Visit Paris with CHIC, a guide to a glamorous weekend away
Paris the city of Lights, Love and Fashion, that it seems to have been design to dazzle us. Its streets, squares, buildings, gardens, monuments are incredible works of art, which make a walk in the city an authentic delight. If you are looking for a weekend getaway where you can find culture, art, design, beauty, history, fashion, and yummiest croissants, Paris is the perfect choice. Here is Chic’s travel guide where you can find the best place to stay, visit and of course shop in Paris.
Where to stay?
A beautiful boutique hotel is a place where you want to be, while staying in Paris. As you can imagine, the city has a lot of places to offer, but we have chosen one hotel that will definitely make your stay unforgettable. Hôtel Saint-Germain is set in a 17th century mansion in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, only 10 min walk from Notre-Dame Cathedral, Musée d’Orsay, the Luxembourg Gardens and the Louvre Museum. The prices per nigh start from €149.
Where to eat?
Balagan Restaurant
When in Paris, of course you need treat yourself to a nice dinner. Just like the hotels, Paris is absolutely full of incredible spots to eat, but this time we’ve picked a restaurant “Balagan”. The restaurant is located in the very Parisian landscape a few steps from the Place Vendôme and the Jardin Des Tuileries. We can guarantee, you will not be disappointed.
Café de Flore
Paris is a city with the best cafés in the world. Here, the café culture is taken very seriously and also not many cities can compete with the capital of France, when it comes to it. Café de Flore is a very famous local situated close to Louvre (perfect place to grab a coffee after a long day trip at Louvre ;)) The place is frequently visited by many celebrities and models (Gigi Hadid, Hailey Baldwin or Alessandra Ambrosio), so there is always a great possibility to meet someone cool!
What to see?
Let’s be honest, if you go to Paris for a few days, it’s really difficult to choose which places you should visit. However, we’ve picked a few really amazing “classics” that will make your heart and soul happy.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of France, so when in Paris, you just simply HAVE TO see it. The tower was built in the 1889 for the World Fair. At the beginning, the Parisians used to hate the 300-meter tower calling it “the metal asparagus”, but over time it became one of the most iconic towers in the world.
Musée de Louvre
Montmartre
Montmartre is one of the coolest neighbours in Paris. In the past, it used to be a home for lots of artists. Now, it offers a stunning view of the city and lots of arty cafés and bars. It’s also great for those wanting to visit the hangout spots of Hemingway and Gertrude Stein!
Sacré de Coeur
If you plan on visiting Montmartre, you can also go and visit Sacée Coeur, an outstanding Basilica and another landmark in Paris. Located at the top of the hill of Montmartre, the majestic church offers one of the most amazing views over Paris. A plus is that this interesting church has a lot to discover and a lot of secrets kept to itself.
Grand Palais
Grand Palais is one of the most iconic places in Paris, which involves a museum complex (located at the Champs-Élysées), exhibition hall and large historic site. The French Ministry of Culture listed the Grand Palais as a “monument historique” in 2000.
Fondation Louis Vuitton
The Louis Vuitton Foundation is a cultural centre that was opened in 2014. The museum was sponsored by the LVMH group. It serves as an extraordinary space to promote the art and culture with many exhibitions, bookshops and restaurants inside the building.
Where to shop?
We believe that shopping is also a part of getting to know the city, the culture and the people. Being in the world’s fashion capital, you can’t miss on this fantastic experience! Especially, in those “one of a kind” settings!
Galleries Laffayete
This upmarket department store is a fashion lovers paradise and is often referred to as the ultimate shopping destination. They can be found in lots of different cities in France, however they were established in 1895 in Paris. Its flagship store is located on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, close to the Opera Garnier, at the corner of Rue La Fayette. Its interior is truly breathtaking and as a fashion lover, visiting it should be on your bucket list.
Avenue des Champs-Elysées
This is a very prestigious and trendy avenue in Paris, therefore it’s always busy and full of tourists. However, you can find almost anything you want here – luxury and designer shops, beautiful cafes and cinemas. It’s one of the most popular streets in the entire world, as its running down from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre.
Boulevard Saint-Germain
The Saint-Germain-des-Prés district is a perfect place to discover the “fashionable Paris”. Boulevard Saint-Germain is a fabulous spot for the glamorous and luxury shopping. It’s a home for many designer brands and also the iconic Cafe de Flore, which already should be on your bucket list.
Saint-Ouen Flea Market
Who doesn’t like a vintage, good market? Actually, let me repeat, who doesn’t like a vintage, good market in Paris? Exactly. The Saint-Ouen Flea Market is located in the north of Paris, a few minutes away from the Sacre Coeur Basilica and Moulin Rouge and it’s one of the largest in the world! You’ll find anything you want here: from old books and vintage clothes to furniture and antique jewellery! A perfect place for a fun Saturday afternoon 😉 Highly recommended!
Le Marais
Welcome to the vintage paradise! Le Marais is absolutely the best neighbourhood to pick up some Parisian vintage gems! A cool part of vintage shopping is that you never know what you’ll find and sometimes you can find real treasures at the price of a coffee!
31 Rue Cambon
What would you say about travelling in time – sounds pretty awesome, right? 31 Rue Cambon is a legendary address, where Coco Chanel had her beautiful apartment and it’s also a place, where she opened her very first fashion boutique. If you are concerned about spending too much money on these extremely luxurious pieces, having a trip on it’s own, is already an unforgettable experience.
Paris Nightlife
Le Montana in Paris
Le Montana is a place for all the fashion lovers! If you are one of them (which we are sure you are) – this is a spot you definitely should visit during your weekend away! This cool jazz bar was one of the most famous bars in Paris in the 70s! Recently, the venue was brought back to life and celebrities, such as Kate Moss and Lenny Kravitz are among some of the loyal guests 😉 This place literally speaks FASHION. During the Paris Fashion Week, you can easily bump into Chanel’s models and Alaïa’s VIPs. Overall, even on a casual evening, coming here will give you a little taste of the real Parisian life.
Castel
Are you a party animal? If the answer is yes, then you found a club you should go, if you like to dance, listen to good music and also meet really cool people from the fashion world. Castel is a venue where all the private parties and after-shows are taking place regularly during the Fashion Week.
What to wear?
Paris is one of the world’s capital of fashion, so while strolling around the city, be prepared to see some incredible looks. Also, you can’t forget to be prepared yourself! But don’t worry, we’ve prepared a really cool outfit for you! A cute blazer with flare jeans and a pair of flats is a perfect combo to walk around the City of Love. And wait, of course you can’t forget about the beret and a pair of glamorous cat-eye sunglasses!