The Ultimate Guide to Paris: Where to Stay, Eat, & Explore
Paris doesn’t reveal itself all at once—it unfolds slowly, in quiet cafés, along the curve of the Seine, and behind unmarked doors you’d otherwise pass by. This guide is designed to go beyond the obvious, offering a more considered take on where to stay, what to prioritize, and how to experience the city with intention. Here is a list of all of my favorite hotels, restaurants, and sites!
Where to Stay
Ritz Paris
Arguably the most famous hotel in the world, Ritz Paris sits on Place Vendôme and epitomizes timeless Parisian glamour with its storied history, opulent interiors, and legendary service.
VIP PERKS
Guaranteed upgrade at booking.
Round-trip airport transfers plus VIP fast track through customs.
Guaranteed early check-in.
Breakfast daily.
Relais Christine
A discreet Left Bank retreat set in a former abbey, offering a warm, residential feel with classic Parisian charm and a hidden garden courtyard.
VIP PERKS
Room upgrade (subject to availability).
Breakfast daily.
Early and late check-in/out whenever possible.
Hôtel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel
A landmark palace hotel overlooking Place de la Concorde, blending historic grandeur with refined, contemporary Parisian elegance.
VIP PERKS
Guaranteed upgrade at booking.
$100 food / beverage credit.
Breakfast daily.
Early and late check-in/out whenever possible.
J.K. Place Paris
An intimate, design-led retreat on the Left Bank, known for its residential feel, impeccable service, and understated Italian elegance in a prime Saint-Germain location.
VIP PERKS
Room upgrade (subject to availability).
Breakfast daily.
$100 food / beverage credit.
Early and late check-in/out whenever possible.
La Reserve Paris Hotel & Spa
An ultra-private, residential-style palace near the Champs-Élysées, known for its exceptional service, Haussmann-era elegance, and one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in Paris.
VIP PERKS
Room upgrade (subject to availability).
Breakfast daily.
$100 food / beverage credit.
Early and late check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Le Grand Mazarin
Draws a fashion-forward crowd to its prime Marais location, blending playful, maximalist interiors with a distinctly Parisian sense of elegance.
VIP PERKS
Room upgrade (subject to availability).
Breakfast daily.
Two signature cocktails.
Early and late check-in/out whenever possible.
Where to Eat
Baronne Restaurant (8th arrondissement)
Set inside a former Rothschild family manor, Baronne is one of the most luxurious restaurants in Paris, offering an opulent dining experience with an inventive, globally inspired menu in a grand historic setting.
La Fontaine de Mars (7th arrondissement, near Eiffel Tower)
A classic Parisian bistro near the Eiffel Tower, La Fontaine de Mars is known for its authentic French cuisine, cozy atmosphere, and traditional dishes like duck confit and escargots.
Chez L’Ami Louis (Le Marais)
Considered one of the most famous traditional French bistros in Paris, Chez L’Ami Louis is notoriously difficult to book—advance reservations or concierge access are highly recommended for this iconic Le Marais dining experience.
Le Tout at Cheval Blanc (1st arrondissement)
Located within the ultra-luxury Cheval Blanc Paris, Le Tout offers an elevated Paris brasserie experience with panoramic city views, making it a top choice for refined dining in central Paris.
Caviar Kaspia (Place de la Madeleine)
One of the most famous luxury restaurants in Paris, Caviar Kaspia is known for its indulgent caviar-focused menu and iconic baked potato topped with caviar—expensive, but a must for a quintessential Paris splurge.
Benoit (Le Marais)
A historic Alain Ducasse Paris bistro, Benoit has been serving classic French comfort food since 1912, offering a timeless, old-world dining experience in the heart of the city.
Le Jules Verne (Eiffel Tower)
A Michelin-starred restaurant in the Eiffel Tower, Le Jules Verne is one of the most unique dining experiences in Paris, pairing refined French cuisine with unmatched panoramic views.
Maxim’s (8th arrondissement)
An iconic Belle Époque restaurant in Paris, Maxim’s blends classic French dining with live entertainment, including burlesque, in a glamorous, historic setting.
Girafe (Trocadéro / Eiffel Tower views)
One of the best restaurants in Paris with an Eiffel Tower view, Girafe is known for its seafood-focused menu and stunning terrace—request an outdoor table for the full experience.
L’Avenue (Avenue Montaigne)
A trendy Paris restaurant for people watching, L’Avenue is located in the heart of luxury shopping and is a favorite among the fashion crowd—come for the scene as much as the food.
Where to Drink
Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Paris
One of the most iconic cocktail bars in Paris, Bar Hemingway is an intimate, historic bar known for its literary legacy and some of the best classic cocktails in Paris.
Le Dokhan’s Champagne Bar (16th arrondissement)
The first champagne bar in Paris, Le Dokhan’s offers an elegant, candlelit setting with one of the best champagne selections in Paris—ideal for a refined, low-key evening.
Le Marta at Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris
A chic rooftop cocktail bar in Paris, Le Marta draws a stylish crowd for creative cocktails, a fashionable atmosphere, and one of the city’s most exclusive rooftop settings.
Le Bar du Plaza Athénée
A luxury hotel bar in Paris known for its avant-garde cocktail program, Le Bar du Plaza Athénée blends high fashion, design, and innovative mixology in a couture-inspired space.
Experimental Cocktail Club (Le Marais)
A top speakeasy cocktail bar in Paris, Experimental Cocktail Club helped define the city’s modern cocktail scene, known for inventive drinks, a moody vibe, and serious mixology credentials.
Le Jardin at Cheval Blanc Paris
A luxury garden bar in Paris along the Seine, Le Jardin offers a serene setting for refined cocktails with some of the best river views in Paris.
Bonnie (Paris rooftop bar)
One of the best rooftop bars in Paris, Bonnie combines retro-chic design, lively energy, and panoramic views over the city skyline, making it a go-to for sunset drinks.
Le Bristol After Dark at Le Bristol Paris
A hidden cocktail bar in Paris, this exclusive late-night spot inside Le Bristol is known for its DJ sets, intimate ambiance, and insider-only feel.
Where to see art & history
Musée Rodin (7th arrondissement)
One of the most beautiful museums in Paris, the Musée Rodin is set in a serene mansion and sculpture garden, showcasing iconic works like The Thinker in a peaceful, refined setting.
Musée de l’Armée at Les Invalides
Located within the historic Hôtel des Invalides, this is one of the best history museums in Paris, featuring extensive military collections and Napoleon’s tomb, a must-see landmark.
Louvre Museum (1st arrondissement)
The most famous museum in Paris and the world’s most visited, the Louvre is home to masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and offers an unparalleled collection of art spanning centuries.
Musée de l’Orangerie (Tuileries Garden)
One of the best Impressionist museums in Paris, the Musée de l’Orangerie is renowned for Monet’s immersive Water Lilies murals and a curated collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works.
Palais de Tokyo (16th arrondissement)
A leading contemporary art museum in Paris, Palais de Tokyo is known for bold, experimental exhibitions and a dynamic cultural scene, attracting a more design-forward, creative crowd.
Where to Shop
Avenue Montaigne & Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré: Home to Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior, Saint Laurent—the beating heart of haute couture.
Le Marais: Eclectic boutiques, vintage designer gems, and Paris’s coolest concept stores like Merci and The Frankie Shop.
Galeries Lafayette & Printemps: Department store heaven—plus a rooftop terrace, designer corners, and gourmet food halls.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Elegant fashion, unique homewares, and bookstores worthy of a Wes Anderson film.
Palais Royal & Rue Saint-Honoré: Home to niche perfumeries, Jacquemus, and art-inspired fashion houses.
