Travel Guide for a Trip to Paris and London

Recently, I posted a blog recapping my mom and my girls’ trip to Paris and London back in February. I wanted to write another post with all my suggested places to stay, eat and see. I am not an expert on Paris and London as I have only been to Paris twice and this was my first trip to London. But, I did a lot of research and have some good suggestions worth sharing.

You can read that first blog post HERE.

Transportation:

Air Travel – If you’re traveling from the US to Paris or London I find the best flight deals through Hopper and Google flights.

Train – Traveling by train inside Europe, I book my train tickets through TrainLine and Omio.

I talked about this on my other post but here is some info to know if you plan on traveling the

EuroStar between Paris and London.

Major tips to know when taking the EuroStar… I have taken the railways all throughout Europe traveling through Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Denmark and Sweden, but the EuroStar is different. Because we were going from Paris to London you go through Passport check in Paris for London. Then to return you go through passport check in London for Paris. I was not aware of this. Every other train I have gotten on in Europe you just hop on the train and it departs three minutes after it arrives.

Think of EuroStar almost like a flight, there is Passport check and security. Check-in usually opens an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes before the train arrives. The doors close strictly 30 minutes before departure… We learned this the hard way. Thankfully they just put us on the next train two hour later to London. The frustrating part is that we sat in the train station for 2 hours before our train, but it was in a completely different section of the train station. Also they charged us to change our tickets because we missed the train…Not a fun lesson but we now know for future reference.

Once your in Paris and London, their public transportation is very easy to navigate. Take advantage of the subway and the tube. Taxis can get expense.

PARIS

Places to stay:

My most recent trip to Paris we stayed in the cutest AirBnb located in the St. Germain district of Paris, France. It was tiny but we made it work with 4 women and we weren’t in the AirBnb that often anyways. Also, the AirBnb offered a driver from the airport and we were able to check in early, they were so accommodating.

This is the link for the AirBnb in St. Germain. It really is just a one bedroom with a queen bed and a twin pull out couch.

I will link a few more AirBnb’s that I had saved for Paris. I have not stayed at these other places but the pricing, pictures, location and reviews looked good.

1. Cosy and new apartment center of Paris – 4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 bath

2. Fabulous Apartment Grands Boulevard – 6 guests · 2 bedrooms · 3 beds · 1.5 baths

3. Big Flat Front Eiffel Tower with View – 7 guests · 2 bedrooms · 4 beds · 1 bath

4. Arc de Triomphe Champs Elysées Triangle d’or Paris – 4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 bath

5. Lovely flat close to Eiffel Tower – 4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 bath

6. Champs Elysees Apartment – 4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 bath

I don’t have very many hotel suggestions for Paris but the one hotel I did stay in was the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees Hotel. Excellent location!!!

Places to Eat:

I have not eaten at all of these restaurants but here is a list of places I read good reviews on and want to try.

1. Au Clairon des Chasseurs – Located close to Sacré-Cœur. We ate here specifically for their escargot.

2. Auberge Pyrenees-Cevennes (106 rue de la Folie Mericourt in the 11th) – Classic, traditional, rustic french food. Suggested to get the escargot and the cassolet or the sol meuniere.

3. Angelina (225, Rue de Rivoli) – Go here after the Louvre and get hot chocolate 

4. Bagels and Brownies (rue des fleurs and rue de notre dame des champs, in the 6th) – bagels, each one named after a city in America.

5. Bugsys – An American style restaurant.

6. Breakfast in America (2 locations) – 17 rue des Ecoles in the 5th (metro 10, Cardinal Lemoine) or 4 rue Malher (Marais, metro 1, St Paul).

7. Cafe Central – It’s also located on Rue Cler, arguably, the most charming street in Paris. (40 Rue Cler).

8. La Fontaine de Mars (129 Rue Saint-Dominique) – Sidewalk cafe set in the heart of the 7th arrondissement. Try the crème brûlée à la vanille.

9. L’as du Falafel – Located in the Jewish Quarter – Always packed because it was recommended by Lenny Kravitz.

10. Le Bistro Parisien – The yummiest restaurant right under the Eiffel Tower. It’s actually a restaurant that is permanently on the water. I got the chicken breast off the kids menu and it was one of the best sauces I had ever had on chicken.

11. La Petite Chaise (36 rue de Grenelle in the 7th) – Oldest restaurant in Paris. Said to have the best french onion soup & really good Creme Brûlée.

12. Marcel (15 Rue de Babylone) – The cutest local breakfast and brunch cafe. We had the best French toast and waffles!

13. Paul’s patisserie (located all over Paris) – The perfect place for a little snack and coffee. They had really yummy jumbo size macaroons.

14. Pierre Hermé (One location is located on the Champs-Elysees with the L’Occitane store)- Has the best macaroon in Paris. Strategically opens only the number of locations that allow for everything to be made fresh that day, ensuring the highest quality. Very unique flavors of macaroons.

15. Ptit Grec (5th arrondissement on Rue Mouffetard) – Supposedly has the best crepes

16. Republic of Coffee – Adorable cafe. A little pricey but has smoothie bowls, oatmeal, pastries and coffee.

Things to do:

Paris has the best basic tourist places to see and they all are a must especially if this is your first time. Get your guide is an awesome website to book experiences and “skip the line tours” in advance.

