I have been to The City of Love quite a few times (and even lived in Lyon for a month!) and it is absolutely magical. It isn't the cleanest city and there is a good amount of pick-pocketing, but I really think this place is just as special as you would expect. I also have heard that the French are not very nice to Americans, but I have always had a great experience and everyone is very kind.
Fun fact - you can take the Chunnel (or Channel Tunnel) to/from London and Paris, which is a fast underground train that takes between 2 - 2.5 hours. Purchase tickets online!
Below is a list of recommendations ranging from accommodations to food and activities. Theres a reason I keep going back to Paris, and I hope you see the magic in this city as well.
All recommendations beginning with an *asterisks are the ones that I recommend the most.
Accommodations:
All of the below accommodations are hostels. I really enjoyed staying in them and would recommend them all - but the top one is probably my favorite.
Food:
*Laduree: Located on Avenue des Champs-Élysées, this is an elegant restaurant on both the inside and outside. They are known for their French macaroons, but they also offer a wide menu of items. Whether you sit down and enjoy the ambiance, or take the macaroons to-go... you will love it either way.
Restaurant on the Effiel Tower: I have never dined in the restaurant located located ON the Eiffel Tower but I can imagine that it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I highly recommend booking a reservation months in advance, as I doubt they will be available with days leading up to your visit. Even if the food is sub-par, the view would make it worth it.
*Nina's Marie-Antoinette Tea Room: My favorite tea room in the entire world - pink themed of course! The Marie-Antoinette hot tea and slide of cake are two MUSTS that you need to order. They also have a bunch of neat items you can buy that would be perfect for gifts! The location is also great, as it is surrounded by luxury shopping which elevates the experience (even though I only window shop).
I have also heard that Angelina is a great tea room!
Le Refuge Des Fondus: Drinks served in a baby bottle and fondue makes for a very fun, unique, and cozy experience. Make a reservation beforehand.
Lili's NYC: *Permanently Closed* A cute bakery that serves desserts and lattes.
Activities:
Walking Tour: I always recommend to sign up for a free walking tour whenever you visit a new city - there are plenty of tours to choose from! I have seen ranges from 20 to 120 minutes, so you can choose what best fits your schedule. You truly see so much of the city and learn things you wouldn't otherwise know about the area.
*Fragonard Perfumery & Museum Tour (Musée du Parfum): One of my favorite perfume stores in the world. You can choose to only go into the store, or you can book a tour and learn about how they are made. You can only purchase these products at this location, as they are not sold online.
Catacombs of Paris: The catacombs are so cool and full of history. I recommend reading about them but Google describes them as "underground ossuaries in Paris, France, which hold the remains of more than six million people in a small part of a tunnel network built to consolidate Paris's ancient stone quarries."
*Moulin Rouge: A famous cabaret in Paris, also known as the birth-place of the can can dance, located on Boulevard de Clichy. This should be high on your list when visited as its SUCH a cool experience. You can buy tickets and see a show, or just walk around and enjoy the lively area! Great photo spot and not far from the Montmartre Village.
*Montmartre Village: A "Village" on top of the Montmartre Hill, where Sacré-Cœur sits. Very quaint and cute, especially during the holidays. Love walking around this area. I remember getting mulled wine and walking into the Biscuiterie De Montmartre for some treats.
Shopping on Avenue des Champs-Élysées: One of the most well-known streets in Paris. Very fun to walk down, take in the sights and eat yummy food.. including escargot (which is actually very good). The Arc de Triomphe is located on this road!
Boat Ride on the Seine: The river that runs through Paris and gives you a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower, day or night. I personally loved the night time tour because of the glistening Tower that reflects off of the water. I have linked various types of tours from romantic dinner cruises, to your average boat tour - you can't go wrong!
Landmarks/
*Eiffel Tower: The BEST part of Paris, especially when it glistens at night. It sparkles from dusk until midnight, at the top of every hour for 5 minutes - and it makes me cry every time. My favorite viewing spot is Trocadéro Square (non-grass area a few streets from the tower) or Champ-de-Mars (grass area right next to the tower). I also highly recommend buying tickets online to go up the tower, otherwise be prepared to wait in a line. There are 3 "stories" and you can take 2 elevators or climb most of the way and then take 1 elevator. I prefer to go up during the day, but the night view is also captivating.
*Louvre Museum: Another must-see as it is one of the most popular museums in the world. I recommend purchasing tickets online to avoid long lines. Definitely plan a few hours to explore, but don't expect to see the entire museum as that would probably take you more than a day. Plan out exactly what you want to see, including the Mona Lisa (which is a small painting in a very crowded room). A plus is that the surrounding outside area is also beautiful!
*Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris: Another very grand and very popular church in the heart of Paris. A must see both inside and out!
*Arc de Triomphe: Located on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, this is a famous landmark in the center of a roundabout road. DO NOT try to cross the road to get to the Arc, you will get run over by the mass amount of traffic. Instead, you take the steps down one of the nearby subway stations, cross the road underneath, and come up at the Arc. This is not very clear, so if you get confused I would ask someone nearby.
*Sacré-Cœur: Also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, this stunning church sits on a hill overlooking the city. An awesome spot to catch a sunset, have a picnic, or explore Montmartre Village.
My favorite gardens in Paris are Jardin Du Luxembourg/Luxembourg Palace & Gardens & the Tuileries Garden. Both are beautiful, relaxing, and absolutely stunning - a great spot to get out of the bustling city.
*Palace of Versailles: Located outside of the city, this is another must see. Again, I recommend purchasing tickets online beforehand as there is always a long line. I also recommend going when they open as there will be less crowds. There isn't much surrounding the palace, just some local food shops but the palace itself is absolutely captivating. I highly recommend touring both the inside and the gardens outside as well.
Love Lock Bridge (Pont Des Arts): The original Love Lock Bridge is no longer around as it got too heavy to hold the locks. It was SO cool, as many lovers "locked" their love on the bridge with a lock & key. There are many articles about the history and its significance in the city of love.
Pont Alexandre III: A famous bridge that crosses the Seine River.
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