Our Weekend Guide to Paris, France

Whether you think of it as the city of lights or the city of love, Paris is argued to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. From the historical landmarks and the renowned artwork to the delicious food and the high fashion, Paris will forever have a piece of our hearts. But, because it is also filled to the brim with activity, it sometimes can be hard to figure out what is worth seeing. So, we have narrowed down our favorite places in Paris, so you can relax and enjoy all of the sites and smells (of the croissants and crepes of course). Happy travels!

Best way to travel:

Take the metro! Since Paris is such a huge city, taking the metro is the way to go! There are metro stations just about everywhere in the city, so buy a pass at any station and use it throughout your stay.

Saturday

8:00 AM – Breakfast at Angelina

Angelina is an icon in Paris. Founded in 1903 by an Austrian confectioner, this teahouse has served some of the most notable clients, including Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn. But what they are most known for is their mouthwatering, thick, rich hot chocolate (of course, topped with their homemade whipped cream). Pair it with their equally famous Mont Blanc pastry, which combines meringue, Chantilly and light chestnut cream vermicelli (and it the most incredible thing you will ever eat). If you are more in the mood for breakfast, you MUST order the Angelina breakfast, which includes a drink of choice (opt for the hot chocolate), freshly squeezed fruit juice, pastries, bread, fruit salad and eggs. We all agreed it was the best breakfast we had ever eaten!

9:00 AM – Visit The Louvre

The Louvre is a central landmark of the city, boasting exquisite artwork and antiquities from countless centuries and cultures. Most importantly, it holds the Mona Lisa, one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most renowned pieces of art. Consequently, there are always tons of tourists dying to stare into the eyes of Mona Lisa. So, make sure to get to the museum when it opens at 9:00 AM. After wandering through the halls of the expansive museum and taking a step back into time, step out of the museum and take an infamous picture “touching” the tip of the Louvre Pyramid. Although it may take a few tries, trust us, it will be worth it.

11:00 AM – Take pictures at the Love Lock Bridge

Kanye West was totally on point when he said, “keep your love locked down,” because locals and tourists alike have been locking their love onto the famous bridge, Pont des Arts, in Paris for years. Unfortunately, the city had to say “au revoir” to the love locks in 2015, due to excessive weight on the bridge from the padlocks. But have no fear love lock lovers, people have been now putting their locks on other bridges near the Pont des Arts that are just as magnificent. Just make sure to buy a lock at one of the stands on the way to the Pont des Arts, because they are not free!

12:00 PM – Get lunch at Le Crepuscule/The Little Breizh/Au P’tit Grec

Holy crepe is right, because let us tell you, France has the yummiest crepes you will ever eat. And if you are a Nutella lover, you will simply be in hazelnut heaven. So, when we visited the crepe’s founding country, we made sure to search for the best crepe eateries in Paris. We ended up eating at Au P’tit Grec, a quaint panini and crepe hotspot for locals and tourists alike. Only drawback? There is always a long wait. So, make sure to prepare yourself for the line wrapped around the block. Wondering what to order? We opted for a savory (ham, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese) and a sweet crepe (Nutella and banana) and shared them between us, because they are so big! Once you have that first bite, that long wait will be beyond worth it.

2:00 PM- Visit the Musée d’Orsay

Compared to The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay is a modern oasis. The museum is actually housed in a former railway station, so its architecture is industrial and contemporary, with a beautiful dome ceiling and its famous clock hanging in the main hall. It actually holds the most impressionist and post-impressionist pieces in the world, so it is a treat to see some of these in person. Some of the painters featured include Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. Although this museum is less popular than The Louvre, do expect a significant wait.

3:30 PM – Dessert at Ladurée

Iconic for its macarons, Ladurée serves up some of the sweetest (and most Instagrammable) pastries and desserts in Paris. Its original location at 16 Rue Royale, boasts elegance and charm, with each room fashioning something unique. Order their famous Ispahan, which features rose water creme sandwiched in between 2 giant rose macarons that are surrounded by raspberries and sprinkled with lychee. Wash it down with some hot tea (our fave is the Marie Antoinette).

