A Weekend in Paris: The Perfect Getaway

Start your day with a visit to Montmartre, a busy neighborhood usually with a good crowd that really highlights Paris' charisma with its painters and the historical Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. You can stroll around Montmartre's streets for an hour, sit on the terrace for a quick bite or coffee and take amazing pictures of Paris.

Feeling like spending an afternoon like a French bobo (local French-born and living in Paris)? Walk through the streets of Le Marais, a beautiful typical French neighborhood with cute little shops for handmade crafts where you can find plenty of souvenirs. Stop by “Po&me” if you love shopping. They sell unique handbags at very affordable rates. I could not refrain myself from buying one.

If your budget allows it and you are looking for a unique experience, I recommend a private boat ride on the Seine to watch the sunset. With a nice bottle of wine and some cheese, it’s a real magical experience that you won’t forget.

If this is your first trip to Paris, a must-see is La Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris. It was just newly re-opened in 2024 after a devastating fire last 2015. It is a medieval Catholic cathedral, which has become part of French history, with the initial construction that started in 1163. It now contains hundreds of art pieces and beautiful stained glass very well preserved. I suggest pre-booking your ticket on their website at your preferred time slot (it is free) because the queue can be long.

For art lovers, add a stop at Le Palais de Tokyo. To avoid confusion, it has nothing to do with Japanese art. The street used to be named “Quai de Tokio, enhance the name. But it the largest art center in Europe. It hosts exhibits, expositions and has an immense gallery and beautiful architecture

To end your evening, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience is watching a French Cabaret, with the evening show of Moulin Rouge. You can either dine while enjoying the show or opt for the 11 pm timeslot, which includes champagne. Moulin Rouge is a French emblem, an almost two-hour dance performance that will keep on amazing you from beginning to end.

Finally, yet importantly, if you have a day to spare and you want to explore Paris in a different way, Le Chateau de Versailles is the perfect pick. One hour away from the city, very easily accessible by metro and quick walk, it is the most famous French castle, house of many French Kings. You can visit the inside of the castle, which is very well maintained, but I find the garden being the highlight. Hundreds of kilometers of greenery and water, you can easily spend a whole day there. If you wish to, you can even paddle boat on the lake.

Madame Brasserie: This restaurant is inside Eiffel Tower. It is a unique lunch spot and very affordable for a three-course lunch prepared by a Michelin Star chef. It allows you to dine inside the Eiffel Tower and it grants you a speed track access.

La Boheme Montmartre: Brasserie style, stuck in time. It has a traditional French elegance and delicious food especially les coquillettes a la truffe.

Little Red Door: World's best Bar, top 59. Sophisticated with a focus on flavors and using local liquors. A must-visit for Cocktail lovers

Lavomatic: Speakeasy bar hidden behind a lavomatic door. It is a fun concept and requires you a bit of work to enter, but if you like something out of the box, this is for you. Great cocktails and vibe.

Gigi’s: More on the high-end side, amazing location with a great view and superb terrace. Delicious Italian food with a French flair where you can continue to party all night long.

Maison Sota: Michelin star restaurant with an open kitchen concept inspired by Japanese design. Sota Atsumi, the Chef, cooks modern French cuisine in a very elegant setting.

Le Diane Restaurant : Located at the heart of the Hotel Barriere Le Fouquets Paris. This is a unique experience to celebrate a special occasion or for a date night. Great atmosphere with a duo singing through the night. Delicious food and service is on point, as we would expect from such a high-end venue.