Paris really captivates you - being in this city gives you a feeling unlike any other. As I reminisce of my few summer days spent in the city of lights, I feel jealous of the people lucky enough to call it home. I love cities like Paris where there is so much to see and do that boredom is not an option. During our visit in late June, we spent our time walking along the Seine, cycling on winding bike paths, and riding the metro line across the city. Living in Los Angeles, we aren't as lucky to have the transportation and walkable neighborhoods that Paris offers. Maybe that's why I loved it so much!

What To See:

• Tour Eiffel
• Arc de Triomphe
• Sacred Heart Cathedral
• Luxembourg Gardens
• Palais Royal
• Jardin Touleries
• Colored house on Rue Cremieux

What To Do:

• Rent Velib bikes to cycle around the city
• Musee de Louvre
• Tour Palace of Versaille
• Rodin Museum
• Tour Notre Dame Cathedral
• Shopping on Boulevard Haussmann
• Dinner cruise on the Seine - still on my bucket list!

Where To Eat:

• Aux Trois Mailletz
• L'Atlas (Saint-Germain-des-Prés)
• Lezard Cafe (2nd arrondissement)

• Chez Suzette (5th arrondissement)

• La Maison Rose (Montemarte)

• Le Consulate (Montemarte)

• Restaurant Georgette (Saint-Germain-des-Prés)

Where To Drink:

• Bar le Perchoir
• Mama Shelter
• Le Montana
• Les Ombres
• Maison Blanche
• La Caveau de la Huchette - this underground bar is a popular spot for jazz music and swing dancing

Where To Stay:

• Hotel L’Echiquier Opera Paris MGallery by Sofitel (Opera)

• Hotel Plaza Athenee (Champs-Elysees)

• Four Seasons Hotel George V (Champs-Elysees)

• Relais Christine Hotel (Saint-Germain-des-Prés)

• Hotel Millesime (Saint-Germain-des-Prés)

• Hotel Raphael (Chaillot)

Usually when I visit Paris, I stay in the St. Germain des Pres. This time Matt and I chose a lovely hotel in the opera district called, Hotel L'Echiquier Opera. This was an exquisite boutique hotel with so much Parisian charm that I would definitely stay again. It was close to the metro and there were bikes we could rent to easily take us wherever we wanted. 

There are some activities and sights that I was excited to see for the first time and some I wish we could have found a way to fit into our schedule. But c'est la vie! It just means we'll have to come back for our dinner cruise on the Seine next time! The first sight I made a top priority on our itinerary was seeing the colored houses on Rue Cremieux. This street was all over my Instagram feed and I had to find it. Once we arrived I was amazed that besides the beautiful houses, there was so much character from the people who lived there. The neighbors were so- neighborly! They sat out on the steps of their doorways chatting leisurely with one another. I was probably expecting a quiet street, but it was so full of life which made the city much more lovable.