Paris is France's magnificent capital city — a timeless destination celebrated for its iconic landmarks romantic atmosphere world-class art and culture exquisite cuisine and a distinct joie de vivre that captivates millions of visitors from around the globe every single year.
France: Paris – Château de Fontainebleau
🏰 A Day Trip to the Château de Fontainebleau
We’d spent several days working our way round the sights of central Paris — the Louvre, Notre-Dame, all the usual suspects — and lovely as it all was, we fancied getting out of the city for a bit. I’d had Fontainebleau on my list for years, so we thought, right, let’s finally do it. The Château de Fontainebleau sits about 40 miles south of Paris, and getting there couldn’t be simpler — a straightforward train from the Gare de Lyon, and you’re sorted. None of that faff with coaches or hiring a car.
Most people, when they think French royal palaces, think Versailles. Fair enough — it’s spectacular. But Fontainebleau is the less famous cousin, and honestly, that’s a good thing, because it means you’re not fighting through quite so many tour groups with selfie sticks. It holds the rather impressive distinction of being the only royal and imperial château to have been continuously inhabited for seven centuries, which when you think about it, is a staggering run. The whole place got going back in the 12th century under King Louis VII, and what came after built up over the centuries into something extraordinary. François I essentially rebuilt it as a proper Renaissance palace, bringing in Italian artists whose style — the School of Fontainebleau — influenced French art for generations. Henri IV, then various Louises, each left their own fingerprints on the place.
👑 Napoleon’s Château — Until It Wasn’t
Napoléon I absolutely loved Fontainebleau and poured money into major renovations, restoring and refurnishing great swathes of it to his own imperial taste. For about a decade he was in his element. But Fontainebleau also witnessed the most wretched moment of his career — on 5th April 1814, following the disastrous Russian campaign and the subsequent allied invasion, he signed his abdication right there in the château. Later, Louis-Philippe undertook further substantial renovations, and then Napoléon III and Empress Eugénie used it as an imperial retreat right up until 1869, just a year before the whole Second Empire came crashing down around their ears.
With around 1,500 rooms, it’s one of the largest châteaux in France and the most fully furnished royal palace in Europe — not just big empty rooms, but actual furniture, paintings and tapestries, the lot. We turned up on a rather grey drizzly day — very on-brand for a British holiday — and before heading inside had a wander round the massive courtyard. The thing that hits you immediately is the horseshoe staircase, a magnificent double staircase that sweeps down from the main entrance in a great curved arc. From Louis XIV onwards it served as a grand stage for the formal greeting of princesses arriving to marry a son of France — the Duchess of Burgundy in 1697, Marie Leszczynska in 1725, Hélène of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1837. But the moment that gives you proper goosebumps is this: on 20th April 1814, Napoléon came down those very steps to give his famous farewell to the Old Guard, drawn up in the courtyard below, before going into exile on Elba. Standing there in the drizzle, looking at those steps, you could almost feel the weight of it
Once inside, even if you’ve already bought your ticket online — which we’d done — head straight to the ticket office to pick up your video guide. Don’t be tempted to skip this step. It’s an absolute essential if you want to get the most out of Fontainebleau — without it you’ll find yourself wandering through 1,500 rooms wondering what on earth you’re looking at. Trust us on this one.
👑 The Legacy of Napoleon I
One of the first stops on the palace tour was the museum dedicated to Emperor Napoleon I, and it was well worth lingering over. Napoleon was, without question, the great restorer of Fontainebleau. After the Revolution had left the place stripped and shabby — the contents sold off, the rooms echoing and bare — he set about refurnishing it completely in his characteristically ambitious fashion. What he created was essentially a brand new imperial interior wrapped around a centuries-old shell, and the result is rather magnificent. It was clearly a place he genuinely loved. In his memoirs he had no hesitation in describing Fontainebleau as “the true abode of Kings, Palace of the ages” — which, coming from a man who had his pick of palaces across half of Europe, is saying something. And yet, for all that affection, it was here on 5th April 1814 that he signed his abdication, bringing his empire crashing down. There’s something quietly poignant about that — the place he loved most was also the place that witnessed his greatest humiliation. Standing in those rooms, looking at the furniture he chose and the décor he approved, you get a real sense of the man behind the legend. Not just the general and the emperor, but someone who clearly had an eye for beauty and a genuine attachment to this extraordinary place.
