Travel
Doing the 8th in Paris Like a (Glam) Parisian
Glam spots to stay, eat, shop and party in the Champs-Élysées area.
Eat
Food is something that you simply need to indulge in whilst in France. French cuisine is arguably the world’s finest, and would you let the opportunity to eat at these glam places pass? I didn’t think so!
You just have to taste the seafood platter at Le Petit Marius. Their oysters are just superb! And you can be assured that the seafood is fresh, every single day.
Le Petit Marius
Paris is not the pizza headquarters of the world, but if you’re missing this American staple, grab a slice at the surprisingly social Cantina Di Luca.
I loved the decor at Cantina Di Luca
If you want to have some drinks, here are two great places to check out:
Chez Francis boasts great views of the Eiffel Tower and an exceptional bar.
Chez Frances has views of the Eiffel Tower and a very cool vibe
TonTons, with its leather seats, wool curtains and seat cushions made of tartan and herringbone, is so cozy you’ll want to stay all day with a book and a hot chocolate.
TonTons felt super cozy and made us want to hang all day
Once you’ve finished shopping on Avenue Montaigne, you can have lunch at L’Avenue, which is Paris’ answer to LA’s The Ivy – an upper-crust scene good for A-list celebrity spotting.
Dine with Justin Bieber and Beyonce at L’Avenue
Or, if history is more your thing, rather than spotting celebs you can head to Le Petit Retro, which is one of the last true remaining Paris bistros that was inaugurated in 1904.
Le Petit Retro is uber charming
If you’re a coffee aficionado, head on to Le Bristol and sip your coffee in a courtyard that will make you feel like you’re in a Fellini film.
Le Bristol’s courtyard is as upscale and glam as it gets
If you want your experience of being transported to a different time to continue, have dinner at L’Opera Restaurant. This place is not lacking in grandeur, and can be compared to dining in a futuristic spaceship… inside an ancient palace. Yeah.
L’Opera Restaurant was surreal
And just when you think you’ve tasted the best and managed to to hit all the glam eating spots as a Parisian would, you’d still have to visit the Cristal Room Baccarat from 12 noon til 2 pm for Saturday brunch. Guy Martin doesn’t disappoint.
The Cristal Room Baccarat is palace-chic
Now, where shall you go for Sunday’s brunch? To Ladurée in Champs-Élysées, of course. Savor those macaroons like there’s no tomorrow.
Ladurée in Champs-Élysées is simply spectacular
Up next: Where to shop, of course!
Sara Wilson
Great photos and article!
Jae Medina
Very useful information, not the same rehashed tips we’ve all heard before … and (refreshingly) written without all of the “ohhhh Americans!” sneering that sometimes seems to be the standard tone of Parisian travel advice for Yanks in the City of Lights. Great read. Merci!
Lena Dzeko
The French and Italians are appalled by the way the average American and Brit dresses. They think a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers are peasant clothes. They’ll spend an hour polishing their shoes before they go out, while we’re out the door with a tattered, old pair of $20 Chuck Taylor’s. It really offends them. :/
Cassi Braun
Paris…. London…. and perhaps rome are where they have the most american tourists, I’m not impressed. This is called the bandwagon effect in psychology. One does it and brands the city as “exotic” the other goes. I’ve been to all three places, about 3 years ago. Since then I’ve been looking into places tourists don’t go, like Malmö, Warsaw, Copenhagen, kaiserslautern, and Yorkshire. A vacation or escapism should be free of similar people and surrounding. I get embarrassed when American answer Paris, London, and Rome when they’re for their vacation, it shows simplicity and still xenophobia…
eva gordon
Please pull the stick up your ass. Thank you 🙂 traveling to all that destination doesn’t make you any better than us you know. So what we want to visit Paris London and Rome. WE WANT TO GO THERE, Nobody asked you to travel to Malmo Warsaw Copenhagen Kaiserslautern and Yorkshire. So why tell us that we are simple.
Felicia Stewart
My family had encountered a pickpocket twice during our three day stay in Paris. What’s worse, I stepped on dog #$%$ twice too… Would never go again.
Matilda Parker
My tip is not to do all the touristy things. I mean if you REALLY have to, make it a short part of the day. Don’t center it around the trip. The very BEST way to enjoy Paris is just sort of stroll around, relax, hang at a cafe, explore. Eat some cheese, some patisserie, have an espresso, talk to and maybe have sex with locals. I guarantee you will enjoy your trip. You’ll understand the Parisian lifestyle and go home longing to come back. Everyone that I know who does the touristy thing goes home hating Paris.
Chanelle Lewis
Hmmm…I really had no trouble in Paris, but the rest of France was a lot nicer. Paris smells TERRIBLE, as well, much worse than NYC, which is also somehwhat “pungent”.
The countryside, villages, and farm communities were pretty cool.
Anouska Leigh
So many comments say French are rude but I disagree. If you use excellent manners there, people in France are fine (or anywhere in Europe). Just learn Hello, please, thank you, excuse sir/madam……it will get you very far. Also, lower your voice. You shouldn’t talk loud there. Definitely ask a younger person if you need help. Their English is usually better. And please…NO WHITE SNEAKERS!!! You might as well put a target on your back that screams…American tourist here!!
Kimberley Foulkes
Interesting! I made an effort to speak French the times I visited–I had transportation language etc. written down on notecards.
And I took a tour of Notre Dame that included a climb to the top! 🙂
And rode the Metro.
Paris is cozy, the tap water tastes great (unlike where I’m from), and I’d love to visit again.
Susanna Milton
Okay i went there, and would never go back, the city is no better than anywhere else i went to, and here is my rule, be nice to me and i will be nice to you period. No need to be rude at anytime, or make excuses for bad behavior anywhere.
Cathy Mitchell
I don’t think many French people will see your comment here lol. Try to make friends with them is not easy because of the language barrier, but with some efforts and talking with young people you should be good. And by the way, Paris is really stunning, but you need to get away from touristic paths and try to understand the city by yourself.