Paris is one of those cities that you could spend a couple of days all the way up to a couple of years exploring. Every time you think that you’ve seen everything, you realize that there’s still more to see. Below is a pretty extensive guide for shopping, museums, and to see.

[ MUSEUMS ]

Musée D’Orsay

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The Musée D’Orsay is an old train station turned museum featuring French art from 1848 to 1914. Some of the famous artists include Monet, Manet, Renoir, Cézanne and Van Gogh.

• Location: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France (7th arrondissement)
• Hours:
  • Closed Mondays
  • Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat  9:30AM – 6 PM
  • Thurs 9:30AM- 9:45PM
    
• Tickets:
  • Free for everyone the first Sunday of the month
  • 12 Euros for Adults
  • 9 Euros for select visitors
  • Free for EU members 18-25 yo
• Included in Paris Pass: Yes
• Photo Ops: The most Instagrammable spot in the museum is of the clock

Louvre

I remember reading somewhere that it could take more than two years to look at every piece of art in the Louvre. Whether or not you’re an art aficionado, it is worth a visit (even if it’s only for a couple hours).

• Location: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France (1st arrondissement)
• Hours: 
  • Mon, Thurs, Sat, Sun 9 AM – 6PM
  • Closed Tuesday
  • Wed & Fri 9 AM – 10PM
• Tickets:
  • 17 Euros online with with quick entry
  • 15 Euros at box office
• Included in Paris Pass: Yes
• Photo Ops: Outside the museum, lobby of the museum (see above photo for an example), Cafe Marly
• G’s Tips: 
  • If you want the quintessential Louvre photo, you’ll want to get there early (~7 am)
  • Go for a light (& Instagrammable) breakfast at Cafe Marly after shooting early at the Louvre. After breakfast you can finally enter the museum.
  • Buy your tickets in advance (or else you’ll be sitting in line for hours). There is also a side entrance which less people know about and it will allow you to have speedy entrance to the museum.

Louis Vuitton Foundation

The Louis Vuitton Foundation was on my to do list and it is one of my big regrets that I didn’t make it over there. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about it (especially if you’re a fashion lover). Oh well, I’ll save it for my next trip to Paris.

• Location: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris, France (16th arrondissement)
• Hours: 
  • Hours change depending on the time of year. For the most up to date hours, visit their site here.
• Tickets:
  • 14 Euros (adults)
  • 10 Euros for students under the age of 26 (student ID required)
• Included in Paris Pass: No

[ CHURCHES & CATHEDRALS ]

Notre Dame de Paris

No matter how many times you’ve been to Paris, a quick trip to the Notre Dame is always a must (even if you just walk by, but I highly recommend popping in for a visit).

• Location: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France (4th arrondissement)
• Hours: 
  •  Cathedral – Monday to Friday 8AM – 6:45PM, Saturday & Sunday 8AM – 7:45PM
  •  Tower – See hours for the different seasons here.
• Tickets:
  • Cathedral – free
  • Tower €8.50, crypt €6
• Included in Paris Pass: Yes
• Photo Ops: Outside the cathedral (all different angles)
• G’s Tips: 
  • You’ll notice a trend that if you want great pictures of any of the monuments, you need to go early (~7AM).
  • Take photos from all different angles – circle the entire cathedral to get different view points.
  • Skip the tower visit – People I’ve spoken to have said that visiting the tower wasn’t a great use of time. An important note is that you can’t just wait in line to visit the tower, you need to sign up for a time slot the day of. It’s not necessarily the best use of your time if you’re on a tight timeline.
  • Visiting the cathedral – try to go early and during the week since the lines can get extremely long in the afternoons and on weekends.

Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle is one of those spots that I think while pretty famous, it’s not as big of a Paris attraction as some others. But personally? It’s one of my favorites. It’s small but all the stained glass is breathtaking.

• Location: 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
• Hours: Check here for most recent hours.
  • Summer 9 AM – 7 PM
  • Fall, Winter, Spring 9 AM – 5 PM
• Tickets:
  • Full price 10 euros
  • Free for EU students 18-26
• Included in Paris Pass: Yes.
• G’s Tips: 
  • If you’re interested in the Conciergerie as well, there is a combo ticket that saves you a couple euros.
  • Sainte-Chapelle is a short walk from the Notre-Dame, group the activities together to save time!

Sacre Coeur Cathedral

Sacre Coeur is another of Paris’s must-see cathedrals. Visit the blog post here for more information on not only Sacré Coeur but all of Monmartre.

• Location: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris (18th arrondissement)
• Hours:
  • Basilica: everyday 6 AM – 10:30 PM
  • Dome: May-Sept Everyday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM ,Oct through April 9 AM – to 5 PM
• Price: Entering the basilica itself is free, but there is a fee to visit the dome. It is a little misleading as prices aren’t mentioned on their website and can change at any time.
• G’s Tips:
  • Head to Sacré Coeur early in the morning to avoid the crowds and get the best photographs!

