First thing you see at the Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris telling you it loves you
Summer is fireworks & music; Sring is ‘out of office’; Autumn is season of new wines and Winter is hot chocolate, mulled wine, and galettes
Summer was mainly the Bastille Day (July 14) celebrations, with Eiffel Tower fireworks and military parades on the Champs-Élysées. I remember booking my office rooftop at midnight to go up and see the fireworks and boy was it grand- imagine fireworks against the sparkling Eiffel tower. The other big day was Fête de la Musique (June 21), when the entire city transformed into a 24-hour music festival, with streets, cafés, and even balconies turned into concert venues. I remember wandering the streets untill early hours in the morning and I was far from alone
Spring unveiled new fashion collections and peaceful city streets, as Parisians escaped to the coast for the European holiday season, with the famous "out of office" auto response emails
Autumn in Paris was wrapped in golden leaves and fine wine. One of the city’s seasonal highlights is Beaujolais Nouveau Day (celebrated the third Thursday of November), which marks the arrival of the young red wine with festive tastings in wine bars across the city
Winter was about coziness, tradition, and indulgence. I used to buy Galette des Rois—flaky, almond-filled pastries with a hidden fève (figurine), in celebration of Epiphany and the Three Kings. It’s also the season for sipping vin chaud and the most indulgent chocolat chaud affogato. My top three recommendations? Grom, Les Deux Magots, and Angelina Paris—in that order—for the best hot chocolates in town
The Four Seasons of Paris
Growing up, I often saw the Eiffel Tower framed in romantic movies, cardboard cut-outs at weddings, and dreamy Paris proposals. I always wondered—how did this towering metal structure become such an iconic symbol of love?
Built in 1889 for the World’s Fair, the structure was originally meant to be temporary, intended to showcase French engineering brilliance. But it outlasted its planned fate, thanks in part to its utility—eventually housing communication antennas and becoming critical for military transmissions
And then during World War II, as Nazi forces occupied Paris, Adolf Hitler reportedly ordered the destruction of the Eiffel Tower and the city. But General Dietrich von Choltitz, the then German military governor of Paris, defied Hitler’s commands and chose to spare the city (this decision earned him clemency from the French government during the Nuremberg Trials), and that, perhaps, is why the Eiffel Tower came to symbolize love—not just for its graceful silhouette against the Parisian sky, but for its survival through time?
Little Eiffel Tower wine opener from the gift shop at the top of the Eiffel
Rodin and Camile Claudel. Camille Claudel is perhaps the most famous of Auguste Rodin’s protégées. She was his student, muse, and later, mistress. Their relationship is believed to have been as passionate as it was tragic—marked by intense artistic collaboration, deep emotional connection, and eventual heartbreak. You can witness this emotional arc in the sculptures of both Rodin and Claudel, many of which are on display at the stunning Musée Rodin in Paris. From Rodin’s The Kiss to Claudel’s evocative works like The Waltz and The Abandonment, it's like watching a soap opera etched in marble.
If you’re inspired to sculpt something yourself (clay, not marble—thankfully!), the Airbnb Experience: Sculpt a Bust is a perfect place to start. I walked away from that class with two self-created, now deeply cherished, pieces: Le Petit Prince and Le Petite Reine.
Musee Rodin, Camile's The Waltz, and Rodin's The Kiss, and my Le Peitit Reine
192 Michelin restaurants, 1 three course dining at 3am
Paris is home to the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. Fun fact: Michelin Guide itself was born in France, originally created by the Michelin tire company in 1900s to encourage road trips (and tire sales) by spotlighting great restaurants across the country. So yes the city has great restaurants, and at the same time - it also offers the luxury of fine dining until 5 a.m!
In many parts of the world, late-night food means kebabs, pizza, or fries. In Paris? It means white tablecloths, silverware, and Sole Meunière served with escargots and wine—at 3 a.m.
