top of page

6 Days in Paris, France - Sep 2024

Writer's picture: DesmondDesmond

Updated: Sep 27, 2024

Paris is truly one of the most beautiful city in Europe and they really turned it up this year for the Olympics. It is a very walkable city but their Metro system is also super easy to use too. However make sure you have good shoes as I was doing almost 20,000 steps daily.




Accommodation

Hotels in Paris are notoriously expensive so I opted for an Airbnb on 189 Rue St Denis (District 2). It is right between the Lourve Museum and the nighlife district La Marais so location was perfect. However this was a 5th floor walk up so not ideal if you have big suitcases.



Restaurants

My restaurants experience in Paris had been pleasant. However, whilst there were are lot of decent options, I really didn't find anything that's worth writting home about. Here is a list of places I tried.


Brasserie Flottes (8/10)

A solid option right next to the Tuileries Garden and Hôtel de la Marine. Nice al fresco seating as well for people watching


Glou (6/10)

One of the more popular restaurants in the Paris La Marais culinery scene recently. Mostly visitors here and honestly I didn't think it was any special.


Le Relais de l'Entrecôte (7/10)

One of the most popular Entrecote places in the city with a few locations. Expect a long queue so go early so you can be seated in the first seating. No menu required.


Copains

I didn't get anything but everything looks so amazing here.


Brasserie Thaï (7/10)

We got bored of western food so we went here for Thai. Food was ok. The curries were definitely better than the fried noodle dishes. This is near the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre.


Le Cavalier Bleu (6/10)

Cute breakfast spot right next to The Centre Pompidou


Le Train Bleu (9/10)

Iconic restaurant inside a train station. The food here was pretty good considering it was a very touristy place. Booking is strongly recommended as it is very popular amongst visitors and travellers from the station. We had their signature leg of lamb. It does get very busy and loud here so if you want somwhere more private you should requests seats further at the back away from the main entrance hall.


The French Bastards - Saint-Denis

Great sandwich bar near our Airbnb. The bread was so soft.


Com Restaurant (7/10)

Respectable vietnamese reetsuarnat for your asian fix.


Bistrot Richelieu (7/10)

Frog legs are not as easy to come by as one would think in Paris, even the locals don't eat them often nowadays. This is one of the places google recommended and it was decent. Remeber to check out their daily menu as well.


Fishmonger @ Marché des Enfants Rouges (9/10)

There is literally only one fishmonger in the Marché des Enfants Rouges (market).


Les enfants du marché (10/10)

Considered one of the best place to eat in the area. Speicalised in seafood I would strongly recommend the Squid Ink Tempura Sardines and their Mussels.


Mugung (7/10)

Decent korean restaurant for your asian fix.


Breizh Café Montorgueil | La Crêpe Autrement (8/10)

A boutique chain specialed in crepes and galettes. Perfect for a light lunch or an afternoon snack. Multiple locations available.


Girafe Restaurant (4/10)

Biggest tourist trap. Avoid at all cost. They boast an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower but honestly the square next to it has the exact if not better view. Food is average.


Chocolats Rochoux (8/10)

High-end chocolatier selling a range of handmade creations as well as sweet spreads.



Attractions

There is soooooo much to see in Paris and I think the best way to attack this is to differentiate attractions by area and which ones you will go in, or simply walk pass it. Thats because everything you go in thats 1-1.5hr at least gone. I feel most of the landmarks are famous for their outside only such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. The below are places that I actually went in.


*Note most attractions require bookings in advance with designated timeslots. Sometimes days or weeks in advance.


La Galerie Dior (1-1.5hrs)

La Galerie Dior – a museum that opened in the Spring of 2022. It presents the history of the storied house of Dior and is adjacent to the Dior flagship store located at 30 rue de la Montaigne. The museum was designed by the American architect Peter Marino – fashion’s go-to architect.



Musée d'Orsay (1.5-2hrs)

Major 19th- & 20th-century European art collections housed in a monumental, former railway station. It is the second most visitor museum after the Lourve.



Hôtel de la Marine (1.5hr)

My favourite museum in Paris. Elaborately detailed office of the French Naval Staff that epitomizes the city's visual aesthetic. This was recently opened in 2023 and their audio guide leads you as one of the guests back in the period setting. It's not super popular but it was so beautiful inside.


Louvre Museum (2hrs)

The Lourve is huge. Even if you spent 4s on each work in the museum it would have still taken you 4.5 days, so you really need to know what you want to do inside beforehand. The staff in there weren't exactly helpful either as, understandably, they have had enough of dealing with tourists. If you are lost and not sure how to attack this I can recommend the official Beyonce & Jay-Z Lourve Highlight Tour. You can just follow the instruction on the Lourve website and it will take you through the best bits.