5:00 PM – Go shopping at Galleries Lafayette

Attention all fashion lovers: if you are looking for the French shopping mecca, we have found your match. Between its 280 stores and exquisite architecture (the ceiling is incredible), you will be walking around with your mouth wide open. Just strolling through all of the luxurious departments and designer displays made us swoon with excitement. Make sure to stop by some of the beauty counters on the first floor, because the mall offers so many different brands from around the world (think a totally upgraded Sephora). Plus, this 1912 established mall offers an unbeatable view of Paris from above on its rooftop. So, grab a cappuccino and take in the beauty.

7:00 PM – Picnic dinner at the Eiffel Tower (baguette from Eric Kayser)

One of our favorite memories in Paris was bringing a picnic dinner to the Eiffel Tower at night. We picked up a baguette from the legendary Eric Kayser bakery, some turkey, fresh cheese and a bottle of champagne on the way to the Eiffel Tower and then enjoyed our dinner while looking up at one of the most famous monuments in the world. Make sure to stay until it begins to twinkle (goes on for 10 minutes every hour in the evening), because it is certainly a sight to see and a memory to last a lifetime. So, pop open that champagne bottle and toast to a night of magical moments.

Photo by Annamarie Akins

Sunday

9:30 AM – Breakfast at Du Pain et des Idees

Dating from 1889 and known for its amazing pastries and croissants, this bakery exceeded our expectations and more. From the instant you walk into this famous establishment you will instantly encounter the delicious smell of homemade baked goods, made fresh every day. Our favorites were the apple turnover, chocolate croissant and the country bread (which was absolutely amazing by itself, no butter needed).

Photo by Katie Mitchell

10:30 AM- Climb up the Eiffel Tower

Yes, there are three levels to the top. Yes, each level consists of 300-350 steps. But, it is a memory to last a lifetime. Once you conquer the insane line to buy the actual ticket, you will have the opportunity to either walk the entire way up the tower or take lifts up to the top. Either way, you will be able to see the exquisite views of Paris and its monuments from up above (and will proudly be able to say, “Eiffel for Paris”). Make sure to bring your camera, because you will need to make this moment last forever.

12:30 PM – Lunch at L’As du Fallafel

Yup, you heard it right, falafel…in Paris. But, we promise you, it will be the best falafel you will ever try! From the garlic chickpea fritters to the decadent hummus and crunchy cabbage piled high in a soft pita pit, you will be salivating as you devour this masterful creation. Since it is so popular there will be a line, but it usually goes fast. Although there is a small seating area inside, opt for indulging in your falafel outside with the rest of the foodie folks outside. It simply tastes better that way.

Photo via The Darling Detail

1:30 PM – Visit Notre-Dame de Paris

Notre Dame is a medieval Catholic cathedral known for its French Gothic architecture. From its ornate stained glass to its beautiful statues, this church is simply breathtaking. Visit the cathedral’s treasury to see historical relics, such as the Crown of Thorns and one of the Holy Nails. Feel free to also attend one of the services (there are many throughout the day), which are open to the public and free of charge. Just make sure you get there early, so you can find a seat!

3:00 PM – Visit the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It is located at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle and at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. The monument is actually older than the Eiffel Tower! Since the arch honors those who fought for France in the Napoleonic Wars, the names of the generals and wars fought are engraved on the inside and top of the arch. Make sure to buy tickets, so you can climb up the Arc de Triomphe and witness the expansive bird’s-eye view of the city.

4:30 PM – Cheesecake at Hotel Costes

When Kim Kardashian was pregnant, she flew to Paris just to satisfy her sweet tooth with her favorite dessert, Hotel Coste’s famous cheesecake. And let us tell you, this cheesecake was well worth the 14 euros. The first bite was an out of body experience, between the smooth and creamy inside to the perfectly baked crust. The masterpiece is served lightly dusted with powdered sugar and coupled with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Absolute perfection. We just wanted seconds!

8:00 PM – Dinner at Le Calife

This dining experience is simply like no other! Enjoy a magical night on the Seine River, as you watch the city of lights sparkle in the moonlight and indulge in Paris’ best gastronomical cuisine. The boat cruise lasts for two hours, giving you the chance to witness some of the most beautiful monuments the city has to offer, all at night. It is simply the perfect way to culminate a weekend getaway in the picturesque city of Paris.

Tell us, what is your favorite part about Paris?