Updated March 2024
When I think of other places I could live, Paris comes to mind almost immediately. It has a charm about it — whether it’s views over the Seine or getting endlessly lost in Le Marais amongst boutiques and cafes.
Recently, I’ve found myself looking for a few new places to add to the rotation in addition to the iconic places like the Louvre, and dining at the historic spots like Café de Flore.
Take a look at my alternative guide to Paris.
Planning a Trip to Paris? Don’t miss these guides:
- 4 Days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary for All
- The 18 Best Hotels in Paris with Eiffel Tower Views
- Your Ultimate Guide to Paris With a Toddler
- 20 Best Restaurants to Eat At in Paris
The Alternative Guide to Paris
Seen the Louvre? Try…
Musee National Gustave-Moreau
A museum centered around the life and works of Symbolist painter, Gustave Moreau.
Palais de Tokyo
A few rooms to visit, this modern museum offers experimental art and a wonderful cafe.
Villa Savoye
For the architect-lovers, this Corbusier house is located on the outskirts of the city.
Musée des Arts Décoratifs
A museum right next to the Louvre dedicated to the ins and outs of fashion and design.
A Few Shops to Check Out
Merci
Redefining the department store, this multi-level destination offers the best of in local designers and more.
Marche aux Puces de Saint Ouen
A grand flea market ripe for the picking.
Eat Here in Paris
La Fontaine de Belleville
A traditional brasserie for a quick bite.
Au Passage
A choice of small or large plates, this hard-to-get-a-reservation restaurant brings a lot to the table. Creativity and French ingredients are staples of the chalkboard menu.
Les Cocottes
After eating here, it will be on rotation. Each dish is made in a cast-iron — it seems whatever Christian Constant touches turns to gold.
Papillons & Co
Where innovative cuisine and decoration blend into a fine dining experience.
Holy Belly
One of the best brunch spots in Le Marais.
Clamato
Seafood done exceptionally well.
L’Eclair de Genie
The modern take on eclairs packed with flavor.
David Toutaine
French food done with a modern twist — be sure to splurge on the truffle menu.
Take a Drink at These Spots
Septime La Cave
A beautiful wine bar with charcuterie boards galore.
Candelaria
Cocktail bar and a Mexican restaurant blended with a lot of flavor.
La Buvette
A tiny wine bar in with a fine collection.
Le Mary Celeste
A very happening bar with a fresh menu serving small plates to share.
Go-To Coffee Spots
Skip the Lines at the Arc de Triomphe and Go Here for a View:
La Rooftop Lounge at Shangri-La
Grab a glass of wine and take in the view. Open 3 pm to 11 pm.
Parc des Buttes Chaumont
On one of the highest hills in the city, the views are stunning from here.
Printemps Haussmann
The shopping mall boasts great views over the sprawling city (P.S. it’s free).
Seen the Jardin du Luxembourg? Try these Gardens:
- Gardens at Albert Kahn
- Parc de Bagatelle
- Parc Monceau
- Places des Vosges
- Les Serres d’Auteuil
- Square Saint-Gilles-Grand Veneur
PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
21 Comments
This is a good list of things to do.I went to Paris when I was in high school, and now I’ll be going back again next summer (almost 12 years later!) I’m excited to get to do more grown-up activities while I’m there, such as sipping wine at some of the locations on the list.
Your photos are beautiful!
In Paris last year when the bus was not running on Sunday we visited the Decorative Arts Museum next to The Louvre – it was so fabulous – truly worthwhile!
La Chaise Longue is another shop with offbeat items. It used to be really unique–there was just one little store in the Marais. Now it’s bigger and has locations around France. But still offbeat.Another park is the Arènes de Lutece–a small Roman amphitheater behind the Parthenon. You get park plus ruins!
paris as a tourist is much nicer than actually living there – i tried :Di still love coming back regularly… it’s just such a beauty!
Please explain. Because before the madness that happened last year and that has been happening since November last year, I have wanted to live there again. I lived there for a year back in 2002. But the city has definitely changed since then.
it is beautiful!
Great recommendations to try in this wonderful city, whether a resident or a tourist! Recommend eating in L’Ami Jean for some fun, four- letter words, and wonderful food!
awesome, thank you!
Holybelly is by the canal, not the Marais
Awesome list, I’ll use this next time I’m in Paris! Also, I LOVE your photography style!
So happy to hear, and thank you!
Amazing list. There are a few places I wouldn’t mind visiting during my November trip. I did the more "touristy" stuff last summer, but I wanna go off the beaten path a bit this time around. Thanks for sharing.
xx Menellia//www.nothingbutvelvet.com
Yay so glad you loved!
Musee Marmottan – great Monet
Thanks for the tips!
beautiful places. What a great Museum!
thank you!
I couldn’t agree more, there’s never enough time in Paris.
thanks for the new ideas! I’ve visited Paris long time ago but when I come back… 🙂
I’ve GOT to go back to Paris it’s been far too long!
I haven’t been to Paris in such a long time! This has made me want to go even more than before. Thanks a lot for sharing!