Paris Pocket Guide: What to see, do and eat in the City of Light
TPG has launched a new social media series called Pocket Guides, bringing you along to some of our favorite destinations around the world, both up-and-coming hidden gems and tried-and-true classics.
If you haven’t checked them out yet, we’ve got Pocket Guides to Honolulu; Banff, Alberta; and Madeira, Portugal; which can all be found on our Instagram stories highlights and our TikTok. Now, we wanted to share our latest Pocket Guide to one of the world’s most popular cities: Paris.
Sightseeing boats cruise the Seine. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
The City of Light is set to take center stage next year with the 2024 Summer Olympics. Whether you’re planning a trip to see the Games or just because it's Paris, we’ve got you covered with suggestions of what to see, do, eat and drink.
The Arc de Triomphe. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
You can check out our top picks in the video Pocket Guide to Paris:
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And here is a brief rundown of how to spend a perfect day in the French capital:
Start out with some fresh air and sunshine — ideal for combatting post-flight jet lag — with an electric boat rental at the Marin d’Eau Douce. The dock is located in the tranquil Bassin de la Villette, just adjacent to picturesque Canal Saint Martin. Rentals run from one to three hours with vessels that can carry anywhere from five to 11 people. If you want to explore the surrounding canals, you’ll need to book a longer rental, but one hour costs 40 euros (about $45) and you can even get a picnic basket with drinks and snacks for 9 euros ($10).
Next, soak in a bit of culture at the palatial Hotel de la Marine. Situated along one side of the Place de la Concorde near the Louvre and Tuileries Gardens, this impressive 18th-century edifice was once the repository of royal furnishings to the courts of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI. After the French Revolution, it became the French Navy headquarters for over 200 years until 2015. Then it was painstakingly refurbished and restocked with historical treasures for several years before reopening to the public in January 2023. This truly breathtaking collection of treasures is well worth a visit, with tickets starting at 17 euros ($19).
Next up: refreshments. Stroll down the Rue de Rivoli to Angelina, an ornate historic tea room dating to 1903, where the specialty is oh-so-dark and creamy hot chocolate. Try a signature Mont Blanc pastry as well, with decadent chestnut paste and fluffy whipped cream.
Stroll over to the 19th-century covered shopping arcade, Galerie Vivienne, to peruse the wares at various bookstores, toy shops and one of Paris’s most famous wine purveyors, Legrand Filles et Fils. After that, it’s time to test your olfactory skills with a scent-mixing workshop and tour at Fragonard’s Musee du Parfum for 29 euros ($32) per person. You’ll even get to take the perfume you make home with you.
As your day of sightseeing winds down, traipse over to the sleepy 16th arrondissement for a glass of Champagne. The selection changes by the day, but typically you'll find one white, one rose and one vintage at Le Dokhan’s Champagne Bar, which is a stunning re-creation of an 18th-century salon with antique wood paneling painted an eye-catching eau de nil and gilt accents glinting by candlelight. Be sure to check out the elevator created from a vintage Louis Vuitton steamer trunk while you’re at it.
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
By this time you’ll probably be famished, so head to the nearby bistro, Les Marches, for a classic French repast of steak frites. You can choose from various cuts of meat, which arrive at the table sizzling and cooked to order with pepper or bearnaise sauce, and accompanied by heaping bowls of perfectly crisp golden fries.
It’s finally time to get a good night’s rest, so check into the InterContinental Paris — Le Grand, one of the world’s best InterContinental hotels. This grande dame originally opened in 1862, but despite its age, it’s looking fresh and youthful thanks to a recent redecoration by in-demand hotel designer Pierre-Yves Rochon.
The guest rooms have elegant but understated furnishings and some boast excellent views of the Paris rooftops and nearby Opera Garnier. Be sure to stick around for breakfast at the opulent Cafe de la Paix for excellent omelets and equally intriguing people-watching, and splurge on a styling at the in-house Balmain salon or a treatment at the ANJ Wellness Spa. Rates start around $500 or 80,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Check out our other posts on Paris with tips on how to make the most of your time there:
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.