A perfect day in Paris

What: Personal tips for sightseeing, restaurants, things to do
Where: Paris, France

A Mother-daughter-weekend in one of the most beautiful cities ever: Paris, here on Place des Vosges

I often get asked about tips for Paris. As you know, one of my favorite places, when it comes to city breaks. Of course one day in Paris is definitely too short. But to prepare your stay and make the best out of it, here you’ll find a few things to do in the city of love. Paris has so many sights to offer, so for a first – and easy – impression and orientation, I actually suggest a ‘hop on hop off’ bus tour. I also did this with my daughter at our mother-daughter weekend. She first thought it was stuffy, but then okay. You can book tickets online in advance, what I also recommend for museums like the Louvre.

The cathedral Sacre Coeur – one of the sightseeing highlights and tourist attractions in Paris

If you have the opportunity to be in Paris during the week, it is simply more beautiful in many places than on the crowded weekends.

Start the day early (!) in the morning in Montmartre – in good weather you have the best view over Paris and the district with Sacre Coeur only for you.

Silent streets in Montmartre – and Sacre Coeur in the background

There is a small, hidden hotel where you can stay and enjoy very nice breakfast: The Hotel Particulier Montmartre in the middle of a small, bewitched garden. I love it!!!

Visit the Père Lachaise cemetery, where many celebrities are buried in impressive graves: This is pure romance.

The grave of the composer Frédéric Chopin in the cemetery of Père Lachaise. Foto: Internet

I would go from here to Marais. The youngsters love this hood. Especially the very cool concept store “Merci” on the Boulevard de Beaumarchais. Here or at the Café “Benedict” you can also have breakfast. The Benedict is totally hip and comes originally from Tel Aviv. They serve breakfast 24/7.

One of my favorite addresses, when ist comes to shopping in Paris: The cool concept store “Merci“. Foto: Merci

From here take a trip to the most beautiful square of the Marais district, the Place des Vosges and stroll through streets like Rue Vieille du Temple or Rue des Francs Bourgeois with lots of nice boutiques and shops. Nearby is the Picasso Museum.

I love the area and atmosphere around the Place des Vosges

From the Marais you can walk along the Seine to the Louvre. How about a boat trip on one of the Bateaux Mouches?

How about a boattrip on the Seine with a Bateau Mouche?

On the Rue Saint Honoré you will find all the luxury boutiques, such as Dior, Hermès, Saint Laurent … In the mood for a break? Than enter the Hotel Costes and ask for a table in the lovely courtyard. Here I had probably the most expensive spaghetti, but served in such a chic setting and people watching included ;-). Around the corner you find the always crowded Colette store, the mother of all concept stores, which by the way will closes its doors in December  – forever.

Will be closed in December: The famous concept store Colette. On the first floor the women’s department

The end of a legend

Crossing the Seine river: From Rive Droite to Rive Gauche

Pass the Louvre with the pyramid and cross one of the bridges from here to visit the Ile de France, Notre Dame and Saint Germain. A coffee – or a glas of Champagne – at “Café de Flore” or “Les Deux Magot” is a must. And of course the perfect place for a little nightcap to celebrate life. Santé!  BvH

Founded in 1887: The Café de Flore in the Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés at 6th Arrondissement in Paris

MyStylery’s tips for Lunch and Dinner in Paris:

1.) There is “L’Avenue”, trendy, chic and pretty expensive, but definitely a place to see and be seen

2.) “Caviar Kaspia” on Place de la Madeleine is the hotspot of the model and fashion scene during Fashion Week

3.) “Le China” at 12éme – when it comes to Asian Food in a nice dinner atmosphere. I love this place!

4.) “Robert et Louise”, which is a quaint French restaurant in the Marais district

5.) The secret lunch place of former top model and style icon Inès de la Fressange is a typical Parisian place: ”Le Chardenoux des Prés” in Saint Germain

6.) And there is an elegant and beautiful decorated Ralph Lauren Restaurant: “Ralph’s” on Boulevard Saint-Germain

The cosy courtyard of Hotel Costes with a great but expensive restaurant: Très chic! Foto: Hotel Costes

Don’t miss:

1.) The best and unbeatable flea market is the Maché aux Puces! But it’s a bit outside the center and open only during the weekend

2.) The DIOR exhibition “Christian Dior – Couturier du Reve” – at the Musée des Art Décoratif (until January 2018)

3.) And last not least the shopping paradise “Le bon Marché”: Shop till you drop!

(Too) many people infront and inside the cathedral of Sacre Coeur during the afternoon. Tip: Try to get here very early in the morning!

Fantastic view from Sacre Coeur to the Parisian skyline

My secret hideaway: The Hotel Particulier in Montmartre …

… in the middle of a small, bewitched garden …

… where I can easily relax from the city’s hurly-burly

Sooo beautiful: Lush Wisteria infront of white house facades

Always a good idea: Breakfast at Ladurée, also well known for the delicous Macarons

The Métro, for me the best (and fastest) way of moving in Paris. Tip: Safe money and buy a carnet, a ticket booklet with ten single tickets

The Eiffel tower, the landmark of Paris. Foto: Internet

Pyramid and Louvre

Me infront of the cathedral of Notre Dame

The Grand Palais, museum and the venue for important individual exhibitions as well as the fashion shows during the Parisian Fashion Week

The classic Parisian kiosk in dark green, decorated with a small dome

These unique roofs and romantic mansards only exist in the city of love

Worth a visit, just because of the opulent architecture: The Galeries Lafayette in Paris