It is no coincidence that Paris, the city of love, is one of the most famous and most toured cities in Europe and the entire world. Rich with history and amazing architecture, famous museums, excellent gastronomy and an infinite amount of class – the French capital certainly has the essentials for the perfect urban holiday.

 

Daniel and I got off the train from Frankfurt with excitement, anticipation, and the desire to devour one of the world’s most popular destinations. But Paris, with so much to see, so, and eat of course , is the kind of destination that gets my FOMO mode into serious activity. I mean, how could anyone enjoy all that a city has to offer in only five days all the while enjoying a leisurely vacation? The simple answer to that question is nobody can, so as difficult as it may have been, I decided to let things go and enjoy the present moment.

 

 

I internalized that we will miss some of the “must sees”, that there’s a good chance we won’t grab a bite at “the best bakery in town” and that we won’t see the “once in a lifetime exhibition”.

Alright, I let it go. 

Besides, Paris, to me, was a place where, primarily, I wanted to soak up the city’s magical atmosphere. That doesn’t mean we sat in cafes and restaurants all day {although we did manage to get in a good amount of food consumption}, neither does it mean that we didn’t see breathtaking sights {after all, we are used to waking up early on these trips}, but we definitely did enjoy the moment, get lost in the streets and alleyways, and create unforgettable memories. 

Without further ado, here is my guide to Paris. The guide includes information on how to get around, where we chose to stay, and things to see and do when in Paris, shopping and food among them.

Enjoy ♡

Click here to download my map of Paris.

Click here and here to watch the Stories I published while I was in Paris

 

 

GET AROUND

 

Arriving in Paris

Since we wanted to get to Paris directly from Frankfurt, we had two options – a direct flight or train ride. Since trains throughout Europe are a breeze, we didn’t think twice, and after a quick calculation we realized how much easier it would be to take the train, and avoid the whole airport hassle. We purchased our tickets with on Trainline’s website via TB Trains, and decided that an extra 10 Euros each would be worth the perks {reserved comfortable seats and free WiFi}. 

Returning to Israel

Paris has two international airports; Charles de Gaulle and Orly. We made our way back to Tel Aviv through Charles de Gaulle on an El Al Flight. El Al offers flights to Paris at decent times of day, which allowed us to make the most out of our last day and return home in comfortably seated in Economy Plus. 

There are three ways to get to the airport

Train – RER trains, leave every 15 minutes or so, between 5am and midnight, from the major underground stations. Travel time to the airport is about 30 minutes, and the price of a ticket is 10.30 Euro. I recommend you check with Google Maps to see if any of the stations are near where you're staying.

Bus – There are some buses that get to the airport as well, but from I understood, it is often a lot slower, and less worth it. 

Taxi – The easiest and priciest way to get around. Riding in a cab or an Uber will take anywhere between 40-75 minutes {depending on the time of day}. If you’re traveling with plenty of luggage and don’t want the hassle of the train, go for this option. The ride will cost you about 50 Euros, more during peak traffic. In this case, check out Google maps for the best estimated price at relevant times. 

How to get around town

Paris is comprised of 20 arrondissements (quarters), the main tourist attractions are located in the cluster of quarters in the heart of the city. Paris by foot is  fun, but since there is so much to see and do, you can’t avoid public transport from time to time. 

Public transportation – Paris has an extensive public transportation system of buses and trains. The subway has two separate systems: The Metro, which reaches over 300 stations all over the city, and the RER which reaches the suburbs {useful also to get to Versaille and Euro Disney}. In general, I always recommend using the Google maps app to help you navigate and easily get from place to place. If you plan on using public transportation you can choose from a selection of Metro cards, to be used on the various trains and buses, depending on how long you’ll need it for {from a daily ticket to multiple day ticket, and depending on the zones you’d like to reach}. Keep in mind that before using any bus or train it is very important to validate your ticket in the correct machine to avoid getting a fine. Click here for more info. 

Bicycles and Scooters – As with other major cities in the world, Paris can also be toured via bicycle or scooter.

Taxis – Although higher in price, there’s always the good ol’ fashioned taxi cab.  In this case, check out Google maps for the best estimated price at relevant times.

