Six Tips For Your Next Visit To Paris France
Even if it’s your first trip or 100th, here are some tips for your next visit to Paris, France based on what we encountered there last week. You may know that we lived in Paris 25 years ago when our children were in grammar school and we have gone back once or twice a year ever since.
It’s safe to say we love Paris. Here are some things (like visiting Notre Dame or tipping in restaurants) we hope you find useful.
It’s Five Faves time with Annie and Cindy!
Dining With A View Of Paris
On the 8th floor of Printemps de l’Homme, you can pick from several restaurants/cafés with views of Paris. We just ate at IKE restaurant which serves dishes with a Japanese slant.
Visit Tips For The Stunning, Refurbished Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame is gorgeous with it’s newly finished repairs. It looks like a new cathedral!
TIP: Make advance reservations to skip the long line out front. Go to their official website for the free tickets. There, you can also download the audio guide to you with your headphones/earbuds.
Tipping In Paris
Tipping at restaurants was never expected before in Paris as the servers are paid a living wage. Perhaps with the advent of the Olympics and influx of tourists is when many restaurants (not all) added the 10%, 15%, 20% tipping option to the credit card bill.
TIP: Normally, you leave a few Euros on the table for good service.
Our friend, Jane above who lived and worked in Paris says only tourists add the tip to the bill like that.
“Une Carafe D’eau” = a Carafe Or Pitcher of Parisian Tap Water
If the water served in a restaurant has a chlorine or chemical taste, I prefer bottled water. At home, we have filtered tap water. So, I am a water snob.
For years in Paris, we have been ordering une carafe d’eau (tap water) instead of bottled water. I like the taste and I’m happy to report that based on this last trip, Paris tap water still tastes good and saves some Euros.
What We Wore In Paris
Of course you need comfortable shoes! And for Autumn in Paris, layers are a must. Mercedes is so stylish!
cropped trench (Abercrombie & Fitch–sorry sold out but Mango has a similar one) • scarf (on sale!) • Quince crossbody (looks to be sold out–this is similar) • Quince wide leg jeans I have these too in the shorter inseam • Adidas platform sole
Mercedes: denim cropped work jacket (small) • Frame Le Slim Palazzo black pants • lug soled loafers (Mercedes says “they are wall all day comfortable”)
Mary Ann: four season wool blazer (in petite 6) six colors• white classic button up shirt • black cardigan • Quince crossbody • Mother flared jeans • black booties
Mark bought a French workers jacket at Le Mont St. Michel in the Marais. I encouraged him to wear it out of the store. Howard and our son, Tommy have also bought them here too.
You may also like Planning A Paris Trip: Round-up Of Best Posts.
Current Fine Dining Recommendation – Comice
If you want a real splurge, go to Comice for the prix fixe menu of four or five courses, with a wine pairing if desired.
“Comice is a Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, serving product-driven contemporary French cuisine.” Mark and Mercedes treated us as a thank you to Howard for planning this trip.
What to Cook When You Can’t Make It To Paris – Beef Bourguignon
Here is an excellent, hearty recipe from Ina Garten’s Barefoot in Paris Cookbook.
You may also like FIVE TIPS FOR A CASUAL FRENCH DINNER PARTY.
Next, we are taking the train to Lyon, so stay tuned for that!
If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
Cindy Hattersley Design
Most Lovely Things
MA! What a miracle to see Notre Dame restored. Tipping gives me fits. Somehow I always feel like I’m doing it wrong. If the tip line is on the check I’d probably be the gauche American who uses it. Sigh. Enjoying your travels … and style … very much! xo
Great tips Mary Ann! So much has changed over the years in Paris, especially with the “timed entry” for many museums. My suggestion is that you should plan whatever is your “bucket list” place, be it Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, La Tour Eiffel and then spend time just wandering Paris. There is so much to see and do and most of the interesting and fabulous places are the ones that you just come upon.
Also, visit the smaller museums, the Rodin, Jacquemart-Andree, and other smaller places with less crowds and more time to enjoy the art and buildings.
Love your stylish outfits!
I really enjoyed the Alli McGraw article. I live in a small town in Colorado and can relate. We moved to Colorado in 1995 for the skiing, biking and hiking in the mountains and although those days are over as we are in our 80s, I can relate to her memories and her quiet life. I enjoyed looking at you Paris trip. I also enjoyed looking at your daughter and Lucas wedding pictures last year. Our children give us so many wonderful memories. Enjoyed your Sunday blog today.
Gorgeous pictures thank you Mary Ann! Have a wonderful time in Lyon!
Hello Mary Ann! I’ve been loving your travel posts!!and what you’re wearing! So chic!
How far ahead were you able to get tickets for notre dame? In-laws trying to get them for November with Patrick and Kate!
Can’t wait to talk when you get home!! Your whole trip looks like a dream!
Xx
Bonjour, Mary Ann!
Here’s suggestion for your readers about visiting Notre Dame. We were in Paris just last week. We desperately tried in advance for a timed entry, but never succeeded. Decided to take our chances and brave the long Disneyesque line. The line moved quickly. Almost so quickly that it was difficult to pause for picture taking. I would encourage others unable to obtain a timed entry to wait in line as well. However you manage to enter, what awaits is truly magnificent!
Thanks for doing what you do! It’s truly appreciated!
Good advice!! It should be missed.
Hi Mary Ann,
Thank you for sharing your pics of the Norte Dame, it is absolutely gorgeous. We did see all the renovations and the opening on TV. To see it in person I bet it’s spectacular.
Looks like you are all having a swell time together with your friends and family.
Next Lyon, look forward to seeing the pics.
It was breathtaking, Kathy.
How about some tips on where to stay in Paris?
The location of the two bedroom AirBnb that we had was good in the 7th but I didn’t love the decor or the fact that it had only one toilet. Read the Paris Post:https://classiccasualhome.com/planning-a-paris-trip-round-up-of-best-posts/ for some suggestions. I only post about places I recommend.