Paris Faves

Ah, the City of Light. While there are many recommended must-sees including the beloved Louvre and Eiffel Tower, I know you can get great guidebooks to help you explore these landmarks. I’ll share a few of my off the beaten path favorites.

1. Left bank English bookstore and cafe: Shakespeare and Co.
2. Right bank English bookstore and cafe: Smith&Son.
3. Fancy tea house: Ladurée. Rose macaron, rose latte with oat milk, and a stunning setting.
4. Cozy English tea house: Tea caddy. Scones!
5. Flower-filled walk: Promenade plantée.
6. Authentic hammam and tea experience: La Mosquée de Paris.
7. Photo taking bliss: Jardin des Plantes, Jardin de Luxembourg, Jardin des Tuileries.
8. Cozy tea house and stationery nook off historical Place des Vosges: Thé des Écrivains.
9. Fave vintage shopping spot: Kilo. Also enjoy La Frange à l’envers, Vintage Désir, and Free’p’Star.
10. Yoga: Rasa.
11. Ballet classes: Centre de Danse du Marais.
12. Green juice: Bob’s.
13. Champagne boat cruise on the Seine.
14. Macaron, croissant, and more cooking classes: La Cuisine Paris.
15. Flea markets: Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen (Clignancourt), Marché d’Aligre and Porte de Vanves.
16. Great resources: Hip Paris Blog, Do It in Paris and Secrets of Paris.
17. What to pack for 10 days in Paris.
18. Perfume making class: Studio des Parfums.
19. Fancy vegan resto: Gentle Gourmet. Casual vegan spot with many locations: Wild & the Moon.
20. Vegan concept store with boutique and cafe: Aujourd’hui Demain.
21. Where I spent my 40th birthday: Rodin museum.
22. Anthropologie-esque store and café: Merci.
23. Marie Antoinette’s Versailles getaway: The Estate of Trianon.
24. For a fancy drink topped with a pink rose: Hemingway Bar at the Ritz.
25. I spend hours mesmerized by live jazz at 38Riv. Also love Le Caveau de la Huchette, conveniently located near Shakespeare and Company.
26. Enjoy Marie Antoinette’s favorite rose petal and fresh apple tea plus pink cake at this adorable tea salon: Nina’s.
27. A few more go-to jazz spots: Café Laurent in Hôtel d’Aubusson and Sunset/Sunside.
28. Stunning church: L’église de la Madeleine.
29. Gorgeous reading room: Bibliothèque nationale de France.
30. Pretty café: Au Petit Versailles du Marais.
31. My 2025 summer journey: Kimberly in Paris.
32. Famous cafes: Café de la Rotonde, Le Select, La Coupole, Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, Café des Deux Moulins (from Amelie), Café de la Paix, Carette, Angelina, Le Dome, La Closerie des Lilas (Hemingway’s hang), La Bonne Franquette Café (painted by Van Gogh in 1886), Le Consulat.

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