Following our recent trip, here are new places we loved in Paris such as where to eat from casual to fancy (including a great Italian restaurant), places we discovered to shop, a museum on the history of Paris, and the cool hotel that we enjoyed.
For ALL my Paris advice, make sure you read my Paris Round-up post before and during your trip to Paris. Lots more not to miss things for your trip there!
Where to Eat
Remember to make reservations…you can do this online.
Le Bayadere
Howard and I had an elegant Valentine’s Day dinner here. Beautiful interiors.

Il Sorrento
This is a delicious Italian restaurant where they serve fettuccini mixed tableside. There are views of the Eiffel Tower outside.

Brasserie Dubillot
This is a colorful French brasserie where they have really embraced “Le Brunch.”

L’Ami Jean
We went here for lunch. It’s a small, relaxed, bistro serving large portions of traditional food by Chef Stéphane Jego. Make sure to save room for the rice pudding!
Shopping
Again, remember to read the Paris Highlights Round-up for ALL my shopping recommendations.
Maison de Vacances
This fun (Vacation Home) shop was near our hotel at 4 Rue de Cléry, 75002 Paris

Officine Universelle Buly a Paris
This is a very old shop where they hand-calligraphy names on presents, mostly skincare.

L’Appartement Sézane
This fun clothing store is at 1 Rue Saint-Fiacre, 75002 Paris.

Where To Stay – The Hoxton
Annie from Most Lovely Things wrote about the Hoxton Hotel a few years ago. I remember wanting to go there after her beautiful post! So it was a nice surprise that Howard booked our five-night stay at the Hoxton. The hotel atmosphere is lively and the food in their restaurants is delicious.


One afternoon, I sat on the lobby balcony (above) for tea.
What To See – Carnavalet Museum
The Musée Carnavalet in Paris is dedicated to the history of the city. The museum occupies two neighboring mansions.

For more fun things to do in Paris do you follow me on Pinterest? There are travel boards (like Paris, San Francisco Bay Area, London, Sydney, Buenos Aires, and lots more places that I have experienced) with all my personal favorite things!
What a wonderful trip! Thank you for all the great suggestions and tips! 💕 Marlena
I enjoyed this armchair visit. It looks so beautiful. I’ve only been to Paris once, but it is so fresh in my memory.
This is a wonderful post for planning or dreaming. 😊
Karen B.
You always write the best travel guides and share wonderful recommendations! Wish I was going to Paris so I could go to all these places, they look divine. Once again, you bring me joy with your posts!
What a dream trip! So much yummy food and amazing shopping. The Hoxton looks lovely, I’m making a note of it. xo
Hi Mary Ann,
I’m thinking about going to Paris for my birthday this year, but finding the planning and even the idea of going alone sort of overwhelming. Thanks for all the tips!
Looks like you and Howard had a wonderful stay.
Xo Heidi
I *adore* L’Ami Jean (Chef is my kitchen pass – my husband is an understanding guy 🙂 ). And like Wren, I sought out Sezane on my last visit in January – the wall of sweaters! I bought 2 (it was during the soldes, so yay) and get tons of compliments on them. It was Fashion Week while we were there, so it was a bit of a scene, but fun to stumble across K-pop stars in their custom Louis Vuitton, and impossibly tall skinny women wafting about town.
Is the fettuccine really served in a carved out wheel of parmesan as it looks? That is a very cool way to make a presentation. When I was in Paris in June, I stumbled upon Sézanne (I think it was on rue du Bac, maybe there are two?). It was fun to go into a store after getting their emails and having ordered from them that way. I’m not sure why you were only in Paris for 5 days…..that must have been a whirlwind trip!
Very fun roundup of your recent trip, Mary Ann— thanks very much!
Oh I am so jealous! I can’t wait to go! What fabulous finds! I want Howard as my tour guide! That Valentines dinner looks like it was to die for. I am probably the only one in the world who doesn’t care for stripes (especially horizontal ones). I know they are so popular right now. Love them on others but not on me! Would love to explore all those fun shops!!