⚜️ Inside the Château — Rooms Fit for an Emperor
After the Napoleon Museum we joined the visitor route that winds you through a good selection of the château’s 1,500 rooms, and what struck us straight away was how genuinely furnished everything is. We’re talking original pieces — proper furniture, paintings, tapestries, all still in situ. This is where Fontainebleau scores heavily over Versailles, which for all its jaw-dropping grandeur can feel a bit like wandering through a very grand empty shell. Here, you get a real sense of the place as somewhere people actually lived, ate, schemed and slept — kings, emperors, the lot.
The highlight for us was the Royal Chapel — a breathtaking room that dates back in its current form to Louis XV, consecrated in 1169 though rebuilt and embellished many times over the centuries. It’s ornate in the way only the French can pull off without it tipping into the ridiculous: gilded vaulting, painted ceilings, elegant arched galleries running round the upper level. Several significant royal events took place here, including the baptism of Napoléon’s son, the King of Rome, in 1811. Standing in there, even on a grey Tuesday with a handful of other tourists, you could feel the weight of all that history pressing down on you. It’s that kind of place.
🎨 The Renaissance Rooms
We headed inside and made straight for the Renaissance rooms, which are really something else. The François I Gallery stopped us both in our tracks — it’s the most emblematic room in the whole château, and you can see why. Built in the 1530s, it was the first gallery of its size ever created in France, and François clearly wasn’t interested in doing things by halves. Every inch is covered in an extraordinary abundance of carved wood panelling, putti, fruits, stucco cartridges with rolled leather patterns — all framing a series of magnificent frescoed compartments. It’s gloriously over the top.
Then there’s the ballroom, built in the 16th century during the reign of Henri II, which served as the great festivities hall for the Valois court. The coffered ceiling is smothered in lunar emblems and the king’s motto — subtle it is not, but utterly magnificent.
Originally known as the Queen’s Gallery, sitting as it did within the sovereign’s apartments, this extraordinary room was later renamed the Diana Gallery. At 80 metres long and just 6 metres wide, it’s the longest room in the entire château — think a decent-sized street, only considerably more decorated. Henri IV had it built between 1600 and 1606, and it served variously as a library, a ballroom and a museum over the centuries. Napoléon III eventually converted it into the imperial library, which is more or less what you see today.
We made our way inside and followed the set route through the royal apartments, and blimey, it doesn’t disappoint. Room after room of extraordinary interiors — walls hung with enormous tapestries, many of them woven at the famous Gobelins manufactory in Paris, depicting hunting scenes, mythological tales and moments of dynastic glory. The gilding, the painted ceilings, the sheer scale of it all — it’s quite something to take in. After a while your eyes almost stop working properly, there’s so much to look at.
🎖️ Napoleon’s Private Apartments at Fontainebleau
The final rooms on the tour are Napoleon’s own apartments, and they’re worth saving yourself for. Following the example of every sovereign before him, Napoleon set up his ceremonial rooms on the first floor after the Revolution — but being Napoleon, he wasn’t about to sleep in Louis XVI’s old bed. Can’t say I blame him. Instead, he had the whole interior redecorated in 1804, creating a succession of seven more intimate, comfortable rooms that open out onto the lovely Diane’s Garden. It’s a surprisingly human space for a man of such enormous ego. What strikes you as you move through them is the weight of what happened here — these rooms aren’t just grand historical interiors, they’re the backdrop to the collapse of an empire. It was in these very apartments that Napoleon spent his final days at Fontainebleau in April 1814, rattling around after signing his abdication, before that famous farewell on the horseshoe staircase. The seven rooms remain much as they were during the Empire, and there’s something quietly powerful about that. Standing there, you get a real sense of the man behind the legend — and the rather lonely end of his story.