For a true taste of this late-night elegance, I used to go to Au Pied de Cochon, one of Paris’s few 24-hour gourmet restaurants. Located in Les Halles district, this brasserie has been a Parisian institution since 1947. Expect to be guided through the menu by a knowledgeable sommelier, even in the early hours, and don’t skip their signature onion soup gratinée or perfectly paired French wines
Paris fashion week, month, year, decade, century. Strolling through Paris—past the flagship stores of LVMH’s 70+ luxury brands, iconic maisons like Hermès, Goyard, and independent labels such as Fifi Chachnil and Roger Vivier—you can't help but ask: how did this city become the global fashion capital?
The Apple TV+ docuseries “The New Look” tells the story beautifully, tracing Paris’s fashion legacy to the aftermath of World War II, when legends like Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, and Balenciaga all began as interns under Lucien Lelong.
Paris’s reverence for its fashion history is still on full display. Visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, explore the elegant Christian Dior Museum, or step into the opulent Musée Baccarat to see how the city preserves and celebrates its style legacy. Watch the show, walk the streets, visit the museums
Fashion Musuems in Paris
Tracing Franco-American ties. While browsing for truffled butter and snacking at the iconic La Grande Épicerie de Paris—the world’s oldest department store, owned by LVMH—I stumbled upon a humorous contrast: one aisle brimming with French cheeses, fresh baguettes, and cured meats; the other labeled États-Unis, stocked with just Heinz ketchup and a single plastic-wrapped bun. A bit of caricature of culinary cultures?
On a Airbnb Parisology walking tour (highly recommended!) through Saint-Germain and along the Seine, I came across portraits of Benjamin Franklin, statues of Thomas Jefferson, and the American-flag-marked grave of Marquis de Lafayette—a powerful reminder of the formative time key American revolutionaries spent in Paris, inspired by the French ideals of Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
From France’s support during the American Revolution to the Louisiana Purchase (which once made France the owner of nearly half of U.S. land), this bond shaped both nations. Today, Lafayette Square in D.C., French characters in Hamiltonthe musical, and Mount Vernon’s French artifacts all testify to this alliance
FT debates, Le Grand Epicerie, half of America being former French, Benjamin Franklin & me
French and happy mood? While wrapping up my French long-stay visa application online—a process that’s anything but quick or painless—I encountered a surprise: a feedback form. It featured the classic 1–10 rating scale, but each number came with an emoticon. 1 was a droopy sad face captioned “not good,” 5 had a flat-line straight face labeled “average,” and 10? That just said “alright” with a reluctant half-smile. No joy, no sparkle. Either the French administration doesn’t believe in happy emoticons—or showing happiness on your face is culturally discouraged (as some would definitely relate)—or maybe even their own system knows no one’s walking away from these forms grinning
Entertainment exists en anglais, too. As a non-French speaker living in Paris, I often craved creative spaces I could enjoy in English—and to my delight, they’re everywhere if you know where to look.
Start with Lost in Frenchlation, a concept that screens iconic French films with English subtitles. For those looking for laughs, there is a one-man comedy show How to Become a Parisian in One Hour by Olivier Giraud. There is also Le Pigalle or Le Café Lautrec where DJs spin everything from Britney Spears and Taylor Swift to retro pop and international hits - basically everything all other bars in Paris will not play
The Romanticism of French Dating in the City of Love
As a single girl in my 20s living in Paris, I had the opportunity to experience the French way of romance. Dates often began with a charming gesture—like a French man arriving with a box of Pierre Hermé macarons (I hear a box of 4-6 symbolises likeness, and any bigger box is deeper commitment!), or an invitation to explore the Marché Bastille - where we'd pick out fresh ingredients together, then head home to cook a meal
Other dates included walks along the Seine River, evenings at the Opéra Garnier, or admiring modern art at Centre Pompidou. There was also strolling the Coulée Verte René-Dumont—an elevated green walkway built over an old railway line
Another great date spot was the Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck. At 210 meters, it’s the city’s highest point, offering 360° views of landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and Notre-Dame. Since it’s a bit of a walk from the metro, pairing the visit with a movie at the nearby Pathé Montparnasse—a sleek theater with comfy recliner seats is great.
