How to Spend a Weekend in Paris

The romantic and magical city of Paris is visited by over 25 million tourists each and every year and is the perfect city to explore, particularly if you’re interested in arts and culture. Whether you’re there for a day trip, a weekend away or perhaps even longer, in which case – lucky you! – You’ll find plenty of opportunities to relish in the city of love, from fine dining with majestic views of the Eiffel Tower, to exploring one of 450 stunning parks and gardens. So if you’re heading to The City of Light, check out our top five unforgettable ways to spend a weekend in Paris.

Walk through the doors with grace and class when you arrive at the oldest café in Paris. You and your travel party will be eating and drinking at the very place that used to serve great writers, artists and intellects such as the esteemed French philosopher and writers Voltaire and Denis Diderot. Inaugurated in 1686 and located in the 6th arrondissement on the Left Bank, the Parisian restaurant/café has other hidden treasures inside. Upon entry, find Napoleon’s hat concealed in a glass case on display. Reserve your table and enjoy dining on the historic recipe of knife-cut Charolais steak tartare in prestigious and historic surroundings.

One of Paris’ most popular attractions is The Louvre, which lives up to its reputation of being the largest and one of the best art museums in the world. No weekend trip to this cultural Parisian city, which has birthed world-class artists like Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse and many more, is complete without a visit here. Its central location on the 1st arrondissement makes it easily accessible and is a wonderful way for you to begin your day. Find legendary artwork and sculptures such as the extraordinary Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Raft of the Medusa and the Mona Lisa – to name just a few. Take in the eight centuries of French history at The Louvre.

After visiting the Louvre Museum, take a short walk to explore the picturesque grounds of the Tuileries Garden which sits between the museum and the Place de la Concorde. Promenade along the French garden space to observe the incredible sculptures and statues amongst beautiful trees and flowers. Sit and relax enjoying a picnic on the grass with views of notable monuments like the Arc de triomphe du carrousel.  It’s a great place to celebrate your weekend break in Paris in beautiful surrounds and soak up Parisian culture.

It’s one thing to go out for a nice dinner, but a whole other thing to enjoy it with champagne and a show. I’m talking about the iconic Moulin Rouge, the cabaret that made its first appearance in 1899 and has been wowing audiences ever since. This extravagant cabaret has it all, from magic tricks to captivating dance routines and burlesque to the French can-can. You’ll easily see why this dinner and show combination attracts crowds of locals and tourists alike in their thousands. The menu changes depending on the season you visit, I went during the autumn and chose the roasted fillet of sea bream and it didn’t disappoint!

If you book eight months in advance you can enjoy a first-class meal on the second floor of the Eiffel tower at 3 Michelin star restaurant, Jules Vern. Request a seat by the window and enjoy the best views of France’s world-famous city as you tuck into gorgeously presented food such as thinly sliced roasted duck accompanied with small chanterelle mushrooms, capers, potato puffs and rich jus. As you enter, you’ll be guided to a private elevator that will take you up to the acclaimed restaurant. After your meal you can take it up to the top to take in the spectacular views – certainly a noteworthy Parisian experience of a lifetime.

You can’t really talk about the fashion capital of the world without mentioning the trendy boutiques in The Marais neighbourhood. Expect a selection of high-end and contemporary stores by small fashion brands on the main street of rue de Rivoli and be inspired by the state-of-the-art men’s and womenswear on display. Located on the 4th arrondissement, Le Marais is a prized favourite amongst Parisians and you’ll soon see why as you discover the hip gay bars, Kosher eateries and galleries in the vicinity. Le Marais is a small, but bustling fashion district bursting to life with eccentric crowds, street art and culture. You’ll find that this former French aristocratic area is also frequented and inspired by the Jewish, Chinese and LGBTQ communities.