😔 The Pope’s Apartments
One set of rooms we didn’t manage to see was the Pope’s Apartments, which were closed to visitors during our trip — typical, that, which was a shame, because by all accounts they’re something rather special. After the Grand Apartments of the sovereigns, this eleven-room suite is the most sumptuous living space in the entire palace. The apartments got their current layout back in 1804, when two adjoining sets of rooms were knocked together into a single grand row. They take their name from the two stays made there by Pope Pius VII — first in 1804, when he came as an honoured guest to officiate at Napoléon’s coronation in Paris, and then again from 1812 to 1814, when he returned under considerably less comfortable circumstances as Napoléon’s prisoner. From pampered guest to captive in under a decade — not a great return visit, all things considered.
🌿 The Gardens
The château sits within a whopping 130 hectares of grounds, laid out across four main sections — the Grand Parterre, the English Garden, the Garden of Diana, the Carp Lake and the Park. On a sunny day, we imagine it’s absolutely stunning. We wouldn’t know, mind you, because when we visited it was absolutely tipping it down. Grey skies, puddles everywhere, the works. Not exactly ideal garden-visiting weather. We did our best to have a look round, but the gardens were very much not at their best, and frankly neither were we, standing there getting steadily damper. If you’re planning a visit, do yourself a favour and pick a decent day for it — unlike us.
Planning Your Visit to the Château de Fontainebleau
| 📍 | Location | Place du Général de Gaulle, 77300 Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, Île-de-France, France | |
| 🕖 | Opening Times | Wed–Mon: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Oct–Mar) / 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Apr–Sep). Closed Tuesdays & selected public holidays. | 🌐 Website: chateaudefontainebleau.fr |
| 📞 | Phone | +33 (0)1 60 71 50 70 | 📧 Email: info@chateaudefontainebleau.fr |
| 🚂 | By Train | Transilien Line R from Paris Gare de Lyon – approx. 40 mins to Fontainebleau-Avon station, then bus or taxi (2 km) | |
| 🚌 | By Bus | Line 1 from Fontainebleau-Avon station to the château gates | |
| 🚗 | By Road | A6 motorway from Paris, exit Fontainebleau. Parking available on site. Approx. 60 km south of Paris. | |
| ℹ️ | Notes | Last admission 45 mins before closing. Some wings and gardens may have separate access times. Audio guides available. |
🎟️ Entry Fees
| Adults | EU Under-26s | All Under-18s | Gardens Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| €14 | Free | Free | Free |
Other places to visit while in Paris
1. Banks Of The River Seine
Walking along the banks of the Seine is one of the simpler pleasures Paris offers, and it costs nothing. The stretch between the Musée d’Orsay and Notre-Dame is particularly good, passing booksellers with their green metal stalls, bridges with padlocks still fixed to the railings, and a series of views that look much as they do in postcards. The lower quays, closer to the water, are quieter than the roads above and a reasonable place to sit on a warm day. The riverbanks are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which reflects how intact much of the surrounding architecture remains.
2. Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay sits in a converted railway station on the south bank of the Seine, and it is one of the best places in the world to see Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting. Works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh are spread across several floors, and the building itself — with its great glass roof and ornate clock faces — is genuinely worth looking at. It can get busy, particularly in the middle of the day, so arriving early or booking a timed entry slot in advance tends to make the visit more relaxed. There is a café on the upper level with views over the river, which is a reasonable spot to stop for a coffee.
3. The Louvre
The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world by floor area, and it would take several days to see everything inside it properly. Most visitors come primarily to see the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, all of which are genuinely impressive, though the rooms around the Mona Lisa in particular tend to be very tightly packed. The Egyptian antiquities and the Islamic art collections are considerably less busy and equally worth your time. The glass pyramid entrance in the central courtyard was controversial when it was built in the 1980s and is now considered a landmark in its own right. Pre-booking tickets online is strongly recommended.
4. Palace of Versailles
Versailles is about forty minutes by train from central Paris, and the scale of the place is genuinely difficult to appreciate until you are standing in front of it. The palace itself was the seat of French royal power for more than a century, and the state rooms are extraordinarily decorated, though they are also usually very crowded. The gardens, which stretch out behind the main building for several kilometres, are formal and geometric in the French style and take a good few hours to explore properly. It is worth setting aside a full day rather than trying to fit it into a short afternoon, and bringing something to eat and drink if the weather is good, as the queues for food inside can be long.
5. Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier is the older of Paris’s two opera houses, completed in 1875, and its interior is among the most extravagant in Europe. The grand staircase, the foyer, and the auditorium — with its ceiling painted by Marc Chagall in 1964 — are all striking, and the building is open for self-guided visits during the day when performances are not taking place. Attending an actual opera or ballet performance here is a fairly different experience to simply visiting, and tickets range from inexpensive to very costly depending on the seat. The building provided the setting for Gaston Leroux’s novel about the Phantom of the Opera, and there is something in the atmosphere of the basement levels that makes that easy to believe.
Getting to and Around Paris
🚆 Eurostar — The Train Under the Channel
For most UK visitors, the Eurostar is the clear first choice, and for good reason. The service runs from London St Pancras International directly to Paris Gare du Nord in around 2 hours 16 minutes, with up to 18 daily departures. You pass through UK and French border control at St Pancras before departure, so you simply step off at Gare du Nord and go — no queuing at the other end. Door-to-door, it comfortably beats flying once you factor in airport faff.
Standard class fares start from around £39 when booked well in advance (three to four months is ideal). Standard Premier adds an included meal service at your seat, while Business Premier offers full flexibility and lounge access at both ends.
Children under 4 travel free; child fares apply from ages 4 to 11 inclusive.
✈️ Flying to Paris
Several airlines serve routes between UK airports and Paris, with flights landing at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to the north-east of the city, or Orly to the south. On paper a flight takes around an hour, but when you add in getting to and from the airport at both ends, security, check-in, and baggage, the total door-to-door time is typically 4.5 to 5.5 hours — often slower than the train. That said, flying can make sense from regional UK airports with direct routes, or if you find particularly low fares.
Bear in mind there is an additional cost to reach central Paris from either airport. Worth checking: www.skyscanner.net
🚌 Coach — The Budget Option
If cost is your top priority, coach is the way to go. Flixbus and BlaBlaCar Bus both operate daily services between London Victoria and Paris, with fares as low as £20 one-way if booked ahead. The trade-off is time — expect around 8 to 10 hours, including the Channel crossing. Modern coaches are air-conditioned and some offer free Wi-Fi. Tickets are flexible and can usually be exchanged up to 15 minutes before departure.
Note that since December 2025, some Paris arrivals and departures use the Pershing bus station at Porte Maillot.
🚗 Driving and the Channel Crossing
Driving gives you complete flexibility, especially useful if you plan to travel beyond Paris. You have two options for crossing the Channel: Le Shuttle (formerly Eurotunnel), which carries your car through the tunnel from Folkestone to Coquelles near Calais, or a car ferry. The Dover to Calais crossing is the most popular route for Paris-bound drivers. For Le Shuttle, the crossing itself takes around 35 minutes, but plan to arrive at the terminal at least 60 minutes before departure.
🌐 Le Shuttle: www.eurotunnel.com
🌐 Ferry options: www.directferries.co.uk
🏙️ Getting from Charles de Gaulle Airport into Paris
If you fly in, here are your main options:
RER B Train — The most practical option for solo travellers or those travelling light. The train runs direct from two stations within the airport to central Paris stops including Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, taking around 30 to 45 minutes. As of January 2026, a special airport ticket (Ticket Paris Région ↔ Aéroports) costs €14 for adults and must be purchased separately — a standard Metro ticket does not cover the CDG journey. Load it onto a Navigo Easy card or via your smartphone.
Taxi — Flat fares apply from CDG: €56 to the Right Bank, €65 to the Left Bank. The most direct option if you have luggage.
Ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Free Now) — Available from designated pickup zones at each terminal. Fares are comparable to taxis but can surge at busy times.
Night buses (Noctilien) — If you arrive after 12:30 AM when trains have stopped, Noctilien buses connect CDG with central Paris. The fare is €8 per person.
🚇 The Paris Métro
The Métro is the backbone of getting around Paris, with 16 lines covering virtually every neighbourhood. It runs from approximately 5:30am to just after 1am (later on weekends). Signs for correspondance guide you between connecting lines within stations — follow them carefully to avoid having to exit and buy a new ticket.
