For every self-fulfilling prophecy about Paris (wine on tap, cheese for days), there are tourist traps that ensnare unsuspecting visitors. That's why, if you're planning on visiting the city this summer, it's a good idea to do some research and reserve a few tables. To prevent you from getting off track, we've compiled a guide to the best neighborhoods in Paris.
A few pointers to get you started: The capital is easy to get around on foot (wear comfortable shoes) and you can rent a bike instead of taking the subway. Attempts to order a meal in French will be gratefully received, even if the waiter appears motionless. Don't wear or mention a beret Emily in Paris. And leave time to wander around. You never know what unknown museum or odd antique shop you might stumble upon. Here's how to navigate the city's districts:
District 1 and District 2
Best for art lovers
What is the mark of a true Parisian? annual pass louver (93 rue de Rivoli). Viewing the (approximately) 35,000 exhibits can take more than 100 hours. This does not take into account the time it takes to navigate the growing number of tourists. Our advice: make reservations for an early dinner – outside. connectionIf the weather is sunny, take your turn on a Friday evening, when the crowds have subsided and the museum is open until 9:45 p.m.
For other gems neighbor: At one end of the scale Hotel de la Marine 2 Place de la Concorde, an epitome of 18th-century palace grandeur, is worth seeing (take a really interesting audio tour). If so, it's much more intimate, but no less impressive. st anne galleryLocated at 44 rue Sainte-Anne, this small two-story space offers thought-provoking shows and a cool crowd of regulars.
stylish check-in Hôtel Madame Rêve is housed in the former La Poste du Louvre building, with a delightful retro style and a lush green rooftop terrace (overlooking all the main landmarks), just steps from the Louvre Museum.
District 3
Best for shopping
Wander through designer outposts to find hidden gem boutiques on the ominous streets. There's no better feeling than brandishing an artisan handkerchief, handcrafted leather slippers, or vintage earrings. In front of friends who travel less, ‘Oh, this? 'I got it from Paris' Officine Universel Buly (45 rue de Saintonge) is a perfume shop with a coffee bar inside. A monogrammed lip balm case makes a great gift.
Equally attractive is Ogata (16 rue Debelleyme), an elegant store with all things Japanese, including pottery and porcelain. wagashi. Mercy (111 bd Beaumarchais) where you can peruse bed linens and Tamegroute homewares and also has a vintage store. open dressing (63 rue de Turenne) and treasure vintage (24 rue Saint-Paul, technically 4e) displays treasures from Yves Saint Laurent and Hermès. If you want a shortcut to nonchalant French style, go straight to: market (1 rue Elzévir).
stylish check-in Hôtel National des Arts & Métiers (named after the nearby Polytechnic University and Museum) is certainly innovative in its design. After all, the building was designed by Raphael Navot, who also styled David Lynch's Silencio club. And the Herbarium bar will create cocktails just the way you like them. perfume.
6th and 7th districts
Best for families
Green space is very important in central Paris. So if you can't take the metro to the outskirts, west of Boulogne or the woods east of Vincennes, Luxembourg Gardens. It takes a traditional approach, including a 1920s miniature sailboat on an octagonal pond and pony rides, and is best paired with a nearby Japanese mountain road picnic. Somasando Coffee shop (62 rue de Vaugirard). And if you want to abandon your children, good market The top floor of the swanky six-story department store (24 rue de Sèvres) hides a free daycare for children aged 4 to 10, so after raiding the Alaïa corner. rose bakery A cafe where you can enjoy a slice of pistachio cake in peace.
stylish check-in Although L'Hôtel isn't overtly family-friendly (Jacques Garcia's velvet, gold leaf and tasseled designs make it feel like a more louche artists' hangout), there's a laid-back vibe here that will put parents at ease.
