Having lived in Paris, our owner and founder, Tawnya Falkner, has compiled a practical, and fun resource guide for visiting the City of Lights and/or Love…. This includes tips for enjoying the city like a local, as well as some of the obvious touristy highlights, where to stay, what to do, the transportation and how to get around the city. We’ve included several maps to help plan your trip to the City of Lights a little easier.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when visiting Paris is to wear comfortable shoes. The city is best explored on foot, and it’s easy to get lost in its winding streets. Don’t worry about remembering the names of the places you visit; the best way to experience Paris is by getting lost and discovering off-the-beaten-path sights. Alternatively, you can rent a city bike and explore Paris by cycling around for a half-day.
If you’re planning to visit Paris, there are countless sights and activities to explore, from world-famous museums to quaint cafes and picturesque parks. Paris is a city of grand boulevards, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems. The city is known for its rich culture, history, and artistic heritage, making it a top travel destination.
Paris is one of the few big cities in the world with as many nicknames as it does. From “Paname”, to “Lutèce”, to “Pantruche”, to “the City of Love” to “the City of Lights”.
If it’s your first-time visiting Paris, it’s recommended to stay near the Seine river, where most of the tourist attractions are located. The 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th arrondissem*nts are ideal for easy access to the city’s most popular tourist attractions and main transportation hubs. If you’re looking for a more local experience, or you’ve visited Paris before and want to explore a different neighborhood, consider staying in the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, or 18th arrondissem*nt.
There are many off-the-beaten-path and non-touristy things to do in Paris, which are worth exploring.
- Take a visit to Aux Trois Mailletz, a piano bar with a full cabaret downstairs in an old cave, where you can dance on the tables until 5 am.
- One of our favorites is to visit Jardin de Luxembourg, a picturesque park where you can have a picnic of sandwiches & drinks and people watch.
- For a quaint little area off Boulevard Saint-Michel, you can also visit Place de la Sordonne, with its cafes, a beautiful fountain, and the Église de la Sorbonne church.
- A must is to spend an evening in Trocadero at night with wine & cheese and watch the Eiffel Tower light up.
- Stroll around St. Germain and the Latin Quarter, especially Rue Mouffetard, supposedly the oldest street in Paris, and is full of darling little shops and markets.
- Near the Place Monge metro, you can find the Monge market, which you can visit on Wednesdays, Fridays, andSundays between 07:00 and 14:30. The weekends are very lively and great for mingling with the locals.
- The Latin Quarter is a lively cultural hub, which was popularized by the likes of Orwell and Hemingway.
- Visit Heureux Comme Alexandre for delicious signature dishes as well as their famous fondue.
- After dinner wander down the Rue Saint-Jacques toward the river Seine and enter Le Caveau de la Huchette for a live jam session. This venue is a cave-like basem*nt bar that has hosted such jazz greats as drummer Art Blakey, pianist Wild Bill Davis, and trombonist Gene “Mighty Flea” Conners. The music goes into early morning hours and is great for dancing and socializing.
- Grab lunch inMontmartre, where you can sit at one of the cafes and watch the artists paint. The quiet street of La Maison Rose is absolutely adorable and picturesque.
- Check out Musée d’Orsay, which holds one of the largest collections of Impressionist art, or visit Musée de l’Orangerie, which hosts an amazing collection of Monet paintings in a stunning round room, including a quiet meditation or contemplation area.
- Take a boat tour along the Seine, which is a great way to see many of the main sites. There are hop on/off, lunch, aperitif, or dinner cruises. Make sure to book in advance. We recommend Bateaux Parisiens or Get Your Guide.
- If you’re looking for a quiet respite, you can visit Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole, one of our favourite Parisian café tucked away on a side street near Notre Dame. You’ll often find the owners tucked away in a corner enjoying their own café au lait or glass of wine.
- Palais Royal and the Stripe Columns along the Jardin de Palais Royale are also worth visiting, followed by a visit to Kitsune Café for fabulous pastries, coffee, and adorable merch.
- Fancy is up for high-tea with at Michelin starred restaurants like Le Bristol, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Le Meurice, or The Ritz Paris.
- Visit the Sacre Couer – Tawnya likes to sit on the steps and listen to the street musicians with pastry or wine and enjoy the ambiance. I lived on Rue LaMarck just to the right side of the church and it was an absolutely amazing view!
