A guide to a good time in Paris
My city guide on where to shop, eat, drink, and everything in between
It’s been two years since the first Paris shopping guide dropped. At the time, it was my second time there so I shared what I knew. It wasn’t a lot but it was a start to get me familiar with the areas. I know I focus mainly on shopping but I have a lot of other great recommendations that are worth mentioning.
The current Paris list has grown a lot because I’ve been going back more, so I’ve had a proper chance to explore the city a little bit deeper to give you some proper recommendations on things like; where to shop for clothes, bookstores, my favorite restaurants, and places to drink and hangout at with friends.
In today’s letter I’m going to share what my favorite areas of the city to stay in when traveling, clothing stores, un-gatekeeping a list of my favorite restaurants, and bars.
You’ll be able to grab the Google Maps at the bottom of this post where you’ll be able to sort by category: shopping, eats & drinks, and bookstores.
First things first, Paris is pretty big and there are variety of zones you can stay in. I visit during Fashion Week, so I stay around Le Marais/3rd arrondissement for efficiency—a lot of showrooms and events happen here during the week.
While it’s a popular area that becomes absolutely bustling on the weekends, I personally wouldn’t recommend staying in the heart of this zone for the sake of your own serenity. Maybe in the off season, but not during peak traveling time. I’m someone who enjoys a little bit of peace and quiet after a busy day, and staying inside the belly of the beast doesn’t actually help me do that.
Of course we’re all different and if you want to be in the heart of the action, then by all means, you should do it!
The 9th is good but the 11th arrondissement is by far one of my favorite area to stay in right now. Depending how deep you are in the 11th, you’re only a very short walk from Le Marais, but it’s an overall much quieter area that’s filled with great bars and restaurants to enjoy. There’s a vibe in the air that makes you feel a little bit more like a local.
Things that you have to hit
I think that simply looking at the map and hitting the stuff that’s around you will yield great results, but there are suggestions on this list that I would prioritize:
Shopping
Words, Sounds, Colors, and Shapes — Multi-brand retailer with a unique brand selection that’s worth a visit. They used to be called A Young Hiker but have swiftly changed the name. Not entirely sure why, but whatever. They have a cool selection of very unknown Japanese brands. Downstairs you’ll find a curated bookstore and gallery space called The Radical Media Archive.