Paris Travel Guide
The Rooftop at Hôtel Dame des Arts, Paris, France
Four Perfect Days in the City of Light
Life comes at you fast: moving, marriage, babies, career shifts, loss. The two things that have remained constant and always grounded me are my relationships and travel. That’s why spending four days in Paris with my best friend of nearly 20 years was not only incredibly healing but truly one of the best trips of my life. We laughed so hard my abs hurt, shed many happy tears, and sampled (almost) every Aperol Spritz Paris had to offer.
While my best friend and I could have fun in a cardboard box, this four-day Paris girls trip itinerary is the crème de la crème. Read on to learn why.
A Few Things To Note
If you know me, you know I love to plan vacations well in advance. You can get the best rooms for the best prices the earlier you book. However, this trip was an exception. My best friend was in the trenches of motherhood and said how badly she needed a girls trip. Normally we would just visit each other, but I thought, “Why not go somewhere really special?” Thanks to my connections as a Fora travel advisor, I was able to book us a beautiful room for four days in Paris just two months later. Last-minute planning is possible, but is made 10x easier with a travel advisor!
Businesses in Paris are used to English-speaking tourists, but as a sign of respect, always say “bonjour” first when entering a shop or greeting someone (“bonsoir” is used after 4 or 5 PM). “S'il vous plaît” (please), “merci” (thank you), “de rien” (you’re welcome), “excusez-moi/pardon” (excuse me/sorry), and “au revoir” (goodbye) are all good phrases to know.
We totally forgot to take out some Euros before our trip to Paris, but it ended up being absolutely fine. We found that credit cards were accepted everywhere, but be aware that some places don’t take American Express. Cabs accept credit cards, and be sure to download the G7 app to make things even easier (more on this later).
The Best Time to Visit Paris
As with most popular European destinations, avoid visiting Paris during peak summer months. Not only is it crowded and lodging is more expensive, but it’s hot. Paris experienced five distinct heat waves in summer 2026, with the highest temperatures reaching 109°F! And because so many of the buildings in Paris are so old, many hotel rooms don’t have air conditioning.
We visited in early October and fall is such a wonderful time to be in Paris. Expect average daytime temperatures in the high-50s°F to low-60s°F and nighttime temperatures in the high-40s°F to low-50s°F. Be aware that Paris Fashion Week is usually the first week in October, so expect higher prices for accommodations and greater difficulty making restaurant reservations. We went just after Fashion Week and had no problems booking a room or dinner reservations.
What to Pack for Paris in the Fall
Because the days are warmer and the nights are cooler, layering is the name of the game in Paris in the fall. Sensible walking shoes are a must (we averaged 18,000 steps per day!), and you’ll want a lighter jacket for the evenings. While you’re likely to experience a passing shower or two, I personally didn’t pack a raincoat as I wanted to prioritize warmth over waterproof. Most hotels will have umbrellas you can use for the day. Here’s what I packed for my Paris fall girls trip:
2 pairs of jeans (blue and black denim)
White leather sneakers (leave the athletic sneakers at home; you want something functional yet stylish)
Chunky-heeled booties (I absolutely love this pair from Thursday and they easily transition from day to night)
A few lighter weight sweaters
A going out top (can’t help myself, it’s the millennial in me; I packed a short-sleeve black pleather button down top to dress up a pair of jeans)
Two midi-length dresses (while a sweater, jeans, and booties were fine for most restaurants, some places did have a dress code for dinner; plus, it’s fun to get dressed up!)
A pair of strappy black heels (prioritize a block heel if you can to navigate the cobblestone streets; otherwise, plan to take a cab!)
Barbour jacket
Black leather jacket
Small, cross-body purse (just enough to keep your essentials like phone, wallet, and room key but not so big that it’s in the way when you’re walking around)
Also, don’t forget to pack your travel adapter! I got this one off Amazon.