Since January 2025, the ticketing system has been simplified to a flat fare across all central zones, replacing the old Ticket t+. A single Métro-Train-RER ticket now costs €2.55, while a Bus-Tram ticket costs €2.05. Paper tickets are phased out — you’ll need a Navigo Easy card (see below) or a smartphone app.
🎫 Travel Cards and Passes
Navigo Easy Card — The essential reusable contactless card for most visitors. It costs €2 and you load tickets or passes onto it at station machines. You can add single tickets, a pack of 10 (€16.90), or a day pass (€12.30). The day pass is good value if you’re making five or more journeys in a single day.
Paris Visite Pass — Designed specifically for tourists, this pass offers unlimited travel across all five zones including the airports, for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days. Prices in 2025/26 range from €30.60 (1 day) to €78.00 (5 days). Children aged 4 to 9 travel at half price. It’s now loaded digitally onto a Navigo Easy card or smartphone rather than issued as a paper ticket. It also comes with discounts at some tourist attractions.
Navigo Découverte Weekly Pass — Worth considering for stays of a week or more. At €32.40 (as of January 2026), it covers unlimited travel across all zones (1–5) from Monday to Sunday. There is a one-off €5 card fee, and you’ll need a passport-sized photo. It runs Monday to Sunday regardless of when you buy it, so purchasing mid-week means you pay for days you may not use.
🌐 www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr
🚌 Paris Buses
The bus network fills the gaps the Métro doesn’t reach, and also gives you something the underground can’t: views. It’s a genuinely pleasant way to get around, especially in good weather, though services are slower during peak hours due to traffic. Bus lines connect all the main arrondissements, and night buses (Noctilien) keep things moving after the Métro closes. The same Navigo Easy card and tickets used on the Métro are valid on buses.
🚤 Batobus — The River Bus
For a more scenic alternative, the Batobus operates as a hop-on, hop-off river shuttle along the Seine, with nine stops beside the city’s most famous landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Hôtel de Ville, Champs-Élysées, and more. Boats run every 25 to 40 minutes throughout the day. Summer operating hours are typically 10am to 8pm; check the website for seasonal timetables.
Day and two-day passes are available, and it’s a practical way to combine sightseeing with getting from A to B along the river corridor. Audio commentary in multiple languages is included.
🚲 Cycling — Vélib’ Bike Share
Paris has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure, with over 1,000 km of marked bike lanes, and Vélib’ is the city’s well-established bike-share scheme. There are approximately 19,000–20,000 bikes across 1,400–1,800 docking stations. There are two types: standard green bikes (manual) and blue electric-assist bikes.
For occasional visitors, the V-Libre pay-as-you-go option costs €6 to subscribe (valid for a year), then €1 per 30 minutes for green bikes and €3 per 45 minutes for electric blue bikes. Cycling between major sights can actually be faster than taking the Métro — the ride from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, for example, takes around 12 minutes along the Seine’s bike lanes versus 30 minutes on public transport.
Use the Vélib’ app to find stations nearby. Avoid peak commuting hours (7–10am and 5–7:30pm) when docks fill up quickly.
🚕 Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Official Paris taxis are metered and regulated. Flat fares apply for airport journeys (see above). Within the city, fares vary by time of day and zone. Uber, Bolt, and Free Now all operate in Paris, available from dedicated pickup zones at airports and via app throughout the city. Note that ride-hailing prices can surge during busy periods, and sometimes the official taxi works out no more expensive and considerably less hassle.
🚶 Walking
Don’t underestimate Paris on foot. The historic centre is surprisingly compact, and many of the most celebrated sights — the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Marais, the Seine embankments — cluster close together. Walking between neighbourhoods is often the most rewarding way to explore, and Paris’s streets, squares, and riverside walkways are very much part of the experience themselves. A comfortable pair of shoes will take you further here than almost anywhere else in Europe.
The Best Time to Visit Paris
🌸 Spring (March–May)
Spring is widely regarded as one of the finest times to visit Paris. Temperatures rise gradually from around 8°C in March to a comfortable 20°C by May, and the city blooms with colour. Parks such as the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Tuileries burst into life, and the legendary cherry blossoms along the Canal de l’Ourcq and in the Parc de Sceaux draw visitors from across the world. Rainfall is moderate, so a light waterproof is advisable, but prolonged downpours are rare. Crowds are noticeably lighter than in summer, particularly in March and April. Easter and the French school holidays in April bring a short surge of visitors, so booking accommodation in advance is wise.
