If you're planning a getaway to the City of Lights, some careful planning will ensure you make the most of the city's rich history, beautiful architecture and great gastronomic scene. You're never far from fresh pastries and French delicacies at every turn, but to help you narrow your search, we've rounded up some fantastic options for a faultless weekend in Paris.
Where to Stay in Paris
You can take comfort in the fact that you're spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury or quaint boutique hotels. The famous hotels of Paris have played host to some famous artists, celebrities and political figures over the years, all of whom have been drawn to the beautiful city for the same reasons we are today.
For breath-taking views of the Eiffel Tower, the Shangri-La offers an opulent reprieve from the busy streets of the 16th arrondissement below. Book a suite with a beautiful terrace overlooking the city and enjoy breakfast with the best views in town. The spa facilities go unrivalled, with collonades bordering the pool and 5* treatment rooms offering a number of recuperative experiences, not to mention the beautiful on-site restaurants including the Michelin-starred Shang Palace.
From the Shangri-La, you're a few minutes from the Eiffel tower as well as the museums at The Trocadero, not to mention a handful of the best restaurants in town. Plus there's a Lauderée a stone's throw away, which is a must for everyone's Paris bucket list.
For a bolthole that's close to Montmartre and a metro a mere minute's walk away, Maison Albar Le Vendome is a new opening with boutique appeal. Conveniently located quite centrally, on a quiet Parisian street, Maison Albar Le Vendome is great for easy access to all sides of the city, if you're planning to get around it all.
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel's beautiful courtyard and we'd recommend you try the Vichy shower experience in the hotel spa.
Book NowArguably Paris's most iconic hotel, the Ritz has played host to everyone from Ernest Hemingway to Princess Diana and Coco Chanel. It's the sought-after residence for those attending Paris Fashion Week, not only for its stately appeal but because it's based in the very heart of the city on Place Vendôme.
For traditional splendour but relaxing, neutral colours, book the Deluxe Suite and be sure to carve out some time to enjoy the regal swimming pool and wellness suite.
Book NowThe Best Bars and Restaurants in Paris
Paris is a playground for the bon vivant, where choice is aplenty – but we’ll help you narrow your search. Bar Hemingway is a must when in Paris, with its quilted leather seats and wood-panelled walls. The cocktails are creative, the atmosphere inviting and it's a location rich in history, housed in The Ritz on Place Vendôme. For a more saloon-style experience try Bar 228 at Le Meurice – it’s elegant, with something for everyone.
Another great option with as much grandeur and atmosphere is Le Bar du Plaza Athénée, with its striking blue ceiling, creative cocktail menu and exclusive Dom Perignon Champagne collection.
Your search of the best French onion soup, snails or a Michelin-starred restaurant will take you all over the city. Everywhere you turn there are cute cafes with tables pouring out onto the pavements that open early and close late, so getting a pastry fix is fairly easy any time of the day.
Kickstart your gastronomical tour of Paris with some authentic, local food. We'd recommend you enjoy a lunchtime break from sightseeing by dropping in at Les Antiqueries, where the French Onion soup is exceptional, and the steak tartare a favourite with the locals. For venues which require more planning, we'd recommend the following:
For Michelin-starred dining in a luxuriously comfortable setting, Le Clarence offers a faultless dining experience with Christoph Pelé at the helm. Spread across four floors in a beautiful Parisian townhouse, the dining room replicates that of the original in Bordeaux.
Serving up creative dishes from both land and sea, Pelé's creativity in serving one meat three ways is inspiring. We'd recommend you pair the wine as Le Clarence is part of the Clarence Dillon family after all, so you'll have the opportunity to enjoy some fantastic Haut-Brion and Clarendelle wines, and even purchase your own from the La Cave wine store downstairs.
If you've been to Beefbar in Hong Kong, Dubai or Mykonos, you'll know to expect good things. This one, though fairly new on the Parisian scene, has a more ornate decor than its counterparts with an art deco interior style.
Beefbar is the go-to place for a top-notch steak dinner, but enjoy starters with a street food edge including the Kobe beef tacos and empanadas.
For authentic bistro-style dining, Chez Janou is popular with locals. Based on the livelier side of town in the 3rd Arrondissement, we'd recommend you grab a table outside in the quaint, tree-lined square and while away the hours over some lovely local wines and classic French dishes. The menu changes regularly but make sure you save room for dessert, where chocolate mousse is served from a large terrine and you get to decide on your portion size!
For dinner with a view, there really is only one location: Girafe. Trying to get a seat on the terrace can be a battle but a real victory if you do. Go for lunch and enjoy the sweeping views over Paris or book an early dinner and savour the golden hour before watching the sun go down over the Eiffel Tower.
When it comes to the food, you've got a fantastic selection of seafood dishes to choose from. We'd recommend you enjoy the Girafe Platter brimming with oysters, king crabs, caviar and lobster alongside a cold glass of Perrier-Jouet.
What to do in Paris
How long is a piece of string? The City of Lights is brimming with culture and romance and water-based excursions. From the obvious landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame (which is currently undergoing restoration work following the blaze), there's plenty more the city has to offer.
For a hearty dose of culture, you must visit the Louvre to explore the masterpieces within. Of course, the big pull is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, though getting close may prove difficult during peak times. We'd recommend taking advantage of one of the museum's late-night openings or going first thing followed by a lunch overlooking the Palace at LouLou.
The Orsay museum, showcasing beautiful impressionist and post-impressionist works is also a great option, located right on the river Seine it is housed in a beautiful old Beaux-Arts railway station.
If the weather is good, stroll up the cobbled streets of the Montmartre to the Sacré-Cœur or through the city's own oasis, the Jardin du Luxembourg.
If you're in Paris to make the most of the world-famous fashion houses, then the opportunity to indulge in a little retail therapy is aplenty. Work your way along the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées for a bit of everything on the high-end shopping scale, or for more sparkle and watch shopping, head to Place Vendôme, which is right on your doorstep if you're staying in the famous Ritz hotel.