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:

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).

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Check out our other posts on Paris with tips on how to make the most of your time there:

• The best hotels in Paris
• From basic economy to first class — here are 3 ways to do Paris on points
• Book this, not that: Getting the most from your hotel points in Paris
• 11 things I learned during my trip to Paris
• How to spend 48 hours in Paris