What to Pack: Light layers including a medium-weight jacket, a compact umbrella or packable waterproof, comfortable walking shoes, a light scarf, and one smart-casual outfit for evening dining. Sun cream is worth including for May.
☀️ Summer (June–August)
Summer transforms Paris into a vibrant, bustling city humming with energy. Temperatures range from 23°C to 27°C, though heatwaves can push this well beyond 30°C. The days are long, with daylight stretching past 10 pm. Bastille Day on 14 July brings spectacular fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, while Paris Plages turns the Seine’s banks into urban beaches. Summer is unquestionably the busiest and most expensive season, with lengthy queues and peak hotel prices.
What to Pack: Lightweight, breathable clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sun cream, sunglasses, a reusable water bottle, a compact fan for heatwave days, and comfortable sandals or trainers. A light cardigan is useful for air-conditioned museums and restaurants.
🍂 Autumn (September–November)
Autumn is a true hidden gem in the Parisian calendar. September offers summer warmth without the peak-season crowds (19–22°C), and October dresses the city in russet, gold, and amber. The cultural season resumes in earnest, and Prêt-à-Porter fashion weeks bring a creative buzz in September. November turns cooler (~8°C) but signals the start of the festive build-up. Autumn delivers exceptional value, with hotel prices falling sharply after mid-September.
What to Pack: A versatile mid-layer such as a wool or fleece jumper, a waterproof or trench coat, ankle boots or waterproof walking shoes, a warm scarf, and gloves for November evenings.
❄️ Winter (December–February)
Winter in Paris carries an undeniable romance. December is transformed by Christmas markets, glittering festive lights, and the warm glow of brasserie windows. Major attractions are far less crowded, and hotel rates drop significantly outside the Christmas and New Year period. Temperatures range from 2°C to 8°C, with occasional frosts and rare snowfall. January and February are the quietest months, offering an authentic, unhurried experience of Parisian life.
What to Pack: A warm winter coat, thermal underlayers, waterproof boots with good grip, hat, gloves, warm scarf, and thick socks. Layers are essential, as shops and restaurants are very well heated inside.
🗓️ Overall Best Time to Visit
For most travellers, late spring (April to May) and early autumn (September to early October) represent the sweet spots for visiting Paris. Both offer genuinely pleasant weather, lower crowd levels compared to peak summer, competitive hotel prices, and the city in outstanding scenic form — clothed in fresh spring blossom or autumn gold. If budget is the primary concern, January and February deliver the lowest prices and the shortest queues, with a quiet, intimate version of the city that many find deeply appealing. Summer remains worthwhile for those drawn by long days, outdoor events, and the electric peak-season atmosphere, provided they book well in advance and are prepared for heat and crowds. Ultimately, Paris rewards visitors in every season — the question is simply which version of the city speaks to you most.
Vegan Dining in Paris
Paris has undergone a remarkable plant-based revolution. Once notorious for its butter-laden pastries and rich meat dishes, the French capital now boasts a thriving vegan scene, with everything from elegant bistros reimagining French classics to casual cafés and vibrant street food carts.
🌙 Wild & The Moon
One of Paris’s most beloved vegan café chains, Wild & The Moon is a lifestyle movement founded in 2016 by a team of chefs, nutritionists, and naturopaths with a mission to make plant-based eating cool, delicious, and accessible. With multiple locations across the city, the cafés have an industrial-meets-greenhouse aesthetic and serve an entirely organic, gluten-free, and plant-based menu. Expect cold-pressed juices, açaí bowls, turmeric lattes, gluten-free banana bread, and inventive seasonal dishes. The menu even features activated charcoal and CBD-infused options for the truly adventurous.
