Paris Highlights

I’ve had the extraordinary fortune of visiting Paris several times, so I was able to go beyond basic sight-seeing like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries, etc. If I were to go back with a close friend, here’s where I would take them:

EXPLORE

1. Caveau de la Huchette: For a fun night of live jazz and swing dancing, this place certainly sets the mood for the lively, romantic night out in Paris everyone dreams of. Oh, and La La Land filmed there if you’re into that.

2. Les Catacombes: Some may shudder at the idea of walking in a dark, dank hole underground surrounded by the exposed remains of dead people, but I found this eerily beautiful. The bones are arranged into patterns, hearts and crosses. While down there, you really can’t help but reflect on life and mortality. Also, keep an eye out for the sign “arrete, c’est ici l’empire de la mort.”. Translation: “Stop, here is the empire of death.” Later in my trip, a French guy offered me go to a rave in the secret catacombs, but I opted to keep my kidney instead. Maybe next time.

3. Montmartre: This is a super trendy area to travel, but it definitely had to make the list. If you want that intimate, old-Paris-feel, walking around this area is where you’ll find it.

4. Day trip to Giverny: Monet’s Garden in Giverny is super dreamy. I have another post dedicated to it, but it makes for a quick day trip from Paris.

5. La Marche aux Puces: This is definitely a touristy thing to do, but I love visiting it. There are a fair amount of French people, too. It's relaxing to stroll by watching artists busy with caricatures, knick knacks being haggled for, and it's right near Sacré Cœur in Montmartre, which is my favorite arrondisement in Paris. 

EAT

1. Maison Georges Larnicol: While couchsurfing in Paris, I met an amazing Parisian couple around my age who lived right near République station. They took me around to some of their favorite places, and one was this chocolate shop. The last time I went, I nearly needed to purchase a second carry-on. I recommend les kouignettes amandes and the citrons confits chocolat (citrus chocolate).

2. Confit de canard: This is an extremely traditional French dish which consists of duck cooked in it's own fat until brown and crispy with a side of roasted potatoes, of course! Not putting a location since so many places offer this dish and each place I tried was great. Happy hunting!

3. La Rotonde: Seats here have been warmed by the likes of Picasso and Macron. When I went, I was going through a tartare phase, but I loved it here the most. I’d also recommend the escargot, if you’re feeling brave. Think of it as buttery, herby shrimp… in a snail shell.

4. Le Soufflé: What is more luxurious and emblematic of France than the soufflé? Obama has even checked this place out!

5. Beef bourguignon: Josephine “Chez Dumonet” is renowned for this.
   
   *Note: Though France is largely atheist; a lot of restaurants still close down on Sunday (old Catholic roots). If you’re banking on going to a restaurant on the weekend, I recommend checking the hours online. I made that mistake and a restaurant I wanted to go to was closed!

DRINK

1. Le Très Particulier: I absolutely adore speakeasies and I love a good cocktail. I found this after much internet hunting and this is one of the places I’d most recommend for a unique experience, I’ve been twice now. The interior is the definition of Parisian chic. With black and white tile floors, red velvet chairs, palm plants - I died. The place is a challenge to find; in fact, I’d say it’s rather like a treasure hunt and you really have to trust your instincts. Once you’re in, though, it’s well worth the hunt. The second time I went was with my husband on Halloween. They throw a pretty big party so if you can time it, it’s worth it.

2. Derriere: The name is given for the fact that it’s behind another landmark, but I like to imagine it just means ‘butt’. This place is another challenge to find. It requires a reservation, so you won’t likely stumble upon it unless you’re traveling alone and they can squeeze in one person. They serve a delicious boeuf bourguignon made from beef cheek, which is super tender already. Upstairs, and this is my absolute favorite part, you can walk through a wardrobe into a secret room. While I love a good hidden space, it’s always a fear in the back of my mind that there actually isn’t a secret room and someone is going to film me stepping into a plain old closet like a dingus. That did not happen here though! Or did it?

3. Used Book Café (Merci): This little café has a very photogenic wall of… used books (go figure), and a perfectly chic interior. I had this fantasy of ordering those eggs in the little egg stands and dipping my toast in the yolk. I partially came here for that alone, but I realized there was some technique to eating them I clearly didn’t know, because my glamorous moment turned into a gooey, mangey mess. After a cuppa’, you can head back to Merci, an expensive, but beautiful boutique. I pretended I could afford things there by trying some gorgeous scarves on that costed my life.

4. Angelina: Okay, so this one is pretty well-known. But, I did have the most decadent hot chocolate of my life there. I also really recommend any of their pastries (I had a mille feuille), but you may need a glass of water to wash down the sugar-overload after. It is SWEET.

5. Café Kitsuné: For coffee shops, I love a good interior aesthetic but the coffee also needs to be good. This checks both. Café Kitsuné is right next to Jardin des Tuileries, so it’s a great place to drop by for an iced matcha and a cute fox-shaped cookie, and then wander around the gardens.