Guidebook for Paris
Sightseeing
Not-to-be missed 17th-century formal garden full of famous statues, foliage, flowers, and fountains and spanning 2,500 acres. The most central park in Paris, a wonderful place for a stroll.
1767 locals recommend
Tuileries Garden
Place de la ConcordeNot-to-be missed 17th-century formal garden full of famous statues, foliage, flowers, and fountains and spanning 2,500 acres. The most central park in Paris, a wonderful place for a stroll.
The 800-year-old Louvre is the largest and most famous museum in the world, home to the Mona Lisa and countless other treasures.
4022 locals recommend
Louvre Museum
Rue de RivoliThe 800-year-old Louvre is the largest and most famous museum in the world, home to the Mona Lisa and countless other treasures.
Another must-visit museum, just across the river. Formerly a palace and later a train station, now an art museum with pieces by Van Gogh and Cezanne and a famous clocktower.
1191 locals recommend
Musée d'Orsay
1 Rue de la Légion d'HonneurAnother must-visit museum, just across the river. Formerly a palace and later a train station, now an art museum with pieces by Van Gogh and Cezanne and a famous clocktower.
Museum of Perfume
9 Rue ScribeA free museum dedicated to the history and art of perfumes.
17th-century Roman Catholic church famous for thousands of ex voto offerings left there by the faithful.
8 locals recommend
Basilica of Notre-Dame des Victoires
7 Pl. des Petits Pères17th-century Roman Catholic church famous for thousands of ex voto offerings left there by the faithful.
Famous 17th-century square with Napoleon's column, now home to the Ritz.
316 locals recommend
Place Vendome
Famous 17th-century square with Napoleon's column, now home to the Ritz.
Notre Dame
The famous Gothic cathedral, started in 1163.
The former royal palace, built in 1629. Now home to the Ministry of Culture. Beautiful garden in the center courtyard.
418 locals recommend
Palais-Royal
The former royal palace, built in 1629. Now home to the Ministry of Culture. Beautiful garden in the center courtyard.
Food Scene
Garçon de Café
1 Pl. des Martyrs de l'Occupation Allemande 1940-1944Famous and historical cafe - very typically Parisian.
Famous restaurant frequented by artists such as Renoir, Rodin and Pisarro.
22 locals recommend
Restaurant Drouant
16-18 Rue GaillonFamous restaurant frequented by artists such as Renoir, Rodin and Pisarro.
Famous restaurant frequented Napoleon and Josephine, Victor Hugo, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Maria Callas. Perhaps not surprisingly, crazy expensive.
33 locals recommend
Le Grand Véfour
17 Rue de BeaujolaisFamous restaurant frequented Napoleon and Josephine, Victor Hugo, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Maria Callas. Perhaps not surprisingly, crazy expensive.
Telescope
5 Rue VillédoArtisan roasts for serious espresso lovers.
Classic, trendy cafe with a covered terrace that has views of I.M. Pei's famous glass pyramid and the Eiffel Tower.
126 locals recommend
Le Café Marly
93 Rue de RivoliClassic, trendy cafe with a covered terrace that has views of I.M. Pei's famous glass pyramid and the Eiffel Tower.
Claus - Palais-Royal
14 Rue Jean-Jacques RousseauBreakfast spot with non-pastry options.
Chic, modern spot for breakfast, coffee & creative sandwiches for lunch. Wine bar is across the street, and hip Frenchie restaurant (reservations difficult to get) next door.
144 locals recommend
Frenchie
Chic, modern spot for breakfast, coffee & creative sandwiches for lunch. Wine bar is across the street, and hip Frenchie restaurant (reservations difficult to get) next door.
Classic Parisian bistro with an extensive wine list and a young, hip crowd.
44 locals recommend
Chez Georges
1 Rue du MailClassic Parisian bistro with an extensive wine list and a young, hip crowd.
Authentic Japanese ramen shop - great homemade noodles -- extra-salty broth. Often a line.
