Things To Do In Paris: Weekend Itinerary

Looking for things to do in Paris, let me set the stage for you. A Parisian summer sounds a lot like romance movies. Hopeless romantics trotting their way through the city of love. The sun is shining, flowers are blooming & the sun finally setting past 9:30 or even 10:00. People, picnics, baguettes, wine bottles, and enjoyment roam the parks of the city. As you walk the same road as Napoleon, history comes to life. The statues & monuments across from Zara & Starbucks are the perfect juxtapositions of the circle of life.

Gold-embellished chariots and stone bridges perfectly sculpted tributes to the Renaissance era. We’re in a new Renaissance era now. Creativity is reaching new limits with technological advancements. Electric cars, GPS, AI, & perfectly crafted iPhones. Welcome to The Modern Renaissance *cues Beyonce*.

The Parisian apartments. Don’t even get me started—symmetrically positioned quarters each with balconies and for some, red flowers. The daily view for some is the goal for others. The simplicity of a Parisian view yearns for inspiration & motivation.

The elegant glance, chic red lip & simplistic style of the French walking by going about their day. Daily chores, commuting & communicating- a glimpse of someone’s regular day is not far from ours. We’re living the same lives with slight tweaks. These slight differences are what I live for. Paris is a beautiful city. The people are fierce & passionate- all admirable traits. It’s a pleasure to see it all unfold in person. Here are a few reasons to inspire your next trip to Paris.

Frequently Asked Questions

When To Visit: The ideal time to visit is during Spring/Summer & even Fall. Given the great weather- it’s no wonder that millions flock to visit these destinations. From the sun setting to almost 11 pm and

How To Get There/Around: Paris is a walkable city so you’ll find yourself deleting the Uber app and downloading your favorite local bike and scooter apps. Here are some of my favs.

Download the LIME & DOT app for access to the bikes and scooters
Vélib’: the Citi Bikes of Paris are these bikes! You get unlimited thirty-minute rides by purchasing a day pass.
The train/bus: Using Google Maps is the best app to help navigate! If you’re looking for a French app to download, I recommend getting Bonjour RAPT!
Uber: Uber is available in France, making it super convenient to get to and from places that are difficult to navigate via public transportation. – I’d use this to get to and from the airport if public transportation is not available/

Where To Stay: This blog post was my go-to for figuring out which area to stay in! FollowMeAway.com “Hands Down, This is Where To Stay In Paris“ I personally stayed in the 12 arrondissements & loved it! I also know that Montmare is a hot area to stay in since there’s so much happening there!

Tips for Traveling To Paris

1. Learn some basic French: Unlike my experience in other European countries, the French are less likely to accommodate solely English-speaking tourists. I recommend learning on Duolingo to get some basic phrases. Knowing (Hi, bye, please, thank you & “do you speak English” are good to start!)

2.Book busy restaurants in advance: Some places like Bousse (the best brunch spot) have a waitlist if you don’t book.

3.Pack Neutral Outfits: If you want to fit in, of course, every French person wears neutrals. I also say this so that you match everything you’re taking a picture of!

4.Buy a Lock beforehand!: They sell locks on Amazon that’ll be perfect to tie your love together; however, the grocery stores also sell them in town!

Things To Do In Paris: Day 1

Exploring Montmartre: Day 1

1. Montmartre: I have heard nothing but great things about this area so putting this on the list to see first was a no-brainer. It reminds me of Soho in that there are a ton of chic places to go & even though it’s a well-known area, it still hasn’t been uncovered 100%. Pro Tip: Bus 40 takes you all over Montmartre, just hop on and hop off when you want to explore!

2. La Bousse: This is by far the most beautiful brunch I have ever had. It’s recommended to schedule in advance since they go by a strict reservation system. With open time slots for buffet-style breakfast, lunch & dinner, the handmade food is one of a kind and perfect for experiencing the Parisian charm. Pro Tip: Eating here for breakfast or lunch (while it’s light out) hits differently!

3. Love Wall: Have you ever seen the words “I love you” written in 311 languages? With 612 lava tiles, all of that is possible. Remember that lock I told you to buy beforehand, this is why! (Some people sell it, but you’re going to have to pay for it). Pro Tip: This place closes right on the dot (Security kicks everyone out so go before then!)

4. Sacré-Cœur: One of the most stunning views of the city is right here at the Sacré-Cœur. After walking up a steep hill for a few minutes, it’s all worth it! Pro Tip: Visit during the day and at sunset to get the full experience (you might even be blessed with live music).

Aya Concert & Dinner: Night 1

5. Aya Concert – Accor Arena: Seeing my favorite artist perform live in her country was EVERYTHING & more. I have been listening to Aya Nakamura for a long time and going to her concert crossed off a part of my bucket list. Pro Tip: Check to see if any of your favorite artists are playing while you’re there & ofc plan your Airbnb close to the arena to avoid getting lost after the concert. I recommend the 12th Arrondissement!

6. Le Cafe Pierre: This cute restaurant is the perfect way to end the night. Lots of locals are here which is always a plus in my book. Pro Tip: Get the steak frites!!

Things To Do In Paris: Day 2

Being A Tourist: Day 2

7. Café Palais Royal: The most convenient spot to eat breakfast before heading to the Louvre. A ripoff, yes. Was it good and convenient? Yes. I’ll let you decide from there. Pro Tip: They allow take-out for simple meals which was perfect for us and we were in a rush.

