Paris, France: A Local’s Travel Guide

Paris: the city where every corner feels like a movie set and every pastry looks like art. My favorite place in the world and my forever home. 🤍

Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, Paris always manages to surprise with a hidden courtyard café, an unexpected view of the Eiffel Tower, or a perfect glass of wine enjoyed at sunset.

In thuis guide, I’ve gathered my favorite tips, spots, and experiences I’ve discovered in Paris while living here so you can have the most magical time during your trip. I really hope it helps!

Oh, and if you are visiting Paris soon and need help planning your itinerary or making reservations, make sure to check out my travel and concierge services. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more beautiful places to go.

You might also enjoy these guides: Nice | Paris | Monaco | Cannes | Antibes | Saint-Tropez | New York | London

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase something I’ve recommended, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I really appreciate your support and I hope this guide helps you ♡

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Favorite Things to do in Paris

Here is my list of my favorite things to do in Paris. However, if you are here for my list of recommended restaurants, you can click here to skip this part.

Watch the Eiffel Tower Sparkle from Trocadéro or Pont Alexandre III

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen it – the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night never gets old (even when you live here!).

For five minutes every hour, on the hour after sunset, the tower comes alive with glittering lights that turn the Paris skyline into pure magic.

Take a Croissant Baking Class

Few things are more quintessentially Parisian than the flaky, buttery perfection of a fresh croissant – and what better way to deepen your appreciation than by learning to make them yourself?

Paris offers a variety of croissant and viennoiserie workshops where you can go behind the scenes of the baking process.

In just a few hours, you’ll knead, fold, and layer your way through puff pastry magic with the guidance of professional chefs or boulangerie artisans.

Recommended classes: Bread and Croissant-Making Class and French Croissant Baking Class with a Chef.

No time for planning? No worries, I can design your custom itinerary according to your preferences.

See a Ballet or Opera at Palais Garnier

Even if you don’t consider yourself a ballet or opera enthusiast, an evening at the Palais Garnier is one of the most enchanting cultural experiences Paris has to offer.

Commissioned by Napoleon III and completed in 1875, this architectural masterpiece is pure theatrical grandeur — all marble staircases, gold leaf, velvet drapes, and a ceiling painted by Marc Chagall.

Palais Garnier hosts a range of performances, from classical ballets and contemporary dance to sweeping operas in multiple languages.

If you need help securing tickets, you can send me an email to hello@camiexplores.com.

See art at the Louvre

Originally a royal palace, the Louvre is a labyrinth of art, history, and architecture spanning 10,000 years of civilization.

From the majestic Venus de Milo to Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, the collection is vast, moving, and often overwhelming. The key? Don’t try to see it all.

Instead, choose a theme or era – Ancient Egypt, Greek and Roman antiquities, Napoleonic apartments, or French masters – and allow yourself to wander slowly. Even better, book a tour of the museum.

Enjoy rosé and macarons on the Seine

If you want to skip the big dinner cruises and opt for something more intimate, what I recommend is a small private boat ride along the Seine, complete with a chilled bottle of rosé and a box of delicate macarons.

It’s the perfect way to soak up the magic of Paris – without the crowds. Book it here.

Designer vintage shopping in Le Marais

This fashionable neighborhood is home to some of the best designer vintage shops in the city. I lived here for a few months and found so many good addresses.

Some of my favorites include Thanx God I’m a V.I.P, Vintage Désire and Bobby.

Have a picnic in the Jardin du Luxembourg

Pick up baguettes, fruit, and a wedge of brie from Marché Raspail or La Grande Épicerie, and enjoy a picture-perfect picnic in one of Paris’s most beautiful gardens.

There is also a Ladurée right next to it if you prefer coffee and macarons.

Visit L’Appartement Sézane

More than just a store, Sézane’s flagship in the 2nd arrondissement feels like stepping into a Parisian’s dream closet.

Soft knits, tailored pieces, vintage décor, and a corner café make this more of a lifestyle experience than a typical shopping stop.

My favorite is the one at 33 Rue des Blancs Manteaux.

Explore Les Caves du Louvre with a Guided Wine Tasting

Hidden beneath the elegant streets near the Louvre lies a secret that only true wine lovers know: Les Caves du Louvre – a former royal cellar turned immersive tasting experience.

Once connected to the Louvre Palace itself, these 18th-century wine caves have been transformed into a stylish and sensory journey into the world of French wine.

With a guided tour, you’ll wander through beautifully lit stone chambers, each dedicated to a different aspect of winemaking – terroir, aroma, aging, bottling. It’s part museum, part wine bar, and fully Parisian.

Then comes the tasting: 3 to 5 expertly curated French wines, led by a sommelier who makes it both informative and approachable. You can reserve this experience here.

Experience a night at the Moulin Rouge

For a night of feathers, sequins, champagne, and old-world Parisian glamour, the Moulin Rouge is an unforgettable experience.

How to do it right: Book in advance – and I highly recommend making reservations for the dinner show (includes dinner, champagne and transportation) for the full experience.

Breakfast at Le Meurice

There are few better ways to begin a day in Paris than with breakfast at Le Meurice, one of the city’s most iconic palace hotels.

Overlooking the Jardin des Tuileries, this Belle Époque gem feels more like a royal dining room than a hotel restaurant.

Little reminder: if you are visiting Paris soon and need help planning your itinerary or making reservations, make sure to check out my travel and concierge services.

Visit Giverny & Versailles from Paris

If you would love a glimpse into France’s artistic and royal past, it doesn’t get much better than a magical trip to Monet’s home in Giverny, followed by a visit to the Chateau of Versailles.

I recommend this Versailles-Giverny day dour with lunch at Moulin de Fourges (so good!)

Wine and Cheese Tasting with a Chef Sommelier

No visit to Paris is complete without savoring the iconic pairing of French wine and cheese – but doing it under the guidance of a local chef sommelier takes it to an entirely new level.

Cruise the Seine at Sunset

There are few experiences more romantic sailing along th Seine River at sunset, glass of champagne in hand, watching the city’s landmarks light up one by one.

There is a lot to choose from but from my experience there are some that are not really high-quality. My recommendation is this 3-course-dinner cruise with live music.

Day Trip to Champagne

For those who appreciate the finer things, a day in the Champagne region is a must.

Just 90 minutes from Paris by train or car, this picturesque part of France is home to rolling vineyards, grand Maisons de Champagne, and centuries-old traditions behind the world’s most celebrated sparkling wine.

Step into a 19th-century apothecary at Officine Universelle Buly

A visit to Officine Universelle Buly is like stepping into a beautifully preserved time capsule – one that smells incredible.

Located in the 6th arrondissement near Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this Parisian apothecary offers a beautiful sensorial experience for beauty lovers and design enthusiasts. Great place to shop for souvenirs!

Indulge in a spa afternoon at Le Bristol or Cheval Blanc

Sometimes, the most Parisian thing you can do is… absolutely nothing -preferably while wrapped in a plush robe and sipping herbal tea at the spa of one of the most beautiful hotels in Paris.

Afternoon Tea at Hôtel de Crillon

Served in the Jardin d’Hiver, the Crillon’s version of tea is refined, seasonal, and surprisingly inventive. Expect a curated selection of savory bites, delicate pastries, and warm scones – all served with your choice of fine teas from around the world or a glass of champagne, if you’re feeling festive (and you should be).

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Best Favorite Bars

That’s a wrap! For more places to visit & lifestyle in Paris, make sure to follow me on Instagram. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out for a custom itinerary or restaurant reservations.