best bars?

Ready for a glass of wine or delicious cocktail? Be sure not to miss the following spots:

Dragon
Bar Nouveau
Bar Josephine
Brach – incredible rooftop bar
Le Bar Paris

🛍️ Let’s talk shopping!

Beyond food, wine, and art…Paris is known for its incredible shopping. Shopping in Paris is a true delight, offering a blend of luxury, fashion, and unique local boutiques. Here’s an overview of some of the best shopping areas and experiences the city has to offer:

Shopping in Paris is a true delight, offering a blend of luxury, fashion, and unique local boutiques. Here’s an overview of some of the best shopping areas and experiences the city has to offer:

Avenue des Champs-Élysées
- Vibe: Iconic, bustling, glamorous
- Highlights: Renowned as one of the most famous shopping streets in the world, the Champs-Élysées is lined with flagship stores of international brands, luxury boutiques, and elegant cafes.
- Notable Stores: Louis Vuitton, Guerlain, Sephora, and Zara.
Rue Saint-Honoré and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
- Vibe: Chic, sophisticated, high-end
- Highlights: These parallel streets are home to some of the most prestigious luxury brands and fashion houses.
- Notable Stores: Hermès, Chanel, Dior, and numerous designer boutiques.
Le Marais (3rd and 4th Arrondissements)
- Vibe: Trendy, eclectic, vibrant
- Highlights: Le Marais offers a mix of high-end fashion, unique boutiques, vintage shops, and contemporary galleries.
- Notable Stores: Merci, The Broken Arm, COS, and numerous independent designers.
Boulevard Haussmann (9th Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Grand, bustling, historical
- Highlights: Home to the famous department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, this area offers a wide range of fashion, beauty, and homeware.
- Notable Stores: Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and flagship stores of various brands within these department stores.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Intellectual, artistic, bohemian
- Highlights: This district is known for its charming boutiques, antique shops, and high-end fashion stores.
- Notable Stores: Le Bon Marché (Paris’ oldest department store), Sonia Rykiel, and numerous art galleries and bookstores.
Montmartre (18th Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Artistic, bohemian, picturesque
- Highlights: Known for its artistic heritage, Montmartre offers quirky shops, local crafts, and unique finds.
- Notable Stores: Boutiques around Place du Tertre, vintage shops, and local artist studios.
Les Halles and Rue de Rivoli (1st Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Central, diverse, busy
- Highlights: Les Halles is a major shopping hub with a vast underground shopping mall, while Rue de Rivoli offers a mix of mainstream brands and tourist shops.
- Notable Stores: Westfield Forum des Halles, BHV Marais, and popular high-street brands.
Canal Saint-Martin (10th Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Hip, relaxed, trendy
- Highlights: This area is known for its hipster vibe, with a mix of trendy boutiques, vintage shops, and unique stores.
- Notable Stores:Antoine et Lili, Artazart (design bookstore), and various independent boutiques.
Rue Montorgueil (2nd Arrondissement)
- Vibe: Authentic, local, vibrant
- Highlights: A lively pedestrian street lined with food markets, specialty shops, and trendy boutiques.
- Notable Stores: Stohrer (historic pastry shop), various gourmet food stores, and local fashion boutiques.
Markets and Flea Markets
- Vibe: Eclectic, bustling, diverse
- Notable Markets: Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen (largest flea market), Marché d’Aligre, and Marché Bastille.

Paris is truly a city like no other and a city I recommend you visit at least once in your life. If you have traveled to Paris, tell me in the comments your favorite places to visit and eat! 🇫🇷✨