The coolest things to do this spring in Paris

if you’re coming as a first timer or seasoned traveler – we’ve got you covered with the best things to do in April (and beyond) !

Weather: It’s been bi-polar one day sunny next day gray, one thing to note is that you will still need a coat or jacket because it still gets chilly. Pack something pretty pink or neutral to go along with the cherry blossoms or Sakura (see our top 5 places to discover them in Paris).

1. Behind Notre Dame
2. In front of Shakespeare and Co bookstore
3. At the Eiffel Tower but more down on the green to the side of Trocadero
4. Parc de Sceaux
   
5. Jardin des Plantes

EAT

Italian – Eataly opens its first location in Paris this month in the Marais. Discover 3 floors of Italian food, some with a French flair and reasonable prices like pasta dishes from 9,50 euros and fixed lunch ( main dish plus dessert) for 30 euros. The ++ They are open until midnight every day! Yea for late night eating in Paris. http://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75/paris-le-premier-eataly-de-france-s-installe-dans-le-marais-09-04-2019-8049792.php

Vegan in Paris at La Chance is the next spot to check out this month. READ full review here: https://myparisianlife.com/2019/04/05/vegan-paris-la-chance-18-rue-custine/

Coffee + Events

THE HOOD PARIS

The Hood is one of my favorite places to have coffee in Paris but it’s so much more. It’s a cultural place to hang out and meet new people. This month they have the Singapore Chicken Rice Pop up end April from 20-22 April during the Easter weekend. I also really love their music series FridayFolk off – see more of their events here https://www.thehoodparis.com/events

April Coffee Meet up

Join our Facebook for updates. I’m still finalizing the date and location

STAY

The new Hotel Lutetia just opened!! https://www.hotellutetia.com/rooms/deluxe-balcony

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ART

Amazing exhibition at Musee d’Orsay the first time in the world depiction of blacks models from the 18th century to nowadays: including Josephine Baker!

I was there with Jacqueline from Little Africa Paris Tours and met the curator Denise Murrell, Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Research Scholar at the Wallach Art Gallery

ACTIVITIES

Order a Foodie Bag !

Coming to Paris and want the best of French Food hand-delivered to your Airbnb or hotel?

Again we’re bringing you the best selection of French food, wine and souvenirs in a reusable tote bag when you arrive in Paris! plus our updated 2019 printed Paris map has the best places to discover while you’re wandering the city! Whatcha waiting on ?? – order yours here https://gumroad.com/l/ZGnQZ
Or gift a friend! its the perfect Paris picnic

Join me for two exciting new group activities!

1. tour to the Museum followed by a wine tasting
2. yoga and meditation followed by a wine tasting
3. email me for your spot at myparisialife@gmail.com)

WELLNESS

Follow Avance/Bien for all things wellness in Paris = opening May 2019

March in Paris is actually when the weather starts to get a little bit warmer, but is still however a wet month . So you can pack a coat and perhaps buy an umbrella when you’re here ( there are many cute souvenir shops at the touristy spots with tons of Paris themed umbrella options that will make great conversation pieces when back home!) at Sacre Coeur or around the Louvre. The Facebook Live video I did last week at Sacre Couer – I was waering flats – the cobblestone streets are no joke, and no place for heeled shoes my freinds

MORE VIDEOS: Speaking of which please subscribe to my youtube – there are 2 new videos coming this week on where to eat, drink, stay and wander around these iconic monuments.

The more subscribers I have the more I frequent I can make the videos for you – so thanks so much for your support!! I really also appreciate the love that I got from the Valentines Day video with Jay Swanson – that was so much fun and you can see it here.

Ok … March things to do in Paris?

