if you follow me on the gram, then you know i recently took a pretty amazing trip to paris. after breast cancer and the recent loss of a loved one, i decided it was time to live my best life. so my mom, aunt and i packed our bags and crossed the atlantic ocean.
READ: How Loosing My Hair Boosted My Self-Confidence
important things to know before traveling to paris
- exchange rate: i’m sure you know by now that the exchange rate for dollars to euros isn’t the best. at the time of our trip, one euro was worth about $1.25. that means prepare your budget early for the $20 breakfasts consisting mostly of breads, juice and jam. ouch.
- sales tax: when you spend more than 175 euro in the same store on the same day, you receive your vat (value added tax) back. this is a big deal since the tax can go up to 33% for luxury goods. sales associates will complete a form using your passport (make sure it’s with you when you go shopping), and all you have to do is scan it at the airport.
- tips for waitstaff: waiters are paid a living wage in france, which means service fees are included in your bill. no need to tip the waitstaff unless you feel you’ve had exceptional service. even then, most people just round the bill up to the nearest euro.
where to stay in paris
- 9th arrondissement: this area feels like the heart of the city. it’s diverse, full of restaurants and bars and has easy access to the metro lines. there are plenty of boutique and chain hotels (like holiday inn) in the area.
- montmartre: very close to the 9th, this area also has a hip vibe. i loved the flower shops, markets, including an open air flea market on saturdays and cafes. it’s also home to the sacre couer, my favorite historic site in the city.
- marais: if you’re planning to do some major shopping, then book your stay in marais. aside from the stores, it’s a beautiful part of town with lovely airbnbs.
- latin quarter: sightseeing is really easy in this part of town. it’s full of historic sites and right off the seine river. jump on a river taxi to visit the eiffel tower, notre dame, jardin des plantes and more.
shop this post
what to see in paris
i promise i’m not typically into sightseeing, but paris changed alllllll of that. the architecture alone is breathtaking, and there’s a reason people travel from all over the world to see the eiffel tower. aside from the most obvious site, here’s a few others that i wouldn’t leave paris without exploring.
- sacre couer (basilica of the sacred heart of paris): i felt like i spent time with God at this roman catholic church. we walked in to nuns praying and the most beautiful architecture i’d ever seen in a church. the entire experience was so breathtaking until i left in tears. i’m grateful.
- arc triomph: at the end of the famous champs elysees sits the arc triomph. chances are you’ve seen this monument in movies, but film does it no justice. stop by on a clear day when the sun is setting to get your life.
- notre dame: a medieval catholic cathedral, notre dame sits along the seine river. it’s huge and just as beautiful from the streets of the latin quarter as it is up close.
- palace of versailles: this chateau and gardens in the wealthy paris suburbs was built by king louis xiv. today it’s a museum with several properties and beautiful grounds. if visiting from the city, most folks recommend spending a day there. it’s at the top of my list to visit during my next trip to paris.
i didn’t include the louvre as a must visit because the lines can be soooo long. we stopped by to get the obligatory photos, but didn’t feel the need to go inside. instead, we shopped at the mall underneath. sorry mona lisa!
where to shop in paris
speaking of shopping, paris is the undeniable fashion capital of the world. i swear i felt fashion in my soul while i was there. from the epic street style to every major label you can imagine being under one rooftop in department stores like printemps, i got my life.
- marais: printemps is the department store of all department stores. the store is six levels and spans several blocks. marais is also home to a fantastic zara, mango and one of my new favorite fragrance shops, fragonard.
- champs elysees: this 1.2 mile stretch is probably the most famous shopping area in the city. it’s also where you’ll find the most tourists. if you’re looking for everything from hermes to adidas within a few blocks, then this is your place.
- saint germain: we visited two places that i highly recommend in saint germain, diptyque and shakespeare theater company. the flagship diptyque is located at and a fragrance and candle lover’s dream. stay tuned for an exclusive vlog where we got a private tour! shakespeare theater company is a famous english bookstore in the cutest location.
have you visited paris? where are your favorite places to stay, visit and shop?
