As the expression goes: Paris is always a good idea – especially given it's less than three hours away from London via the Eurostar. Seriously, with fares starting at £39 (each way) there’s no excuse not to visit the French capital for a long weekend.
From checking into boutique hotels and admiring beautiful architecture, to visiting the parks and devouring pastries (along with cocktails and croissants aplenty) here's our tried-and-tested recommendations for how to spend a weekend in Paris...
Where to stay in Paris
The neighbourhood of Pigalle
There’s never a dull moment in Pigalle. The former red-light district once had a bad rep for being super seedy, but the area is transforming into a popular spot with hipster vibes akin to an East London neighbourhood. Of course, there’s still a flurry of all-night sex shops and strip bars, but there’s now enough clubs and cocktail bars, live music venues and chic boutique hotels to make you realise that you’ve discovered one of the hottest (and liveliest) areas in Paris.
Top tip: While in Pigalle, take a trip down the authentically Parisian Rue des Martyrs, an old neighbourhood market street (a bit like London's Portobello Road). It’s full of cute pâtisseries, boutique shops and cafes, so grab yourself a Nutella crepe and bag some treasure.
Hôtel Rochechouart, Pigalle
Part of the Orso group, this quintessential Parisian hotel has everything you could want from the City of Lights: just a short walk away from the Sacré-Coeur (visible from some rooms), it serves serious old school glamour with an art deco feel running throughout – and has happily affordable room rates. You can practically feel the history of the building pulsing throughout and rumour has it, it's just as popular with celebrities today (Lily Allen recently stayed there) as the site was back in the roaring twenties.
As for the rooms, Paris is known for its intimate bedroom sizes and the classic double rooms at Hotel Rochechouart could certainly be accused of falling into that bracket, but there was still ample space for our suitcases and the cosy vibe made it perfect for switching off after a long day of exploring. The bathroom looked like it had stepped right out of a 'dream suites' Pinterest board too, offering up a chic space for showering.
All the staff we chatted to were super friendly, speaking an array of languages – so fear not if your French is rusty – and were more than happy to recommend a great local spot for a drink, dance or bite to eat, too.
Elsewhere in the hotel, the restaurant (Restaurant Rochechouart) more than exceeded expectations. But there's more on that below with the rest of our foodie recommendations!
Rooms at Hotel Rochechouart start from £162 per night, find out more here
Le Pigalle Hotel, Pigalle
Also in Pigalle is, err, Le Pigalle – a quirky boutique hotel that’s far from your traditional, stuffy five star. It’s also around the corner from Pigalle station, neighbouring Montmartre and a 5 minute walk from the Moulin-Rouge. From the quirky, liberal artwork to the vintage furniture and dreamy marble table tops, this hotel is cooler than we'll ever be.
Each room is oh-so-Instagrammable and feels immensely chic yet cosy – the comfy bed was literally heaven after a long day walking around the city. Expect the home-from-home essentials like your own bedroom has, but far chicer cooler – we’re talking about the unique artwork and books, an iPad, a record player and personal selection of vinyl’s, as well as your own bar with cute pre-bottled cocktails so you can sip on a Manhattan while you get ready for dinner.
Downstairs is home to a cafe and restaurant complete with record library and DJ decks, so expect to experience a laid-back coffee shop vibe in the day and a buzzing atmosphere when the resident DJs start playing their sets at night.
Rooms at Le Pigalle start from £240 per night, find out more here
The 16th arrondissement
Molitor Hôtel & Spa, Boulogne
If you’d rather get out of the hustle and bustle of the main city, Molitor needs to be your top choice – based in the chic 16th arrondissement in the boujee neighbourhood of Boulogne, it's an oasis of peace and quiet, on the doorstep of a huge park (and for tennis fans: right by Roland-Garros).
Originally opened in 1929, Molitor was the most popular swimming baths in Paris. It closed in 1989, but soon became one of the best-kept-secrets of the Parisian underground scene, flocked to by ravers and graffiti artists. Now, after re-opening in 2014 as a hotel, the best bits of all those eras have been embraced.
The Art Deco design is gorgeous and the two full-size swimming pools (one heated outdoor, one indoor) are surrounded by sun loungers and deck chairs. There's even a super luxe Clarins spa, Shu Uemura salon and gym to match. But they've also embraced the building's street art roots, with amazing murals, installations and graffiti artwork everywhere you turn. Plus, there's a rooftop bar, amazing restaurant and poolside terrace.
While the huge swimming pools and green views mean you're not on the doorstep of the major landmarks, there's a metro stop just 5 minutes walk away and if you're feeling energetic, you can still walk to the Eiffel Tower in around 45 minutes.
