Paris favorites for first-timers 

People that know me are surprised to hear I have never been to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Nor have I been down to the Catacombs. Maybe I’m missing out but throughout my ten visits to Paris, I don’t think I’ve missed out on anything. 

Below is my list of favorites for those getting to know Paris for the first time. Take this list as a recommendation, not a to-do list. I certainly did not visit all of these places on my first trip. Pick a couple and then enjoy the abundance of opportunities not found in a travel blog that Paris has to offer.

Each visit to the capital of France has its own personality, its own set of adventures, but there is one rule I always follow–make time to linger, to enjoy the beauty around you and take a moment to just be. 

Here are my favorite Paris experiences:  

Seine dinner cruise

If it’s your first or second visit to Paris, I highly recommend the Bateaux Parisiens dinner cruise. Yes it’s touristy and cliché but it is such a wonderful way to enjoy the city sparkling on the banks of the Seine over food and endless wine.

Pay the extra money to sit near a window. You’ll be with other tourists, but since it’s a dinner cruise, you will still have your own space at your dinner table to ooh and ahh and become enchanted by all the beauty that makes Paris so unique. I resisted doing this many times but once I did, I cannot recommend it enough. 

Musée d’Orsay

If I were to pick one museum to see in all of Paris this would be it. Monet, Manet, Degas, Cézanne, Renoir, Van Gogh – they’re all here in a beautifully renovated train station. It can get crowded so my advice is go early when it opens.

Centre Pompidou would be my second choice but it is closed for renovations at the time of writing. For those looking for modern art, check out Palais de Tokyo with rotating exhibits. 

Jardin du Luxembourg

When asked what’s my favorite spot in the world, this is my answer. But there is a caveat: you must bring with you a bottle of wine (don’t forget a wine opener), a baguette, and cheese to soak in the full experience. I can stay here for hours sipping wine and watching people walk by. I swear once you descend the few steps into the center of the garden, you are encompassed by an aura of calm amongst the activity. Find some sage green chairs, open that wine, and take it all in. 

Le Marais

There is so much to say about this vibrant neighborhood dotted with 16th-17th century mansions, tiny cobblestone streets, local boutiques, galleries, and limitless options for eating and drinking. Ignored by Haussmann, it still retains a medieval feel in parts and serves as the historic Jewish quarter and the center of the city’s LGBTQ+ culture. On Sundays, the streets are full of life when other places are closed.

Le Marais was my favorite landing spot to enjoy Paris during my first few trips–it’s centralized, convenient, and buzzing with energy. A trip to Paris is not complete without meandering through Le Marais. 

The Latin Quarter & Rue Mouffetard

Check out my blog on spending a day in the Latin Quarter. This part of the city holds a special place in my heart and can be a little less crowded than the Right Bank. Don’t miss the Grande Mosquée tea room to sip mint tea and enjoy a beautiful respite. 

Montmartre

Get lost in this charming hillside community dripping in history, and aside from the Basilica, it can be a bit less crowded. Walk up the cobblestone Rue de l’Abreuvoir that seems straight out of a storybook and then pass by the Clos Montmartre Vineyard that dates back to the 16th Century. If you’d like a self-guided walking tour, reach out to me and I’d be happy to share the one I used.

Though the Basilica of Sacré Cœur is flanked with tourists, on a nice sunny day, just embrace it. Find a spot on the lawn and take in the views of Paris at your feet and the people around you. Be cautious of the hawkers of friendship bracelets and trinkets as you don’t want to pay for something you haven’t asked for. And while there will be a huge line to enter the basilica, going to the top of the church is usually not very crowded if you want to brave the line. Once you enter, look for the staircase to go to the roof for an even higher view of the city.

Evening walk along the Seine

Walking along the Seine at dusk and into the evening, I’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t fall for Paris after taking in the lights sparkling on the water’s surface. 

Père Lachaise Cemetery

With elegant landscaping and impressive (and sometimes odd) statues, meandering through the most-visited cemetery in the world is a unique experience. Notable figures buried at Père Lachaise include Colette, Frédéric Chopin, Édith Piaf, Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde, and Jim Morrison. 

Sainte Chapelle

Before the fire at Notre Dame forced its closure, Sainte Chapelle used to be overlooked by tourists. However, I whole-heartedly feel this small chapel with its immense, awe-inspiring stained glass was a must-see. Since Notre Dame Cathedral is still closed, I’ve noticed massive lines to enter and tickets needing to be purchased in advance. If you have time, I’d still recommend it. 

Places you can skip

• Seeing the Mona Lisa in the Louvre – if ancient and renaissance art is your thing, then go to the Louvre. It’s filled with endless treasures. But don’t just go to see Mona Lisa. You’ll be shoulder to shoulder with tourists and will be lucky to see her past the phone and tablet screens. 
  
• Champs Elysees – I know, it’s iconic. Sure, take a walk down this street (even better during pedestrian-only hours one Sunday a month) but it’s mostly filled with chain stores and restaurants you see in every other city and SO MANY people. Don’t plan on spending an afternoon here unless you want to spend your money on mass produced items you can find anywhere. 

Favorite places to eat, drink, shop, and visit

For places to eat, drink, and experience the best of Paris, make sure to save my Google Maps Paris List.

And if you’d like specific recommendations, please reach out to me. I’d be happy to help make your trip to Paris uniquely yours.