8. The Louvre: Just WOW! This museum will never cease to amaze me. Given that this museum holds thousands of artifacts of history, you could find yourself here all day and still not see everything. With that said, we covered our favorites – Egyptian exhibits, Napolean Apartments, the Mona Lisa & more! Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate the jewelry that this gift shop has, the pieces are all BEAUTIFUL!

9. Toulerrise Gardens: One of my favorite things to do in another country is to take a nap in their local park. I don’t know- it’s just feeling like a local that makes me feel such peace and this beautiful connection to new places. The Toulerrise Gardens (right outside of the Louvre) are a perfect choice to lounge and relax. Pro Tip: The baguette truck in the park is THE BEST. I’m STILL craving that sandwich. I got the prosciutto with arugula and cheese – TOASTED!- so good!

10. Eiffel Tower: Another part of this beautiful city that just blew my mind. Walking around the Eiffel Tower, taking photos, and watching the tower against the clear, blue sky boosted my serotonin for sure. Pro Tip: Get the caricatures and bargain – it’s something fun to do that will make you laugh because the results were LOL

Romantic Cruise On The Seine: Night 2

11. Eiffel Tower Cruise: Shortly after, we embarked on the iconic cruise of the Seine River. The ultimate activity to do on your trip to Paris. This cruise was EVERYTHING. We had the best time sightseeing and enjoying the spring Parisian air. Pro Tip: Get discounted tickets that include both The Louvre and the river cruise. I highly recommend going right at sunset so you can see the Eiffel Tower during the day and at night glistening as well. Check it out here

Things To Do In Paris: Day 3

Relaxing Morning & Day Trip: Day 3

12. Breakfast in Bed: The Airbnb experience is not complete until you have a lil breakfast in bed moment. Going to the grocery store and shopping for my lil sandwiches and eggs made me feel like such a local. Maybe I’ll live here someday and go to the grocery store like old times.

13. Palace of Versailles: I have never seen a nicer garden like this in my LIFE! The Palace of Versailles really did that and it blew me away. I was ecstatic to see how detailed everything was. Pro Tip: There are multiple places to eat here but the site closest to the left is the most hidden (& therefore less busy) Pro Tip: There is no need to go here with a tour guide since it’s doable by bus. You’ll have to use the DOT app to schedule your journey. We took the 9 metro to the 171 bus and it took a little over an hour which is 1000% doable. We spent around 3-4 hours here and headed back to the Airbnb. I’d also book the Palace of Versailles ticket in advance since they were sold out for us.

Fitting In The Rest On The Last Day

14. Catacombs: Home to six million skeletons, the Paris Catacombs are a tough spot to miss. Tied to so much rich history, you’ll find yourself amazed at just what is possible in this world. The Catacombs is the largest gravesite in the world and I’ll let you see the rest for yourself. Pro Tip: Even if you didn’t get tickets, they have a spot on their website for last-minute tickets that they open up the day of!

15. Notre Dame: The one and only Notre Dame is a standout and with that said, add it to your bucket list! It’s not every day you can see a medieval cathedral and with the recent fire, it’s not open to the public, but still seeing the outside of it is mesmerizing.

16. Arc de Triomphe: Undoubtedly, I have heard you can see the best sunset views of the city so just trust me and do it!!

17. Pantheon: A cool government building that has the remains of many famous French people who influenced the city. The building is beautiful along with the architecture although you could probably spend 20 minutes looking around and adding some more things to your list nearby.

The Brooklynite Abroad’s Photo Album: Paris Edition

BONUS: Hidden Gems In Paris

I had a few other places on my list that didn’t make the cut so I hope that you guys have the chance to see them and add it to your bucket list! Since I haven’t been here myself, I can’t give my opinion and tips for you guys. Let me know what you think of these places and if you have been already- comment your experiences! Nonetheless, these places will be on my list for my next trip to Paris!

Bars & Speakeasies:

18. No Entry (a speakeasy underneath Pink Mama)
19. L’Épicier
20. Little Red Door: cute bar
21. Le Caveau de la Huchette: Cave with live music

Museums/Galleries Cool Spots:

22. The Abbey Bookshop
23. National Archives Museum – Hôtel de Soubise
24. 59 Rivoli: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/59rivolithegallery/
25. Carnavalet Museum
26. Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra: The inspiration for the Phantom of the Opera
27. Petit Palais: Free outside garden and cute area to hang

Food Spots:

28. Marché des Enfants Rouge: This may be Paris’ best foodie secret! And it happens to be the oldest operating food market in the city.
29. Stroher – oldest pastry shop
30 Le Procope The oldest café in Paris, it opened in 1686 and has seen the likes of Marie Antoinette, Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Napoleon. Standard French fare definitely eats here if you’re a history buff. https://www.procope.com/en/menus/
31. Le Temps Des Cerises: Great deals and a cute spot https://www.letempsdescerisescoop.com/plats-et-formules/

There You Have It

After having the best time in Paris, it’s only right to make sure you guys do too. This is the ultimate guide to mastering this beautiful, rich, historic & chic city. From strolling through magical gardens to scootering alongside historic streets, there truly is something for everyone here.