14 locals recommend
Kotteri Ramen Naritake
31 Rue des Petits ChampsAuthentic Japanese ramen shop - great homemade noodles -- extra-salty broth. Often a line.
Liza
14 Rue de la BanqueHip, modern Lebanese restaurant.
Gyoza Bar
56 Pass. des PanoramasSleek, modern spot for Japanese-style dumplings.
Wine bar with classic fare & an exceptional wine list - open for lunch and dinner. Not too expensive! Very friendly.
17 locals recommend
Le Willi's Wine Bar
13 Rue des Petits ChampsWine bar with classic fare & an exceptional wine list - open for lunch and dinner. Not too expensive! Very friendly.
Belgian bakery/cafe with light, organic fare for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
289 locals recommend
Le Pain Quotidien
31 Rue LepicBelgian bakery/cafe with light, organic fare for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Typical Parisian brasserie with magnificent Art Nouveau interior.
35 locals recommend
Brasserie Mollard
115 Rue Saint-LazareTypical Parisian brasserie with magnificent Art Nouveau interior.
Japanese restaurant specializing in Japanese-style crepes. Aki Boulangerie, across the street, has amazing Japanese fusion patisserie, e.g., yuzu and matcha eclairs.
18 locals recommend
Aki
11bis Rue Sainte-AnneJapanese restaurant specializing in Japanese-style crepes. Aki Boulangerie, across the street, has amazing Japanese fusion patisserie, e.g., yuzu and matcha eclairs.
Very chic, modern restaurant with great deals on prix fixe menus (50% off at lunch on Mon if you book through lafourchette) and views of the Tuileries.
12 locals recommend
Le First
234 Rue de RivoliVery chic, modern restaurant with great deals on prix fixe menus (50% off at lunch on Mon if you book through lafourchette) and views of the Tuileries.
Small, modern place serving refined seasonal fare. Set menus only (7-8 courses!) with optional wine pairings. There's also a small wine bar downstairs, no set menu or rez required.
19 locals recommend
Verjus
52 Rue de RichelieuSmall, modern place serving refined seasonal fare. Set menus only (7-8 courses!) with optional wine pairings. There's also a small wine bar downstairs, no set menu or rez required.
Japanese place with good ramen and other hot dishes -- good lunch menu deals.
15 locals recommend
Sapporo Restaurant
276 Rue St HonoréJapanese place with good ramen and other hot dishes -- good lunch menu deals.
Higuma
32bis Rue Sainte-AnneOK ramen and good other Japanese hot dishes. Often a big line.
Drinks & Nightlife
Famous bar where the Bloody Mary was invented...and Ernest Hemingway used to hang out.
52 locals recommend
Harry's New York Bar
5 Rue DaunouFamous bar where the Bloody Mary was invented...and Ernest Hemingway used to hang out.
Super chic restaurant upstairs, glamorous/raucous bar downstairs. Every Wednesday my friend Brian hosts an open-mic cabaret from about 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. Free entry and really fun.
28 locals recommend
Très Honoré
35 Place du Marché Saint-HonoréSuper chic restaurant upstairs, glamorous/raucous bar downstairs. Every Wednesday my friend Brian hosts an open-mic cabaret from about 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. Free entry and really fun.
Arts & Culture
National Theater of the Opera Comique
1 Pl. BoieldieuHistorical opera house.
The opulent Paris Opera house, Opera Garnier, built in the late 1800s and adorned with velvet, gold leaf, and a ceiling painted by Chagall.
673 locals recommend
Opéra
10 Pl. de l'OpéraThe opulent Paris Opera house, Opera Garnier, built in the late 1800s and adorned with velvet, gold leaf, and a ceiling painted by Chagall.
Grand Rex
1 Bd PoissonnièreParis's largest cinema - an Art Deco venue for films & concerts.
Folies-Bergere
32 Rue RicherFamous cabaret.
Shopping
Librairie Gourmande
92-96 Rue MontmartreA bookstore specializing in cuisine, food, and cooking.