How to Get to and Around Paris
Most major airlines have direct flights from most major US cities to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), which is located 30-60 minutes from central Paris (depending on traffic). We landed on a Thursday at 10 am and it took us a little over an hour to get to our hotel in Saint-Germain. We left at 6 am on a Monday, and it only took us 30 minutes as there was no traffic.
If you’re staying somewhere centrally located like Saint-Germain in the 6th arrondissement, you can pretty much walk everywhere. For when you need to get somewhere fast, be sure to download the G7 Taxi app, the official booking platform for the leading taxi service in Paris. It works like Uber, and has nicer cars/better availability than Uber. Be sure to enter your payment info before you request your first ride. We found that cars always came really fast (<5 minutes) and the drivers were all very friendly!
To get around Paris via train, be sure to download the Bonjour RATP app. We took the RER C train, which runs through central Paris and to the suburbs, to Versailles. Buying tickets, mapping our route, and checking timetables via the app were all so easy. And the trains were always clean and on time.
Where to Stay in Paris, France
Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
6th arrondissement, Paris, France
For a central location, classic Parisian architecture, and historical cafés, Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the best neighorhood to stay in Paris. Located in the 6th arrondissement on the left bank, Saint-Germain is what you envision when you dream of classic Parisian charm. It’s home to famous literary cafés like Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, and is a short walk to Jardin du Luxembourg, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Musée d'Orsay.
We stayed at L’Hotel, a historic five-star hotel located on a quiet street in the heart of Saint Germain with just 20 rooms. L’Hotel was the last home of Oscar Wilde, and its cozy cocktail bar is named after him. We absolutely loved our stay here. The staff was so kind, the interior is gorgeous, and the food and drinks were fabulous. If you’re looking for a five-star stay that won’t break the bank, L’Hotel is it. Plus, if you book with me, you’ll enjoy:
A credit worth $50-$100 (USD) per room, per stay to be spent on extras such as F&B or Spa
Daily Continental breakfast for two people
Room upgrade to next room category (subject to availability)
Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
Lobby of L’Hotel, Paris, France
Mignon Room, L’Hotel, Paris, France
Plus, each room gets private 1-hour access to the subterranean hammam pool and steam room. After countless glasses of champagne, bowls of french onion soup, and macarons, this was a huge perk. If you do order off the à la carte breakfast menu, L’Hotel’s scrambled eggs are divine (seriously, the best I’ve ever had). We booked the Mignon room (the base level) and it was gorgeous and perfect for two people. The only downside was that the shower had a tendency to create puddles on the edge of the tub that then leaked onto the bathroom floor. However, I wasn’t surprised since the hotel is so old. Just something to be aware of when you shower (just hold the shower head when you rinse)!
I also have partnerships with nearly 100 five-star hotels in Paris with exclusive perks including:
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel - Home to Bar Les Ambassadeurs, a historic, ornate bar where we got drinks (more on this later)
Relais Christine - Also located in Saint-Germain
No matter your budget, I can find you an exquisite stay in Paris. Send me a message to get started!
Where to Eat & Drink in Paris, France
There are so many incredible restaurants and bars in Paris it can feel overwhelming knowing which ones live up to the hype. I am by no means an expert on the Parisian dining scene, but after lots of research and local recommendations, here’s where we went and loved. Make sure you have a dinner reservation for each night you’re in Paris. Popular spots will have long waits (even lines to put your name in at the host stand). It’s good to have a backup and if you wind up walking in somewhere else, you can always cancel (just check the cancellation policy as some spots require a credit card and will charge you a fee per diner). If you want a livelier dining atmosphere, book a table for 8 PM or later. I also wouldn’t get hung up on online reviews. Some of our favorite restaurants didn’t have the best ratings, and I have no idea why!
Le Procope ($$) - Le Procope is the oldest café and first restaurant in Paris. Founded in 1686, it served as a primary meeting place for famous figures including Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Napoleon Bonaparte. This was our first meal in Paris (we went for lunch) and such a great way to kick off the trip. We loved the French onion soup. I’d recommend getting a reservation even for lunch as this is a popular spot.
