Insider's Guide to ParisHow to spend the perfect day in Paris - from an American who's currently living there and who spends every bit of her free time exploring the city.Authorsallisonwolf
DestinationsParisItinerary

Morning

Noir
For a guality coffee in the morning, I recommend heading to Noir. They're a chain with locations all throughout Paris and their coffee is always consistently good. Each location has a slightly different vibe and feel to it. This one is one the smaller side but it's super close to Petit Palais and Musée de l'Orangerie.
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Orangerie & Monet's Water Lilies Exclusive Tour w/ Reserved Entry
If you've already been to the Louvre, or if you want to see something a little bit different, check out Musée de l'Orangerie. It's an art gallery with impressionist-style paintings inside - including Monet's Water Lilies. It's also right next to Petit Palais so you can cross both spots off your list at the same time.
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Petit Palais
Petit Palais is a free museum in Paris with a beautiful cafe and inner courtyard in the middle of it. The cafe doesn't serve the best coffee or treats, but the building is stunning and I find it really relaxing here - especially in the morning right when it opens.
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Afternoon

Le Cèdre
Le Cèdre is a delicious, quick lunch stop that sells Lebanese food to go. I usually get their falafel wrap and it's the perfect mix of flavors and freshness. The price point is great as well since this part of Paris is an area with a lot of university students.
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Latin Quarter Paris - Exclusive Guided Walking Tour
The Latin Quarter is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Paris! It's known for it's traditional, Parisian architecture and charming, winding streets. On this walking tour, you'll see Île de la Cite, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Shakespeare and Co, and other famous spots in the area.
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Photo Session in Paris - Photographer at the Eiffel Tower
Paris is one of those cities where it's really nice to have your photo taken. There are so many beauitful streets and unique viewpoints of the Eiffel Tower - all of which are perfect for documenting your trip! In this tour, a photographer takes you for a quick photo session on the Bir Hakeim bridge and then along the banks of the Seine.
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Evening

Carette
One of the things Paris is known for is hot chocolate. Not just any hot chocolate though - rich, creamy, decadent hot chocolate with huge dollop of whipped creme on top. It's a bit of an experience to have while you're in Paris and Carette is the place to do it!
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Eiffel Tower Viewpoint
A trip to Paris isn't complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night! It sparkles for the first 5 minutes of every hour after sunset and it makes for a romantic evening by the Seine. There are countless viewpoints of the Eiffel Tower but this particular one is a favorite of mine.
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La Jacobine
A nice dinner spot in the 5th arrondissement where you can try traditional French dishes like onion soup, steak tartare, and coq au vin. The prices are reasonable and the servers are friendly. This area also has a lot of great wine bars in case you feel like walking around and grabbing a drink after dinner.
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Where to stay

Le Pavillon de la Reine
Le Pavillon de la Reine would be my top pick from this list, simply because of it's location next to Place des Vosges - a beautiful square in the Marais neighborhood. Le Marais is a an area of Paris that's filled with coffee shops, thrift stores, and narrow, winding streets. It has a very historical, artsy feel to it and is a bit quieter than other parts of Paris.
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Hôtel d'Aubusson
If you like spending time by the pool or want to listen to live jazz music, Hôtel d'Aubusson is a great option. It's a 5-star hotel located in the 6th arrondissement, close to the Seine. From here, you're in a great spot for an evening walk along the river, or an afternoon visit to Jardin du Luxembourg.
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Hôtel Marignan Champs-Élysées
This 5-star hotel is very centrally located to all of the major sites in Paris. From here, you could quickly and easily get to the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, or the Louvre. They also offer rooms with terraces in case you're looking for a spot that has a classic, Parisian view overlooking the city.
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Le Petit Beaumarchais Hotel & Spa
Le Petit Beaumarchais Hotel & Spa is next to one of my favorite weekend markets in Paris - Marché Bastille. It's also located near the Marais neighborhood and is in a great location for walking towards Canal Saint-Martin. It's a bit on the smaller side, but they have a nice pool and sauna.
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