What’s on the menu, the agenda and on the lips of the locals in town and also what’s really not to miss? Well, my loves I ‘ve got you covered! Keep reading…

Eat 

Akrame

Inside the new Printemps du Gout we find another a page with a view of the rooftops of Paris and even to the Eiffel tower you can enjoy a meal at their fish or meat restaurant.Address: Printemps – 59 Rue de Caumartin, 75009 Paris

Bofinger

Enter into this restaurant that will transport you to another time of yonder years with this beautiful decor and traditional French menu close to Bastille metro on a side street. Address: 5-7 Rue de la Bastille, 75004 Paris

Stay

Hotel Pavilion de la Reine

This five-star hotel was actually made by King Henry IV, 1612 and is the epitome of chic France “a l’epoque”! this 56 bedroom also has a private courtyard and its central location in the Marais is perfect to go out for a cultural evening or for dining out. Address: 28 Place des Vosges, 75003 Paris

Website

Drink 

Badaboum

A fun bar that also has original cocktails and is perfect for dancing is the badaboom. it’s a location close to Bastille is also a great place to hang out and meet up after dinner at one of the trendy or hip restaurants in the neighborhood. It’s also a concert spot – so check out their upcoming events on their website. Address : 2 bis Rue des Taillandiers, 75011 Paris

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Coffee

Pico

A new coffee shop has just opened right across from the Louvre . Its name comes from the owner’s dog Pico who is the cutest little thing and you can meet sometimes in the coffee shop they offer a wide range of typical café type foods such as cheesecake and carrot cake but also coffee from the well-known roasters at Hexagon

Address: 110 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris

Wander

WHERE TO EAT AROUND EIFFEL TOWER – There’s a lot to do around the Eiffel tower obviously, a lot to eat and I’ve created a list of the best places that are #notouristtraps that you can find to eat around the Eiffel Tower.

At Butterfield & Robinson, our hotels aren’t prosaic—they’re pure poetry.

From castles and riads to ryokans and monasteries, we source lodgings that aren’t just places to crash, but one-of-a-kind spots as intimate, authentic and sublime as the rest of your journey—and packed with personal touches from our hotelier friends.

Below we’ve rounded up a few of the best luxury hotels in Normandy & Brittany, where you can do so much more than simply rest your head.

But be warned: there may be tears when it’s time to say goodbye!

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Hotel Villa Lara, Bayeux

This boutique hotel lies in the heart of Bayeux, neighbouring the town’s 11thC cathedral. Stylish, air-conditioned guestrooms see a blend of classic and contemporary, featuring handmade furnishings, plush fabrics and marble bathrooms.

With many famous World War II sites close by, Villa Lara is the perfect base for revisiting the events of June 6, 1944. The owner, Rima Hebert, always offers her guests a personalized welcome.

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Castelbrac, Dinard

Originally a 19thC castle, this stunning five-star boutique hotel with a chic contemporary aesthetic offers incomparable sea views, two restaurants and a warm welcome.

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La Chenevière, Port en Bessin

This elegant 18th century chateau, nestled in the Norman countryside and surrounded by 12 hectares of landscaped grounds, is an ideal hideaway to experience calm relaxation and invigorating moments.

It combines luxurious rooms with the quaint warmth of an English country house and outstanding French cuisine served in the chic hotel dining room overlooking the lush park.

Nice has plenty to offer travelers of the French Riviera, as it’s the second largest tourist destination in the country. It is filled with wonderful hilltop lookouts, restaurants, glamor, tons of scenery, and the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean coast. Sun seekers sip cocktails on the parasol-ed terraces that line the pebbled shores and rollerbladers cruise the curved Baie des Anges that flanks the promenade. Nice is used as a jumping-off point to many of the nearby beach towns of the Cote de Azur. I loved Nice (though not as much as I did some of the nearby cities), but be prepared to spend a lot of money here. Its’ glitz mean that there are very few budget options.

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Budget Tips
• Related Guides
• Related Articles
• Booking Resources

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Nice

1. Promenade des Anglais

Tourists relaxing along the shore, people rollerblading, biking, walking, and jogging – this is a lively place. Vendors in the background sell fresh-made crepes and, best of all, there are nice (get it?) restaurants on the beach.

