Paris Travel Guide: Our Favorite Moments and Must-See Spots

Hey friends! We are officially back from Paris and getting settled into our routine. We had such an amazing trip, but it’s so nice to be home! We’re incredibly grateful for all the love and support sent to my brother Jared as he competed in the 2024 Paralympics. He brought home the bronze medal in the track and field long jump. We are so proud!

This was our first time in Paris and the entire trip was spectacular. The city is stunning, and the Parisian culture is so beautiful. We would love to go back. During our trip, I had some great travel questions pop up, so I put together a Paris travel guide to share all the exciting details of our trip. I’m so excited to share them with you!

Paris Travel Guide: Five Perfect Days

The city of Paris truly captivates with its blend of history, culture, and fashion, making every moment memorable. Our itinerary was packed with iconic sights, fun activities, and of course, the most amazing food. Each day brought something new. From sightseeing at famous landmarks to enjoying fun outings with the girls, we experienced it all. I also managed to squeeze in a little shopping, a romantic day date, and even a date night to celebrate our belated anniversary. The highlight was cheering on my brother as he competed in the Paralympics. It was an unforgettable experience!

In this guide, I’ll walk you through each day of our trip and highlight the must-see spots or to-dos that are perfect for adding to your own travel plans. Whether you’re planning a solo or family trip, Paris promises to be your new favorite destination. It’s the perfect place to create memories that will last a lifetime!

Day One

Our first night in Paris, we stayed at the gorgeous Renaissance Paris Vendome hotel in the 1st arrondissement. Paris is divided into twenty administrative districts, known as arrondissements. The 1st arrondissement is nestled in one of the oldest areas of the city. Located on the right bank of the River Seine, it’s home to the iconic Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens. The Carrousel Triumphal Arch, a must-see, is tucked away between the two.

After a bit of sightseeing, we stopped at Cafe Le Carrousel for lunch. The food is so fresh and amazing. Coffee o’clock also happened as I was running on 4 hours of sleep and trying my best to adjust to the time change. Luckily, the girls did amazing. I also highly recommend adding the Forum des Halles to your list; it’s the largest shopping mall in Paris. It’s perfect for some retail therapy.

To wrap up our day before heading back to the hotel, we enjoyed an amazing dinner at Le Pain Quotidien France. They had the best savory food, made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. It was so good!

DAY TWO

On day two, we switched over to our Airbnb for the rest of our trip. Our whole family stayed in the same apartment building, which was so convenient. The apartment is located in the iconic Odéon district, right next to Luxembourg Gardens. The decor had gorgeous contemperarory Parisian flair, and the views were simply stunning. I loved the historic charm of the neighborhood. I highly recommend this spot if you’re looking for the perfect place to stay in the heart of Paris.

Day two was perfect for exploring Paris’ hottest tourist spot, the Eiffel Tower. We began our day with breakfast at Madame Brasserie. It was delicious and a must-try. Stepping out onto the clear deck, we captured tons of photo ops and soaked in the breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. Every building was so beautiful. I love the design and architecture of this stunning city.

We headed back to the Airbnb for a quick outfit change before grabbing sandwiches at Grace Cafe. The coffee there is so good! The Kara dishes are stunning! I’d love to add them to my collection. Then, we made our way to Jardin du Luxembourg park with the cousins, letting the kids play. The weather was perfect: warm, with the leaves just starting to turn. It’s that touch of fall without the cooler temperatures.

My parents arrived that day, and we had planned a belated anniversary dinner for Chris and I. Our anniversary was the week prior, but celebrating in Paris felt like a special treat. It was the perfect night to get fancy, so we headed off to dinner at Maxims. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was perfect with live music, and the overall experience was so fun. It was the perfect way to celebrate nine years of marriage.

Day Three

On day three, we had an exciting activity planned for the girls. A baking class at Maitre Boulanger-Patissier! The experience was amazing, and the kids loved it. Our baker spoke exclusively in French, so we had a translator. It was the perfect way to immerse ourselves in French culture. He taught us various techniques, and we made a dozen loaves of French bread. With everyone on their sourdough kicks, I’m definitely tempted to join in now. The kids made bread with their names on it, which we took home and enjoyed. It was such a great experience.

We also stopped at the Musee di Histoire di Medicine, a museum in the 6th arrondissement. It’s a must-visit for everyone if you’re looking to check another Parisian sight off your list. The kids loved the dinosaur exhibit. There were lots of requests for photos next to random animals.

That day, it rained, giving me the perfect chance to wear my classic trench coat. Chris and I took advantage of the afternoon and visited some of my favorite shops. Our first stop was Resse. You need an appointment to visit the showroom, and they prepare your selects beforehand. Once there, you can view even more items. The green suede vintage Chanel bag was stunning and came home with me. It’s the perfect color for fall. I also found a vintage Hermes clock and champagne stopper.

Next up was Cartier, where I opted for a glass of bubbly. We had the best time trying on the most amazing pieces. We also made another stop at Chanel. This topped off another day of amazing experiences.

Day Four

Day four kicked off with the big event, my brother competing in the long jump at the Paralympics. The event was televised on Peacock, and he did amazing! After six attempts, he proudly took home the bronze medal! @wallace_jarryd, we are so proud of you! It was an unforgettable experience, and I’m thankful our family and kids were able to share it together. How amazing are these jackets? We had them made for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Next, we headed to the Pantheon, where the girls enjoyed the carousel. They could have ridden it all day.

We also made a stop at Cafe Laduree for coffee o’clock. They had the best Pistachio lattes and beautiful latte art.

Finally, we celebrated our bronze medalist with dinner at Le Procope. I highly recommend adding this to your must-try list if you’re planning a trip to Paris!

Day Five

Our final day in Paris was spent at the Musee Louvre, the most amazing art museum in Paris and one of the most famous in the world. We booked a tour for a scavenger hunt through the museum with a guide, and the kids had the most amazing time. The two-hour tour allowed us to see key paintings and statues, and the detail was simply unbelievable.

We also headed to the Seine River, which is nearby and was another must-see spot on our list.

A huge shoutout to Chris, the logistics master behind it all. He made this trip absolutely amazing for our whole family. We had been planning this adventure for the last three years, and it truly exceeded all of our expectations.

I hope this Paris Travel guide helps you plan your next trip to Paris! For a roundup of all my Paris looks, check out Everything I Wore Visiting Paris in September.