STAY

 

During our dream of a trip we were invited to stay at a hotel by the French brand Fauchon, named Fauchon L’Hotel Paris, located in the prestigious 8th arrondissement, not far from Madeleine. This hotel is precisely what French dreams are made of. Think luxury, femininity, uncompromising service, and attention to the finest of details. I will soon publish a post dedicated to this hotel – as it deserves special attention!

 

 

EXPLORE

 

The Eiffel Tower – I have to begin with the most cliche attraction, because how could I not? I know, everyone who is anyone talks about the Eiffel Tower, and I’m sure you’ve seen and heard about it endlessly, but I assure you, nothing can prepare you for the impact this structure has in reality. 

On our second morning, we decided to wake up early and expose ourselves to Paris’ 8 AM beauty, viewed from Trocadero. The Trocadero is in the 16th arrondissement, it is home to a number of museums and beautiful gardens that make the perfect backdrop for iconic Eiffel photos. 

 

 

The moment we stepped into the square and saw the iconic Parisian tower, we were left out of breath and speechless. Simply so. I assume it sounds like I am exaggerating but I do believe that in my adult life {meaning, from the moment I began to enjoy these types of things} I have never seen anything as impressive as this tower. It is no surprise that it became not only the symbol of Paris, but of France. The tower is 324 meters tall and is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel who built it in 1889. Although it has an esteemed status in the world today, I was quite shocked to find out how many objected to it at the time, so much so they almost dismantled it. Lucky they didn’t 🙂

Anyway, as cliche as it gets, the Eiffel became the symbol of our trip. A magnet we were suddenly drawn to on a daily basis. Not only could we see it from our bedroom window at Fauchon L’Hotel Paris, we returned to see it over and over again during the day, and admired its beauty as it sparkled against the night sky.

We did give up climbing the tower, as August in Paris is the high tourist season and apparently it  takes an hour and a half just to go through a security check ?. But I have no doubt we will go back to Paris many times, and in calmer seasons.

 

 

5 important tips when visiting the Eiffel Tower

? If you want to enjoy a perfect and tourist-free view, or take a picture of the tower without a million tourists in the background, you should arrive early in the morning {I think by around 9 there were relatively few people}. By the way, this is true of every tourist attraction in the world.

? If you plan on climbing to the top, don’t skip purchasing Skip The Line tickets in advance. Keep in mind there are different types of tickets – full guided tour, audio guides through the second floor, and for those up for the challenge, a guided tour and climb {by foot} up to the tower’s second floor. 

? If you’re in Paris off-season, a French picnic in the garden by the tower sounds perfect. All you need is a good bottle of wine, fresh baguette, and fruit. 

? If you’re searching for the perfect location type in 228 rue de l'universite, a small side street from where you can be photographed between the buildings , with the tower in all of its glory in the back. You’ll thank me later 🙂

? The tower shines every hour on the hour from sundown until 1 AM for five minutes. Don’t miss this!

 

 

Champs Elysee – One of the most famous and beautiful boulevards there are, and for good reason. The picturesque boulevard has the Concord at one end and on the other end another icon of Paris – the Arc de Triomphe. The boulevard is filled with luxury stores, cafes, and restaurants. It's important to know that the Champs-Elysees stores are also open on Sundays, but this is also the day when the prestigious avenue is particularly packed with tourists, which greatly reduces the luxury and Parisian experience. We first arrived on a Sunday, and since we felt like we didn’t get the most out of it, we returned for another taste early the next morning to enjoy its true charm.

 

 

Arc de Triomphe – Paris’ second most iconic symbol, commissioned by Napoleon to flaunt his military achievements. Now, if you’ve heard of Napoleon, you already know that when he bragged – he bragged big. This monument is pretty crazy, and like the Eiffel Tower, a lot more impressive in reality. Not only due to its significantly large structure located in the center of a major intersection between 12  streets, but also because of its detailed engravings that are so inspiring. 

 

 

2 important tips when visiting the arch

? Same as the Eiffel, If you want to enjoy a perfect and tourist-free view, or take a picture of the tower without a million tourists in the background, you should arrive early in the morning {I think by around 9 there were relatively few people}.

? If you plan on going upstairs to see the view from above, purchase your Skip-the-line tickets online ahead of time.