District 9
Best for nightlife
Belle Époque cabaret Folies-Bergère (32 rue Richer) once played host to Josephine Baker, and its sumptuous Art Deco surroundings remain, making it worth booking a ticket for a concert or cabaret performance. There is. Want to have a great party at composer Georges Bizet's magnificent apartment? lean towards le carmen (34 rue Duperré) offers gin cocktails in a human-sized cage and a playlist that veers chaotically from electro to house. Or kick back a glass of (natural) wine. deviation Cocktails at the wine bar (39 rue des Petites Écuries) or on the rooftop. fancy Hotel (24 rue Cadet). The best way to end the night is with a cheeseburger. dumbo (64 rue Jean Baptiste).
stylish check-in In addition to flowing mules and margaritas from La Fantaisie's high bar, you'll also receive a bottle of champagne with Smith Extra, so it makes sense to book a room in advance.
District 11
Best for Restaurants
Start the evening with a martini and people watch. bar principal (5 rue Général Renault), go to: Le Servan (32 rue Saint-Maur) offers an imaginative, international menu of small dishes. Think raw langoustines with Szechuan udon noodles. Do you like seafood? get in line I shouted Order ceviche at the bar (80 rue de Charonne). No reservations are required, but it's open on Sundays, a rarity in Paris.
bambino (25 rue Saint-Sébastien) and Le Clown Bar (114 rue Amelot) is a similarly popular table. The former plays great music and later transforms into a dance floor. The latter is an unusual ceramic frieze from a circus performance and a glass ceiling that has earned the status of a historical monument. meantime Dolphin (131 Avenue Parmentier) serves modern tapas cuisine in a space designed by Rem Koolhaas. Order artichokes in season and lemon meringue pie all year round. And if you like ice cream, don't miss it le folder roll (10 rue du Grand Prieuré), a wine and ice cream bar featuring seasonal flavors such as English Breakfast Pear and Melon Basil.
stylish check-in Built on the industrial backbone of a former washing machine factory, the Maison Bréguet hotel's restaurant is as impressive as its food, which uses the finest ingredients. And talk often with local trendsetters.
District 16
Best for architecture fans
Combine sunbathing and your love of art deco architecture with mornings on the beach. molitor (13 rue Nungesser et Coli), a swimming pool and hotel complex built in 1929 and designed to resemble a sleek ocean liner. It would be the perfect location for an afternoon tour. Le Corbusier's live work studio Explore purist best practices at the nearby Molitor Building (24 rue Nungesser et Coli). Villa La Roche (8-10 Square du Dr Blanche), another work by Le Corbusier. Next, admire the Porte Dauphine Métro station and its Art Nouveau façade before heading to Avenue Foch to enjoy a glass of champagne and caviar in a newly revitalized restaurant. plum coffee (16 Avenue Victor Hugo), a legendary seafood restaurant with a stunning mosaic façade and lacquered 1920s interior.
stylish check-in Sleeping in impressive architecture offers even greater pleasure. End your tour with a night at Saint James Paris, Paris' only chateau hotel, combining 19th-century splendor with a quirky modern twist.
District 18
Best for romantics
Montmartre has a monopoly on romance. Book a luxury suite at: mansion (23 Avenue Junot) or enjoy a weekend brunch (a rarity in Paris) in the leafy gardens, then avoid the crowds at Sacré Coeur and head to: convent garden (10 Place des Abbesses). Secluded and full of medicinal plants, this is a healing place for couples. Equally special is the garden. Montmartre Museum (12 rue Cortot), where you can have tea while looking out over the vineyards. And if it's popcorn romance you're looking for, book the movie here: studio 28 (10 rue Tholozé), an arthouse cinema with a cute bar.
stylish check-in Rooms at Hotel Particulier include a variety of rooms, including the cottagecore Jardin Sur Le Nil suite with leafy views, the love-inspired Dance Pacific suite, and the Les Folies du Ciel suite with an eyebrow-raising swing. You can experience fantasy. Chair next to the bed.
Look at Full list of hotels in Paris.