The ultimate Paris Travel Guide

If you’re planning a trip to Paris this guide will let you know everything you need to know. In this Paris first time guide I have shared with you the best places to visit, eat and stay.

Paris is one of my favourite cities to visit. Named the city of love it’s not hard to see why. I fell in love with this city when visiting on a recent trip, with its historical buildings, cafes to eat pastries, to trips down the river Seine, there is always something new to discover. I have put together this Paris travel guide for places to visit, eat and hotels to stay.

Places To Visit In Paris

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is probably the most famous places to visit in Paris, and one of my favourite attractions to visit in Paris. It is stunning! It was built for the Paris World Fair in 1889 as one of the main attractions and was going to be torn down after the event, but was so popular that it has now become world famous.

There is an elevator that can take you up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. On the second floor there is a restaurant Le Jules which you will need to book in advance. Located on the first floor there is Madame Brasserie which is recommended that you also book in advance. If you visit it at night it sparkles every hour on the hour for 5 minutes.

The best views for the Eiffel Tower are from Rue De Universite and Trocadero which is located the opposite side of the Seine.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral has many reasons to visit. From the stain glass windows to the gargoyles which give the walls of the Cathedral protection from the rain. Unfortunately, The Cathedral spire had a huge fire in 2019 which is now undergoing restoration which is due to be completed in December 2024. It is still worth a visit as it is magnificent.

The Louvre

The Louvre is a beautiful museum that is the biggest in Europe. It was built in 1190 as a fortress and then later turned into a palace. In 1796 the museum opened. The Louvre Pyramid at the entrance of the museum is in the main courtyard and itself is a famous landmark. I love wandering around the Lourve as there are so many exhibits to see. You will be able to see the famous Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci. You will need to wait as there is always a queue about 15 minutes. There is also a lovely restaurant with an outside terrace that is worth trying. if you book in advance you will be able to skip the line leaving you more time for exploring the exhibits!

The Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is at the western end of the Champs-Elysees. It is a famous monument that was built to honour the soldiers who died during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. If your visiting the Arc de Triomphe you might not know that you are able to go inside. You will be able to get one of the most fantastic views of Paris from the top, I recommend you visit in the evening as its less busy. When visiting allow an hour to be able to explore the museum which is inside. The museums has lots of historical documents and photographs relating to the history of the Arc de Triomph.

The Champs Elysees

The Champs Elysees is one of the most famous streets in the world. Lined with shops, restaurants and theatres, it is a must visit for anyone who loves to shop there will be something here for everyone, there are designer shops like Dior and Gucci to well known high street brands. I really enjoyed wandering around all of the stores, especially Sephora which is one of my favourites. There were some really nice places you could stop for bite to eat.

Places To Stay In Paris

XO Hotel

The XO Hotel is beautifully decorated and the staff were friendly and welcoming. it is a 10 minute walk from the Arc de Triomph and Champs Elysees. The hotel is in a beautiful area of Paris, with the metro a 5 minute walk. I would definitely recommend this hotel the rooms were clean and had everything we needed.

The Hoxton

The Hoxton is a Parisian style hotel in a lovely area of Paris which is 20 minutes from Gare de Nord. It has stylish and a homely feel. The Hoxton has a lovely bar and restaurant with a stunning courtyard. The staff are really friendly and helpful.

Le Wallace Hotel & Bar

This is a stunning hotel that is close to the Eiffel Tower. The Le Wallace Hotel is in a nice neighbourhood. it has recently been renovated to a very high standard. This hotel has a roof terrace which has views of the Eiffel Tower and as an extra special experience they have a sauna and Scandinavian bath on the roof top so that you can relax after a day of sight seeing.

Hotel Dames des Arts

This beautiful boutique hotel is located 600 meters from the Norte Dame Cathedral and offer the most stunning views of Paris from its roof top bar. The hotel is beautifully decorated. This hotel is ideal if your looking for somewhere that’s close to bars and night life.

Places to Eat

With so many great places to eat in Paris here are a few of my recomenndations.

Le Petit Lutetia is a truly Parisian style restaurant. The food here is delicious and I can highly recommend visiting. The steak and the chocolate mousse was excellent. The staff here were very friendly and knowledgeable.

Le Cafe Marly has the perfect location if your wanting to visit the Louvre. I stopped here for breakfast and the croissants were so good. I also has a hot chocolate that was next level. It is a great spot to sit and people watch as Le Cafe Marly is under the arcades of the Louvre. It offers a selection of Parisian foods and is a must if you are visiting the Lourve.

The Carette in Paris Place du Trocadero is famous for its hot chocolates and crepes. You should add this to your list of places to visit as the food was delicious. They serve a sandwiches, salads or a range of pastries. I tried the hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream and it did not disappoint. To find Carette Palace du Trocadero it is a short walk from the Eiffel Tower.

There is so much to see and do in Paris. It’s such a beautiful city. I love exploring and finding new places to stop at a bakery or a hot chocolate. You’ll always find something new to see or experience. My advise it to walk around and take in the atmosphere you will not go wrong. If you are in Paris for a while you might want to visit Disneyland Paris, it’s around an hour from Paris and well worth a trip, but make sure you book in advance.

I hope you find this helpful and enjoy your trip to Paris. If you have let me know or if you have any other suggestions I would love to hear from you. x