This was all in sharp contrast to American dating norms of going out for fried chicken or sports games, French romance felt poetic. Europe is winning for me.
Montparnasse, date nights
Museums of History of Paris. While the major art museums in Paris—like the Louvre, Musée de l'Orangerie (famous for Monet's water lilies), Musée d'Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou—rightly get all the attention, there are also a few hidden gems worth visiting. One such treasure is the Musée Carnavalet, a museum dedicated to the history of Paris. Here, you’ll learn about how the city’s iconic boulevards and buildings were meticulously redesigned under Baron Haussmann, the architect behind 70% of modern Paris. His legacy is visible in the uniform façades, ‘Haussmanian buildings’ and tree-lined avenues that define Paris today
Another lesser-known yet historically rich site is Les Invalides, a military museum that also houses the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. A fascinating design detail: the tomb is located underground, directly beneath a glass oculus on the main floor. Visitors must look down—literally bowing their heads—to view it. This was no accident; it was purposefully built so that all who visit would, by design, bow before one of Europe’s greatest military leaders- very cool?
‘Midnight in Paris’ at Montmarte. Montmartre is the artistic soul of Paris—once home to artists like Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Salvador Dalí. That spirit still lingers today, with artists sketching near the central carousel. If you've seen Midnight in Paris, you’ll recognize the cobbled streets, ivy-covered houses, the glowing white Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and Paris's last working vineyard, Clos Montmartre.
At the foot of the hill, you’ll find the very recognizeable windmill of Moulin Rouge, the world-famous cabaret. My personal Moulin Rouge experience was a bit underwhelming when the show began with Pharrell Williams' "Happy"?—it felt more like Las Vegas than the romantic Paris I had imagined. If you’re looking for other cabaret options with a more traditional Parisian flair, I’d recommend Crazy Horse,Paradis Latin, and Le Nouvelle Eve for a more intimate and classic experience
Versailles and tennis court. The Palace of Versailles is the epitome of royalty and extravagance—I remember walking through its grand halls thinking, “Wow, it must've been nice to live here.” From the Hall of Mirrors to the gold-drenched ceilings and lavish decor
But as I listened to the audio guide (highly recommended), it became clear that this luxury was short-lived. The etiquette and opulence of Versailles only served to widen the gap between the royalty and the common people, eventually forcing the king and queen back to Paris, sealing their tragic fate. So yes, Versailles was dreamy, but only for a very specific time in history. Plan a few hours for the palace itself, and if you’ve got extra time, rent a rowboat on the Grand Canal, explore Marie Antoinette’s hamlet, or swing by the estate’s tennis court—the site of the famous Tennis Court Oath that helped kick off the French Revolution
Hymn A La Mour & the Olympics. Irrespective of whether you’ve been to Paris, you’ve probably come across some version of French music—particularly the iconic works of Édith Piaf, like La Vie en Rose (Life is Pink) or Hymne à l’Amour. I was first introduced to French music during the Olympics 2024 opening ceremony, where as a surprise performance, Celine Dion sang Hymne à l’Amour from the Eiffel Tower’s second floor and declared the games open. The whole city just stopped. Streets went quiet, people teared up, and it felt like Paris was holding its breath - probably the most unique music concert I have seen
Trinity of Rue Madame, Rue Croissant, Rue Dupetit. I had three go-to streets in Paris, and would recommend them highly
Rue Madame in Saint-Germain for quirky Marin Montaugaut designs—like tablecloths embroidered with street names
And Rue Dupetit in the Marais, where I’d hit up Ofr Paris bookstore for its awesome art and design picks
