So, you’ve landed, now… what to do in Paris? This was my first stay in the city and with a mere 10 days to explore, this list is far from a final list of the *musts*. You will notice that I kept off many of the traditional large tourist attractions. While I saw the Eiffel Tower, Moulin Rouge, Sacre-Coeur, and Notre Dame, these places are listed in thousands of guide books and travel blogs. While some of the places I mention are famous, I wanted to share what I discovered when I wasn’t using guide books.
Just a note on the food in Paris… you might assume that ALL food in Paris will be amazing, that ALL croissants will be life changing. This isn’t true. I had disappointing and even bad meals, coffee that forced me the first several days to hunt down a Starbucks for something drinkable, and a croissant that I couldn’t finish… until I found these places.
While your trip may not center around food, you may not be “into” food even, please believe me when I tell you that any trip is infinitely better when the food and coffee makes you close your eyes and smile.
Whether you are looking to splurge on designer fashion or hunt through antiques and absurdities at tiny shops and lesser known flea markets, Paris is pure shopping heaven.
Paris was the first stop of my journey and because I was suffering from exhaustive jet lag for most of my time there, I was unable to explore a lot of the early morning markets around the city. Therefore, this guide for what to do in Paris will see an update once I circle back to France in the Autumn. Until then, please take a look at my picks below for what to do in Paris when you only have a weekend! Where to shop in Paris, where to eat in Paris, and what to do in Paris!
AND If you stop into Lili et Riton, tell the owner and his wife Coco that I send my love!
WHAT TO DO IN PARIS
– Weekend Edition –
To Eat
Restaurants
La Degustation
gourmet delicatessen & wine bar
93 rue Lepic
75018 Paris
+ 33 1 46 06 25 20
Hours: 12PM – 3PM / 6PM – 12AM M-F + 12PM – 12AM Sa/Su
Lili et Riton
bistro
64 rue du Montparnasse
75014 Paris
+ 33 1 43 20 93 52
Hours: 7AM – 1:30AM
Le Petit Josselin
creperie
59 rue du Montparnasse
75014 Paris, France
+ 33 1 43 22 91 81
Hours: 12PM – 3PM / 7PM – 11PM M-Sa
Coffee
Le Cafe Lomi
coffee shop, boutique, and education space
3 rue Marcadet
75018 Paris
+ 33 9 80 39 56 24
Hours: 10AM – 7PM
Shakespeare and Company Cafe
coffee shop and bookstore
37 rue de la Bûcherie
75005 Paris
+ 33 1 43 25 40 93
Hours: 9:30AM – 7PM M-F + until 8PM Sa/Su
Cassiopee Cafe
coffee shop
21 rue Custine
75018 Paris
+ 33 9 81 98 19 10
Hours: 8AM – 6PM M-F + 10AM – 6PM Sa/Su
Boulangeries
Pain Poilane
boulangerie – the croissants and punitions!
8 rue du Cherche-Midi
75006 Paris
+ 33 1 45 48 42 59
Hours: 7AM – 8:30PM M-Sa
Au Levain d’Antan
boulangerie – the almond croissants, mini baguettes, and simple sandwiches
6 rue des Abbesses
75018 Paris
+ 33 1 42 64 97 83
Hours: 7AM – 8PM M-F
Le Grenier A Pain
boulangerie – the baguettes
33 bis Rue Saint-Amand
75015 Paris
+ 33 1 45 33 01 85
Hours: 7:30AM – 8:30PM M-Sa + 8AM – 8PM Su (closed W)
Pastry & Sweets
La Grande Epicerie Paris
full market with boulangerie & patisserie
38 rue de Sevres
75007 Paris
+ 33 1 44 39 81 00
Hours: 8:30AM – 9PM M-Sa + 10AM – 8PM Su
Arnaud Larher
macarons and chocolates
93 rue de Seine
75006 Paris
+ 33 1 43 29 38 15
Hours: 2:30PM – 7:30PM Tu + 10AM – 7:30PM W/Th + 10AM – 8PM F/Sa + 10AM – 7PM Su (Closed M)
La Maison du Chocolate
go for the chocolate!