2. Matisse Museum

Matisse spent a lot of time in this region. An very important impressionist artist, this museum is a must see. You can also buy prints of the artist’s work. Open 10am-6pm (closed on Tuesdays). Admission is 10 EUR for a ticket that’s good for 48 hours.

3. Relax on beautiful beaches

The beaches of Nice aren’t that great when compared to beaches in the surrounding area but the water is still beautiful. Be aware that the public areas consist almost entirely of large flat stones so wear sandals/shoes and be sure to bring a mat or towel. There are free showers on all beaches too.

4. Vieux Nice

This is the ‘old town’. Below the hill of the main city lies a maze of streets and tight alleyways, lined with amazing architecture. There are many boutiques here, as well as, the Cours Saleya—a daily fruit and flower market.

5. Nice Port

The Nice Port is often forgotten by travelers, but it is definitely worth venturing to. Around the corner from Old Nice and the Quai des Etats Unis, the port is a great spot to watch the Corsica ferries lift off. Also, if you are going to check out the nightlife in this city, the hippest nightclubs are located here.

Other Things to See and Do

(Click the title to expand the text)

1. Cours Saleya Flower Market

2. Head to Le Chateau

3. Go cycling

4. Museum of Asian Art

5. Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

6. Take a day trip to Monaco

7. St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Typical Costs

Hostel prices – You can find a number of centrally located hostels within walking distance to the beach starting at 14 EUR for a 6-bed dorm. Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms at these same hostels run start at 50 EUR per night. My suggested places are:

• Hostel Mayerbeer
• Baccarat

Budget hotel prices – You can find two-star hotels located in the city center with free WiFi and air-conditioning starting at 35-40 EUR per night for a double room. On Airbnb, you can find shared rooms for around 25 EUR per night and entire apartments starting at 55 EUR per night.

Average cost of food – Eating out in Nice is expensive. Expect 9-13 EUR for starters, 14-30 EUR for the main dish, desserts 5-10 EUR, and wine 4-9 EUR a glass. To save money, try doing a prix-fixe meal. It’s a set menu that offers you a deal on a 2-3 course meal. It’s the cheapest at lunch at about 15 Euros. You can also save money by picking up some ingredients at one of the many bread, cheese, and meat shops and putting together your own meal. The supermarkets in Nice also provide a cheap source of beer and wine and deli-style food. You can buy groceries for a week for 45 EUR (and they’re even cheaper if you find a discount grocer like Aldi or Lidl). There is always fast food or ready made sandwiches for about 6 EUR.

Transportation costs – Local bus and tram services are 1.50 EUR per ride and day passes are available for 5 EUR per day. You can also save money by purchasing a “multi-10” ticket, which is 10 rides for 10 EUR. Remember to stamp your ticket whenever you board a bus or tram, even if your transfer is still valid. Service runs until around 1am, but is way less frequent after 9pm.

Suggested daily budget

50-60 EUR / 51-62 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodations or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)

Money Saving Tips

1. Free fun – Take advantage of all of the free sights including the beach, Vieux Nice, Jardin Albert I (the city’s central park), and the Promenade des Anglais, which fills up at night with music and street performers.
2. Drink wine – Beer is expensive in Nice and can cost up to 10 EUR a glass so stick to the house wine when eating out. Buy beer at the local supermarkets to enjoy at the hostel or hotel before you head to the restaurant.
3. Get the set lunch menu – If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu (two- or three-course set menu). Restaurants throughout town offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices between €10 and €20, it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu!
4. Free walking tours – Nice has a free walking tour of the old city that starts at Massena Square Fountain at 11:25am, and lasts for about 2 hours. At the end of the tour, you pay-what-you-can based on your budget.
5. Couchsurf – Nothing’s cheaper than sleeping for free. Couchsurfing connects you with locals who will give you not only a free place to stay, but also a local tour guide who can introduce you to all the great places to see.
6. Save money on rideshares – Uber is way cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to wait for a bus or pay for a taxi. The Uber Pool option is where can you share a ride to get even better savings (though you can get your own car too). You can save $15 off your first Uber ride with this code: jlx6v.

