Paris is always a good idea — especially when the French Open is drawing tennis lovers and travelers from all over the world. While you could spend an entire trip just wandering the cobbled streets and people-watching over a glass (or two) of wine at cafés, there’s so much more to do, see, and eat. So, we’ve curated a list of our all-time favorite spots to spend time in Paris, from luxe hotels to 20s-era jazz clubs, and more. Bon voyage!
What to Do in Paris
Paris Central Tennis: This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it covered court is tucked down a charming cobbled side street in Paris’ 12th arrondissement. A former stable, this indoor court features exposed wooden beams and is open to the public 7 days a week, from 9am until 10pm.
Musée d’Orsay: Located along the Seine River in a former train station, the museum is a masterclass in Beaux-Arts architecture. Leave ample time for the impressionist collection on the top floor, where you can admire Degas’ dancers and Monet’s studies of Notre Dame. Note that it’s closed on Mondays.
Where to Eat in Paris
Lunch
L’Avenue: One of the right bank’s most elegant restaurants, this is the place to see and be seen during Paris Fashion Week and beyond. The menu features elevated French bistro fare — the tuna tartare is always a delight. Be sure to snag a seat on the terrace, where you can expect to spot a celebrity or two.
Hôtel Costes: Famous for their fantastic playlist, you’ll find a well-heeled crowd of travelers and locals alike at the eponymous restaurant and open-air courtyard of this 5-star hotel. The warmly-lit space is glamorous and the food is classic French with a modern twist — go for the asparagus at lunchtime.
Lou Lou: Set to reopen this June, Lou Lou is inspired by the hedonistic spirit of Loulou de la Falaise, Yves Saint-Laurent’s former muse. As if the Mediterranean-inspired food (think seasonal pizzas, fresh pesto pastas and bright salads) wasn’t enough of a draw, you can’t beat the location: Right in the heart of the Louvre’s courtyard.
Dinner
Girafe: Few things are more glamorous than dinner with a view of the Eiffel Tower. The fish-forward menu is a midsummer’s dream, full of oysters, caviar, crudo, lobster, sole meunière and more.
La Stresa: An Italian mainstay, this is another celebrity hotspot where you can find some of the best pasta, dished up in red velvet banquets. Don’t, under any circumstances, miss the truffle pizza.
Gigi: A design-forward restaurant with an Instagram-ready tiled floor, plush pink carpeting and a garden-like terrace, Gigi boasts another top-notch view of the Eiffel Tower from their floor-to-ceiling windows. Come for the Milanese cuisine in addition to live music in the evenings.
Where to Stay in Paris
Hôtel Costes: Vibrant red accent walls and sultry floral wallpaper make this luxury five-star address instantly recognizable. The hotel is housed in an 18th century mansion redecorated by interior designer and architect Jacques Garcia, with a theatrical, vintage twist.
Saint James Paris: Located in the sophisticated 16th arrondissement, this Relais & Châteaux property exudes classic Parisian charm but with all of the modern amenities you could ask for. Rooms are tastefully decorated in warm tones with geometric fabrics and an enviable art collection. The Guerlain Spa, garden terrace, and Michelin-starred Bellefeuille Restaurant are each destinations in their own right.
JK Place Paris: Modern, sleek, and ultra-chic, this 29-room boutique hotel just off the Boulevard Saint-Germain is a left bank darling. With an indoor pool, a very glam bar + restaurant, plus perfectly decorated rooms, it is sure to be your new favorite hotel in Paris.
Where to Go Out in Paris
Bisou: This bespoke cocktail bar in the 3rd arrondissement doesn’t have a menu — instead, you’ll be asked to share your mood and your flavor profile preference (sweet, tart, with a kick, etc.) and they’ll whip up a custom drink for you on the spot.
Le Bar at Hôtel Plaza Athénée: This bar attracts everyone from artists to socialites — and Champagne lovers in particular. Come for the nightly DJs spinning beneath the dazzling blue fabric ceiling, and make sure to snap a photo of the transparent resin bar.
Bilboquet: One of the city’s famed late-night institutions, this beloved jazz club will transport you back to the roaring 20s. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes and expect everything from Swing to Be-Bop.
