Room Blocks

A newly renovated, historic hotel in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Lutetia is one of our favorite hotels in Paris. The rooms are smartly designed with marble clad bathrooms and fantastic amenities. During WWII it was a frequent gathering place for anti-Nazi German exiles, and in the Nazi regime's propaganda of the time, these exiles were disparagingly called "The Lutetia Crowd". As the war began, The Lutetia attempted to accommodate as many refugees as possible. Because of its reputation, it was filled with a number of displaced artists and musicians and continued on to be a cultural hub to this day. JP Morgan and other corporate rates are available and offer fantastic value otherwise expect to pay premium prices.

A small boutique hotel, rated by the Michelin guide, offering affordable room rates from $200-$400. It’s a short cab ride or a 30 min walk to the wedding venue.

French Theory thrives on inspiration in all its multifarious glory. An hotel, concept store and musical laboratory, French Theory contributes to the creative revival of the Parisian Left Bank. Set in the heart of the Latin Quarter, the hotel includes 48 thoughfully-designed rooms and suites. The ground floor provides culinary and cultural nourishment via the café and the Botanical Room concept store. The cellar houses the beating heart of French Theory, the Audio Lab. Rates start around $250.

The Hotel recreates the universe of mankind and the creations that invite us to travel and contemplate, inspired by the Orient and imbued with rich purple hues, marbled patterns and premium materials complemented by exotic plants and antique objects.

As the former home of a family who once played a significant part in the artistic community of the Left Bank, the HOTEL MONGE, in the heart of the 5th arrondissement of Paris, has always been an address of prestige and significance in the Latin Quarter. Rates start at $200 and go up from there.

This is how hotel minimalism is supposed to be done — instead of feeling stripped to the studs, Hôtel de Nell is imbued with a tranquil, understated warmth, and a depth of texture that's so often lost at other pared-down hotels. As ever, it's all in the details: the heated parquet floors topped with easy-on-the-toes organic wool carpets, black stone-walled showers you'll never want to get out of, and, in the better rooms, massive Japanese bathtubs carved from single blocks of raw marble and fitted with Oregon myrtlewood accessories. Rates start at $300.

This hotel came recommended to us from a friend who is a Paris local who has host guests here. Located between Republique and Bastille in the heart of Paris, this former workshop was transformed into a chic and stylish hotel. The 33 guest rooms are as stylish as they are comfortable with rates ranging from $200-$400 U.S.

For a truly unique and luxurious experience, book a night or two at the Le Grand Contrôle, part of Chateau Versailles. Guests get rare, private access to the palace, golf carts to explore the grounds and a private butler. We were engaged in the Hall of Mirrors during a late night tour and celebrated after in their restaurant by chef Alan Ducasse. Guests stay in original rooms with original furniture from the palace.

Historic hotel in the heart of Champagne, walking distance to may Champagne houses and has a fantastic Michelin rated restaurant.

If you venture out of Paris and want to explore Burgundy, Levernois is a wonderful hotel with a Michelin rated restaurant.

This cozy wine bar only serves wine from Burgundy, featuring local cheeses and charcuterie. They offer flights, wines by the glass or you can take a few bottles home.

We discovered Comice on our first trip to Paris and is one of our favorites. A trip isn’t complete for us unless we visit this lovely Michelin rated restaurant. Owned and operated by a Canadian couple, they serve modern French cuisine with a star studded wine list. Not to be missed.

A fantastic classic French Bistro in the heart of Paris. You will find warm service inside a rustic bistro showcasing a stellar wine list along side French classics like steak frites. Unpretentious and a great spot for lunch or dinner.

An iconic cafe in Saint-Germain-Des-Pres, they offer great bistro fare. Their quiche is to die for and highly recommended. Expect it to be busy but it has lots of indoor and outdoor seating.

Known for their souffles this stand out restaurant offers both savory and sweet souffles in the Saint-Germain-Des-Pres area of Paris.

They have more than 1,000 wines on their wine list and a large list by the glass. Each wine offers something unique and through their expertise, you’ll find something to love. They also offer tasting classes and day trips to local vineyards.

An iconic restaurant near the Hotel De Crillon, they are known for their rich, hot chocolate, desserts and attached chocolate shop. Book early because reservations an be hard to come by.

