The Fashionably Late Guide to Paris
Where to eat, shop, and spend your time in the City of Lights
A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I had planned a trip back to Denmark for Thanksgiving and to attend the wedding of our good friends. Around the same time, we were notified that we had been approved for family reunification in Denmark. Although we originally planned to stay in Paris for a few more months (and even permanently if our family reunification application was denied), we decided to end our lease for our Paris apartment and follow through with our move to Denmark.
To close this chapter of our lives, I’ve curated a list of all our favorite places in Paris. While I firmly believe the best way to experience Paris is to explore at your own pace and discover your own “hidden gems,” I hope this guide serves as a helpful starting point. I’ve included only the places we truly love, so you can sprinkle a few into your itinerary and make them part of your own Parisian adventure.
Grand bisou x
Dinner
Allard: A classic Parisian bistro in Saint-Germain-des-Prés full of old-world charm, offering a traditional French gourmet menu.
Bistrot Paul Bert: A highly popular spot that lives up to the hype! The filet de bœuf au poivre is incroyable, the servers are kind, and the cozy atmosphere adds to the overall dining experience. Reservations can be tricky—it’s nearly impossible to reach them by phone—so I recommend stopping by in person a few days in advance to secure a table.
Chez Julien: A very charming restaurant, located right by the Seine offering excellent French cuisine in a romantic setting. It’s on the pricier side, but they have an amazing outdoor terrace with views of the city that makes it well worth it.
At Chez Julien.
La Fontaine de Mars: This traditional Parisian bistro is hands down our favorite. It has a warm and bustling atmosphere with checkered tablecloths, vintage wallpaper, and a menu filled with beautifully presented classic French dishes. Be sure to save room for dessert—the crème brûlée here is the most delicious you’ll ever taste!!
Le Colimaçon: This is one of our go-to spots for an intimate dining experience. Le Colimaçon is a small, modern bistro with a regularly changing à la carte menu. The duck breast is phenomenal, and the service is superb.
PNY: A cozy burger joint with a warm atmosphere on the corner of Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie and Rue des Guillemites. Their Goodbye California is the best burger I’ve had in Paris!
Bars, pastries, & coffee
Dreamin Man: One of the rare spots in Paris where you can find truly good coffee.
Folderol: A fun concept bar where you can enjoy a scoop of ice cream alongside a glass of natural wine. I recommend visiting on a rainy day in the off-season to avoid the crowds.
Grouvie: We discovered this gem through
’s Paris guide, and I’m so happy we did. Grouvie is a tastefully decorated speakeasy bar featuring a unique cocktail menu and an amazing playlist. A great spot for a date night!Le Dauphin: A modern wine bar with a large selection of affordable natural wines.
Maison Proust: The chicest bar with the most delicious drinks. I recommend snagging a spot in the Rotunda library and ordering the Tarte Citron Meringuée.
Poilâne: My go-to spot for buttery soft croissants.
Shopping
Ba&sh: A high-quality French clothing brand with chic Parisian garments that lean slightly edgy and modern boho.
Flabelus: A Spanish footwear store with a stunning selection of chic, velvet ballet flats and espadrilles. During the summer months, I saw so many Parisians wearing these ballet flats around town.
La Blouse de Lyon: A cute little store in the 9th arrondissement specializing in French workwear and accessories. I bought a pair of Plasticana’s Gardana clogs here for €25!!
Le Bon Marché: I’m not a huge fan of department stores, but I love browsing through Le Bon Marché. They carry everything from designer clothing and leather-bound notebooks to an array of French delicacies.
Loulou Studio: Chic, minimalist garments that I’ve featured a couple of times in the newsletter.
Merci: This spot is an independent concept store with a curated selection of clothes, accessories, homeware, and knick-knacks. A must-visit whenever you’re in Paris!
The Broken Arm: A laid-back concept store full of designer clothes, books, and other little souvenirs with a Dreamin Man coffee shop right by the door.
The Odder Side: A modern, Polish fashion brand with a store right in the center of Le Marais.
…And my vintage shopping recommendations can be found right here:
Souvenirs
French skincare products: If you’re like me and easily stressed by crowded shopping spaces, avoid Citypharma and Pharmacie Monge Notre Dame for your French skincare fix! Instead, I recommend dropping by Grande Pharmacie du Forum or Pharmacie Des Archives. Both offer excellent prices with fewer crowds which, in my opinion, makes for a much more pleasant shopping experience.
Scented candles: I love shopping for custom French candles in Paris. Diptyque offers location-specific scented candles and custom candle-making classes. (The ladder is pretty expensive, though.) I also love Trudon, which is a legacy brand with a couple of stores scattered around Paris as well as Astier de Villatte.
French cookware: If you’re as obsessed with good quality kitchen essentials as my husband is, you can find a variety of classic French kitchenware at Landline, custom flatware at Le Sabre, and professional kitchen tools at heritage cookware shop E. Dehillerin.
Books and knick-knacks: Mélodies Graphiques and the Centre Pompidou bookshop are great spots for finding little trinkets and unique treasures. Speaking of books, I love browsing the shelves at 0fr and Yvon Lambert, both of which have huge selections of fashion, art, and design books.
Places to explore
Canal Saint Martin: A charming neighborhood with an authentic Parisian vibe.
Flea markets: Paris is a treasure trove of vintage and antique items with all its weekend flea markets. You can find out when and where they’re happening by checking out Brocabrac or the City of Paris’ official website.
Musée des Archives Nationales: A free museum full of old documents and exhibitions delving into the history of France. The building and its amazing interior are worth a visit on their own.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent: A small museum showcasing Yves Saint Laurent clothes, photos, and documentaries. This is well worth a visit if you love vintage fashion. (There’s also a nice gift shop full of fun little trinkets.)
Place des Vosges: This is the oldest square in Paris and a beautiful spot to sit and soak up the sun.
Rue Vieille du Temple: A very old street in Le Marais full of charming restaurants, cafés, and shops. The apartment we lived in is located on Rue Vieille du Temple, so we spent countless hours strolling along the street and exploring its surrounding neighborhood.
I’ll come back to this list when I finally reach Paris, but I’m excited to potentially run into each other when I visit Denmark again. 🫶🏽
Ahh i'm so jealous you went to Grouvie!! ❤️