Paris Is Always a Good Idea
Paris is always a good idea.
Food, history, architecture, there’s so much to see. Let’s get into it.
Getting around
I think one of my favorite parts of Paris is simply the transportation. Paris is a walkable city. If you are getting around the different arrondissement, you can use the subway, a bus or you can walk. There is also Uber available, but you don’t really need it.
· Tickets: there are one of two things I would recommend buying, and which you go with depends on how much you are getting around and how long you are going to be there. Note that the tickets/passes work for the subway and the bus.
o they sell tickets in packs; you can get a 10 pack and it’s a good deal.
o You can get a weekly or monthly pass. I usually get the weekly pass because I move around a lot when I’m in Paris and its easier for me. The pass is refillable and its unlimited. Make sure you get the one that is for all zones.
· Google maps is perfect for getting around, it gives you the fastest options between walking, taxi, subway or bus. Google maps had me getting around like I was a local.
· If the time to your destination is the same walking, walk. Paris is a walkable city and there is so much to see. Small shops, restaurants that catch your eye that you want to visit later, and just the city itself. It’ll surround you by art, architecture and culture.
Where I stayed
I’ve stayed at the 25 Hours Gare du Nord Hotel every time I’ve been I’ve gone to Paris. This hotel is a few steps from Gare du Nord station which connects Paris to a lot of Europe and other parts of France, including the exhibition center where I was working. A very convenient location if you plan to travel outside of Paris, and honestly, traveling and getting around Paris isn’t hard even if you are not in the center.
I LOVE this hotel. The decor is beautiful—the 25 Hours brand is all about creating experiences that are centered around the city they are in and they do an incredible job at it. These hotels are very design forward—I work in design PR and this is a large reason why these hotels were selected! Additionally, the breakfast is unmatched. One of the best breakfast hotel buffets I’ve had. A large fresh cheese selection, hot options, very good coffee and again, beautiful decor.
The hotel restaurant, NENI, is delicious. It has Persian, Arabic, French, and Russian influences on the menu and every item served is fresh and made perfectly to order. Many nights I had dinners here after late nights working and it was always delightful. In the last 5 years, the hospitality industry, nationally and internationally, have made a large effort on focusing on food and beverage. It makes sense from a business perspective and the convenience alone will make you want to dine there more than once. Additionally, the hotel has a bar that is also wonderful, low lit, and very vibey.
The only caveat I feel I should mention is that because its by a major train station, it could be a little sketchy at night. With that in mind, all major cities can be and you always should be aware of your surroundings. I’ve had plenty of late nights at this hotel on my own, but I travel alone often.
I can’t wait to check out other 25 Hours Hotels! Their branding, design and service has never failed me.
The things I ate
Before we get into the places, which are in no particular order), I want to make a suggestion for eating in Paris. There is food everywhere, and unless it’s a super tourist trap (I’m looking at you, restaurant in the middle of Montamarte) the food is going to be good and you have options. But if you have places on your list that you don’t want to miss and don’t want to go to at 10pm, make a reservation. Primarly for brunch and dinner. I saw a lot of people waiting a long time or simply just having to go somewhere else. Most places have reservations directly on their website or a third party like OpenTable but absolutely just make one! One more thing, a lot of places offer prefixed menus! Three or four course meals at a really good price, especially for lunch. Look out for these!
Bouillon Pigalle
Traditional French food at an incredible price. This place is truly bang for your buck, you can get a bottle of red wine for like $13!! I had an entire meal with two apps, two entrees, two desserts and a bottle of wine for under $70. And, its POPULAR. Don’t get there too late because the line wraps around the building and they don’t take reservations. Get the duck. Order the bottle of wine. Note there a lot of Bouillon’s in Paris, this is the best one in my opinion (I’ve been to others) and from what I’ve been told by friends in Paris
Pink Mamma / Libertino (Big Mamma Group)
Big Mamma’s Group owns several Italian restaurants around Paris. Very fun vibe at all the locations, especially at Pink Mamma which is very popular (line that wraps around the building popular). The locations are beautiful as is the plating! There’s a truffle pasta that is 10/10, I will get it every time! The chocolate mousse is also incredible.
