A Luxury but Approachable Guide to Paris
Paris is a city best experienced in the in-between moments. This guide is designed for travelers who want a refined but relaxed approach to Paris, whether it’s your first visit or a return to a place you already love. From beautiful hotels and memorable meals to thoughtful pacing and room to wander, this is Paris done beautifully.
Paris Overview
Paris is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful cities in the world. It’s a destination that works just as well for a first visit as it does for those who have returned many times before. For travelers seeking a luxury but approachable experience, Paris offers an effortless blend of culture, food, shopping, and everyday beauty.
I still remember my first trip to Paris and being immediately struck by the feeling of simply being there. It’s a mix of wonder, history, and quiet excitement that’s hard to put into words. Of course, there are the iconic sights. The Eiffel Tower. The Arc de Triomphe. The Mona Lisa. But it’s the smaller moments that stay with me the most.
Finding the perfect neighborhood coffee shop, bustling with conversation as old friends reconnect and new ones meet. Wandering into a small boutique or gallery filled with beautiful art that stops you in your tracks. Sitting on a bench along the Seine, watching the sun dip below the skyline as the city slows for the evening.
Those are the moments that make Paris feel truly special. This guide is designed to help you experience the city in a way that feels refined but relaxed, whether it’s your first time in Paris or your fifth.
This guide is for travelers who want to experience Paris with a sense of ease and intention. It’s designed for those seeking a luxury experience that feels welcoming rather than overwhelming, whether it’s your first visit or a return to a city you already love. I plan Paris trips for couples, families, and travelers who value beautiful hotels, thoughtful pacing, and time to enjoy the small moments that make the city unforgettable.
Top Hotels in Paris
Hotel Lutetia
A true gem on the Left Bank, Hotel Lutetia feels elegant and quietly grand without being overwhelming. Its location makes it easy to explore Paris while still feeling slightly removed from the busiest tourist areas. Close to excellent shopping and public transit, it’s ideal if you want top-tier service, beautiful design, and thoughtful details, all while returning to a calm, refined retreat at the end of the day.
The Peninsula Paris
A stunning property known for its elegance and some of the most impressive Eiffel Tower views in the city. The Peninsula offers generous rooms, beautiful public spaces, and excellent service throughout. It’s also a hotel where the perks really shine, making it a strong choice for travelers who appreciate added value along with a polished luxury experience.
Four Seasons Hotel George V
One of the finest Four Seasons properties in the world and a true Paris standout. Everything here feels exceptional, from the service to the design to the dining. With multiple Michelin-starred restaurants on site and an ideal location near the Champs-Élysées, this is a once-in-a-lifetime stay for many travelers. Simply put, it’s perfection.
La Maison Favart
An exquisite boutique hotel that many of my clients have genuinely loved. La Maison Favart captures that unmistakably French feeling, intimate, charming, and full of personality. It’s a wonderful option for travelers who want luxury in a more approachable, affordable way, without sacrificing comfort or character.
Ritz Paris
An iconic Parisian institution. Staying at the Ritz feels like stepping into the history of the city itself. From its legendary service to its beautifully restored interiors, this is a hotel for travelers who appreciate classic luxury and the timeless glamour Paris is known for.
Recommended ActivitiesLa Bon Marché
I have a bit of an obsession with visiting grocery stores when I travel, and La Bon Marché is an absolute dream. The food hall alone is worth the visit, with an incredible selection of French specialties, beautiful packaging, and flavors you’ll want to take home. Grab a baguette with butter, or better yet, vacuum-seal something special for later. Beyond food, there’s shopping, design, and even fragrance counters that make it a sensory experience from start to finish.
Eiffel Tower
It’s a must-do for a reason. While some of the recent changes, like the added fencing, have taken away a bit of its former approachability, the views remain unforgettable. Whether you walk up or take the elevator, seeing Paris from above is something everyone should experience. It’s especially beautiful at night when the city lights come alive, and I often recommend visiting once during the day and again after dark if time allows.
The Louvre
Another Paris classic that truly lives up to its reputation. While many people rush straight to the Mona Lisa, there is so much more to see here that deserves your time. Even wandering the halls without a strict plan can be rewarding. If museums feel overwhelming, simply enjoying the grounds and strolling through the nearby Jardin des Tuileries is an experience in itself and a lovely way to slow the day down.