[ TO SEE ]

The Pantheon

[ DAY TRIPS ]

Versailles

I did Versailles in 4 hours (that was NOT enough time). If you’re going to go to Versailles, you need to devote an entire day, otherwise it’s not really worth going. But I will say it was awe-inspiring.

• Location: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles
• Hours: 9 AM – 6:30PM daily, closed Sunday
• Tickets: Free for visitors under 18 (or under 26 residing in the EU). Adults 20 Euros. Entrance to the gardens is free.
• Included in Paris Pass: Yes
• G’s Tips: 
  • Buy your tickets in advance & go early! Make sure you get in the right line (there are 2 – one for ticket holders, and one for non-ticket holders).
  • Plan your day or half day at Versailles carefully. The grounds are enormous so prioritize what you want to see.

Provins

You can read the entire day trip itinerary here. The medieval town of Provins is located about 1.5 hours from Paris.

[ SHOPPING ] 

I knew I wouldn’t have much time for shopping, even though many of Paris’ department stores are architectural destinations. Below are my favorites.

Galerie Lafayette

Galerie Lafayette on Haussmann is the store’s flagship location. Not only is there some great shopping, but a fabulous rooftop (free) with a view of the city. Also – don’t forget to cross the street and visit their grocery store/ food hall for a little snack!

• Location: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
• Hours: Daily 9:30 AM – 8:3o PM except Sunday 11 AM – 8 PM
• Why Visit: Galerie Lafayette is most well-known for its stained glass ceiling. But not everyone knows about their free rooftop views (just head to the top floor) that overlook Paris.

Galerie Vivienne

Paris is known for having covered passages. Over time those have started to fill up with cute little shops and restaurants. Galerie Vivienne is one of those passages. PS it’s super Instagrammable.

• Location: 5 Rue de la Banque, 75002 Paris, France (2nd arrondissement)
• Hours: Daily 10 AM – 8PM
• Why Visit: The galerie is a perfect example of “hidden Paris.” Very french, very chic and very local.

Le Bon Marché

Le Bon Marché is another one of Paris’ famous department stores. The view pictured above is an example of its well-known architecture.

• Location: 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
• Hours: Mon – Wed & Fri – Sat 10 AM – 8 PM , Thurs 10 AM – 8:45 PM , Sun 11 AM – 7:45 AM
• Why Visit:If you’re in St. Germain, this is an easy stop. I love the old world feel of Bon Marché. I picked up a couple of souvenirs. And be sure to check out the grocery store (that’s where I got most of my food gifts to bring back to the states!)

Passage des Panoramas

Photo from the Paris Info Website

Similar to Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas is a covered passage. It is the oldest covered passage in Paris and you can tell when you walk around. Each window features a nod to Parisian history. PS it’s a great place to visit if it’s raining in Paris.

• Location: 11 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris, France (2nd arrondissement)
• Hours: 6 AM – 12 AM daily
• Why Visit: It depicts the old Paris and has lots of shops, bars, and restaurants.
  

Printemps

Down the street from the Galerie Lafayette flagship is the Printemps department store.

• Location: 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
• Hours: Mon – Wed & Fri – Sat 9:35 AM – 8 PM, Thurs 9:35 AM – 8:45 PM, Sun 11 AM – 7 PM
• Why Visit: Stop by to see their star ceiling, and for a snack / lunch. They have a Ladurée, and a rooftop restaurant that is perfect for lunch.

[ FOOD ]

Boot Cafe 

While you’re walking around Le Marais, if you don’t pay attention carefully, you might walk past this spot without paying attention. Yes – it looks like a “cordonnerie” but it’s an old shoe makers store turned into a coffee shop. Talk about CUTE. It’s called “Boot Café.”

• Neighborhood: Le Marais
• Address:19 Rue du Pont aux Choux, 75003 Paris, France
• Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM daily
• Good For: Coffee on the go
• Price: $

Le Consulat Restaurant

Le Consulat is part of my Monmartre blog post, and it is a great spot when you’re tired of walking around and just want to sit and people watch.

• Neighborhood: Monmartre
• Address: 18 Rue Norvins, 75018 Paris, France
• Hours: 11 AM- 1o PM daily.
• Good For: coffee, crepes, snacks
• Price: $$
• Photo Ops: 
  • Go early to avoid all the people – shoot from the square directly in front, or from a little farther away to get the entire building in the frame.

Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole

Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole is a hop, skip and a jump from the Notre Dame. It looks like a cafe, but really it’s a restaurant. They must know that everyone loves taking photos here, because even when they’re closed, the tables and chairs are outside! They are one of the oldest restaurants in the city and everyone raves about the food. 