Le Procope, Paris, France
French onion soup, Le Procope, Paris
La Flottille ($$) - La Flottille is a beautiful French restaurant located on the grounds of Versailles. It’s the perfect spot for lunch to break up exploring the massive estate. We sat outside and enjoyed views of the Grand Canal and changing leaves. We each had an order of the Parisian-style onion soup and split the Hemingway beef fillet with pepper sauce, both of which were delicious. For dessert we got the bourbon vanilla crème brûlée and it was incredible. If you want a table inside, you’ll need to get there before the lunch rush or make a reservation. Even on a Friday, it was packed! Our server here was one of the best and kindest we had our whole trip.
La Flottille, Versailles, France
French onion soup at La Flottille
Lapérouse ($$$$) - Lapérouse opened in 1766 as a wine shop and in 1933 it became one of the very first restaurants to be awarded 3 Michelin stars. It was also featured as a filming location in Midnight in Paris (2011). Today, it’s a gorgeous restaurant located along the banks of the Seine and was our favorite meal of the trip. We split the Châteaubriand beef filet with French fries and black pepper sauce and the black truffle rigatoni and both were insanely good. If you’re going with a group, try to book one of the upstairs private salons. Reservations required!
Black truffle rigatoni, Lapérouse, Paris
Filet & black pepper sauce, Lapérouse
LouLou ($$$) - Located inside the Palais du Louvre, LouLou is worth it for the black truffle pizza alone. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m obsessed with truffle and this was probably the best truffle pizza I’ve ever had. We also ordered the chanterelle risotto and it was delicious. The only downside was that despite the beautiful fall weather, we weren’t able to sit outside and enjoy the views of the Tuileries and Eiffel Tower. I guess we just have to go back! Reservations required.
Black truffle pizza, LouLou, Paris
Brasserie Des Pres, Paris, France
Brasserie Des Pres ($$) - Brasserie Des Pres is located in Saint-Germain on the Cour du Commerce Saint-André, a beautiful cobblestone passageway lined with shops and restaurants. It was also featured on an episode of Emily in Paris (sorry, I had to). Here we had probably the best French onion soup of the entire trip. I wish I had ordered the beef bourguignon instead of the beef flank steak for my main as I wasn’t crazy about the Bearnaise sauce, but the profiteroles were divine. Reservations highly recommended (there was a line just to talk to the host)!
Wilde’s - Located inside L’Hotel, this intimate cocktail bar pays homage to Oscar Wilde, who spent his last days at the hotel. They serve cocktails and tapas from 5 pm to 1 am daily, and we loved stopping in here for a pre-dinner drink every night.
Wilde’s at L’Hotel, Paris, France
Tchin-tchin! From Wilde’s at L’Hotel
Bar Les Ambassadeurs - Located inside the iconic Hôtel de Crillon, this stunning bar features soaring painted frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and great drinks. They don’t take reservations, so if you’re not a hotel guest, be prepared to wait a bit. We waited for about 30 minutes and it was worth every second.
Bar Les Ambassadeurs, Paris, France
Hôtel de Crillon, Paris, France
The Rooftop at Hôtel Dame Des Arts - Checking out a rooftop bar with views of the Eiffel Tower was high on my list, and the Rooftop at Hôtel Dame Des Arts more than fit the bill. We were even lucky enough to get a daylight sparkle at 7 PM, likely because overcast skies triggered the sensors on the tower. This is a really popular spot, so reservations are recommended even if you’re just going for drinks. And if it’s chilly, don’t let that turn you away! They offer blankets.
Hôtel Dame Des Arts Rooftop, Paris
The rooftops of Saint-Germain, Paris
Things to Do In Paris in the Fall
Champagne Cruise on the Seine - Cruising down the Seine at sunset while sipping champagne might sound touristy but I can promise you it’s not. There are multiple companies that do river cruises, but we went with Vedettes du Pont Neuf because the boats are a little smaller/have less people and they time the cruise perfectly with seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle. For just 29.00 € per person, you get a glass of champagne to enjoy on the one-hour cruise (and you can purchase more drinks on board). We did the 7:15 PM cruise in early October. The boat departs from 1 Square du Vert Galant, which is super convenient if you’re staying in Saint-Germain (<15-min walk). Be sure to get there at least 15 minutes early so you can get a seat up top on the right side of the boat (that will put you closest to the Eiffel Tower when the boat turns around as it lights up). Be sure to wear a jacket as it gets chilly once the sun goes down!