 

 

Palais Royale – The royal palace, located in the first arrondissement of Paris, was the home of Cardinal Richelieu, a statesman, and a French churchman, and later served as the childhood home of King Louis XIV. Although it is not possible to enter the palace, it is worth arriving to be impressed by the beautiful gardens surrounding it and its famous inner courtyard, which includes a unique artwork by artist Daniel Buren. The black and white striped pillars have become very famous, mainly because together with the stunning architecture of the palace they create a beautiful backdrop for pictures.

 

 

Musée du Louvre – The Louvre, also found in the 1st, is the largest museum in the world, some say the most famous, not only but also because it houses the famous Mona Lisa painting. We decided to skip the museum this time, we felt tight on time and didn’t want to make the same mistake of visiting a major tourist attraction in peak season {see our Vatican experience in Rome where we were almost crushed by the hoards of people and simply couldn’t enjoy the actual place}, so we opted for the outdoor pyramid surrounded by beautiful architecture and the lovely Tuilerie gardens.

 

 

Important tips for visiting the Louvre

? Ideal visiting hours are early in the morning, or late at night, when there are less tourists.  

? Keep in mind the museum is closed on Tuesdays, and open late until 10PM on Wednesdays and Fridays.

? If you plan on entering the Louvre, don’t pass up the opportunity to purchase a skip-the-line ticket online, ahead of time, to avoid the long wait. 

? I was 12 years old the last time I visited the Louvre, and I would just like to warn you that an encounter with The Mona Lisa is not as impressive in reality as you might imagine it to be. The painting itself is quite small, and surrounded by dozens of tourists trying to get a glimpse of it. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to say it’s not worth a visit, the museum houses an inconceivable amount of renowned artworks, and visiting the lavish galleries is an experience in itself. The Louvre is definitely a place I would like to revisit, in a calmer season.

 

 

Tuileries Garden – The Tuileries Garden between the Louvre Museum and the Concord Square are Paris's largest and most famous gardens. The gardens have a classic French style, trees trimmed in geometric shapes colorful flowers, sculptures and  beautiful fountains. Every summer the gardens are transformed into an especially colorful and fun fair filled with amusement park rides and food stands. Don’t pass on the opportunity to go on the ferris wheel – especially fun either night or day!

 

 

Saint Germain des Pres – Paris’ oldest church, a remnant from the 6th century. It is located in the heart of Boulevard Saint Germain des Pres, named for the cathedral. The historical church is currently undergoing, and has been for the last few years, a massive reconstruction to preserve its magnificent beauty. 

 

 

Cafe De Flore – The oldest cafe in Paris, located on the corner of Boulevard of Saint-Germain and Saint-Benoit streets, Saint-Germain-des-Pres and the sixth arrondissement. The cafe is well known as a meeting place for famous authors, artists, and philosophers, including Picasso and Hemingway. Ever since its establishment in 1890, the cafe’s design has barely been touched and its vibe is as vintage as it gets.

 

 

Luxembourg Gardens –  The famous gardens are classic French gardens surrounding the Luxembourg Palace. Check out this lovely setting flower-filled garden to enjoy its beautifully kept nature, sit by the big lake, and watch the little toy boats that Parisians sail for their enjoyment.

 

 

Notre-Dame – The Middle-Ages catholic cathedral took over 200 to complete, and became one the symbols of Gothic architecture, and a Parisian icon. The structure caught fire and was badly burnt in April 2019, which is why it is closed, but it was still important to us to go see this historical building. Even after the fire, its facade remains remarkable. 

 

 

Le Marais – is one of the chicest, colorful neighborhoods in Paris. It has true character and local charm, beautiful squares and green parks, and places famous fashion brands beside boutiques and vintage shops. The neighborhood is also overflowing with trendy bars and cafes. 

 

 

Rue Crémieux – If Instagrammable spots are precisely your cup of tea, check out this sweet street. Situated in the 12th arrondissement, the residential street was originally designed for workers’ housing and has recently become a top photoshoot location due to its character it developed over the years. The buildings’ facades were painted pastel hues, like London’s Notting Hill and Italy’s Burano Island. Similar to Notting Hill, people live in the homes on this street and it's important to respect their space and keep from disturbing them. 

