Guide contents

Paris Recs

Profile picture for Morgan Grace Giddings
Aug 17th, 2022
5147 views
Summer of 2022 Experience: in Paris for 5 days post a Loire Valley adventure for Tara's wedding

General tips

Before you go:
Figure out cards- not just international fees but MasterCard fee(s) too- learned this the hard way when my dad lived in DR. Love my credit union for ZERO fees of any type internationally.
Figure out your phone data plan- brought back many memories of the SIM card travel/phone card/payphone days studying abroad. How is international data not basic in all plans now?!
My phone constantly claimed I had reached my data limits despite having an international plan… I kept having to buy more data. So I recommend turning off data on as many non-necessary apps as you can to avoid that prob. Someone in our group recommended this:
Apps to make sure you have: translate- google or apple/android built in. The photo translate feature is a MUST use for daily menu specials etc.
WhatsApp
Save spotify/download playlists and any netflix shows ahead of time
Libby app- kindle and audiobooks from library, also magazines (economist!)
Bring a lock with you to do the love bridge lock- smaller ones are good and something personalized on it!
MG Rec: I wish I had brought a Turkish towel for a picnic blanket, reading outside, etc... travels small and ends up being handy for many items.
MG Rec: We discovered the monopoly deal- a card game version of monopoly (the actual game I think is boring/dave loves) but this card game is amazing! Can play with up to 5, fun way to hang out esp at all the cafes.
Use the “save” feature on google maps so you can see things you want to do/see when you’re in the area- tip: create lists by city, and by activity. ie Paris: Restaurants, Paris: Activities, etc...
Make sure hotels or Airbnb have AC (or at least windows and/or fans) if there’s still a heatwave. Most don’t and even if they do, they don’t necessarily work well.
MG Rec: Watch Emily in Paris on flights over! Very easy to watch.
Carry cash- taxis will try to overcharge you. The taxis called by hotels are more legit. Subway- learn to use it to save a ton of $
If you get a good taxi driver, get their biz card and communicate w them via WhatsApp. Many will offer it.
People are friendly don’t forget to ask for help with directions etc. food is amazing everywhere ask for what’s the best nearby.
There’s so much to do, so prioritize your top 3-4 things for the trip and top 3 things a day. Otherwise, it can get overwhelming. For example, if you’re at the Louvre- do you want to see winged victory, Rosetta Stone, Mona Lisa, etc.
Big Red Bus tour- if still hot recommend the last one of the day so it is cooler out. Think this is a good start to the trip as you get a general idea of the city & then you know what/where you want to invest your time.
Iced coffee, iced anything really, is NOT a thing. I tried so many ways to figure out how to get an iced coffee and went from varying levels of success from six (!) shots poured over a couple of ice cubes, a huge cup of ice served with a single espresso shot, a frappuccino, a coffee milkshake, to a warm coffee with one cube. If you figure this out PLEASE LET ME KNOW! Google translate was also no help here for some reason. Eventually, I gave up and relied on Nespresso shots.
@Dave found a few fun French playlists:
Apparently, they don't bring the check unless asked for, they view it as rude to ask or to nudge. Even when asked takes a while so plan on longer meal times.
Tipping isn't a thing, not even expected. Was a nice break on the wallet and the service everywhere was stellar!

Places to visit

1

Marché des Enfants Rouges

Building
Shopping
Flea & Street Markets
Glorified farmers market, best to go earlier in the day when the stands are refreshed- a good spot for lunch too
2

Pl. des Abbesses

Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
The neighborhood around here is super cute, pleasant shops, etc... on a hill, if you visit Sacre-Coeur worth walking through and exploring- avoid the tourist trap shops on way up and down to church though
3

Latin Quarter

Historic Walking Areas
Neighborhoods
From the web: Also known as the 5th arrondissement, the quaint Latin Quarter is home to the Sorbonne University and student-filled cafes. It's also famed for its bookshops, including the landmark Shakespeare & Company. Family-friendly attractions include the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens and the National Museum of Natural History. The stately Panthéon building holds the remains of notables like Voltaire and Marie Curie.
4

Statue of Liberty

Historical landmark
Sculpture
From the web: Modern copy of a replica of the New York Statue of Liberty made for the 1900 Exposition Universelle.
We did a picnic one evening for dinner, went to one of the many supermarkets- got fresh baguettes, and they have aisles of picnic items!- brought cards and enjoyed the evening/people watching.
5

Louvre Museum

Art museum
Museums
"When you go to the Louvre to see Mona Lisa, turn around and admire Paolo Veronese's 'The Wedding at Cana.' I tell this to every person I know who asks for travel advice about Paris and the Louvre. It’s the most amazing piece and it's truly overshadowed by the Mona Lisa. I’ll never forget the feeling when everyone else was busy looking at the da Vinca and I was the only one to turn around and look at 'The Wedding at Cana.'"
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Eats

1

Pink Mamma

affordable
Italian restaurant
Any of the Mamma restaurant group spots are supposed to be great!
2

Django Restaurant

French restaurant
Mediterranean restaurant
From the web: Intimate venue offering cocktails, natural wines & seasonally driven menus in an old guitar shop.
3

Restaurant RAMDAM

Restaurant
From the web: Stylish outfit with sidewalk tables plating innovative takes on traditional dishes.
4

Elle & Dee's

Salad shop
5

L'Escargot

expensive
French restaurant
Not great ratings but we loved sitting outside- dave loved all the french checklist items he wanted to have there- escargot included, plus this area/streets are amazing to walk- pedestrian zone- filled with locals for happy hour and dinner
6

Crêpe Château d'eau

Creperie
Must try! Nutella- but they have savory too! and good prices
7

Amorino Montorgueil

affordable
Ice cream shop
Flavor rec: cantelope gelato!
Cones all come as a flower shape with as many flavors as you want. Macaroons are so so- not worth the extra but the gelato is great! Think its a local chain so a few spots.
8

DokiDoki - Finest Hand Roll Bar

Restaurant
9

Cloud Cakes

affordable
Vegan restaurant
They have ICED COFFEE! Like- real iced coffee!

Drinks

1

Lulu White Drinking Club

Cocktail bar
Bar
Abesenthe bar
2

Yagō

Cocktail bar
If you go to Django, this is right across the street
3

Experimental Cocktail Club

expensive
Cocktail bar
We loved this spot- went I think three times!
4

Golden Promise - Whisky bar

expensive
Bar
Michelin star restaurant above if of interest- we just went here and Dave loved! Good drinks
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