Description: A romantic long weekend in one of the most beautiful cities in the world — Paris, the city of lights — lives up to its name, in rain or shine.
Destinations:
Day 1 - 7th & 8th Arrondissement
Day 2 - 16th Arrondissement & Mont Martre
Day 3 - Les îles & 1st Arrondissement
Where to stay: Amastan Hotel. Chic, well-designed, clean, and well-situated to all the hotspots in this itinerary.
When to go: We visited in late October. Paris is wonderful in every season.
THE ITINERARY:
THE DETAILS:
DAY 1
7th & 8th Arr.
Make sure to order your picnic basket online in advance (few days beforehand) and purchase tickets to the Louvre a few weeks in advance.
To kick off your long weekend in Paris, make Pastry Cyril Lignac - Chaillot your first stop, for mouthwatering pain aux raisins or pain au chocolat.
Fueled up for the day, head south west towards the Trocadéro Gardens, a sprawling city oasis of organized flowers, sculptures and shrubbery, that was built for the 1937 Universal Exposition.
Your second stop is (of course!) the iconic Tour Eiffel. Work on the tower began in 1887 and was completed in 1889. It was erected to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution, however the design was, at first, not well-received by artists, sculptors and Parisians who protested it's construction. Times (and opinions) have changed, and it's now one of the most iconic symbols known throughout the world. You can absolutely go up in the Tour, though a stroll around the base can be just as romantic. If you decide to go up, reserve tickets online and in advance.
A leisurely walk through the Champ de Mars will not disappoint. This lovely park that once was a site of protests, gunfire and even beheadings, is a peaceful gathering place for Parisians and tourists alike.
When the weather permits, a picnic in the park is a great way to spend the afternoon. Order a picnic basket for pickup, and spend a few hours lounging and eating like a Parisian.
Fueled by butter, bread, & brie, head northwest towards your afternoon activity, the Louvre. Now, this musèe is no joke. It's enormous, takes hours to view properly, and is obviously one of the most popular museums in Paris (and the world), so be prepared. It will be crowded and busy. However, it's also 100% worth facing the crowds to see some of the most famously known artworks in human history.
Emerge 4 hours later, ready to relax. Cafe culture is a wonderful thing, and Paris offers tons of places to stop, people-watch and drink wine. Le Concorde has great red wine options, a delish fried goat cheese snack, and a lively sidewalk seating arrangement, that we highly recommend.
After much wine, schnacking and relaxing, head to dinner at Milagro (yes, go again), which serves up fantastic international/french fusion, in a lovely atmosphere.
On your way home, make sure to pass by the Tour at night. Très romantique.
DAY 2
16th Arr. & Mont Martre
Purchase tickets for the Musée de Marmaton in advance. Also make reservations online at Le Poulbot & La Terrass in advance.
After a lie in, enjoy a Parisian breakfast at Café Antonia, where sweet treats and a cafe latte on the terrace is the perfect way to kick off your morning.
From here, hop on the metro to travel southwest to the Musée de Marmottan (~20 minutes). Wander around and admire the biggest collection of Monet's paintings under one roof, housed within the stunning mansion of the wealthy family of art collectors, the Marmottan family.
Emerge a few hours later, and seek refuge and lunch at the charming and delicious Le Bois.
In the afternoon, take the metro out to the Montemarte neighborhood, to see where artists have been hanging out in Paris for centuries. The quickest route is to take the metro back to the 8th arrondissement, stopping at Havre-caumartin. Walk to the green line at Gare Saint Lazare, and take it all the way to Abbesses. It will take about 40 minutes.
First make your way up the hill, stopping to hunt for artisan items at the numerous galleries and shops along the cobbled streets, and enjoy spectacular views of the city. You can stop and admire Picasso's first studio on your stroll.
If interested in Surrealism, there is an exhibition of the work of Dalí, where many of the artist's sculptures and paintings are on display.
Next, make your way up the hill to the Sacré-Coer — This basilica began construction in the late 19th century, but spanned several decades, and was worked on by 6 different architects. Built in the Roman-Byzantine style, the top of the dome is the second highest viewing point in Paris. Take a peak inside, and climb the dome (~300 steps, no lift).
Place du Tertre is a fun and lively square to sit outside, sip some wine and people-watch.
For dinner, have a classic french dish of duck confit and frites at Le Poulbot.
Enjoy a night cap on the rooftop terrace at the très chic Terrass hotel, to close out your evening.
DAY 3
Les îles & 1st Arr.
Reservations for MUMI should be made a few weeks out, and tickets for l'Orangery should be bought online in advance.
In the morning, hop on the metro to Jozi cafe for a leisurely brunch on your last day in Paris. For the quickest route, take the 13 heading south from Miromesnil, then transfer to the 10 heading east at Doruc. Get off at Maubert - Mutualite. Will take ~30 mins.
Post-brunch, a 10 minute walk will take you to the iconic Cathédrale Notre-Dame. Since the fire in 2019, the cathedral has been closed to the public for restoration, but you can still walk around the outside and admire the flying buttresses and gothic facade from this 13th-century monument.
Spend morning exploring the Îles and walking along the Seine, where little carts line the river and sell books, artisan objects and goodies along the way. Afterwards, walk south towards the sprawling Luxembourg gardens. You can stop at the 19th century panthéon (modeled after the Roman version) along the way.
In the afternoon, make your way back towards the 8th arrondisment, and visit the gorgeous Musée de l'Orangerie, a stunning tribute to Monet's works, painted in the japanese garden at his longtime home in Giverny.
If you're looking for an extra special culinary experience, enjoy the 5-course tasting menu + wine pairing dinner at MUMI. It will not disappoint, and is the perfect way to close out a magical weekend in Paris. Fin du voyage!
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