Train to Disneyland via La Vallee Village. If you do decide to go to Disneyland Paris like I did with my family, you’ll want to stop at the station before Disneyland, which is La Vallée Village. Similar to Bicester Village in London, La Vallée Village is an open-air shopping complex offering around 50 boutiques from renowned French and international brands, providing significant savings on previous season collections of up to 30-60%. A bit of adult indulgence before getting lost in the childhood magic of Disneyland Paris
Time tunnels through Passages. The 20 or so Passages of Paris are charming glass-roofed shopping galleries or covered markets. I had the unique chance to stay in an apartment atop Passage du Grand Cerf (likely available for rent via ParisAttitude). Every morning, I’d look down through the glass wall to see bookshops, antique dealers, and ateliers below, with tourists carrying baguettes and trinkets. Highly recommended for short stays
‘Suitcases and Spreadsheets’ at Champs de Lysse. My office was on Avenue des Champs-Élysées. I’d take the metro to George V, then walk about 10 minutes. The most unforgettable sight on that walk was the giant LVMH silver suitcase—basically the size of a building, always crowded with tourists snapping photos. Originally, it was just scaffolding covering construction for LVMH’s hotel, expected to open in early 2026. If the hotel’s exterior isn’t suitcase-themed, this quirky landmark will be missed. Most of my time was spent in the office, especially in meeting rooms named after Paris streets—like Champs-Élysées, where I’d spend hours in meetings or crunching spreadsheets. That room is where the idea for this travelogue first took shape
My very French office
City Marathon in Olympics’2024.I lived in Paris all through 2024, though I probably saw most of the city during the Summer Olympics
Paris Olympics 2024 was full of firsts—the opening ceremony took place outdoors across the city, with athletes arriving by boat, LVMH-designed medals, Céline Dion singing a French song atop the Eiffel Tower, and opera singers performing by the Seine
If you missed it, just watch the Olympics opening ceremony to get a real feel for Paris and France. Another standout moment was the “Marathon Pour Tous”, where over 20,000 amateur runners tackled the Olympic marathon route. Starting at 11 p.m. and running until 5 a.m., locals lined the streets, playing music, serving wine and cheese, and cheering on neighbors—all while the Eiffel Tower sparkled in the background. It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful marathon I’ve ever experienced
Baron de la truffle. If you’re a truffle fan like me, Paris offers plenty of ways to indulge. You can go truffle hunting with Baron De La Truff and his dog Lafayette near Chinon, or try a truffle tasting menu at Truff in the Latin Quarter
There’s also Truffe de Maison, a spot to dine and shop for truffle oils, creams, sauces, and fresh truffles. For a simple yet unforgettable dish, Mori’s butter oil tagliolini with truffles is a must. But why are truffles so sought after? The flavor of truffle, on the scale of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami, is umami. Umami is a savory deep flavor that enhances other flavors. Then there is the deep, earthy, intoxicating fragrance of the mushroom that gives it its distinctive recognition and perhaps adds to the allure
Latin quarter, young and old. On the left bank of the Seine, the Latin Quarter buzzes with students from Sorbonne, ENS, and Sciences Po, keeping the area forever young. Millennials and Gen Z love spotting ‘Emily in Paris’s apartment’—even the French PM once tweeted, “Emily should stay in Paris” when the show’s character moved to Rome. This part of the city, although feeling young, is built on ancient bones. The 16th-century Pantheon, the old bookstore called Shakespeare & Co. in the 1960s, and a museum dedicated to Marie Curie, which also houses her lab
Latin Quarter
Everything else to do in Paris? When I was moving to Paris, my friends recommended sortiraparis.com, @americanfille or @bengue.z on Instagram—all of which I would encourage you to explore for fun, tips and tricks of navigating Paris.
This, along with some of the above treasures I discovered while living in the city should tell you all you must not miss in Paris. These will then become for you the famous ‘Moveable Feast’ or pieces of Paris, as Hemingway describes it, which you take with you always
Any and every patteserie, and Bar Hemingway
Concluding reflection: Either the French are excellent at marketing or no one beats Skincare, Fashion, & Food of Paris.