• Address: 24 Rue Chanoinesse, 75004 Paris, France (4th arrondissement)
• Hours: Sat- Sun 12 -11 PM, M – F  11AM–3PM, 6–11PM
• Good For: Lunch, dinner
• Price: $$-$$$
• G’s Tips
  • If you want to eat here, get there right at 11 – you get your choice of table and it will be less crowded.

La Maison Rose

You’ve probably seen La Maison Rose all over Instagram (I mean it is pretty photogenic). Surprise surprise, it also happens to be a restaurant. I walked by when they were closed (as you can see from the photo), which leads to one of my tips below.

• Neighborhood: Monmartre
• Address: 2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir, 75018 Paris, France
• Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM daily
• Good For: lunch
• Price: $$ – $$$
• G’s Tips
  • If you’re just interested in taking photos and not eating, I recommend going before 11 when they’re still closed. From extensive research management doesn’t appreciate the “Instagram flock” who just sit to take photos. That being said, diners make it sound like the food is yummy for lunch.

Ladurée Paris Champs Elysées

I’m just going to come out and say it – Ladurées macaroons aren’t the best in Paris. In fact, I’d probably recommend Carette over Ladurée. But I get it – it’s a classic.

• Address: 2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir, 75018 Paris, France
• Hours: Daily 7:30 AM -11 PM, except Fri & Sat 7:30 AM – 12 AM
• Good For: tea or dessert
• Price: $$ – $$$
• G’s Tips: 
  • Go early! If you want the cafe to yourself (perfect for photos) head there early.
  • Stop for tea – A lot of people don’t realize that Ladurée actually has a tea service (you can do afternoon tea). You can also stop for some macaroons and coffee for a smaller snack.

Carette Cafe

Carette is perfect for a snack after visiting the Eiffel Tower on the Trocadero side.  The cafe is famous for their pastries (and the price shows that). You won’t find cheap coffee or pastries here. I will say that the spot is really cute, and the pastries are amazing.

• Neighborhood: Trocadero
• Address: 4 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France
• Hours:7 AM – 11:30 PM daily
• Good For: coffee & pastries
• Price: $$$
• G’s Tips:
  • I’ve been here 3 times – once for breakfast, once for lunch, and once for coffee & pastries. I would skip the meals (they’re incredibly pricey) and just go straight for the pastries and coffee.

Ralph’s Restaurant

Visiting the Ralph Lauren Restaurant on St. Germaine was a dream come true for my younger daily polo wearing self. It’s American inspired food, and the style just screams Ralph Lauren.

• Address: 173 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France (6th arrondissement)
• Hours: Daily 12–5PM, 7–11PM
• Good For: Ambiance & Special Occasions
• Price: $$$$
• G’s Tips
  • What’s great about Ralph’s is that you’ll basically be surrounded by locals (not many tourists to find here!). The ambiance is amazing and the service is wonderful. A great spot if you’re feeling #bougie.

Afternoon Tea @ Four Seasons Hotel George V 

 

You can read the full post about it here. The Georges V hotel is the perfect spot if you’re a fan of 1) afternoon tea 2) beautiful ambiances and 3) people watching.

• Address: 31 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris (8th arrondissement)
• Afternoon Tea Hours: 3PM – 6PM
• Price: High tea starting at 50 euros
• G’s Tips:
  • There are two main seating areas (the foyer and the courtyard). Depending on the season you can decide where to sit. Check out Instagram or their site to see what you prefer. They both have different ambiances, so make sure to let them know in advance what you prefer.

Merci

Merci is one of those spots that is all over Instagram – mainly recognized by the classic little red Fiat in their courtyard. Not only is it a chic shop (perfect for grabbing a souvenir), but also a used book store and cafe. I grabbed some light breakfast and coffee at Merci.

• Neighborhood: Le Marais
• Address: 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris, France
• Good For: Light Breakfast/ snack, Coffee
• Hours: Daily 10 AM – 7:30 PM, except Sunday (closed)
• Price: $$ -$$$
• Photo Ops:
  • The classic Fiat in the courtyard
  • The shop has “beach” set up inside that can lead to some cool photos
  • The bookstore/ cafe side
• G’s Tips: 
  • I would say go here if you’re in the neighborhood and want a young hip vibe while you chat over coffee. That being said it is a little expensive. (The food and coffee are good but nothing exceptional)

Looking for more Paris posts? Check out: 

• Paris Neighborhoods: Your Guide to Monmartre
• Rue Cremieux – A taste of London in Paris
• Live Like a Local – The Vanves Flea Market in Paris
• Touring at Sunrise – The Best time to visit Paris
• Afternoon Tea at the Georges V Hotel