Paris is one of the most magical places we’ve visited and after the 4th time there, we all still feel the same way. We decided to take a 2-month vacation to travel overseas and Paris was our first and second to last stop. There really is so much to do and see in Paris so we packed in as much as we could in the first 72 hours that we were there.
Where to stay in Paris
Montmartre
We love staying at the Montmartre Residence in Montmarte and LOVE that area. It’s close to Sacre-Couer and is in a legendary district steeped in the atmosphere of an artistic and Bohemian past. I will be honest: Sacré-Cœur is pretty, the view is great, and the church is AMAZING, but it gets crowded on the weekends. With good reason, of course, because that’s when the artists are set up in the square but I’d just avoid going on the weekends if you’re not ok with big crowds. Staying in that area is also great because you’re not in the city center’s hustle and bustle and you can take a break in cozy Montmartre, in my opinion.
Vacation Rentals
Airbnb and VRBO are great resources for finding flats and private apartments for reasonable pricing by the night, and a great option if you’re not staying for a long time. Just be sure to check the reviews thoroughly before booking.
Hotel in Paris
The Ritz Paris is right in the center of Paris and within a short walk of the Opera and Tuileries Garden and less than 2 miles away from the Eiffel Tower. Not to mention, it’s a gorgeous hotel and the staff is incredibly accommodating and helpful.
Where to eat in Paris
Our girls are dairy and gluten-free, so we prioritize finding the best places for them to eat everywhere we go.
Laduree in Champs-Elysees
Laduree in Champs-Elysées is great for lunch because the later in the day the longer the wait and they are very accommodating for food allergies. The building inside and the decor are exquisite in the French style, and they have dairy-free macaron options, which really, is what you’re going for anyway right?
Cloud Cakes
Cloud Cakes is an all-vegan coffee shop, but so good even if you’re not vegan. They have amazing vegan croissants, tofu scrambles, and lattes for days. We walked there several times on this trip because the thought of a vegan croissant made us very happy.
Chambelland Boulangerie
Chambelland is an all-vegan boulangerie and it’s usually our first stop when we get to Paris. They have wonderful pastries and seed bread and they have a full brunch menu that we enjoyed with one of my blogger friends, Jessica from An Indigo Day. She was there for a whole month and she has a great Paris Travel Guide with all of the places that she visited while she was there.
What to do in Paris
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World Fair and it stands 324 meters tall. There is a cost to going up, but don’t feel like you have to go all the way up if you have a fear of heights. It does get pretty windy up there but the views are pretty impressive. You can still enjoy the view from one of the nearby parks, as well. At night The Eiffel Tower will sparkle for the first 5 minutes of every hour from sundown to 11 pm and crowds with gather to see the pretty lights anywhere they can find a view.
The Louvre
The Louvre is one of the most impressive museums in Europe and is most famous for being home to the ‘Mona Lisa’. You can sign up for a tour and you’ll explore the Louvre with an art historian or museum curator to learn more about each piece, which I highly recommend if you’re an art buff. Either way, you’ll want to plan your day and download their app to have a game plan.
Père Lachaise Cemetery
The central cemetery of Paris, Père Lachaise Cemetery (Cimetière du Père Lachaise) is one of the most important historic cemeteries in the country, located in the 20th arrondissement at 16 Rue du Repos, Paris, France. Established in 1804, it is the largest cemetery in the city, and definitely worth a visit if you’re into cemetery history.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in the 4th arrondissement of Paris and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It’s one of the most amazing examples of French Gothic architecture and, unfortunately, in the Spring of 2019, while it was undergoing renovation and restoration, its roof caught fire and burned for 15 hours.
The Notre Dame restoration is on track to be completed by the 5th anniversary of the tragic fire. Notre Dame is currently scheduled to reopen in 2024.
Champs Elysees
The Champs Elysees is one of Paris’ most iconic streets and definitely worth a walk through (especially during Christmas time when everything is decorated and lit up). There are luxury stores lined along the streets and restaurants galore. You’ll also find hotels and places to stay along this street and at one end you’ll see the Arc de Triomphe, which is another site to see.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It’s one of the most iconic monuments in Paris and has one of the best photo ops to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night.
I’d love to know how your trip goes!