- Check out Printemps du Goûtwhere you can eat atop the mail department store of pronto with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
- Bouillon Julienis a beautiful and inexpensive French restaurant in Paris. It’s a restaurant that local Parisians frequent. It’s a great place to have a nice romantic evening or celebratory dinner in amazing blue art nouveau décor.
- If you’re looking for a great meal on a budget check out The Savvy Backpacker’s guide to Best Budget Restaurants in Paris
SUMMARY AND MAP OF EACH ARRONDISsem*nT
Image from https://familieslovetravel.com/where-to-stay-in-paris-families/ Great reference for families and where to stay and why.
HIGHLIGHTS OF EACH ARRONDISsem*nT
Paris has 20 Arrondissem*nts, and knowing what each one provides is great for planning your days and travel through the city.
1st Arrondissem*nt – This arrondissem*nt is one of the most interesting districts in town with top sights includingthe Louvre, theTuileries Gardens,Rue de la Paix,La Conciergerie,Sainte-Chapelle, theArts DecoratifsMuseum,Place de la Concordeand theIle de la Citédistrict. It is the lively and the heart of the city withLes Hallesrenovated shopping mall.
2nd Arrondissem*nt – This old district with tiny streets boasts the remarkable coveredShopping Arcades, their tiny shops and restaurants. The 17th century Place des Victoires, and the 15th century Tour de Jean Sans Peur are interesting sights. The Grand Rex is the largestmovie theater in Paris.
Rue Montorgueil is a street in the 1st and 2nd arrondissem*nts of Paris, France. Lined with restaurants, cafés, bakeries, fish stores, cheese shops, wine shops, produce stands and flower shops. It is a place for Parisians to socialize while doing their daily shopping.
3rd Arrondissem*nt – This district is an extension northwards of the fashionable Le Marais. ThePicasso Museumis the top sight of the 3rd arrondissem*nt.Musée des Arts et Métiersis a former abbey.
4th arrondissem*nt – This district boasts two key attractions:Notre-DameCathedral andLe MaraiswithCentre Pompidou,Hotel de Ville,Place des Vosges,Picasso Museum, Carnavalethistory museum, and BHVParis department store. There are also two beautiful islands on the Seine River worth visiting:Ile de la CitéandIle Saint-Louis.
5th arrondissem*nt – The well known Quartier Latin Latin Quarter where theSorbonne Universitywas founded in the 12th century. Many sights includingLe Panthéon,Museum Paris,Paris Mosque, Rue Mouffetard market, Saint-Etienne du Mont Paris church, Paris Middle Ages Museum and Roman Therms. Wonderful local bakeries, winding, picturesque streets, and small courtyards are among the discoveries here, while the area is also well endowed with museums and cinemas.
6th arrondissem*nt – The core of the famousleft bank PariswithSaint-Germain-des-Prés,Luxembourg Gardens, Saint-Sulpice church, Rue de Buci market,Rue de Sèvresfashion stores, Bon MarchéParis department store, andRaspail Organic Market. If you like medieval history, old cafés where philosophers and writers once convened, and fantastic bakeries, the 6th might just be for you.
7th arrondissem*nt – The chic and residential 18th century district is home to key attractions including the world famousEiffel Tower, theMusée Rodinsculpture museum,Les Invalidesmilitary hospital withNapoléon’s tomb,Musée d’Orsayimpressionist museum,Quai Branly, andOur lady of the Miraculous Medalchapel.
8th arrondissem*nt – The heart of this upscale district is the prestigiousChamps-Elyséesdistrict withArc de Triomphe, Rue duFaubourg Saint-Honoré,Avenue Montaigne, Grand Palais,Lido de Paris Cabaret and Le Crazy Horse Cabaret. There is a residential and affluent district aroundParc Monceau.
The 7th and 8th are the decidedly tourism-focused side of Paris with posh residential streets, but many locals consider it to be less authentic and rather staid.
9th arrondissem*nt – This busy district is home to theParis Department Stores,Opéra Garnier,Grévin Wax Museum, and La Trinité Church. It recently became one of the most fashionable districts in town thanks to the Rue des Martyrs shopping street and the beautiful Place Saint-Georges.
10th arrondissem*nt – This arrondissem*nt around the romantic Canal Saint-Martin in now very fashionable. Rue de Marseille is a favorite. This arrondissem*nt counts Gare de Nord and Gare de l’Est, two major train stations.
11th arrondissem*nt – Young and affluent Parisians plebiscite this old working-class district near Opéra Bastille. Nightlife is animated as it counts many bars and restaurants in rue de Lappe, rue Keller and rue de Charonne.
