Paris, France
Where we stayed:
Hotel des Grands Hommes- located literally next door to the Pantheon this boutique hotel is in a fabulous location, the rooms are "big" for Paris and the beds are VERY comfortable. O yes, and the price is pretty amazing. You aren't going to get a lot of room (literally) no matter were you stay in Paris and honestly everywhere is a good location thanks to the metro/bike renting situation. We really loved this hotel because it was not located on a main street so you didn't get a lot of Euro noise, plus when you woke up in the morning and saw the great Pantheon out of your window you were one happy traveler.
What we did/ate (by day):
Lunch- Les Papilles- make a reservation a few weeks in advance and enjoy your first meal in Paris with a three course menu. The food is amazing and a perfect way to regroup after your flight
Rue Mouffetard Market- cute market a few blocks from the hotel where locals get their goods for the week and you can really get a feel for what Saturday's in Paris must be like. There is lots to eat here but unless you have a kitchen where you are staying you will just go for the sites and smells
La Dernière Goutte (wine shop)-on Saturday's this American owned French wine shops has wine tastings that start at 12 p.m. When you walk in, be aware it can feel a bit awkward because they are unsure if you are there for the tasting or to buy something. Don't worry about trying out your French, say in Enlish you would love to do their wine tastings and they will give you a glass!
Pantheon-free admission inside and a great stop before you take your afternoon nap before dinner
Lily of the Valley- beautiful tea room that can be visited anytime during your trip (the ceiling is made of flowers)
Dinner- Huiterie Regis
(oyster bar)-dear Lord this place is great. With only 12 seats in the whole place and a line to get in from the moment they open they serve two dishes: oysters and prawns. And both are not to be missed!
Breakfast- Café St. Regis-if you are planning to check out Notre Dame this cafe is a perfect way to start your day. A great breakfast in an authentic French setting
Rue Crémieux (rainbow houses)-we rode our bikes here from breakfast and it was a perfect way to get some exercise but also see a part of Paris that no one really knows about. Think of Rainbow Row in Charleston but located in Paris off a side street. Beautiful place for a good photo
Place des Vosges-rode our bikes to this beautiful garden where you can sit and people watch
Paris's Champs-Élysées/Arc de triomphe-the first Sunday of every month they shut down the streets and allow pedestrians to walk/bike Champs-Elysees. It is touristy here but if it is your first time in Paris it is a must!
Marie-Anne Cantin (cheese shop)-in our opinion this is the best cheese shop in Paris, so stinky and so French
Lunch- Café Central-located next to the cheese shop this cafe will provide a great lunch for a great price. Also, the people watching here is fabulous!
Eiffel Tower- right
Paroisse Saint-Eustache (Organ concert 5 p.m.)
Dinner- East Mama- Guys. This is important. I know that you don't have Italian on your minds when you are in France. BUT YOU HAVE TO GO HERE. They don't take reservations and you must go as soon as they open because the restaurant will be full within minutes but if you want real Italian, and I mean real, this will satisfy any taste buds. The pizza is to die for, the truffle pasta is made with practically half a truffle, and their mozzarella ball is the greatest you will have in your life. Serious. This is a must!
Breakfast-La Creperie- we were lazy one morning and didn't get up until about 11 so we wandered down the block to this place. It is a great breakfast and very close to the hotel
Luxenburg Gardens-just down the street fro the hotel is one of the many entrances into Luxenburg Gardens. Ride your bike or take a stroll to see the beauty of the gardens. There is a lot to see so make sure you give yourself a few hours to enjoy
Dary's-never hurts to check out antique jewelry in Paris, right? Great antique jewelry of all price ranges
Ritz Carlton Hotel-newly remodeled over four years for a small price of 400 millions dollars (yes, you read it right) it is very much worth stopping in for tea or a cocktail. Or honestly just to check out how freaking fancy it is! The hotel is beautiful and if you want to eat there make sure to make a rezzie at one of their money restaurants. This is worth a visit! And be prepared to see the Paris elite, because this is where they are. No fanny packs allowed
The Peninsula Paris (L'Oiseau Blanc Restaurant)-who doesn't love a rooftop bar in a fancy hotel? The views are one of a kind and perfect. The rose is killer. And you will get to hear French business deals go down from all the folks around you.
Dinner- Gentle Gourmet Café-Vegan in Paris? Never heard of her. Until now. Even if you aren't given but are wanting to switch up the fancy/heavy meals this place is worth it. I promise. They are taking food to a whole new level and it is healthy. Trust me, get a rezzie and just wait for this to show up on the blogs over the next year. It is going to be a Paris hot spot!
L’Avant Comptoir- we checked this out because Anthony Bourdain has been stopped at this joint and he is a my spirit animal. It is a great tapas, but be in the mindset to fight for your food and stand. After a day of drinking champagne I would say that I wasn't on my A game, plus they served mostly meat. Of course when we walked about to get our Uber we saw next door they have a seafood tapas bar. Figures.
Copper Bay-one of the only cocktail bars in Paris (shocking, I know)if you are looking to get your cocktail on this is the place
Looking back:
Spending four nights in Paris was worth it. There is SOOO much to do but you don't want to fill your days with too much. Before you go download City Mapper which will be your bible for getting around. You can put in where you want to go and it will give you every single detail for how to get there (walking, bus, bike, train), how much it will cost, how long it will take and where to sit on the mode of transportation you are taking so you don't have to walk as much. It is pure magic. If you don't speak French, which let's get real you don't, use Uber. It is fabulous for the city. Make sure to utilize the bikes for rent. They are located thousands of places around the city and are a perfect way to burn off breakfast/lunch and get to see the city. Paris is very bike friendly, so get out on the streets with your baguette in the basket and enjoy!
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