1. Arc de Triomphe

2. The Champs Élysées – most beautiful shopping street

3. Eiffel Tower – if you have never before, make sure to go to the top. The tower sparkles for 5 minutes a the top of the hour every hour. It’s something you cant miss, there isn’t anything like it! (If you have been to the top before other places with a alternate view are Montparnasse Tower (at night), Pantheon Tower, or the Pompidou Center. You can find great views of the Eiffel Tower from Avenue de Camoens, Pont de Bir-Hakeim, and Rue de l’Universitie. Or the most popular spot, the viewing platform at the Trocadero)

4. The Louvre – a must! so much history! The Mona Lisa makes you chuckle because it is so small and such a big deal but it’s worth seeing. 2 hours is suggested for the amount of time to plan out at the Louvre, unless you’re an art lover & want to stay longer.

5. Moulin Rouge

6. Musee d’Orsay

7. Notre Dame Cathedral – (once it is open, right now it is under construction for the next 5 years because of the fire) If you are able to, I do suggest climbing the tower

8. Pont L’Archeveche – Its the famous bridge in Paris that everyone puts a love lock on

9. Sacré-Cœur

10. Palace of Versailles – If you have an extra day to spend, definitely take the train outside of the city and go see the Palace of Versailles. This is actually something I have never done but it is on my list to do next time I visit Paris.

11. Disneyland Paris – I am a huge Disney fan so it is for sure on my list to visit Disneyland Paris. There are park ticket options available with transportation included from the city.

12. Seine River Cruise – THIS IS A MUST! I suggest doing a dinner cruise in the evening. It is the most romantic, magical experience. The best way to see Paris at night.

13. Hop On Hop Off Buses – Almost every major city that I have visited I have done the Hop On Hop Off Buses. They are the most convenient and informative way to see the city. I usually take advantage of the Hop On Hop Off Bus the day I arrived into the city and want to explore before really hitting the ground running with tours, plans and reservations.

LONDON

Places to stay:

Hotels:

I have only been to London once but here are some suggestions of very nice hotels to vacate during your stay.

1. The Cavendish Hotel – This is where we stayed and we could have not been happier with the hotel! Excellent location! Only a 6 minute walk to Piccadilly Circus and a 15 minute walk to Buckingham Palace.

2. London Marriott Hotel – Located very close to the Westminster Bridge in the Waterloo neighborhood.

3. The London EDITION

4. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London – Winston Churchill used to check-in regularly, and Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret took dance lessons here.

5. The Ritz London

AirBnbs: I have not stayed in any of these places but these were the Airbnbs that I had saved to consider staying at before we booked the hotel

1. Fantastic Studio near Harrods, Hyde Park & Tube – 4 guests · Studio · 2 beds · 1 bath

2. Chic 2BD Flat in the Heart of London – 4 guests · 2 bedrooms · 2 beds · 1 bath

3. Elegant 1-bedroom Flat in Central London – 4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 bath

4. Stunning Kensington apartment, Central London – 4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 bath

5. Joyful Kensington Studio – 4 guests · Studio · 2 beds · 1 bath

6. Gorgeous Belgravia 2 Bed Apartment – 6 guests · 2 bedrooms · 2 beds · 1 bath

Places to Eat:

1. Amorino – The most amazing gelato ever!! They form the gelato scoops into roses

2. Ben’s Cookies – The best cookies. A couple are located throughout the city

3. Café Pacifica – Mexican. (My mom & I ate here) Such a great atmosphere and the yummiest food

4. Harrod’s Food Hall – Any type of food you can imagine. A must see even if you don’t eat here.

5. Hummingbird Cupcakes – A cute stop on Notting Hill while exploring the antique market

6. Il Borgo – The Italian restaurant across from Gloucester Arms is a good local spot. Get the gnocchi.

7. P.F. Changs – Of course this is a U.S. staple, but I was visiting London when I hadn’t been to the states in 5 months so I was so excited to eat something familiar

8. Snog – Frozen yogurt

9. Tom’s Kitchen – Brunch

10. Vital Ingredient – Make your own salad with soups and smoothies

Things to do:

1. Big Ben – The famous clock (When I was visiting this was hidden under scaffolding)

2. Blenheim Palace – birthplace of Winston Churchill, great for tea. Go if you go to Oxford for the day

3. Borough Market – One of the largest and oldest food markets in London, with a market on the site dating back to at least the 12th century.

4. British Museum – Home of the Rosetta Stone

5. Buckingham Palace – London’s residence and administrative headquarters of the monarchy of the United Kingdom. Where the Queen lives.

6. Camden Market – 1,000+ Unique Shops, Stalls, Bars & Cafes.

7. Covent Garden – The most beautify shopping and entertainment hub in London’s West End

8. Kensington Palace – See Princess Diana’s dress collection

9. London Eye – The famous London Farris Wheel

10. London Tower – A historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London.

11. Oxford

12. Notting Hill – go to Portabello Market on Saturday and Sunday

13. Picadilly Circus & Leicester Square – The Time Square of London

14. Tower Bridge – The iconic must-see landmark of London

15. Westminster Abbey – Founded in 960AD. A royal church in the centre of London and a World Heritage Site with over a thousand years of history.

I hope this can benefit planning your trip to Paris & London. Have the trip of a life time!

Let me know if you need help with any travel planning, I do offer that service!