France 🇫🇷
Paris
Tips
- Going up to the Arc de Triomphe is a unique experience, but the view’s not good enough for me, even at sunset, to recommend it for the price.
- Even though it’s tough, especially if you’re jet-lagged, it’s worth it to go as early as possible to museums, churches, or attractions. For example, we arrived at the Palace of Versailles at opening (9:00am) and were able to enjoy the Hall of Mirrors while there were very few people. When we returned in the afternoon, there were so many people, it was difficult to even walk through. Same idea with seeing the Mona Lisa in the Louvre Museum.
- We really enjoyed the Michel & Augustin brand of yogurt drinks and air-puffed pastries for snacks.
Accommodations
Quiet alleyway, great proximity to the subway. Martine was such a lovely host, welcoming and charitable.
Attractions
Simply an awe-inspiring density of the finest architecture, sculpture, painting, and engineering.
My favourite art museum in Paris. It’s less overwhelming and busy than the Louvre — factors I find important for me to appreciate the art — but it still has the grandiosity of collection and venue that makes you understand why Paris is a global art capital. The museum’s restaurant, Le Restaurant du Musée d’Orsay, is absolutely stunning as well, with good food.
Lives up to the hype, absolutely stunning. We went at 9:00am to catch the stained glass when it’s most vivid.
Beautiful historic theatre with a majestic staircase and an ornate Grand Foyer.
Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) | Richelieu
Lavishly decorated public library fit for a king! (It used to be the private library for King Charles V)
The interior design and artworks in this complex are less impressive than those you’ll find in Versailles’ main buildings, but I loved the landscaping and pink marble exterior.
At this central lake, you can rent and sail toy boats, which was very cute to watch. The larger Luxembourg Gardens is also great for picnicking, lounging, and people-watching.
Food
Loved the beef bourguignon and duck terrine here — refreshingly friendly service as well.
Cute bistro in a secluded alleyway, making it excellent for a more laidback supper. Loved the lamb with gratin dauphinois (sliced potatoes baked in cream).
Loved the vanilla choux here.
Authentic French cuisine that’s great quality for its price point (as of 2025, entrées were around €10-13).
The sardines with softened butter infused with seaweed (tr: beurre d’algues) were surprisingly delicious; very high-quality ingredients. The other dishes were good as well, but this was the most memorable.
Angelina Paris - Château de Versailles, Pavillon d’Orléans
If you’re visiting Palace of Versailles, I enjoyed the Antoinette pastry (chou pastry with praline, dark chocolate, and hazelnut) and the indulgent Angelina hot chocolate here.
