The French capital is known all around the world as the city of love, and it really does deserve its title. Around its corners you’ll find monument-lined boulevards, pretty architecture, interesting museums, charming bistros and stylish boutiques all oozing an elegance that is unrivalled by many other places in the world. Best yet, with excellent train connections you could be sipping a coffee street-side in the sun all within a matter of hours! Here are few tips on where to begin and some of our favourite things to do in Paris on a 48-hour trip.
Districts
First, you’ll want to decide which District or arrondissement to stay in. Each neighbourhood has its own distinct personality. The first district, Louvre, is known for its iconic landmark, and its location next to the River Seine makes it a pretty place for mooching. Up and down the waterside walkways you’ll see local artists and artisans selling their works. The third and fourth arrondissement, Le Marais, is known as the city’s historic quarter, full of quaint side streets lined with al fresco cafés and trendy concept stores.
Over in the 18th arrondissement is famous Montmatre. A hangout for Renoir, Picasso, Van Gogh and many more, today the area is bustling with cafés, boutiques, small startups and vintage stores. It’s hard not to fall in love with the charming village feel here, and its prime hilltop location means you’ll get some of the city’s most beautiful views.
Food
French food is rightly world-renowned and Paris’ notable restaurants make an endless list. The city has a strong café culture, and it’s hard to go a few feet down the road without stumbling across one with its tables and chairs spilling out onto the pavement. Most cafés open at the crack of dawn, serving up breakfast, pastries and coffee and go right through to lunch and dinner. They are a brilliant place to stop and rest your feet from all that walking, and you’d be forgiven for spending a few hours just people watching.
Whilst asking a local or your host is the best way to find your own favourite spot, there are a few that we’ll happily recommend to get you started. For breakfast, head to Du Pain et des Idées, which is found centrally in the 10th Arrondissement and has a façade that recalls typical bakeries of the 1910s. Inside, an ornate painted ceiling hangs above the stacks of bread and pastries on offer.
Over in the 16th Arrondissement, discover Cravan, an old school Parisian café by day and cocktail bar by night. Come to drink a small black coffee whilst reading your newspaper, or share a plate of white Landes asparagus. You’ll be charmed by its friendly and relaxed atmosphere. For dinner, we like to enjoy somewhere that’s authentic and has a real focus on local produce. Seb’on, over in Montmartre, offers just that, and all from the expertise of one chef and his one waiter. The restaurant itself is cosy and welcoming; the menu is written on a chalkboard, there are a handful of tables and the French dishes on offer are just impeccable!
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Culture
The whole city is soaked in culture, you just need to wander around to find stunning architecture on buildings and monuments that tell a historic story. It’s also easy to catch glimpses of the great Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum and Pantheon as you explore the different regions. When it comes to galleries, museums and exhibitions you also certainly won’t be disappointed, and there’s a whole host of shows and events happening in the city throughout the year. A local told us to visit Palais de Tokyo, a museum of modern art that hosts conceptual fashion shows and cultural events.
There are plenty of brilliant exhibitions to enjoy, just head to Chaillot Palace, the Marmottan Museum and the majestic collections of the Musée du Quai Branly to name a few. Music and theatre lovers will also have plenty to keep them occupied, with live gigs at large concert houses as well as in small bars and clubs, alongside an eclectic range of modern and traditional plays at one of 140 theatres across the city.
Walks
Paris is a city that was made for walking, and it’s often the best way to stumble across some of the lesser-known corners of this bustling city. There are a number of idyllic gardens to wander around and soak up the sights and sounds of nature. Jardin du Luxembourg is a much-loved spot for a gentle afternoon stroll or to sit back with a book in the sun. It covers over 23 hectares and is known for its lawns, tree-lined promenade and picturesque fountain that was built back in 1620. Another lovely garden to visit is Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, which is set up high in Belleville and just a 30-minute walk from Gare du Nord. Not only is it a huge space, numerous pathways wind their way past the lakes, trees, waterfalls and rocky cliffs. Climb up to Temple de la Sybille for extra special views.
For somewhere a little quieter, locals love to walk alongside Canal Saint-Martin from the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. You’ll pass Point Ephemere, a hot spot for local artists and exhibitors, and follow right up to the colourful facades of the Antoine et Lili boutiques. Wherever you decide to walk in Paris you will never struggle to find plenty of the city’s historic charms.
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Shopping
Paris is the home of French fashion and haute couture, so you won’t be disappointed with the shopping options on offer. You’ll find all the usual high street and designer brands in The Champs-Élysées, but that’s not where the charm lies. In Le Marais, you could spend hours zig zagging down cobbled side streets discovering beautiful independent brands for clothing, homeware and skincare. Merci is one of the latest concept store sensations, housed in a renovated 19th-century fabric factory. Inside, three loft-like floors showcase furniture, jewellery, stationery, fashion and more. There’s also a literary cafe to browse through as well as an adjoining canteen that serves lunch, but best yet, the store gives a decent chunk of its profits to charity.
For literature lovers, you could get lost in the beautiful bookshops of Montmartre for your entire trip! Whilst there are a few famous spots like Shakespeare & Company, we’d recommend heading to the likes of Violette & Co, Ici and San Francisco Books for something a little off the beaten track. As well as shops, there are a brilliant selection of markets to discover throughout the city. The popular markets of Marché des Enfants Rouges and Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen can get very busy, so we’d recommend Marché d’Aligre, one of the oldest markets in Paris, or Rue Montorgueil.
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Ellen Sanders
Sawday's Expert
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