Champagne Cruise on the Seine, Vedettes du Pont Neuf, Paris, France
Château de Versailles - This was not my first time in Paris, but when I visited 15 years ago, I didn’t have the chance to make it out to Versailles. I’m so glad we made it a priority to go this time because the sheer magnitude and grandeur of Versailles is amazing. First off, it is highly advised to buy tickets online as far in advance as possible. We got the Passport ticket, which gives you access to the entire estate with a timed palace entry. Even on a Friday in October, it was crowded! Next, getting to the palace is super easy from the heart of Paris. Download the Bonjour RATP app so you can purchase roundtrip RER C train tickets to and from Versailles. We walked to the Musée d’Orsay RER C train station (<15-min walk from L’Hotel) and took the train to the Versailles Château Rive Gauche stop (~30-minute ride). Then it’s about a 10-min walk to the palace gates. It’s a good idea to show up at least 20 minutes before your entry time as people will start lining up.
The King’s Bedchamber, Versailles
The Queen’s Bedchamber, Versailles
Once inside, there is so much to see. The palace alone has 2,300 rooms spanning nearly 700,000 sq ft! We prioritized seeing the King and Queen’s Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors, and then left ourselves plenty of time to walk the Gardens and along the Grand Canal. As mentioned above, we enjoyed a beautiful lunch at La Flottille, which is about a 20-min walk from the palace. We didn’t have reservations and were able to get a table outside, but it does get busy so go on the earlier side. Versailles also has a great gift shop near the gates, so be sure to pop in if you’re looking for souvenirs for yourself or your family. Once you’re ready to return to Paris, walk back to the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station and take the roughly 30-min train ride back to the heart of the city.
The Park, Versailles, France
The Gardens, Versailles, France
Segway Tour - The one thing my best friend really wanted to do when we were in Paris was a Segway tour, and thank goodness she had the idea because it ended up being my highlight of the trip. Yes, I know it sounds extremely touristy, but it was such a fun way to see the sights and laugh a lot along the way. I found this operator through Viator (did you know I can book tours and experiences for you in addition to hotels?!) and they were amazing. Our guide Thomas was hilarious, fun, and knowledgable and took tons of pictures and videos of us. You start off the tour by learning how to use the Segway in a parking garage (I was a little nervous at first but it’s really easy to get the hang of) and then head out to see the sights. Two hours was plenty of time to zip around Paris and see what we wanted to without feeling rushed. Any longer than that would have been too long in my opinion. The Segways were also really cute and designed to look like vespas. This experience is all about not taking yourself too seriously and leaning in. Everyone we passed was laughing, taking pictures of us, and exclaiming, “That looks like so much fun!” Not only was the tour itself so fun, but one of my favorite memories of the trip was sitting at a café afterwards looking at all the hilarious videos and pictures Thomas took over an Aperol Spritz (or two) and some French onion soup. We laughed so hard we cried and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Segwaying to Rue de l'Université, Paris
Segway Spin in Place de la Concorde
Musée de l’Orangerie - If you only have a few days in Paris and are going to prioritize one museum, it should be l’Orangerie. Home to Monet’s Water Lilies, this museum is absolutely gorgeous. I highly recommend buying tickets online in advance and arriving a few minutes before your entry time. There was a huge line outside when we showed up, but we were able to walk right in with pre-purchased tickets. The rooms that house the Water Lilies are stunning, and the space was designed to be meditative. Unfortunately some people didn’t respect this and were talking, so try to be silent while observing the paintings. 2026 also marks the 100-year anniversary of Claude Monet’s death, so there was a special exhibit showcasing 40 of Monet’s paintings on loan from the Musée d’Orsay and other museums, including Le Bassin aux nymphéas, harmonie verte.
Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris, France
Bop and café hop - With so many amazing museums and restaurants to visit, it’s hard not to schedule every second of your time in Paris. However, I’d advise against that and leave some time in your itinerary to bop around the city and café hop. One of the things I miss most about our trip is leaving a museum or excursion and happening upon a beautiful café and sipping on Aperol Spritzes and cappuccinos while people-watching. Just be aware that depending on the time of day and how busy they are, some restaurants won’t let you only sit for drinks and you’ll need to order food as well (you mean you have to order some French fries and French onion soup? Darn!).
La Rotonde St Honoré, Paris, France
Pain au chocolat in Saint Germain
Get macarons from Pierre Hermé - While Ladurée has become popular around the world (including in the US), a lot of people agree that the macarons from Pierre Hermé are superior and I’d have to agree. They have locations all over Paris including in Saint-Germain, and my favorite flavors were the vanilla and salted caramel. I highly recommend grabbing a box of four to go and enjoying them with a picnic in Jardin du Luxembourg or Champ de Mars.
Pierre Hermé macarons, Paris, France
Jardin du Luxembourg picnic, Paris
Park picnic - Speaking of Jardin du Luxembourg, make sure you have at least one park picnic while you’re in Paris! I love Jardin du Luxembourg, not only because we were staying in Saint-Germain and it’s the closest, but it’s clean, beautiful, and has chairs to sit on. While having a picnic in Champ de Mars under the Eiffel Tower is iconic, you’ll need to bring a blanket to sit on as the grass can be a little dirty. We grabbed a baguette, cheese, French butter, and two mini bottles of champagne from a Carrefour (local supermarket) in Saint-Germain to take with us to Jardin du Luxembourg. They even have forks, knives, and napkins at checkout for all your picnic essentials!
One thing I probably wouldn’t do again? Have dinner at one of Paris’ “party restaurants.” Why? Because I’m too old! We booked a 9:30 PM table at Matignon, and while the restaurant is beautiful and the vibes were so fun, I can’t say the prices justified the experience. For two entrées and drinks, our bill was almost 500 €. The truffle pizza was really good, but the spicy lobster pasta was almost too spicy to eat. That being said, the DJ in the restaurant was awesome and played great music that kept the energy up without being too loud to enjoy our meal. I think if I were younger, I would have felt differently about the experience. Nevertheless, I’m so glad I tried it once!
The Perfect 4-Day Paris Itinerary for a Fall Girls Trip
Day 1: Bop & Seine River Champagne Cruise to See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle
Land at CDG in the morning, cab to L’Hotel (~1 hour), and check in or store your luggage (remember you’re more likely to get early check-in if you book with me!).
Hit the ground running and start with lunch at Le Procope, the oldest restaurant in Paris (<10-min walk from L’Hotel).
Bop and café hop! Work your way across the Seine towards the Louvre and the shops around Place Vendôme and back. Take plenty of breaks for Aperol Spritzes and cappuccinos.
Nap, get ready, and grab a drink and tapas at Wilde’s.
At 6:45, walk to Vedettes du Pont Neuf (<15-min) for the 7:15 Champagne Cruise on the Seine. Sit on the right side of the boat for a front-row seat of the Eiffel Tower sparkling!
After the cruise, grab a bite Freddy’s (walk-ins only) and then retire to L’Hotel for a good night’s sleep.
Day 2: Versailles, Rooftop Drinks, & Dinner at a Paris Institution
Get an early start with breakfast at L’Hotel (they start serving at 7:30 AM). Continental is included or order the scrambled eggs for an additional charge (they’re worth it!).
Aim to leave L’Hotel by 9 AM and walk to the Musée d’Orsay RER C train station. Buy roundtrip tickets at the station or in advance on the Bonjour RATP app. Take the RER C train to Versailles Château Rive Gauche stop (~30 minutes).