Rated one of the top 50 restaurants in the world, this two Michelin star restaurant is unpretentious and offers a unique experience. It’s one we won’t forget. The ever-changing seasonal menu puts the quality of the ingredients centre stage.

We had a great time aboard the Bateaux Mouches dinner cruise. They offer lunch, dinner and standard boat cruises along the Seine River. The food was ok, but the views and vibe make it worth while. A live band helps create a lively atmosphere.

Truly unique cuisine and decor, this Michelin rated restaurant blends French and Israeli influences. Located in a lively neighborhood between rue Saint-Denis and rue Montorgueil, the atmosphere is electric with surprising creative cuisine. Guests sit around the kitchen which is in the center of the room where the chefs interact and serve guests. Dinner theater at it’s best.

We loved this small, romantic restaurant where they serve a tasting menus that rotates each week according to whats available at the market. Like most Parisian restaurants, the table is yours for the night so theres no rush. This affordable and Michelin rate gem is lit by candle light, making it easy to relax and fall into a foodgasm.

Next to the Luxembourg Gardens, we stopped here for breakfast before hunting for our wedding venue. It is owned by an ex-pat and features a blend of Southern U.S. classics mixed with French faire with classic Parisian cafe seating outside. All juices are squeezed to order and you can taste the quality of the ingredients.

For a classic American breakfast, head to Egg&Co. We ate upstairs, which was small and packed so be prepared to get close to your neighbors.

One of the rare chocolate-makers who roast their cocoa, master chocolate maker Chapon has been crafting his naughty gourmet creations since 1986. Known for their chocolate mouse, there are three around the capital, in Chelles, Saint-Mandé and Meaux – with their delightful aromas and captivating treats.

While most of the menu at this sexy Saint-Germain wine bar is composed of well-sourced cheese, charcuterie, and cured fish, there are always one or two cooked dishes, too. The charcuterie is some of the best we’ve had and most of the wine is natural. But this isn’t where you go for a heavy meal – it’s where you go to flirt and giggle and drink beautiful wine. Recommended for a romantic evening or a quiet one-on-one. Open Sunday night.

Right around the corner from Hotel De Crillon, this classic French bistro is great for lunch. You’ll find a mix of locals and tourists eating French classics and sipping wine at this moderately priced spot. We popped in after visiting the hotel during our search for a wedding venue.

Bring your appetite to Josephine Chez Dumonet – a perennial favorite for old-fashioned dishes like boeuf bourguignon, duck confit and gigot d’agneau. It’s the French bistro you’ve always imagined right down to the gruff waiters and red gingham toilet. They make a mean Grand Marnier soufflé as big as your head that must (and should) be ordered at the beginning of the meal. When half portions are available, order those as they tend to be the size of any other restaurant’s normal portions. The wine list is small but offers some nice options.

In the Paris Catacombes, there are 131 steps to go down and 112 steps to climb up so come prepared to walk. In the late eighteenth century, when major public health problems tied to the city’s cemeteries led to a decision to transfer their contents to an underground site. Paris authorities chose an easily accessible site that was, at the time, located outside the capital: the former Tombe-Issoire quarries under the plain of Montrouge. The first evacuations were made from 1785 to 1787 and concerned the largest cemetery in Paris, the Saints-Innocents cemetery.

There are plenty of good reasons to visit the Louvre! No explanation needed.

One of the most famous monuments in Paris, visitors can walk up to the top via a stairwell and take in views of the city. Beware it’s a thigh burner with lots of steps. The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces.

The Eiffel Tower is a classic visit for tourists visiting for the first time. Visitors can take an elevator up to the top for amazing views as well as dine at the restaurant. To avoid a long wait to get down, we took the stairs down. Not for the faint of heart, but with all the food you’ll be eating, its an easy way to burn some calories.

We had a wonderful time, visiting local markets and a variety of cheese, wine and chocolate shops, picking up goods along the way. After getting an assortment of treats, we sat with a small group of 6 and enjoyed everything we bought. The tours are guided by food writers and chefs, providing expertise and a level of knowledge you might not get else where. Its a little more costly than other food tours, be we think it’s worth it. After taking the tour, you will have access to their restaurant guide and blog which is full of great recommendations.

The Palace of Versailles is a former royal residence built by King Louis XIV and where were in engaged. Versailles is about 19 kilometers west of Paris.