Excited to recap my trip to Paris with this handy weekend in Paris itinerary travel guide!
And, so thankful for all the great Paris recommendations I received a few weeks ago.
Now that I’m back, I thought I’d add my own travel highlights to the list as well.
1 day in Paris
I had the luxury of traveling with a good friend, who not only visits Paris quite often due to her fashion industry job but also has connections to the most fashionable Parisians, which I realize is almost redundant…
Keep in mind, this was my second trip to Paris the city of Light!
I’d already seen several famous landmarks and popular attractions on my last visit, all of which I highly recommend you give priority to if this is your first time in the city of love.
Especially if you have only one day in Paris:
It’s worth mentioning a Paris museum pass is such a great option and is highly recommended. This will save first time visitors a lot of time.
Also, if this is your first visit and you have limited time, consider a tour guide – as a good guided tour will know all the time saving short cuts.
A local (French speaking) tour guide is also a great way to see as much as you can in a day trip.
The Louvre museum or Musee du Louvre (home of the famous Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo) -be prepared to wait on a long line for these iconic paintings), Keep in mind, this is the world’s largest art museum and if you don’t plan ahead you could easily spend all day here.
Then, don’t miss the Tuileries Garden, which is just a short walk from the Louvre.
The Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral or Notre Dame Cathedral,
The Pompidou museum.
The Arc de Triomphe du carrousel. A great way to see all of the beautiful buildings of Paris (if you climb up to the top!)
The Palace of Versailles – one time home of Marie Antoinette
The tour Eiffel tower – climb to the top where the panoramic views are breathtaking!
Take a Seine river cruise (sunset is the best time.) And this way you’ll be able to see the Pont Neuf bridge in the prettiest light.
FYI: The river Seine divides Paris into two parts. Some people prefer one side to the other. The Rive gauche (Left Bank) is famous for it’s artists, Jazz and the Latin Quarter The Rive Droit (Right Bank) is seen as more commercial, although it’s also home to some of the wealthiest families in France. Most of the museums mentioned here are on the RIght bank.
The musée d’orsay – don’t miss the Van Gogh paintings in this converted old train station!
A “can-can” show at the moulin rouge (I know, so touristy, dont’ judge!)
Cafe de Flore – an adorable little French cafe with great coffee.
The French Capital (Paris is the capital of France after all)
Additional Things To See and Do in Paris
Now that we covered what you shouldn’t miss on your first visit, here are some fun additional sights I took in on my most recent trip.
We flew from JFK to Orly airport.
But the Charles de Gaulle airport is just as convenient.
Info and details on our elegant French hotel, the hotel Recaimer.
What we saw:
Luxembourg Gardens: Our hotel was in walking distance of this beautiful park.
Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and it started to rain before I could see all of it, but we did enjoy about 45 minutes of this breathtaking destination.
Foundation Louis Vuitton: I knew next to nothing about this amazing museum.
Having already been, my friend thought I would love it-and she was right!
In a nutshell, Frank Gehry was hired by Bernard Arnault “to create an extraordinary space for art and culture.”
The architecture alone blew me away!
Marmottan Monet Museum aka the Claude Monet Musueum
This museum was recommended by many.
I really enjoyed this museum. The space was an old mansion in a beautiful residential neighborhood in Paris.
Not too big or overwhelming, if you love the Impressionists you will love the Marmottan.
St. Sulpice: Directly across from our Hotel- the breathtaking fountain and monumental cathedral (one of the largest in all of Paris) were a daily site for us. So beautiful!
Where we ate:
This is where traveling with someone that knows the city really came in helpful.
Lunch:
Pizza Chic: 13 Rue de Mézières, 75006 Paris, France
Really fresh pizza with a French twist- great neighborhood. The perfect place for people watching and shopping too!
Ralph’s: 173 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France
Another great location, the atmosphere, although very American, was very beautiful. Also recommend for the people watching, and the fried green olives!
Le Crepe Rit Du Clown: 6 Rue des Canettes, 75006 Paris, France
Truthfully, I could’ve eaten crepes every day and chocolate croissants (or pan au chocolat) too!
They’re both truly my favorite things.
I recommend going for the crepe complete (eggs, ham, cheese and salad in a buckwheat crepe) along with a traditional small bowl of cider, followed by a dessert crepe of brown sugar and butter-YUM!
Dinner:
Hotel Costes: 239-241 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
A super chic destination for the “Fashion Week” crowd, great cocktails, fun people watching and amazing desserts!
Semilla: 54 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris, France
This was my favorite restaurant. Each and every dish we ordered at this low key but elegant restaurant was superb!
Small and casual but extra delicious, my favorite type of place.
Also, extra points for the open kitchen – which is even better than people watching…sometimes.
Ze Kitchen Gallerie: 4 Rue des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris, France
A French restaurant with Asian influences. We did the tasting menu, which was amazing…until the “sweet breads” came out. I’m not that adventurous…
We also dined at local cafes and grabbed croissants at local bakeries.
Needless to say not a bad meal was eaten the whole trip!
Where we shopped:
A French clothing label and chain store, sort of like if Ann Taylor had a chicer Parisian cousin.
I couldn’t get enough of these shops. Great for not so basic, basics and for looking like a true Parisian.
You can find their clothes online here if you’re curious.
A favorite of mine.
Even though you can buy this beautiful white pottery in the States (at Bergdorf’s and John Derrian) there’s something to be said about seeing it all together in the shop in Paris.
Le Bon Marche: 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
This is a world famous department store, but it’s really like a museum of commerce.
Beautiful building, beautiful fashion, beautiful people, beautiful service…
Hartford: 23 Rue des Canettes Paris, France.
You can find this brand in the states.
However, in France there’s a whole store devoted to this chic Parisian meets California preppy French clothing line.
My Blend Spa by Clarins: 37 Avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris, France
Recommended by my friend’s Parisian co workers, I indulged in a facial while in Paris.
It was relaxing and decadent and my skin’s never been so well hydrated.
On the technician’s advice I purchased Clarin’s Double Serum Concentrate and now use it every day.
The lovely smell momentarily transports me back to Paris – an amazing reminder of a great time!
PS: These are the shoes I always recommend for traveling to big cities, especially if you’re going to do a walking tour..
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Great ideas for a follow up trip to Paris – one where you can really dive into the culture. Love Hotel Costes!!!
xo e
What a wonderful list – I hope to go there with a girlfriend soon! This will be super helpful. Now, my darling we simply must know what you wore in Paris and what you bought!
I want to be there now!
Great post with so many good suggestions for things to do/see in Paris. Musee Marmatton is a favorite and I recommend it to many of my clients. And I absolutely LOVE Le Bon Marche. The most elegant department store I have ever been in. And it's food court is also fun
I have been traveling to Paris every year since I was 16. Each and every trip is fabulous, a mixture of old favorites and new adventures.
Love your photos! And your suggestions.
Thank you.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Great places! Love Hotel Costes!!!!
Wow, sounds like a dream trip! I have only been to Paris once, when I was about 25 with a group of girlfriends. Back then we were much more budget minded so I would love to go back again someday when I can splurge a bit more. Nice to see that you like the Monet museum. I heard that was great and would love to check it out someday.
Shelley