Walk ~10 minutes to the Chateau de Versailles gates and look for signs for the 11:00 AM palace entry.
Explore the estate! Highlights include the King and Queen’s Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Gardens, and the Grand Canal.
Get lunch at La Flottille (sit outside if you can!), about a 20-min walk from the palace. Order the Parisian-style onion soup and the bourbon vanilla crème brûlée.
Take your time strolling through the gardens and back to the Versailles Château Rive Gauche train station. Ride the train back to the Musée d’Orsay stop (~30 minutes) and walk back to L’Hotel (<15 minutes).
Nap, get ready, and head to your 5:30 PM drinks reservation at The Rooftop at Hôtel Dame Des Arts (<15-min walk from L’Hotel). Wear warm clothing but they’ll have blankets if you get extra chilly!
Walk back to L’Hotel for a quick change into a dress and heels, and then head to your 8:30 PM dinner reservation at Laperouse (10-min walk from L’Hotel). Order the Châteaubriand beef filet with French fries and black pepper sauce and the black truffle rigatoni.
Day 3: Park Picnic, Segway Tour, and Café-Hopping
Sleep in, eat breakfast, then enjoy complimentary one-hour use of the subterranean hammam and steam room at L’Hotel.
Get ready and walk to Carrefour or La Grande Épicerie de Paris for picnic supplies (baguette, French butter, cheese, and mini champagnes) and Pierre Hermé for macarons.
Head to Jardin du Luxembourg for a park picnic and people-watching!
Walk back to L’Hotel (<15 minutes) to drop your picnic supplies. If time allows and the wait isn’t too long, stop at Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots for a cappuccino and a spritz.
Walk or order a taxi on the G7 Taxi app (be sure to put in your credit card info first!) to the Segway tour meeting point.
See the sights and laugh so hard you cry aboard your vespa-style Segway. People will laugh at you and take pictures. Lean in.
Enjoy a post-Segway tour celebratory spritz and French onion soup while looking at your pictures and videos. Laugh so hard you cry (again).
Return to L’Hotel for a nap and then get dressed up. Head to Bar Les Ambassadeurs inside Hôtel de Crillon for swanky pre-dinner drinks.
If you’re young and fun, head to your 9:30 PM reservation at Matignon. If you’re not as young (but still fun), enjoy dinner at Maxim’s (reservations required) or Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (regarded as some of the best steak frites in Paris).
Day 4: L’Orangerie, Truffle Pizza, Champ de Mars, and Farewell Dinner
Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at L’Hotel.
Walk to Musée de l’Orangerie for an 11:00 AM entry time (about 25 minutes from L’Hotel). Don’t panic if you see a long line outside; pre-purchased tickets get to walk right in!
1.5 hours is plenty of time to admire the Water Lilies and Monet’s other works on display.
Walk to your 12:30 PM lunch reservation at LouLou. Try to sit outside if you can for views of the Tuileries and Eiffel Tower. Order the truffle pizza. 10/10. No notes.
Walk along the Seine to Champ de Mars, about 45 minutes. Stop at Pierre Hermé along the way for more macarons (the vanilla and salted caramel are a must) to enjoy in the park.
Order a G7 taxi back to L’Hotel for a quick nap.
Enjoy one last pre-dinner drink at Wilde’s before your final meal at Brasserie des Pres, as seen on Emily in Paris.
After filling up on French onion soup and profiteroles, take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Saint-Germain back to L’Hotel. Cry yourself to sleep because it’s back home first thing tomorrow (but also smile because it happened).
If this trip to Paris with my best friend taught me anything, it’s book the trip. As we get older, life gets in the way and the list of excuses gets longer by the minute. You’ll never forget the days spent café hopping and bopping through Saint-Germain, and the nights spent along the Seine watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle with people you love the most. This is a trip I’ll cherish forever, and I want to help you book a magical trip to Paris too. Let’s start planning!
Château de Versailles, France
Hall of Mirrors, Château de Versailles, France
Hotel Regina Louvre, Paris, France
Rainbow over the Louvre, Paris, France
