My Paris Favorites and Recs- Oui Oui, Bitch
I LOVE PARIS SO MUCH! Like I mentioned in my hater of London blog, you are two things: either a hater of London or a lover of London. The same for Paris and I am a LOVER! New York City will always be the number one city to me but Paris is always number two. I have been to Paris twice: once in March 2022 for Matt and I’s 5th anniversary for a week and last September for a week and a half on my quarter life crisis tour of Europe. I am going again this March!!!! I wish I could live there but I do not speak a lick of French. I guess I could learn, huh…..
Here are all of my favorite spots and things to do in Paris!
Cafe: Cafe de Flore
Picking your favorite cafe in Paris is like picking your favorite song of all time. It is so hard because there are so many good ones and you don’t want to pick just one but if I have to, this is the one. It is everything Paris: classy yet casual, romantic but also totally the vibe to read or journal or smoke and cigarette and people watch by yourself. Ordering a croissant and latte is the fucking vibe everywhere but especially here. The interior is classic French decor with French movie posters, flowers and timeless. Although the inside is beautiful, I always sit outside of cafes so I can people watch and see all of the fashion people are wearing. This cafe is in a great negihborhood to do that.
Museum: The Centre Pompidou
My favorite museum in Paris by far. There are so many and I have not seen every single one obviously- that would take a full week just going to museums- but this one is my absolute favorite. Even more so than the Louvre, yes. The Louvre is great, don’t get me wrong but the art in the Centre Pompidou is more modern, abstract art that I personally love. With multiple levels filled with unique art, the higher you get the better view of Paris you have. At the top there is a restaurant that you should 100% get a glass of champagne at and stare at the Eiffel Tower in the distance. It is amazing!
Drink: Champagne
I drank it like water. Fun fact, champagne is not considered actual champagne unless it is made in France. So if it is “sparkling wine” from California, it is not real champagne. Prosecco- not real champagne. Cava- not real champagne. Because it is made in France it is less expensive at bars and cafes because there is not shipping taxes and it is so accessible. It is also cheaper by the bottle so grab a bottle and sit in the park somewhere in front of the Eiffel Tower. You are in the heart of the champagne world so drink it all!!!
Food: Croissants
Actually any bread. The French love bread and butter and so do I. They are always so fresh and so fucking good. Regular croissant or chocolate croissant- whatever floats your croissant boat- I have never had a bad one in Paris. My breakfast every single morning for a week and half in Paris was a croissant and latte and I never got tired of it.
Restaurant: Guy Savoy
Not only is this restaurant my favorite in Paris, but it is my favorite restaurant of all time in the world. Not kidding. I heard of Guy Savoy from his restaurant in Vegas Matt and I have eaten at a few times. The Vegas one is great as well but his original restaurant and most popular one is in Paris. When Matt and I ate here in 2022 it was a three star Michelin. Unfortunately he lost a star this year and it is now a two star Michelin but I don’t give a fuck, it is still three to me and Matt and I are going again this year when we go to Paris for our honeymoon! We got to personally meet Guy Savoy in Paris when we ate here in 2022 and he could not have been nicer. We mentioned we had been to his Vegas restaurant and he gave us a personal hand written thank you note, an additional free dessert and one of his pieces from his dish collection. Be ready to spend some money here but it truly is a once in a lifetime dining experience.
Thing to do: Read and journal at cafes
Literally anywhere. Cafes in Paris are something else. Of course they have cafes in the US you can sit at and read but there is something about the vibe of Paris sitting outside at a cafe, listening to people speak French, smoking a cigarette and feeling the Europe energy. It is unexplainable and it is my favorite thing in the world.
Favorite overall: Shakespeare & Co Bookstore
Magical. Unreal. Stunning. I love a good bookstore and this is the best in the world. As soon as you walk in you can feel the history and magic. Go early because there is always a line- wait in the line!!! This is my favorite thing in Paris. Even if you don’t like to read or don’t buy a book or tote you should go and walk upstairs into the old library. There is a window in the old library with an unreal view of the Notre Dame Cathedral. I went on a rainy day and sat on the bench up there by the window and journaled. It was my favorite moment in Paris.
Honorable Mentions
Le Tourville, L'Oiseau Blanc, Le Campanella, Louvre Museum, Un Grain Décalé, McDonald’s
McDonald’s in Paris hits different!!!!!!
