Travel guide: Paris, France

Written By Gavin Hinton

“Paris is the best city in the world.” While a subjective statement, someone, somewhere said it. In honour of said person – whoever you are – and their proportionate love for the city, below is a guide for the best ways to experience Paris. 

These thoughts were assembled with very specific travellers in mind, and if you’re among them you’re elite in my eyes. My advice is best suited for the following:

  • Coffee lovers

  • Tourists who would be remiss not to seem like a local

  • Vintage shoppers looking for the best finds, not the cheapest

  • Foodies who enjoy a mixed variety of options

  • Travellers who treasure hunt for unsung gems

Canal Saint Martin, Paris

Finding your way around

Where the cool people are:

  • 3rd/4th (specifically Le Marais, Enfants-Rouges)

  • 10th/11th (specifically Canal St Martin, Place de la République)

  • Montmarte/Pigalle (specifically Lamarck, St Georges)

Pro tip: When navigating the city, metro is fast and fun, but navigating on the bus is usually less crowded and provides amazing views as it climbs the cobble roads and goes through the tight streets

Pro tip: Keep phones out of sight on transit (I held mine in my pocket at all times) and stand away from the entrances (I usually had my back to the side of the train/bus) — when thinking of bags to tour around with, try to use an over-the-shoulder bag to prevent pickpockets

Where to shop:

  • Le Marais

  • Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Where to exercise caution:

  • Careful around the tourist spots (la Tour, Arc, Sacré) — generally safe, but more tourists than locals here, which attracts pickpockets, etc.

  • 19th/20th some interesting spots, but outside the city and where the "Paris experience" seems less obvious

  • Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est — often necessary for train + metro transfers, but stay vigilant if walking outside at any time (try to avoid if possible)

  • Barbès-Rochechouart, Château Rouge — would recommend steering clear of these metro stops and the area

  • Saint-Denis — the RER train from CDG will go near this area, but you likely won't be touring this spot

  • Place de Clichy, Boulevard de Clichy — this is where Moulin Rouge is, but it's also the red light

Finding coffee

  • Motors Coffee (best flat whites in the city — must go)

  • KB Coffee (best beans I've found in Europe — pour overs are "fruity and funky" and their drip/batch brews are the best I've had)

  • Partisan Cafe (amazing in the spring/summer and this coffee shop turns into an inside-outside vibe with lots of trendy people)

  • Cortado (located at the top of Le Marais, inspiring area where you'll spot the best dressed folks in Paris, young and old)

  • Buddy Buddy (peanut butter-infused coffee — took every friend who visited me to this spot and they still reminisce)

  • Bonjour Jacob (great coffee, as well as niche magazines for purchase — very close to Buddy Buddy)

Finding snacks, lunch, and brunch

  • Cafe Singuliers

  • Saint Pearl Saint-Germain

  • Brother Sister Brunch

  • JANET by Homer (amazing sandwiches, quick service)

  • Chapon Chocolaterie (must try for chocolate mousse)

Finding spots at night

  • Chez Nous (bustling wine bar in the heart of Saint-Germain, standing room only lots of time)

  • Mao Dumpling Bar (not French food, but a young-people spot with authentic dumplings people rave about)

  • Pink Mammas (book a reso here early, line ups outside the door otherwise — authentic, delish Italian food, my waiter came from Lake Como)

  • Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards (too crowded for the whole fam, but a true French experience of traditional Bouillon)

  • Brasserie Dubillot (great environment with authentic French cuisine and good wine pairings)

Finding vintage

  • Episode (visited this spot weekly and there were always new additions — shop is sorted by style and colours)

  • KiloShops (prices are measured by weight, packed full of goodies — take your time to sort through and you'll find some gems)

  • Thanx God I'm a VIP (highly rated shop — curated and high quality)

Pro tip: Many shops are not sorted by gender — lean into this and get creative with what you buy (I'm pretty sure I bought an overcoat that was once worn by a 90-year old grandmother, and people love it )

Pro tip: Bring totes/reusable bags to save buying one at the counter

Gavin Hinton