Rooms at Molitor start from £275 per night, find out more here
Where to eat in Paris
Du Pain et Des Idées
Head to Du Pain et Des Idées for the dreamiest bread and pastries ever. The bakery is a fave among locals and tourists, and if you have one of their melt-in-the-mouth croissants (or 'pistachio snails') you’ll see why.
Buvette
A cozy brunch spot delivering all the carby French classics – our Croque Monsieur was possibly the creamiest, cheesiest thing we've ever eaten. Buvette is a must-visit if you’re in Paris.
Miznon
Serving Israeli food with a French twist, Miznon is the perfect spot to refuel in between sightseeing and shopping. You'll often find a long queue of people outside, but it’s worth the wait for the whole-roasted cauliflower, minty lamb kebab pitas and beef bourguignon. There’s plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, and you can choose to take your pitas away for a stroll along the Seine.
Citrons et Huîtres
If you're a seafood and natural wines fan, Citrons et Huîtres oyster bar (situated right around the corner from Hotel Rochechouart, FYI) is the perfect spot for a date night or catch up with a friend. The owners are always happy to recommend a wine to pair with your food and the intimate space is popular with locals and out-of-towners alike.
Restaurant Rochechouart
Want to feel like you're in an old Hollywood movie for the night? Eat at Hotel Rochechouart's restaurant – it boasts classic French fare (for very reasonable prices considering the opulent surroundings) and the dimly lit dining hall, complete with mosaic flooring, makes it feel like anything could happen... and that anyone could be about to walk in mid-starter. A menu highlight? Le fameux gâteau du crêpes, a stack of thin fluffy pancakes drizzled in a creme vanilla custard (€12). Your stomach will thank you for it. We also loved the artichoke with vinaigrette, and please do note that there's an impressive cocktail menu to boot.
Peppe Pizzeria Martyrs
Keen for a pizza fix? (We feel you, it doesn't matter where in the world you are, sometimes you just need a slice of the cheesy stuff). Peppe Pizzeria is the go-to in Paris, adored by the locals – the table next to us leant over to tell us so – and famed for its authenticity.
Where to drink in Paris
Dirty Dick
Pigalle really comes alive at night so it's easy to find a party. We found ourselves wandering across the road to a Tiki bar called Dirty Dick (can you tell it used to be a sex club?), which serves Polynesian-inspired cocktails in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways. It may take ten minutes for your bartender to make it, but it’s 1000% worth it when you see how your Instagram-worthy cocktail is presented. Don’t be surprised if they light your drink on fire!
Moonshiner
Love a tucked away gem? This cocktail bar, well, speakeasy, is hidden away around the back of a pizza restaurant (you have to walk through a 'freezer' to reach it). The staff love to chat through the menu, so make sure you ask for a recommendation before ordering your usual – you might just discover a new favourite.
What to do in Paris
Paris can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to rinse your bank account. There are a number of ways you can be savvy with your spends to free up some budget for what’s important to you (like wine and cheese).
Museums
Museums are free on the first Sunday of every month, so schedule your trip with that in mind if your aim is to get cultured on a budget. Most attractions also offer student discount but you can save a lot if you buy a Paris Museum Pass too, which offers access to more than 60 museums and attractions. Strapped for money and time? Pick your must-see attractions and visit them first. We recommend sightseeing on a weekday so the crowds are smaller or go first thing in the morning when they open, particularly with hugely popular attractions like The Louvre. It’s worth pre-booking as queues for The Louvre can go on for hours.
Can't get into The Louvre? The Musée des Arts Décoratifs is right around the corner and offers a fascinating look at fashion and furniture over the years.
Get walking
The secret is to walk everywhere! If you’re lucky with the weather, Paris is perfect to explore by foot. We walked around the city for hours, slowly taking in the architecture and shopping (at the Forum Des Halles) in between.
Keen for a walking route? It’s worth dropping by The Louvre before walking through Tuileries Garden and venturing to the two islands in the centre of the Seine: Île de la Cité, and Île Saint-Louis to take in the beauty of the Notre Dame cathedral. From there you can walk to the Pantheon, before heading to the grassy Champ de Mars for a picnic, with the perfect view of the Eiffel Tower.
Don’t forget to head up the steps to the Sacré-Coeur for the most wonderful views of Paris. If you fancy an evening wander, take in the iconic Champs-Élysées at sunset and walk down the grand avenue to the Arc de Triomphe.
Paris? Completed it mate.
How to get to Paris
For us, it was all aboard the Eurostar! Which now offers trips from London to Paris starting from £39 (each way). There are multiple trains travelling out of St Pancras to the French capital each day, and the stress of airport security and waiting around is certainly alleviated when you head by train (plus it's kinder to the planet too).
Find out more about getting the Eurostar from London to Paris here