12th Arrondissem*nt – An arrondissem*nt free of tourists were the spirit of the city can be felt:Opéra Bastille,AccorHotels Arena, Aligre Market,Bois de Vincennes,Bercy district.
13th arrondissem*nt – No tourists in this district. High-rises and Chinatown restaurants around Avenue d’Italie.Station Fstartup incubator, the largest in Europe. BNFFrench National Libraryon the riverbanks. BestStreet Artin town Paris Zoo is in the twelfth arrondissem*nt.
14th arrondissem*nt – Residential district withParis Catacombs. TheCité Internationale Universitaireis a hidden treasure.
15th arrondissem*nt – Residential district close to Eiffel Tower with BeaugrenelleParis shopping mall,Aquaboulevard. ThePorte de Versailles Exhibition CenterandTour Montparnassewith its gorgeousParis vieware both in the arrondissem*nt.
16th arrondissem*nt – The upscale residential district withPalais de Chaillot,MarmottanMuseum,Musée d’Art Moderne,Fondation Louis Vuitton,Bois de Boulogne,Roland-Garrostennis stadium and theParis Saint-GermainArena.
17th arrondissem*nt – Residential no tourist district around Parc Monceau
18th arrondissem*nt – This multi-ethnic district is most of all famous for the romanticMontmartrehill and its top sights:Sacré-Coeur,Place du TertreandMoulin Rouge Cabaret.
19th arrondissem*nt – This multi-ethnic district includes a beautiful park, theParc des Buttes-Chaumont, and the lively La Villette Basin. It is most of all renowned for the exceptional number of sights and venues inParc de La Villette: theCité des Sciences,Cité de la Musique,Philharmonie de Paris,Zénith Paris.
20th arrondissem*nt – Multi-ethnic district. Apart from the out of the beaten track Père Lachaise Cemetery, this district has no specific sight of world-class. Belleville and Ménilmontant have many restaurants and bars.
THEMATIC PARIS MAPS
We’ve tried to make your life, and planning a little easier by compiling several reference maps of Paris and suggestions for how to maximize your time.
Transportation
Given the challenges of driving and parking in the city, the metro system serves as the primary mode of transportation among Parisians and tourists and is a safe and clean option. You can use the Paris metro map to identify metro lines and stations, as well as plan your route around the city.
Alternatively, you can download this printable Paris bus network map.
You can also see Paris via hop-on,hop-off tour buses,
For travel within the city of Paris, it’s helpful to peruse theComplete Guide to Paris Transportation.
To get to or from other destinations in Paris, you can easily take local or national rail. There are six train stations in Paris, which you’ll find located on ourParis Train Stations Map. The map shows the main stations and the arrondissem*nt they occupy.
Monuments
Locate the top monuments on Paris monument map. It includes the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Sacré-Coeur, the Arc de Triomphe, LA Conciergerie, the Saint-Chapelle, the Fondation Louis Vuitton, and the Palace de Chaillot.
Museums
The city is world-famous for its top museums of art: Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Art Moderne, Musée Picasso, Musée Marmottan. Locate and view the top museums onParis museum map.
Where to Eat
There are countless restaurants in the city, including French and International cuisine. Typically, the areas frequented by tourists don’t provide good quality for the price. However, there are always exceptions. You can find our preferred restaurants in this Paris restaurant map.
Gardens and Parks
Locate the top gardens and parks onParis garden map: Luxembourg Gardens, Les Tuileries, Parc de la VIllette, Buttes-Chaumont, Parc Monceau, Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes.
Sightseeing
Locate and view the top sights to see on Paris sightseeing map. It includes monuments, museums, parks, and gardens to visit. Alternatively you can check out the Paris tourist map.
Where to Shop
Discover the best shopping spots in the city with the Paris shopping map. Whether you prefer luxury fashion boutiques, department stores, or flea markets, you’ll find a shopping venue that fits your taste.
If you are an Emily in Paris fan and wonder where it was filmed and places you must visit, please check out our other blog. how to explore paris like Emily in Paris
Our final words of advice… enjoy and soak it ALL up. Relish in the joie de vivre, or the joy of life, like the French does, and make sure to allow for lots of café time to enjoy a café au lait or of course a glass or three of some French champagne or sparkling wine! The French are about pleasure and soaking it all up, whereas Americans treat food as fuel and are often in a rush…. Grab a seat and just people-watch while enjoying all the yummy eats. Cheers!