 

 

Montmartre – The picturesque Montmartre, located in Paris’ 18th arrondissement, was one of the places I most enjoyed spending time in. It sits high atop of a hill overlooking the city, and has an enchanting history that has left its mark on the area until today.  From a small village of vineyards and windmills, it eventually became the height of the bohemian scene, where famous artists, particularly painters, passed through, lived and mingled, including Van Gogh and Picasso. The neighborhood is mostly known for its famous attraction the Sacre Coeur Basilica. I really recommend that you spend at least half a day in this magical place where artistic impressions and bohemian vibes fill the air. We enjoyed strolling passed shops and inspiring architecture, and soaking up the special energy sipping coffee. Keep in mind that Montmartre was built on a hill so lots of ups and downs are included and comfortable shoes could be very helpful 🙂

 

 

Sacré Cœur – The name of the church literally translates to “Sacred Heart” and is located at the highest point of the city, on the hilltop of Montmartre. After climbing up {by foot, although a cable car is also available} the famous white church with its pure appearance, and the amazing view of the city seen below. The basilica is no less beautiful on the inside, with a beautiful mosaic ceiling, one of the largest among its kind, that depicts Jesus and his allies. The entrance to the church is free and visiting hours are 6AM-10PM.

 

 

Place du Tertre – A short walk from the church is Place du tertre, a small but very lively square, lined with restaurants and cafes, and filled with artists showcasing their paintings, drawings and illustrated portraits. 

Moulin Rouge – Another famous icon of the 18th arrondissement are the traditional, French cabaret performances, located in the Clichy-Pigalle area at the bottom of Montmartre. The most famous of them is, of course, the Moulin Rouge, which is famous for its red windmill and has become a symbol of French bohemian culture, and a source of imitation. The Moulin Rouge is based in the heart of the Parisian “Red Light District” that has formed around the cabaret over the years.

 

 

Pigalle Basketball – The French fashion brand named Pigalle {after the city’s red light district} in collaboration with the French design studio Ill-Studio, joined forces with Nike and designed a cool and colorful basketball court in the neighborhood. You should definitely get a peak of the court, and if you’re lucky and it’s empty you can shoot a photo before heading to Pink Mama – a restaurant I write about later in this post. 

Going to Paris for a longer period of time, or just feel like reading more about it? Click here for more information on interesting attractions in Paris!

 

SHOP

 

Where to shop in Paris? Oh, I assure you there are more than enough places…

As a megacity and one of fashion’s capitals, you can find anything and everything in Paris, and don’t even have to look too hard to find it. Whether you’re into haute-couture, small boutiques, or international fashion brands, I know for sure you will not return home empty-handed.

To keep form you being confused or overwhelmed from all Paris has to offer, here is some useful information for shopping around. {Like I said there are plenty of places to shop – but these are the ones we made it to 🙂 }

Champs Elysees – As I’ve mentioned, Champs Elysees is famous for its high-end fashion stores, but also offers more “accessible” shopping experience, like Zara, Sephora, and more. By the way, if it’s haute-couture you’re after, and haven’t found what you’re looking for, take a walk around the nearby streets and you’ll find plenty of couture. The stores on Champs Elysees are also open on Sundays. 

Le Marais – for all the brands and vintage vintage vintage. 

Saint Germain – This area has lots of old book shops and record stores, but also fashion boutiques and haute-couture.

Boulevard Haussmann – The long boulevard {2.5 km!} is considered to be one of the city’s major shopping areas. The classy neighborhood is famous for its department stores – Galerie Lafayette and Printemps, but you’ll find lots more like H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo.

FOOD

 

Ok, we’ve made it to the most important part… Food spots in Paris! Where shall I even begin?

Well, first of all – get ready to be constantly full, and still have room for another macaron, baguette, or tempting piece of cake. Get used to saying “It’s not everyday that I’m in Paris” ?

No matter how much you prepare yourself for it, be prepared that on this trip you are likely to eat a lot! Unless you're strictly disciplined!