My Must Have Guides For Traveling to Nice

How to Get Free Flights

This book shows you how to take money out of the travel equation and and master the points and miles game. It will show you how to easily collect and redeem travel points for free airfare and accommodation so you can get you out of your house faster, cheaper, and in comfort.

Conquering Mountains: The Guide to Solo Female Travel

Kristin Addis writes the solo female travel column for this website and her detailed guide addresses all the concerns women have about traveling and gives the specific advice and tips you need to conquer the world and stay safe.

How to Teach English Overseas

This book will teach you everything you need to know about landing your dream job and features interviews with dozens of teachers, recruiters, detailed information on the top teaching destinations, sample resumes, advice on nailing your interview, and much more.

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day

My New York Times best-selling paperback guide to world travel will teach how to master the art of travel so that, no matter how long you want to travel for, you’ll save money, get off the beaten path, and have a more local, richer travel experience.

Articles About France

• Life in Paris: One Month Down
• Surprise! I’m Moving to Paris
• The Best Neighborhoods in Paris: Where to Stay on Your Visit
• My Top 15 Favorite Hostels in Paris in 2019
• How to Spend 5 Days in Paris
• Walking Among the Dead at Père Lachaise Cemetery

Click here for more articles—>

Booking Resources

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Get a Price Flight Search by momondo 26 May 2019 2 Jun 2019 1 Passenger Economy

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France

In my many years of designing itineraries for France-bound travellers, I’ve found that most of these journeys begin in Paris. How could anyone resist? Aside from it being your likeliest point of arrival into the country, there’s something about the city that lures you back time and time again, even if you’ve run out of fingers to count the number of times you’ve been.

There’s still a must-see museum you can’t believe you never knew about, a restaurant taking on unheard of culinary feats and burgeoning fashion designers opening the doors of their new boutique.

One thing I look forward to on my trips to the City of Light is the excellent hotels. I have scoured endless properties in search of the crème de la crème. While there are so many options, I am drawn most to hotels that successfully capture the essence and je ne sais quoi of Paris. Here are my top picks for the best five-star hotels in the city: filled with glamour, history, impeccable service, and style.

La Réserve: The Best of the Best

Perhaps it’s the 19thC sophistication combined with a perfectly curated French decor—not too subtle, but not too stuffy, either—and the rich palette of gold, burgundy and marble touches. It could be the sight of the Tour Eiffel, piercing through the dove-grey Parisian sky, that catches the corner of my eye from the window of my room, firmly reminding me of where I am. Or perhaps, it’s the white-glove level service that comes so naturally and, somehow, without pretension.

Whatever it is, La Reserve holds a special place in my heart—and that’s why I keep sending my travellers through its crimson doors, located just off the Champs-Élysées. Equipped with everything you need for an immaculate stay, like a full-service spa, a restaurant with two Michelin stars, and a library bar (which happens to be one of my favourite spots not just in Paris, but the world over), you may find it difficult to leave. Accompanying the refined guestrooms and suites—with their marble bathrooms, brocade walls and plush fabrics—are fully serviced apartments, which are ideal for travelling in a group or with the family.

Hotel Lutetia: A Fresh Look

From its address in tony Saint–Germain-des-Prés, one of the city’s most coveted neighbourhoods, the striking Art Nouveau facade of Hotel Lutetia stops you dead in your tracks. Inside, it just keeps getting better. After undergoing a four-year makeover, this historic hotel finally reopened in 2018. (For a little perspective, Pablo Picasso was once a frequent guest, and James Joyce wrote a portion of Ulysses while staying here). With its return came modernized guest rooms, a holistic wellness centre, the resurgence of its beloved jazz haunt, Bar Josephine, and the Brasserie Lutetia, helmed by the three-Michelin-star chef, Gérald Passedat.

