This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Travel Guide To Paris

Chances are, visiting Paris has been on your bucket list for years. The food, the romance, the stunning architecture – it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Unsurprisingly, everything that is said about Paris is true. It’s amazing that so much beauty is packed into one city. Paris does not disappoint. Especially, if you’ve done your research.

Don’t Forget Your Comfy, But Chic Walking Shoes

If you’ve done a bit of traveling before, you know shoes are key to a good trip. You need your hard-working feet to be pain-free and comfy as you clock up the miles on foot. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. For my favorite lightweight walking shoes click here, for my top recommended walking flats click here, and for my best tips on pretty sandals click here.

What to Know About the Distinct Neighborhoods

If you haven’t been to Paris before, the main thing to know is that the city is separated into 20 neighborhoods, or as the French say arrondissements.

Navigating the city is actually quite easy, thanks to the Metro system (subway). You are never more than a few blocks away from a subway stop.

Keeping that in mind, make sure to write a list of your must-see attractions. You will start to notice that some are in the same neighborhood. To make the most of your time, plan to see attractions that are nearest to each other.

For example, the 7th arrondissement is where you’ll find the Eiffel Tower and the Rodin Museum. You’ll want to visit those on the same outing.

It would be a shame to waste the opportunity to see something amazing, not knowing how close it was to you.

Get acquainted with this Paris guide map. It will help you make sense of the city.

Since Paris is a sprawling city, I’ve narrowed down the best things to eat, see, and shop, by neighborhood, in my travel guide to Paris:

1st arrondissement – luxurious neighborhood in the center of Paris, with many monuments and palaces

See:

• the Louvre (for the Mona Lisa)
• the Jardin des Tuileries (for picnics and people watching)

Shop:

• Rue Saint-Honore (boutique shopping)
• Passage du Grand Cerf (historic shopping promenade)

Eat:

• Claus (chic breakfast and brunch spot)
• Hotel Ritz (Sunday brunch and Coco Chanel once lived here)
• Au Pied de Cochon (old-school cafe open 24 hrs a day)

2nd arrondissement – small neighborhood with hidden gems

Shop:

• Galerie Vivienne (iconic covered arcade)

Eat:

• Rue Montorgeuil (foodie and shopping paradise)
• Lockwood (cozy breakfast and lunch)

3rd arrondissement – Part of the Marais, the trendiest neighborhood in Paris

See:

• Musee Picasso (free the 1st Sunday of the month)
• Place de Vosges (tranquil garden surrounded by beautiful buildings)

Shop:

• rues Vieille du Temple (trendy shopping street)
• Merci (eclectic and trendy shop with cafe)

Eat:

• Marche des Enfants Rouges (oldest covered market in Paris)
• Chez Janou (classic Parisian restaurant)
• Little Red Door (unique bar)

4th arrondissement – The Marais, the trendiest neighborhood in Paris

See:

• Notre Dame (beautiful cathedral)
• Le Centre Pompidou (modern museum with great views)

Shop:

• rue des Franc Borgeois (chic shopping street)

Eat:

• Berthillon (famous ice cream shop)
• l’As du Falafel (best in Paris)
• La Belle Hortense (cozy bar/bookshop)

5th arrondissement – the Latin Quarter, narrow streets bustling with people

See:

• Jardin des Plantes (garden, greenhouses, and all-around hidden gem)
• Musee de la Sculpture en Plein Air (museum along the River Seine, hidden gem)

Shop:

• Shakespeare and Co (iconic bookshop)

Eat:

• Rue Mouffetard (quintessential Parisian street lined with cheese shops, etc)
• Strada Cafe (cozy cafe)

6th arrondissement –  Saint Germain-des-Pres, upscale neighborhood

See:

• Musee du Luxembourg
• Jardin du Luxembourg

Shop:

• St. Germain des Pres

Eat:

• Meert (traditional patisserie from 1761)
• Patisserie Michalak (modern patisserie with a twist)
• Cafe Les Deux Magots (iconic Parisian cafe, great for people watching)

7th arrondissement – Eiffel Tower and very expensive area to live

See:

• Eiffel Tower (busy, but beautiful. Get off at Trocadero station for the perfect photo)
• Musee d’ Orsay (iconic art in a beautiful museum)
• Musee Rodin (dedicated to the famous sculptor, great garden to picnic)
• Batobus (affordable boat tour, down the River Seine)

Eat:

• Les Ombres (restaurant with stunning views of the Eiffel Tower)

8th arrondissement – luxurious neighborhood

See:

• Musee Jaquemort-Andre (elegant mansion turned museum)
• Petit Palais (beautiful museum)
• Grand Palais (stunning glass building, housing a museum)
• Parc Monceau  (beautiful public park, great for picnics)

Eat:

• Laduree Royale (macarons galore)
• Honor Cafe (cute little cafe)

Shop:

• Rue Montaigne (luxury shopping street)
• Champs Elysees (famous boulevard, but losing its character)

9th arrondissement –  lively neighborhood

Shop:

• Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
• Rue de Martyres
• Passage Jouffroy

Eat:

• Le Grand Cafe Capucines
• KB Cafe Shop

10th arrondissement – hip neighborhood, along a canal

See:

• Canal St.-Martin

 Eat:

• La Taverne de Shao
• Holybelly

11th arrondissement – Oberkampf, hip and edgy neighborhood

See:

• Ongoing murals (107 rue Oberkampf)

Shop:

• Les Oiseaux (women’s clothing boutique)

Eat:

• Chez Aline
• Krugen
• Le Food Market Paris
• My Woodie (dive bar with a jukebox)

12th arrondissement – Bastille, safe and accessible neighborhood to stay in

See:

• Musee des Arts Forains

Shop:

• Rue Cremieux

Eat:

• Cafe CC

13th arrondissement – quiet and feels like a village, lots of street art, but is further afield

See:

• Buttes aux Cailles (hilltop neighborhood, walk down rue de la Butte aux Cailles)

 14th arrondissement – peaceful neighborhood away from the hustle and bustle

 Eat:

• Hexagone Cafe

15th arrondissement – quiet village setting, with many locals and no landmarks

See:

• O Coffeeshop (local favorite)
• Des Gateaux et du Pain (modern patisserie)

16th arrondissement – residential neighborhood, which is very upscale

See:

• Musee d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
• Fondation Louis Vuitton
• Musee Marmotten

Eat:

• Carette Patisserie
• Marche Ave du President Wilson – (Food market open on Wed. and Sat.)

17th arrondissement – up and coming neighborhood where creatives live

See:

• Jean-Jacques Henner National Museum

Eat:

• Pasteleria Belem (Portuguese pastry shop)
• Gare Au Gorille

18th arrondissement – vintage Paris, but areas East of Blanche metro are sketchy, especially at night.

See:

• Sacre Couer (stunning church, great views)

Eat:

• Marche Aux Puces St. Ouen
• Il Brigante
• Le Tres Particulier
• Terass Hotel

19th arrondissement – remote neighborhood, best left for a 2nd or 3rd trip to Paris

See:

• Parc des Buttes Chaumont

20th arrondissement – remote neighborhood, best left for a 2nd or 3rd trip to Paris

Eat:

• Cream
• Le Baratin (traditional French cuisine)

Now, start planning!

P.s. Here are cute lightweight shoes for traveling and a fun book on how to be Parisian.