I’ve always dreamed of traveling to Paris! My dreams came true this summer and Paris was everything I dreamed of! From the Eiffel Tower, to the Louvre, to the Seine River we truly enjoyed touring Paris, France. People watching was magnificent and the food did not disappoint! Here are my top 5 tips when traveling to Paris!
-
- Plan your itinerary, but cut it back a third. Use the extra time to walk around, people watch and take in the moments.
- Although we went to the Louvre during the day, I would recommend going at night. It is less crowded and a different ambiance. Not to mention much cooler!
- I would recommend cutting your tour time in half. Four hours is usually suggested, however, we felt like 2 to 2 1/2 hours was plenty.
- If possible, increase your budget by 25% to allow for spontaneous fun and gives you more time to explore the beauty of France (a bottle of wine, a souvenir, or shopping).
- However many days you are traveling to Paris, add on one extra day. There is so much to see and do and I wish we had more time to truly take it all in! Listed below are my favorite hotels, restaurants, and tours. Please comment below or ask questions and I’d be happy to answer!
Top 3 hotels
Cheval Blanc – The newest hotel in Paris and it definitely over exceeded our expectations!! It is also located right next door to La Samaritaine, which is the most amazing department store in Paris! The location is right where you want to be. Cheval Blanc also has a Dior Spa that is heavenly and it has the longest indoor pool in Europe. This hotel also includes your airport transfers with VIP meet and greet as well as fast track immigration. If you need a ride somewhere, the hotel will drop you off in a BMW 750i and goes above and beyond to make you feel so special. 5 stars all the way!!
Four Seasons – The location is also fantastic here as well. The Four Seasons is the only hotel in Europe with a total of 5 Michelin Starred restaurants. You never can go wrong at a Four Seasons hotel! Lunch at Le George was my favorite food experience in Paris!! The feel is magical! See below my remarks of the restaurant.
Le Bristol – This hotel is the epitome of French Elegance. The meals are delicious, the settings were superb, it has a lovely courtyard and a rooftop pool! Yes please! Customer service and attention to detail are fantastic here!
Restaurants
Girafe – Best view of the Eiffel Tower! When you add the food and specialty drinks to an outdoor Parisian style decor, you have no choice but to enjoy yourself. Take your time and enjoy the views, they do not disappoint!
Gigi Paris – Live music and beautiful linens and dishes. Gigi was such a chic restaurant. I enjoyed the food and I grooved to the music all evening! A sophisticated feel!!
Le George – Inside the Four Seasons. Chandeliers, floral arrangements by Jeff Leatham and a breathtaking marble courtyard with heavenly views! None of this compares to the exceptional service and luxurious food that lives up to ALL the hype! This experience was once in a lifetime! Well, let’s hope not because I’m definitely returning again!
L’Avenue – Lunch or dinner. It’s located right on the corner, therefore, you can sit and have a drink, people watch and enjoy some delicious food! The restaurant is trendy and people come to dress! I enjoyed the lobster spaghetti and the delicious wine! Not to mention it is close to all the shopping you can enjoy in Paris!
Must do Tours
Louvre – We chose to skip the line and use a tour guide. Trust me when I say it was worth it!
Eiffel Tower – We went with a group tour here. There was no need to pay for a private tour guide. It’s crowded any way and everyone has to wait for the elevator to move up and down regardless. Have patience here, this one takes a while but it is such a special view!
Seine River Cruise – We chose a private boat which was perfect because no one was in our way, we were able to take in the views by water, watch the sun set and take as many pictures as we pleased. So magical!
Private Vintage Traction Tour – If you want to take in the entire city of Paris, this is definitely a different experience. You get to drive around Paris in an old french car like you’re in a vintage film. The driver took us around to see the different monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees, and the Place de la Concorde. Hearing the stories and learning about the rich history of France was such a fun time. We were able to stop along the way and take pictures and video. Priceless!
Paris was such a phenomenal trip!! I was able to enjoy the City of Love with my best friend! Between the hotel experience, the tours, the food, and the shopping, I could not have asked for a better first trip to France. Honestly, I wish we could have stayed longer. Nevertheless, Paris you hold a special place in our hearts and we will be back sooner than later! Merci beaucoup!
Leave a Reply