Paris Travel Guide

Where we Stayed: 

For this stay we opted for a family-orientated air bnb in Le Marais, Paris. It allowed for easy flexibility and convenience with the kids but next time I would love to stay in a hotel like Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais Paris Marais. The wallpaper inside looks adorable and the quiet feel of the space is a nice escape from the busyness of the city.

Where to Eat & Drink: 

Dinner at Chez Loulou was definitely the best meal I had in Paris. Although it wasn't the most stylish place, the lemon chicken tagine was so flavorful and delicious! They had a live jazz band playing which also made it fun for the whole family. We also had dinner at Restaurant Georges, it’s located on the rooftop of the Centre Pompidou and the views are truly breathtaking. It can be a little stuffy for kids but worth it for the scenery! I highly recommend ice cream at Glace Bachir. This super unique Lebanese spot serves organic flower flavored ice cream coated in pistachios. The line is long - but they are very efficient and you’ll zip through it in no time! Last but not least a meal at Au Petit Thai should be on your list. It’s a delicious place to have something different after all of the French food. The kids even loved it and devoured their meals. 

Where to Shop: 

A trip to Paris isn’t complete without a shopping spree at Printemps, it’s my favorite place to catch up on all the new collections by French designers. They have remodeled the space and added many new restaurants which made a long day of shopping even more enjoyable. There are three main buildings housing children's, women’s and men’s options. Be sure to download their app to navigate more easily so you won’t miss any designer! The men’s section is worth visiting for the technology and camping items, they even had a virtual reality area, video games, and a climbing wall which my daughter loved. Printemp’s Café Vert was my favorite for a quick snack and coffee, and Bleu Coupole would be amazing to check out next time. I would love to get drinks at their terrasse next time, the sweeping views of the city are almost too good for words. 

Other than Printemp, Le Monde Sauvage was an incredible home store with the most gorgeous prints and colors. We also stopped in Merci, a high-end, three-story boutique with unique clothing and home décor items. It was one of my favorite places to find unique dresses and stationery items. 

What to do: 

Musée de l'Orangerie is my favorite place to see Monet’s large-scale works and perfect if you’re interested in a truly meditative environment. You’re encouraged to be silent in the space so that you can enjoy the paintings in a quiet space - which is so lovely. The Eiffel Tower is an obvious must for everyone to check out! I hadn’t been there in years and the kids were so excited to see it. Be sure to take the elevator up to make it a more enjoyable trip. Musée d'Orsay is an old train station with a beautiful museum, it has a lot of work by Vuillard who is one of my favorite painters so that was a highlight of the trip. We were lucky enough to be able to catch Fête de la musique. This annual event showcases musical artists of all abilities throughout the city. There were all types of amazing performances - oldies, house, world music - the city is bustling with all sorts of fun shows. My oldest child and I were so impressed with the DJs in the streets that we’ve been learning how to DJ ourselves! We’ve been taking classes on skillshare and are working on building up our sets. 

Fabula was fun to check out, they had live music and a beautiful courtyard with a great bar and coffee service. During our stay it was also Men's Fashion Week. My kids loved seeing everyone dressed incredibly for the big event. As events and shows were letting out there was so much excitement in the streets. Finally, we stopped at Palais de Tokyo. It’s my favorite place to see modern art - the exhibits are always large scale and innovative. And, there is a very cute new restaurant at the museum Bambini. It made exploring even more enjoyable since it’s a little off the beaten path. 

Tips:  

If you are new to Paris there can be an overwhelming amount of things to do. It’s best to do some research and determine your priorities each day - and ensure you have time to relax at a bistro and enjoy some people watching and French wines. Also - make a good plan for how you will efficiently get around - the subway and buses are a great affordable way to explore the city and they’re relatively easy to navigate. You can get subway and bus tickets at the magazine stands which are handy to have on you especially if it’s later at night when it can be harder to get an uber or taxi. Theft can also be a problem in major tourist areas - so I highly recommend using a cool waist bag to stash your phone and wallet. I got this one for the trip and it was so handy! 

Enjoy This Article? Here’s More We Suggest! 

1. Santorini Travel Guide 

2. Say Hi: Printfresh x The Mom Edit

3. Behind the Print: Snoozing Sloths

4. Sincerely, Amy: Evolving Goals & Keeping it Consistent

5. Meet the Pencil & Paper Resort Collection