Only have a long weekend in Paris? Head to the Marais! One of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, this charming and trendy part of Paris, located in the 3e and 4e arrondissements, is perfect for those looking to soak up some Parisian culture without as many tourists. When my mother came to visit me in Paris, this is where we stayed, so keep reading to see how we spent our weekend:

Friday

Hotel … Le Pavillon de la Reine: This 5-star luxury boutique hotel is located on the Place des Vosges, one of Paris’s oldest and most gorgeous parks. The concierge are welcoming and helpful, the rooms (though small) are immaculate, and the hotel itself is beautifully done. A personal highlight was the breakfast buffet each morning, set in the hotel’s cozy restaurant (which offers a Michelin-starred dinner) and containing the most delicious pastries, berries, and more. We ate breakfast here every morning, but if you’d like other breakfast recommendations, see my note at the bottom of my post.

On your first day in Paris, you will likely be a bit jet-lagged, so keep things low-key.

Morning … We visited the nearby Musée Picasso, located in Pablo Picasso’s old residence. The museum is on the smaller side, making it perfect for an hour-long visit. If you are up for more of an adventure, walk to Le Centre Pompidou, one of Paris’s best modern and contemporary art museums. Don’t miss the 5th floor terrace, which overlooks all of Paris.

Lunch … Next-door to Le Centre Pompidou is La Crêperie Beaubourg, one of my favorite crêperies that warranted multiple visits. Try the galette playben, a savory crêpe filled with baked apples and emmental cheese. Alternatively, check out la Crêperie Suzette, located more centrally in the Marais and closer to Le Musée Picasso.

Afternoon … Depending on your energy level, head back to the hotel before dinner or take time to simply explore the streets of the Marais. Not unlike the rest of Paris, it is great for walking.

Dinner … We ate at Monjul, a mid-priced restaurant offering inventive cuisine in the Marais. The presentation was creative and beautiful, and it was just a short walk from our hotel. Another option (just over a mile from the hotel) is one of my all-time favorite Italian restaurants, Presto Fresco, located in Les Halles in the 3e arrondissement. I went multiple times while in Paris.

Saturday

Morning … As any great day starts, we decided to do some shopping. One of our favorite shopping streets was la Rue de Francs Bourgeois, but you can’t go wrong in the whole area. If you like tea, you absolutely cannot miss Mariage Frères, a beautiful store selling loose leaf and bagged teas. We loved it so much we have since had more shipped to us at home.

Lunch … Carette, a lovely French restaurant located right on the Place des Vosges. Even in mid-October, we were able to eat outside.

Afternoon … Though my mother and I opted to explore the Marais some more, should you wish to visit other parts of Paris, try heading south, then walking west along the Seine. This beautiful walk will take you past le Notre Dame, l’Hôtel de Ville (Paris’s awe-inspiring city hall), the Conciergerie building, and other classic Paris architectural wonders. Whether you fancy an afternoon picnic to one of many Parisian parks (even chain supermarket Monoprix has delicious baguettes for €0.90), checking another museum off of your list, or simply getting lost in Paris, the opportunities are endless. I wish I could offer you one suggestion, but I simply cannot choose.

Dinner … Le Sergent Recruteur, a fine dining restaurant on l’Île Saint Louis just awarded a coveted Michelin Star. Our food and service were delicious, the perfect Saturday night dinner.

Evening … A nighttime boat ride on the Seine with Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf. I have taken this boat ride both during the day and at night and would recommend either, but Paris at night is truly magical. Here are the photos I took from each boat ride…

Sunday

Today we decided to explore other parts of Paris.

Morning … we took a taxi to the 9e arrondissement to see the famous department store, Les Galeries Lafayette. Yes, it is a department store, but its architecture is unparalleled, as is the view from its rooftop. It is also nearby Le Palais Garnier, Paris’s famous opera house. I saw a ballet here earlier in the fall and would highly recommend it. The building is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Even if you cannot see a performance, they offer tours of the Palais.

Lunch … If you are in Paris over the summer, have lunch at Créatures, a delicious vegetarian restaurant on top of Ls Galeries Lafayette offering uniquely crafted menu items that truly look like art. Alternatively, dine at The Family, a cozy restaurant in the 9e arrondissement that has classic French dishes, or take a picnic into les Jardins des Tuileries.

Afternoon … We then walked through the stunning Jardins des Tuileries, located in front of Le Louvre. Since it was a rather cold day, we decided to take a hot chocolate break at Angelina.

Should you wish to visit inside Le Louvre or see another of Paris’s iconic museums, you are in the perfect setting to do so. Many of the city’s most famous museums are just minutes away. Here’s a list of my favorite museums to provide some inspiration.

Dinner … We ate at the tapas restaurant La Mangerie, which had some of the best tapas I have ever had. The restaurant has a fun atmosphere and was the perfect start to the night.

Evening … We then headed to the jazz club 38 Riv. Located inside a 13th century cellar, this intimate venue is perfect for listening to some amazing jazz.

Monday

Morning … We dedicated Monday morning to shopping the upper Marais’s beautiful curated vintage and concept stores. My personal favorites are Merci (for accessories, home goods, fashion, and more … prepare to get all of your holiday shopping done in one place), Dressing Particulier, Bobby, Gang of Early Birds, Empreintes, and Safe Urban Concept. All are in a similar area, and there are loads of shops to wander into!

Lunch … L’As du Fallafel, located in the Marais, this dine-in or take-out falafel joint attracts a line everyday at lunch for a reason. While you are better off going early or later in the day, this spot is not to be missed at any hour. If you are looking for more traditional French food, try the brasserie Les Deux Magots in the 8e arrondissement.

Afternoon … We walked across the Seine via l’Île Saint-Louis, stopping for ice cream at the famous Berthillon if you would like. Continue on to explore le Jardin de Luxembourg, gorgeous gardens in Paris’s 8e arrondissement containing the beautiful Palais de Luxembourg. After soaking up the magnificent Parisian scenery, head to Le Musée Rodin, one of my favorite museums in Paris. It houses Auguste’s Rodin’s sculptures both inside the building, built in 1919, and throughout the gardens. Even if you are indifferent toward Rodin’s work, I would highly recommend going.

Another nearby favorite is Shakespeare and Company. This famous English literature bookstore is worth going to even if just for its charm. The store was originally created in 1919, though at a different location, by Sylvia Beach as a meeting place for iconic writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ezra Pound.

Dinner … First we went to the legendary Bar Hemingway (given my love for Ernest Hemingway’s work) in the Place Vendôme for a drink. The bar was a favorite of the writer and even houses memorabilia from his life. We got there right at 6:00, as there are no reservations. After, we went back to the Marais for dinner at Chez Janou. Though we could not get a table inside, we happily ate under heat lamp outdoors. Another great restaurant we tried a different time is le Petit Marché, for another option.

… Other breakfast suggestions

If you would prefer to eat breakfasts out in Paris, read my post on the Best Paris Restaurants for some inspiration.

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For more suggestions on what to do in Paris, check out …