Paris, France (Nina Smallhorn)

• More about your oliver guide: Nina Smallhorn
• Trip type: Family, City
• Activity level: moderate
• Ideal length of trip: NEVER ENOUGH TIME IN PARIS... 1 WEEK IS A MUST

to & from

The way to get to Paris is by train. Eurostar from London to Paris….DIVINE. Definitely spend a little more on the Premier seats with a meal. Views of the countryside are picturesque with little steeples and villages along specs of green.

Where to Stay

Le Saint Hotel: Family Rooms are beautifully appointed.

Where to Eat and Drink

• Cafe de Flore in St Germain for a Croque Monsieur.
• Chocolat Chaud anywhere and everywhere.
• Camille in the Marais.
• Drinks at Le Cafe Marly across from the Pyramids at the Louvre.
• Drinks in the newly refurbished Hemingway Bar at The Ritz.

What to Do

• Buy a Paris Pass. Allows access to most museums and sites. Offers fast track to many. Do note that once you activate it, the days are consecutive.
• Musee d'Orsay is closed on Monday and the Louvre closed on Tuesday.
• When traveling with young ones, plan on having a little down time or plenty of stops of Chocolat Chaud or Macaroons. There are Laudurees everywhere that can solve that.

inside scoop

• UBER is the best way to "cab" around. They are plentiful, affordable and very nice.
• Always try to speak French- even if you can't speak well.
• Greet everyone with a Bonjour Monsieur/Madame. Bon Soir and A bientot.
• Always keep you personal items close and zipped in.
• While the lights are festive at Christmas time, we much prefer visiting Paris in warmer weather when we can walk, walk walk and sit in the park with a ham and cheese baguette.

What to Pack

more...

See Rachel Wynn’s Paris Guide here.

See Amy Blake’s Paris Guide here.

See Megan Escher’s Paris Guide here.

See Kara Schwabauer’s Paris Guide here.