The Ritz: Iconic Elegance 

Nothing says timeless elegance like The Ritz, the lavish hotel that served as second home to icons of the Belle Époque like Coco Chanel and Marcel Proust. This is as French as it gets, with one bistro and one gastronomic dining room, in-house wine tastings in the Salon Proust, tastefully decorated guest rooms, and an all-around sense of French flair.

Even without a reservation, you should make a point to stop by the legendary Bar Hemingway for an author-inspired cocktail in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s favourite seat or to sip on the preferred drink of Hemingway himself: a dry Martini.

Hotel Le Crillon: Modern Meets Classic

The palatial Hotel Le Crillon, with its stately Neoclassical exterior, has firmly held its position overlooking the Place de la Concorde since 1758. It wasn’t until 1909 when the mansion’s owners, the Counts of Crillon, sold their private residence to turn into the exalted hotel it is today.

After closing for restoration, the hotel reopened in 2013 with a modern makeover, while still preserving its 18thC opulence through glittering chandeliers, hand-painted walls, and gold gilded finishings, playing up the theatrics of an abode that has hosted the most elite of guests over the century. New additions include the Rosewood spa and its sky-lit pool, refreshed guest rooms and their marble bathrooms and the Les Ambassadeurs champagne bar; a super-stylish rendezvous for DJ nights and live music.

Pavillon de la Reine: Country Feel in the City

If you’re partial to the countryside rather than the city, the Pavillon de la Reine could be the choice for you. You’ll find this romantic residence in the posh Marais district, mere steps away from the Place des Vosges, in an idyllic garden that sets the stage for the ivy-draped front of this former 17thC estate. Privately operated by a family, being here feels as close as you can get to being hosted in a (swanky) French homestead, with a roaring fire in the main lounge, exposed wood beam ceilings, antique furnishings spattered throughout and hospitality at its core.

Le Bristol: A Parisian Institution

A Parisian institution since 1925, Le Bristol is often lauded as one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. Built within the walls of a former palace, it’s easy to lose yourself wandering its hallways from both the sheer size and the whimsy of it all. Between the immaculate gardens that surround the terrace of the gastronomic restaurant to the rooftop pool area—reminiscent of a 1920s French beach resort and with views of the city skyline—to the adorable resident Burmese cat, Fa-Raon, who greets you at the concierge desk, a stay at Le Bristol is a sheer delight.

The guestrooms are dressed in a traditional but fresh look—awash in pastel hues, soft floral accents and Louis XV-inspired furnishings—and are generous in size (an impressive feat in Paris), comfortably fitting a king-sized bed and a living area in even the smallest category. As a family-run hotel, the experience at Le Bristol is just as special for your little ones as it is for you, with a kids’ club adjoined to the La Prairie spa, offering a sweet playroom to keep the children entertained while you get pampered.

Paris. Poets, artists, playwrights, writers, journalists, and more have all written about their love of this city…and it’s hard not to fall in love with Paris. It’s a place that exudes culture, sophistication, class, and style. And, like the millions before me, I fell in love with this city the first time I visited. As Hemingway said, “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” Paris is gigantic, with thousands of years of history. It takes a lifetime to see, and all the places listed in this guide are just a fraction of what the city has to offer. It can be overwhelming. But there’s so much history in this city, so much beauty, so much love that you once look past the cliches, you find Paris is one of the few cities in the world that truly lives up to its hype.

Wine, cheese, the Eiffel Tower, castles, beautiful beaches, snooty waiters – France is famous for a lot of things.

It’s beautiful with stunning coastlines, valleys, wine country, forests, and beaches; has some of the best food and wine in the world; historic towns and chateaus, and a long and rich history.

And, despite what you might hear, the French are a wonderful people who love to stop and smell the roses.

I love backpacking around France.