19 rue de Sevres
75006 Paris
+ 33 1 45 44 20 40
Hours: 10AM – 8PM M-Sa
Kosak Chocolate
carefully curated selection of the best chocolate made around the world
106 rue Caulaincourt
75018 Paris
+ 33 9 80 73 35 60
Hours: 11AM – 8PM Tu-Su
To Shop
New Clothing & Jewelry
Aude & Chloe
womens’ clothing
88 rue de Rennes
75006 Paris
+33 1 45 44 86 85
Hours: 3PM – 7PM M + 10:30AM – 7PM T-Sa (closed Su)
L’atelier Scandinave
womens’ clothing
80 rue de Rennes
75006 Paris
+ 33 1 43 35 12 55
Hours: 12PM – 7PM M + 11AM – 7PM T-Sa (closed Su)
Cesaree
high end statement jewelry
11 rue du Dragon
75006 Paris
+ 33 1 45 48 86 86
Hours: 10:30AM – 7PM M-Sa (closed Su)
Vintage & Antiques
Chinemachine Vintage
vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories
100 rue des Martyrs
75018 Paris
+ 33 1 80 50 27 66
Hours: 1PM – 8PM Su + 12PM – 8PM M-Sa
Atomes
vintage clothing and decor
65 rue du Montparnasse
75014 Paris
+ 33 1 43 22 70 13
Hours: 11AM – 7PM T-Sa (closed Su/M)
L’objet Qui Parle
the most delightful antiquities and absurdities
86 rue des Martyrs
75018 Paris
+ 33 6 09 67 05 30
Hours: 1PM – 7:30PM M-Sa (closed Su)
Decor
Petit Pan
textile based home goods
10 rue Yvonne le Tac
75018 Paris
+ 33 9 84 33 86 82
Hours: 10:30AM – 1PM / 2PM – 7:30PM Su-M + 10:30PM – 7:30PM T-Sa
Cocoboheme
quirky home goods
38 rue Myrha
75018 Paris
+ 33 1 42 64 59 87
Hours: 2PM – 7PM M-Sa (closed Su)
Storie
home goods & jewelry
20 rue Delambre
75014 Paris
+ 33 1 83 56 01 98
Hours: 3PM – 8PM M + 11AM – 8PM T-Sa (closed Su)
Books
Shakespeare and Company
new and rare books with adjacent cafe
37 rue de la Bucherie
75005 Paris
+ 33 1 43 25 40 93
Hours: 10AM – 11PM
To Do
Art Markets
Le Marche de la Creation Paris Montparnasse
year – round open air artists market
Bd Edgar Quinet
75014 Paris
Hours: 10AM – 7PM (Su only)
two of the artists that showcase at Le Marce de la Creation
Ona Maati
ceramist Sylvie Barbara
4 impasse Savry
92700 Colombes
+ 33 6 61 64 07 32
Patrick Perrin
+ 33 6 63 56 02 82
Little Big Galerie
contemporary photographic gallery
45 rue Lepic
75018 Paris
+ 33 1 42 52 81 25
Hours: 2:30PM – 7:30PM T-Su (closed M)
Flea Market
Marche aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves
smaller flea market in south Paris that is less crowded
18 Avenue Georges Lafenestre
75014 Paris
Hours: 7AM – 1PM S/Su
Bird Market
Le Marché aux Oiseaux
exotic bird market and pet supplies
Place Louis Lépine and Quai de la Corse
75004 paris
Hours: 8AM to 7PM (Su only)
Cemetery
Montparnasse Cemetery
resting place of Serge Gainsbourg, Jean Seberg, Man Ray, and others
3 Boulevard Edgar Quinet
75014 paris
+ 33 1 44 10 86 50
Montparnasse Cemetery Map
*Hours:
6/11 – 15/3 8AM – 5:30PM M-F + 8:30AM – 5:30PM Sa + 9AM to 5:30PM Su & Bank Holidays
16/3 – 5/11 open until 6PM
*There are no admissions 15 min before closing time.
