PARIS
Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world. I am so lucky to have traveled to Paris many times over the years with some of my closest friends, including three members of my bridal party! Anthony and I will be spending a few days in Paris before heading down to the Loire Valley and we hope you do the same! Below are some recommendations for favorite restaurants, museums, and neighborhoods to explore.
-Lauren
Hotels
Madison Hotel
Charming smaller hotel in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. Easy walking distance to many Paris attractions.
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome
Another luxury hotel option in the city's 1st arrondissement— known for shopping— and walking distance to popular museums and attractions. Lauren and Anthony will be staying at the Park Hyatt for their time in Paris.
The Hoxton
18th century residence on the border of Paris's 2nd arrondissement and funkier 10th arrondissement, The Hoxton is a relaxed and affordable (for Paris) option in a great location.
Hotel Lancaster
Located steps away from Champs-Élysées on the right bank of the River Seine. Champs-Élysées is a popular tourist area and a famous shopping district.
Sinner
Located in Les Marais, one of Paris’s coolest neighborhoods — filled with lively bars, restaurants, and nightlife. Sinner offers a unique hotel experience.
Le Bristol
Le Bristol is a classic Parisian stay for a reason. It is a recently renovated luxury option in the 1st arrondissement (spot the trend) with a retro pool.
Ritz Paris
A recently renovated and well known luxury hotel in central Paris overlooking the Place Vendôme in the city's 1st arrondissement— known for shopping— and walking distance to popular museums and attractions.
Jules & Jim
Located in Les Marais, one of Paris’s coolest neighborhoods — filled with lively bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
Airbnb
Airbnb can be hit or miss anywhere you go, but I have had a lot of success in Paris, finding great apartments with stunning views through Airbnb. Be sure to check for amenities that may be important to you (like air conditioning), and expect that many buildings do not have elevators.
Join us Wednesday in Paris!
Anthony and Lauren will be at L’Avant Comptoir the evening of Wednesday July 20th. L’Avant Comptoir is a standing-room-only wine bar with easy and casual French food. If you are in Paris on Wednesday night, please pop by for a glass of wine to say hi, or stay and join us for dinner.
EDIT: We are so glad to hear that many of you plan to stop by the wine bar to say hi! Please note that we do not have the space reserved, and that it is a small wine bar (and popular outside of us informally inviting 70 of our friends) and may get crowded quickly. For additional room, the seafood specialty version, L’avant Comptoir de la Mer is next door.
Restaurants & Bars
Clamato
Septime & Cave du Septime
L’Avant Comptior
Clown Bar
Experimental Cocktail Club
Le Hide
Le Chateaubriand
Le Dauphin
Le Syndicat
Café Mericourt
Verjus
Ellsworth
Little Red Door
Candelaria
Au Passage
Food & Wine
Fromagerie Laurent Dubois (cheese)
Pierre Hermé (chocolate & macarons)
Ladurée (macarons)
Berthillon Glacier (ice cream)
Fromagerie Quatrehomme (cheese)
Barthélémy (cheese)
Maison Kaiser (bread)
Poilâne (bread)
La Buvette (wine)
Museums
Musée de l’Orangerie — features room-sized paintings from Monet’s water lilies series. Monet specifically painted these pieces for the spaces in Musée de l’Orangerie.
Musée d’Orsay — an impressionist museum filled with favorites by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Degas. Musée d’Orsay also has great views across the Seine River from the upper floors. It is walking distance from Musée de l’Orangerie, and you can do both in one day!
Louvre — the iconic building that served as both a palace and a fortress before it became the most famous museum in Paris, and perhaps the world. The Louvre can be overwhelmingly large, and is best if explored in small doses.
Other Sights to See
Saint Chapelle
Notre Dame
Arc du Triomphe
Palais Garnier
Tuileries Garden
Luxembourg Gardens
Neighborhoods to Explore
Montmarte — a charming, cobbled-street, artistic district on the hill. It is known for street art, the stunning Basilica Sacre Couer, and bistros perfect for outdoor summer dining.
1st arrondissement — located on the right bank of the Seine, it contains many of the iconic Paris activities including the Louvre, Tuileries garden, and high-end shopping.
11th arrondissement — Lauren’s favorite neighborhood for fantastic restaurants and wine bars.
Le Marais — young and trendy neighborhood of Paris filled with bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
Saint Germain des Pres — known for famous cafés and great people watching, this is a great neighborhood to stroll around.