The ultimate Paris Guide | the perfect Parisian weekend Beginner

Paris for Beginners. Is there anything nicer than passing three days in Paris? I am looking forward to refreshing the memories of my Erasmus year in Paris by passing this week an extended weekend there. My restaurant list is longer than ever and I have to carefully pick out those I would like to see this time. But I know that my friend and I will eventually upend at Eggs&Co., but more about this later on.

During my Erasmus year family members and friends very often visited with me, most of them had never been before in the Town of Love. Roughly that used to be my program for them.

Day 1 Traditional Sightseeing

Breakfast Pain Quotidien, Le Boulanger des Invalides Jocteur or Boulangerie

What is nicer than a copious breakfast in Paris? Well, most of the time we had breakfast at home with fresh baguette, Croissants aux amandes und Bonne Maman jam. Likewise, I would simply start the first day with a fresh croissant at a boulangerie (Eric Kayser is always a good address)- Pain Quotidien is also a very good address for breakfast. What I could warmly recommend is Le Boulanger des Invalides Jocteur  and its very delicious hot chocolate to go with mouth-watering Croissanterie and tartes, from where you can look at your next target: the Eiffel tower.

Morning Eiffelturm oder Arc de Triomphe, Palais de Tokyo

Sightseeing can become very exhausting, hence you should not try to cover too much, but fully enjoy fewer ones- Eiffel Tower first! The town’s landmark sparkling always so beautifully in the evening from far away; my visitors always insisted on going to the Champ de Mars. But very few wanted climbing to the top. The Palais de Tokyo is one of my favourite museums and depending on the exhibition just running it is worth visiting. Subsequently I recommend climbing the Arc de Triomphe (without charge for U25) from where I feel you have the best view over Paris.

Noon Marcel And Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur

It is worthwhile riding from the Eighth Arondissement directly to Montmartre. There is a direct bus line (no. 30), from which you can see a lot of Paris. Also, you should definitely have brunch (only served on weekends) or have lunch at my favourite restaurant Marcel . They serve delicious burgers and also the poached eggs are to be recommended. From there you may walk up to  Sacré-Cœur  and enjoy again a magnificent view over Paris. I am not too familiar with Montmartre itself, but there are some nice shops. However, Montmartre is in my opinion terribly overcrowded by tourists

Afternoon Galerie Lafayette, Operá Garnier, Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre

From Montmartre we go to Galerie Lafayette (Excuse me, if the metro routes are not very logical, but I did these rides normally by bike). You simply must have a look on one of the oldest department stores. Who has not yet had enough views over Paris, may go up to the terrace. From Galerie Lafayette there is a five minute walk to Operá Garnier. Unfortunately I never entered it, but it is said to be marvellous. Opera tickets unfortunately are very expensive, but if you are lucky you may still get some at the box office.

Weather permitting it is worthwhile walking or taking the metro from Opera to Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. About 17:00 – 18:00 hours the sun is at its best in Parc de Tuileries. On your way you may have a glass of fresh wine while enjoying the sunset.

Evening Le Relais de l’Entrecôte or Josselin

After this exciting, but exhausting day you would probably like best dropping into you bed. But especially in the evenings Paris is still offering a lot. At your first visit in my opinion a dinner at  Le Relais de l’Entrecôte is a must. They serve only steaks and fries, but their secret sauce is unbelievably delicious. There are always waiting queues outside restaurants in Paris, but waiting is definitely worth your while. If you arrive at 19:00 hours most places are still empty.

Apart from that I can warmly recommend the Creperie Josselin at Montparnasse. Here, too, you have to queue, but their galettes and sweet crepes are so delectable. I have been several times to that place.

Nightlife Canal Saint Martin, Comptoir Général Social Club, Rex, Les Docks And More

You are not yet tired and would like to still plunge into Paris night life? In my opinion the coolest places are around the Canal Saint Martin. I can highly recommend Le Comptoir Général . Thereafter we used to go quite often into the Social Club (I think they closed it now) or the Rex for electronic musique. Some nights I also spent at the super touristic and commercial Le Duplex. My other favorites were the Queen, Chacha Club, Showcase, and Les Docks in the summer…

Day 2 Shopping & EATING

Morning Saint Germain des Près – Eggs & Co, Café de Flore, Jardin du Luxembourg

We begin the second day in Saint Germain des Près and commence right away with my favorite brunch/breakfast place Eggs & Co. Meanwhile I have given up counting the times I have been there. Subsequently you may have a stroll through Saint-Germain des Près. The classic Café de Flore is just around the corner. There you find all kinds of shops, and amongst them also the Kilo Shop – a call at Paris’ most favorable pharmacy Citypharma is a must. There you find all French beauty brands I like, such as Nuxe, Avène, Vichy to name a few. After this we walk to the Jardin du Luxembourg, which is one of my favorite parks.

Lunch Fish La Boissonerie, Cosí, Ralphs

For lunch I recommend you the Fish La Boissonerie. French eateries usually offer delicious lunch menus at noon, and so does this place. Who likes it cheaper may have a delectable baguette at Cosí on the other side of the street. Unfortunately I have never been to Ralphs, but it is said to offer also very mouth-watering goodies.

Afternoon Marais, Ob-La-Di, Café Pinson, MERCI, Place des Vosges

In the afternoon we walk at long last to Marais. From Saint Germain des Près you better go there on the other side of the Seine. There are so many of my favorite restaurants and cafés in Marais. Particularly nice are Café Loustic, Ob-La-Di, Matamata Café and Café Pinson. There are countless shops amongst whom the Concept Store MERCI is very recommendable. Then walk to Place des Vosges and enjoy some chilling moments, in particular when the weather is nice.

Evening PNY, Candelaria or Clasico Argentino

In the evening we also remain in Marais. If you like burgers go to PNY (Burger). Otherwise I also like very much Candelaria (Tacos & Margaritas) or Clasico Argentino (Empanadas – they have various locations.

Day 3 Rather at Leisure pace

On Sundays there are many brunch possibilities and I would recommend you Brunch by Ines, Holybelly or Claus.

Noon/Afternoon Sundaybrunch, walk to Notre Dame, boat tour

From there I would take a walk to the Île Saint Louis and Île de la Cité. The walks along the Seine are marvelous and a visit to then Cathédrale de Notre Dame is a must. Who is not afraid of queuing ma climb the spire, but unfortunately the lines are very long most of the time. Once I have also made a boat ride with a girlfriend, which was very much worth our while.

Probably you will leave in the late afternoon, If you wish to have a meal first, just consult my Paris Eating Guide.