Montmartre
One of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris and an absolute highlight. Montmartre has a creative, slightly rebellious spirit that still feels alive today. As a lover of street art, I find this area endlessly inspiring. Start at the top near Sacré-Cœur and enjoy a slow, meandering walk downhill, taking in the views, small shops, artists, and iconic corners along the way.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Even if you’re not religious, there’s something undeniably special about Notre-Dame. The scale, the craftsmanship, and the sense of history are deeply moving. Standing nearby and taking it all in, especially after everything the cathedral has endured, is a powerful reminder of Paris’s resilience and timeless beauty.
Best Food
L’Oiseau Blanc
L’Oiseau Blanc sets the tone before the first bite. They have an arrangement with a small local farmer who provides their butter, and that detail alone tells you what kind of experience you’re about to have. Located on the rooftop of The Peninsula, the restaurant pairs refined French cuisine with sweeping views over Paris. Elegant, thoughtful, and precise, this is French cooking beautifully perfected.
Les Antiquaires
I still dream about the beef bourguignon here. Easily one of the best meals of my life. Was I delirious and exhausted after walking 30,000 steps that day? Possibly. But this dish completely blew my mind. The meat was impossibly tender and fragrant, the sauce rich and deeply flavorful. Order it. Please. And if you do, send me a picture.
Maxime Frédéric chez Louis Vuitton
Is it the best chocolate I’ve ever had? Probably not. But is it very, very cool? Absolutely. Located inside Louis Vuitton, this pâtisserie feels like a uniquely Parisian experience. Beautifully crafted, indulgent, and a fun stop if you enjoy luxury with a sense of playfulness.
Pink Mamma
Make. A. Reservation. Pink Mamma is a lively Italian gem that’s well worth a visit. The atmosphere is vibrant, the food is comforting and satisfying, and it’s the kind of place that feels fun without trying too hard. Plan ahead and you’ll be glad you did.
Pastry in Paris
Where to even begin. Manteigaria, Cédric Grolet, BO&MIE. The list goes on and on. Paris is overflowing with exceptional pastry and baked goods, and it’s nearly impossible to choose just one place. Honestly, I don’t care where you go. Find a bakery. Any bakery. As long as it doesn’t scream tourist trap, it’s almost guaranteed to be incredible.
Sample 5 Day Paris Rhythm
Day 1: Arrival and easing in
Arrive in Paris, check into your beautiful hotel, and take a breath. This is not a day for plans. Let jet lag, curiosity, and instinct lead the way. Explore the neighborhood around your hotel, wander into a café that catches your eye, and sit longer than you intended. Watch people. Listen to the city. Order something you didn’t plan on ordering.
If you feel like walking, walk. If you feel like sitting, sit. In the evening, find a great dinner nearby and call it an early night if your body tells you to. Paris will still be there in the morning.
Day 2: Art, wandering, and the river
Start the day at the Musée d’Orsay. Yes, the art is incredible, but the building itself is just as memorable. Don’t rush. You don’t need to see everything. Pick a few rooms, take it in, and then move on.
Afterward, wander along the Seine, stop for lunch when hunger strikes, and let the afternoon unfold naturally. In the evening, hop on a Seine River cruise. Seeing Paris from the water as the lights come on never gets old, and it’s one of those experiences that still feels magical every time.
Day 3: Eating your way through Paris
This is the day for a food tour, and it’s best done hungry. Markets, bakeries, cheese shops, wine, little bites here and there. It’s one of the easiest ways to understand Paris beyond the landmarks.
Leave the rest of the day open. Wander. Shop. Sit at a café and do absolutely nothing productive. If you stumble upon a great coffee shop or a small boutique you love, congratulations. You’re doing Paris exactly right. Dinner tonight can be casual, unplanned, and perfect.
Day 4: Icons, drama, and a very good dinner
Spend the morning with one of Paris’s icons, the Eiffel Tower. Go up, admire it from below, or both. It’s a must for a reason, and yes, it’s still impressive.
Later, visit Palais Garnier, because Paris occasionally leans all the way into drama, and this is one of those moments. Take your time. Look up. It’s spectacular.
That evening, plan a truly great dinner. This is the night to linger, order dessert, and stay longer than you planned. Paris is very good at nights like this.
Day 5: Perfume and goodbye moments
On your final morning, do something a little different with a perfume-making workshop. It’s creative, uniquely Parisian, and you’ll leave with something personal to take home.
Before heading out, fit in one last walk, one last pastry, and one last moment by the Seine. Paris has a way of making you miss it before you’ve even left. Take that as a sign you’ll be back.