I, of course, made an effort to eat as much as I could, an eclair at Fauchon, a macaron at Laduree, a piece of chocolate at Pierre Herme. But we didn’t only do random tastings, so here are the places we wined and dined at during our trip to Paris: 

Breakfast at Grand Cafe Fauchon – Breakfast at the hotel was served at the Grand Cafe Fauchon right next to the hotel we stayed in. The restaurant offers three kinds of breakfasts : French Breakfast, Fauchon Healthy Breakfast, and Fauchon Breakfast. Every morning, we indulged in the last breakfast on the list, and the most indulgent of the three, which includes Fauchon champagne, hot drinks, freshly squeezed juice, pastries and bread with butter, jam and chocolate spread, yogurt or cereal, eggs with 2 sides, a cheese platter, fruit , and dessert. To sum up – the perfect breakfast. I highly recommend you enjoy a breakfast here, even if you’re not planning on staying at this hotel. {It is priced at 39 Euro}.

 

 

Pink Mamma – A perfect Italian restaurant in Montmartre that you must try! The restaurant is neatly designed in a bohemian-eclectic and Instagram-style and serves fine Italian food alongside excellent cocktails. We tried to make a reservation in advance through the restaurant's website and found the entire restaurant was surprisingly booked a month ahead, so we decided to try our luck and simply arrived without a reservation – needless to say we were immediately seated. Do keep in mind that we showed up at the end of the lunch service, so this might be the reason for our prompt seating. You should really try to call ahead of time and reserve a table because this is one place you don't want to miss. By the way, if you show up at night, head to “No Entry” – the bar located in the restaurant’s basement, to try one of their specialty interesting cocktails.

 

 

Le Vrai Paris – Another cafe-restaurant on the bustling Rue des Abbesses in Montmartre. After countless ups and downs the hill, we decided to take a pit stop to enjoy an Aperol Spritz in one of the street cafes. I can’t tell you much about the nature of the food served at the place, because we only had drinks, but the location on the main street is the perfect place to stop for a rest.

 

 

Rivie at the Hoxton Hotel – A great new restaurant that opened in the summer of 2019. Although the restaurant is on the hotel terrace, the atmosphere is local-young Parisian. The design is relaxed, and fun, the dishes are intriguing and tasty, and they have a wonderful selection of cocktails and boutique beers. Worth checking the place out for an evening drink.

 

 

Balagan – There are two types of Israelis abroad – the kind that will always check out the Israeli restaurant, and the kind that would never be caught dead in it. Until not so long ago I was the latter…I mean, I eat Israeli cuisine all of the time, and when I travel I like to try and taste new things. So it is pretty funny that we ended up dining at Mediterranean-Israeli style restaurant twice {!} during our trip to Frankfurt and Paris. In Frankfurt, it was because the restaurant was in our hotel, and we most definitely enjoyed it. But how come in Paris, only a few days later, did we choose to do this again? Well, first of all, Balagan is one of Paris’ trendier restaurants, by Israeli chef Assaf Granit, and we wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Second of all, it was close to our hotel which made it pretty easy to get to, and since we spent most of our days on our feet and had late dinners. To make a long story short – we now know why this restaurant became so talked about so quickly. An ethnic fusion with perfect flavours, super young, edgy atmosphere {if loud music in a restaurant isn’t your style, this place is not for you…} and excellent service. Price wise, just like a chef restaurant in Tel Aviv. If you want to check it out I highly recommend to make a reservation. 

Cafe De Paris – If you're looking for a traditional French meal in a fun atmosphere, this is the place for you! The restaurant, set on a lively little pedestrian street called Rue de Buci, serves a variety of traditional French cuisine. We ordered a very rich cheese platter, 2 glasses of local wine, amazing onion soup and Beef Bourguignon and enjoyed every minute. The service was the best we encountered in Paris,  and the prices were reasonable.

 

 

The Smiths Bakery – On the very same street you will find this wonderful bakery. Don’t pass up a piece of their delicious cake or a fresh baguette sandwich.

 

 

Rue Montorgueil – A perfect street for foodies, lined with cafes, wine bars, bistros, bakeries, and excellent cheese, meat, and fish delis, fruit and vegetable stands, and of course, flowers. 

 

 

Paris, you were dreamier than they make you out to be, one thing is certain – a five-day trip leaves you wanting more. This guide to the city of lights is just the tip of the iceberg, there are so many more things that I’d like to see and do in this amazing city!

I guess that leaves me with a good excuse to come back soon 🙂

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* המדריך נכתב בשיתוף עם חברת התעופה אל על. כל הדעות בכתבה הן שלי.