Les Foodies
I met up with Jade (@BadAssFoodie) while I was in Paris the last time and she recommended this spot, and she really doesn’t miss. Great meal overall, there’s a lot of things on the menu I want to go back and try, but this dinner the highlight was absolutely the pierogis. They were incredible!!!
Rose’s Kitchen
If there is anywhere, I tell people they must go in Paris, this place is def in the list. This is one of those places I found because of chance – on the chance that someone asked me to go to dinner, I said yes, and based on the chance that they had read about it on their flight to Paris. The odds where in my favor!! Thai food authentically made in one of Paris’ first outdoor markets (Marches de Enfants) that is phenomenal. I’ve had a couple people go here on my recommendation and not one was disappointed, I’m so very pleased to say.
Catherine Restaurant
This was another suggestion by Jade that I am so happy I went to. I absolutely love the design of the place and every dish was made to perfection. Perfectly seasoned, portioned and flavored. I absolutely recommend this place for a nice dinner out. I had the scallops that came with small gnocchi, so so good.
Laduree
Couldn’t come to Paris and not go to Laduree! First off, macarons. That’s enough reason to go here. I had a lot of Macarons in Paris and I’m no expert so this could be a part of it, but they had the best Pistachio macaron I had. We also had brunch here with a bunch of pastries and a goat cheese and spinach omelets that was incredible. It’s a gorgeous location, why not check it off the bucket list!
Angelina Paris
This is another place that is a “check off the list” place. It’s lovely inside, traditional décor. The food was good but the Angelina croissant with the stuffed cheese was my absolute favorite. They are very well known for their hot chocolate, so this is also something I recommend, we got the white chocolate!
Pierre Herme
Another popular pastry shop in Paris. The Saint Honore, my favorite dessert ever, is made quite perfectly here. I absolutely love it. This place is pricey, keep in mind. But it is good and you will get delicacy!
Papilles
Great spot for brunch! This is definitely One of those places where you want to make a reservation. I went here for brunch on a weekend and of course it was packed but luckily for me there was outdoor seating so I sat outside even though it was a little bit cold but the sun was out. The food was delicious and the coffee was great. I had a battered chicken on a croissant that was just absolutely incredible. 10 out of 10.
Things I loved seeing
I dedicated a day to doing the touristy things of Paris. It’s a beautiful city, filled with art, architecture, history – there is so much to see, even if you aren’t a tourist. I’ve been to Paris before, but some things are worth seeing again. The Eifel Tower in the day, and sparkling at night, seeing the Tuileries Gardens, walking by the Louvre, taking a walk up to Montmarte. When i was walking back to the hotel, the entire street was like a weekend market, with people selling crafts or thrifted items, some bands playing along on the road,. I got the most amazing earrings that day! One day, I walked out of my hotel, and just walked… no particular direction. If I felt like making a left, I did. At some point, I ended up at Notre Dame. I’m telling you, walk the city! Of course, other sightseeing and walking around included stopping by Café de Paris and having a glass of wine and a delicious quiche Lorraine.
I usually always try and stop by Shakespeare and Company when I go to Paris. I love to buy a book every time I travel somewhere, and I’ve always just stopped here since the first time I went to Paris. It’s definitely a well-known spot and there is often a line to get in. It’s just charming, books everywhere, little nooks. It’s been open since 1951!
Alright!
That’s it for now, but I can’t finish this post without talking about this incredible restaurant I went to outside of Paris. It’s my bridge to say that the next trip to Paris, I will be including a trip to Lyon, which from what I have been told is the gastronomic capitol in France. This restaurant is in a small town called Thiossey called Restaurant Du Pont. The food is made fresh and the menu changes daily based on what ingredients are available. I would walk from Paris just to eat here again!!
if you have any questions or anything you want to know, feel free to ask in the comments!