There’s nothing like a picnic along the Seine or a day through the French countryside to make life seem beautiful. France is everything that people make it out to be and then some. Its long history lends itself to beautiful ruins, castles, architecture, and culture.

Traveling France is a very expensive affair, second only to traveling through Italy Europe. Those on a super tight budget will find it hard (but not impossible thanks to three Euro bottles of wine) to experience everything France has to offer.

However, after having traveled around France multiple times, I’ve picked up a wide variety of money saving tips and off beat attractions to see.

While you should visit France with a few extra Euros in your pocket so you can soak in all the food, wine, and beauty you see, this travel guide can help you plan a trip to my favorite country in Europe that won’t break the bank!

For the second of my three-part Insider’s Guide, I’ve collected my three favourite Dubrovnik restaurants and cafés that nicely round out the city’s cultural offerings. Of course, the city has more than three great restaurants, and I’m always happy to hear new suggestions should you stumble upon any gems!

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My 3 Favourite Dubrovnik Restaurants

360 Dubrovnik
Pictured above, the 120-year-old restaurant formerly known as Proto offers great seafood and service on their roof-top terrace. Situated in a superb location overlooking the old wall and harbor, it boasts the most romantic views of the city, hands-down. (Though it’s worth noting that not all tables overlook the old wall.) Offering nouveau cuisine, the highly artistic plates are works of art, if not all that filling.

An Island Odyssey Awaits

Our private yacht serves as your luxurious base camp for Dalmatian Coast Biking, a week of unforgettable island hopping through a largely undiscovered region.DETAILED ITINERARY

Café Festival Stradun
Reputed to have the best cakes in town, this is a great café overlooking the main pedestrian street. A great spot for breakfast, any time and a good place to sit and people watch.

Victoria Restaurant
Housed within the Villa Orsula hotel, executive chef Thierry Caruel’s signature dish – herb breaded lamb chops with courgettes, Provencal cannelloni, garlic comfit and black olive tapenade – is more than worth the 10-minute walk from the old town, as is the great view offered by the restaurant’s terrace, which you can catch a glimpse of below.

Metro or subway is my favorite mode of transport in any city. It is cheap, it is convenient, it is environmentally friendly and it gives you a taste of the local life!

When I look for a hotel I try to find it near a metro station. In Paris we stayed at the Hotel Ibis Styles Paris Crimee La Villette, which was about 300 meters walk from the Cremee Metro Station. It suited our needs perfectly. It is the M7 line but once you are on a metro you can interchange and go anywhere! I had downloaded a Paris Metro app and I had data, and we were ready to explore Paris on our own!

Even though this was a personal trip it was made special by Atout France – France Tourism Development Agency and Paris Tourist Office who helped us discover the city of lights at our own pace by providing two 6 day travel cards for public transport and 2 Museum Passes. It was only on the first and the last day I bought tickets for metro. If you use the vending machine you can use notes and coins. But if you wish to buy from the cashier, you can only use card!

Other than taking a taxi back to the airport we either walked or took the metro. As we had 3 day cards we found that the gates would not open on my sister’s ticket even though it was valid. The station staff was always helpful, they would open the gate for her. We managed to get the ticket changed before our trip to Palace of Versailles. They suggested us to keep the ticket away from mobile phones.

We found great art on the walls of the station of Bastille. I would have loved to go station hopping like I did in Moscow. But with so much to see and do in Paris, it never really happened! I anyway wish to go back to Paris and if I do, I would make time to just go metro hopping!

One of our favorite spots in Paris was Bir Hakeim, it is walking distance from Eiffel Tower and gives you a fabulous opportunity to click some stunning pictures both of the tower and the bridge. You can see some of them here.

I keep documenting my metro and tram experiences under #themetroproject I love to collect the cards too! In the picture you can see Paris, Singapore, Prague, Dubai, Moscow and Delhi Metro cards!

I could simply go back to Paris to click more of these signs which are all over the city! I do hope Alka and I will return to this beautiful city one day!