Stand KENZO Maroquinerie Homme
40 Bd HaussmannFamous, upscale department store.
Chain supermarket also selling clothing, housewares, beauty products and more.
992 locals recommend
MONOPRIX
20 Bd de CharonneChain supermarket also selling clothing, housewares, beauty products and more.
Historic department store with a beautiful Art Nouveau stained-glass dome.
100 locals recommend
Printemps
102 Rue de ProvenceHistoric department store with a beautiful Art Nouveau stained-glass dome.
Passage des Panoramas
Passage des PanoramasOriginal 19th-century glass-enclosed shopping gallery
Stohrer
51 Rue MontorgueilOne of the oldest and most renowned pastry shops, since 1730.
Eclair-focused pastry shop -- offering both sweet and savory modern takes on the classic!
8 locals recommend
L'Atelier de l'Éclair
9 Rue BachaumontEclair-focused pastry shop -- offering both sweet and savory modern takes on the classic!
Complete baking & pastry-chef supply store for home cooks & professionals.
20 locals recommend
G. Detou
58 Rue TiquetonneComplete baking & pastry-chef supply store for home cooks & professionals.
À la Mère de Famille
82 Rue MontorgueilGourmet candy shop - in business since 1761.
Wine shop & gourmet grocery store with a fantastic selection of French & imported wines, with tastings & delivery in Paris!
39 locals recommend
Le Comptoir des Petits Champs
17 Rue des Petits ChampsWine shop & gourmet grocery store with a fantastic selection of French & imported wines, with tastings & delivery in Paris!
La Madeleine
Place de la MadeleineElectronics/appliance store.
Essentials
Carrefour City
1 Rue HaxoSmall supermarket
Rue Montorgueil
Rue MontorgueilPermanent market street with butchers and fishmongers.
Exquisite spice shop with high-end selections from around the world, a "Vanilla Library" with 20+ kinds of bean, and mixes concocted by a Michelin-star chef.
7 locals recommend
Épices Roellinger - Paris
51 bis Rue Sainte-AnneExquisite spice shop with high-end selections from around the world, a "Vanilla Library" with 20+ kinds of bean, and mixes concocted by a Michelin-star chef.
Pierre Hermé Paris
39 Av. de l'OpéraFamous spot for macarons and chocolates.
Eric Kayser - Louvre Palais Royal
4 Rue de l'ÉchelleAnother outlet of the famous bakery chain.
Outpost of the world-famous baker -- pick for breads & pastries.
50 locals recommend
Eric Kayser - Petits Carreaux
16 Rue des Petits CarreauxOutpost of the world-famous baker -- pick for breads & pastries.
WorkshoW Paris
173 Rue Saint-MartinWide selection of Japanese imported ingredients, tea & ceramics.
Great little Korean & Japanese food market -- open till 9 p.m. every day including (!) SUNDAY. Only market nearby open all day on Sunday.
Ace Mart
63 Rue Sainte-AnneGreat little Korean & Japanese food market -- open till 9 p.m. every day including (!) SUNDAY. Only market nearby open all day on Sunday.
Nearby market, slightly larger and better stocked than Monop' (and cheaper). Open till 1 p.m. on Sundays.
833 locals recommend
Franprix
16 Rue Alexandre ParodiNearby market, slightly larger and better stocked than Monop' (and cheaper). Open till 1 p.m. on Sundays.
Everything Else
Cozy tea room in the beautiful Galerie Vivienne serving lunch, weekend brunch, and homemade teatime pastries. Wide selection of tea & hot chocolate.
7 locals recommend
A Priori Thé
Galerie VivienneCozy tea room in the beautiful Galerie Vivienne serving lunch, weekend brunch, and homemade teatime pastries. Wide selection of tea & hot chocolate.