- Location: Multiple locations across Paris, including 55 Rue Charlot, 75003 (Le Marais flagship)
- Website: wildandthemoon.fr
- Phone: +33 1 86 95 40 46
- Opening Hours:
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 am–10:30 pm
- Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 am–10:30 pm
(Hours vary by location; check the website for your nearest branch)
🥐 VG Pâtisserie
Founded in 2016 by Bérénice Leconte, VG Pâtisserie holds the distinction of being France’s very first fully vegan patisserie. Located in the 11th arrondissement, this beloved bakery-café has made it its mission to prove that the sacred French pastry tradition need not involve a single drop of dairy or egg. From flaky croissants and pain au chocolat to cinnamon rolls, fruit tarts, éclairs, and show-stopping stuffed macarons, VG Pâtisserie consistently dazzles both vegans and devoted omnivores alike. Savoury options, set breakfast meals, and coffee are also available.
- Location: 123 Boulevard Voltaire, 75011 Paris (near Métro Voltaire)
- Website: vgpatisserie.fr
- Phone: +33 9 67 80 13 42
- Opening Hours:
- Monday–Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday–Friday: 8:00 am–7:00 pm
- Saturday–Sunday: 8:00 am–5:00 pm
🌱 Jah Jah by Le Tricycle
Born out of Le Tricycle, Paris’s first vegan hot dog food bike, Jah Jah is the full restaurant sibling — an Afro-Caribbean, Rastafarian-inspired eatery in the 10th arrondissement, right in the heart of what locals affectionately call “Veggietown.” Co-founded by Coralie Jouhier and Daqui Gomis, the restaurant takes its name from the Rastafari deity Jah, and the philosophy behind it is “Ital” — the Jamaican practice of eating unprocessed, natural, and plant-based food. The décor mixes reclaimed furniture with crates of fresh vegetables, set to a world music soundtrack. Dishes include BBQ cauliflower wings, tempeh tacos, curried quinoa bowls, and the iconic vegan hot dog piled with guacamole and crispy fried onions. No reservations — arrive early or join the queue.
- Location: 11 Rue des Petites Écuries, 75010 Paris (Métro Bonne Nouvelle or Château d’Eau)
- Website: jahjahparis.com
- Phone: +33 1 46 27 38 03
- Opening Hours:
- Monday: 12:00 pm–2:30 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday–Saturday: 12:00 pm–2:30 pm and 7:00 pm–10:00 pm
- Sunday: Closed
🥗 Le Potager du Marais
One of Paris’s most longstanding vegan institutions, Le Potager du Marais has been serving plant-based French cuisine since the early 2000s, originally as a vegetarian restaurant before switching to a fully vegan menu in 2012. Situated in the historic Marais district, the restaurant is intimate and cosy, with stone walls, candlelight, and rustic wooden furnishings. The menu is a love letter to classical French gastronomy reimagined entirely without animal products — think vegan French onion soup, seitan bourguignon, moussaka, crème brûlée, and carrot cake. Ingredients are largely sourced from organic and fair trade suppliers. Booking ahead is strongly advised as the restaurant fills up quickly.
- Location: 26 Rue Saint-Paul, 75004 Paris (Métro Sully-Morland)
- Website: lepotagerdumarais.fr
- Phone: +33 1 57 40 98 57
- Opening Hours:
- Monday–Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday–Sunday: 12:00 pm–3:00 pm and 7:00 pm–10:30 pm
☁️ Cloud Cakes
A cheerful, bright blue-fronted vegan café and bakery tucked away in the 2nd arrondissement, Cloud Cakes has built a loyal following for its exceptional all-day breakfast and brunch menu. Everything is 100% plant-based — and the pastry selection is seriously impressive, from croissants and pain au chocolat to vegan macarons, mango cheesecake, and red velvet cupcakes. Savoury options include avocado toast topped with pomegranate and balsamic glaze, grilled “cheese” sandwiches, and pancakes. Specialty coffees and oat milk lattes are crafted with care, and the café also caters for nut-free diets. It’s also laptop-friendly, making it a popular spot for digital nomads.
- Location: 6 Rue Mandar, 75002 Paris (near Métro Sentier)
- Website: cloudcakes.fr
- Phone: +33 1 42 33 95 45
- Opening Hours:
- Monday–Saturday: 9:00 am–7:00 pm
- Sunday: 11:30 am–3:30 pm
Where to Stay in Paris
🏘️ Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
Le Marais blends medieval architecture with a vibrant, cosmopolitan energy. Centred on the magnificent Place des Vosges, its cobbled streets are lined with boutiques, galleries, and superb restaurants. Home to the Musée Picasso and the Jewish Quarter, it is also Paris’s LGBTQ+ heartland. Notre-Dame, the Centre Pompidou, and the Hôtel de Ville are all within easy walking distance, and the Saint-Paul métro puts the whole city within reach.
- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Upscale — Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa — A sumptuous five-star retreat hidden behind ivy-clad walls on the Place des Vosges, with elegant rooms, a peaceful garden, and a renowned spa. Book on Booking.com
- 🌟🌟🌟 Mid-Range — Hôtel Jeanne d’Arc Le Marais — A beloved three-star hotel on a quiet street two minutes from the Place des Vosges, consistently praised for its charming décor, helpful staff, and unbeatable location. Book on Booking.com
- 🛏️ Budget — MIJE Marais Hostel — A well-regarded hostel set within exceptional historic buildings at the very heart of the Marais, offering clean, spacious rooms and an on-site restaurant at remarkably affordable rates. Book on Booking.com
🎨 Montmartre (18th Arrondissement)
Perched on a hilltop in northern Paris, Montmartre retains a romantic, village-like charm unlike anywhere else in the city. The gleaming Sacré-Cœur Basilica crowns the hill with sweeping panoramic views, while Rue Lepic winds down past café terraces and fromageries. The legendary Moulin Rouge sits at the foot of the hill, and artists still gather at the Place du Tertre. It is bohemian, beautiful, and surprisingly well connected to central Paris by métro.
- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Upscale — Maison Souquet, Hôtel & Spa — A breathtaking five-star boutique hotel in a restored Belle Époque townhouse steps from the Moulin Rouge, with just 20 intricately decorated rooms, a private spa with pool, and an intimate cocktail bar. Book on Booking.com
- 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Mid-Range — Terrass” Hotel — A highly regarded four-star hotel in a 19th-century building at the heart of Montmartre, celebrated for its stylish rooms, NUXE spa, and an iconic rooftop restaurant with sweeping Eiffel Tower views. Book on Booking.com
- 🛏️ Budget — Hôtel Regyn’s Montmartre — A charming and intimate budget hotel right beside the Abbesses métro station and the celebrated “Mur des je t’aime”, offering comfortable rooms, some with wonderful panoramic views across the Paris rooftops. Book on Booking.com
📚 Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement)
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the intellectual soul of Paris, synonymous with Left Bank elegance and literary culture. The legendary Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots still serve café crème to knowing visitors, while ancient bookshops, prestigious galleries, and fine antique dealers line the boulevards. The Jardin du Luxembourg offers a refined green escape, and both the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre are within a comfortable stroll. It is sophisticated, safe, and supremely walkable.
- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Upscale — L’Hôtel — A legendary five-star boutique hotel on the Rue des Beaux-Arts and famously Oscar Wilde’s last home, with 20 individually designed rooms by Jacques Garcia, a subterranean pool and hammam, and a Michelin-recommended restaurant. Book on Booking.com
- 🌟🌟🌟 Mid-Range — Hôtel Saint Germain — A beautifully appointed three-star hotel in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, offering elegantly furnished rooms, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and an excellent location within walking distance of the Musée d’Orsay. Book on Booking.com
- 🛏️ Budget — Welcome Hotel — One of the very few two-star hotels sitting directly on the Boulevard Saint-Germain, this charming property offers authentic Parisian character with exposed beams, comfortable rooms overlooking the lively Rue de Seine, free Wi-Fi, and a daily breakfast buffet — all steps from the Luxembourg Gardens and Notre-Dame. Book on Booking.com
🗼 The 7th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower & Invalides)
The 7th arrondissement is arguably the best base in Paris for first-time visitors. The Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Hôtel des Invalides — with Napoleon’s tomb — are all here, alongside the Champ-de-Mars gardens and the charming pedestrian market street Rue Cler, lined with boulangeries, wine merchants, and fromageries. The area is quiet, safe, and genuinely residential in feel, yet multiple métro lines make the rest of the city easily accessible.
- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Upscale — Hôtel Montalembert — An iconic five-star Left Bank boutique hotel since 1926, offering 50 elegantly designed rooms steps from the Musée d’Orsay, with exceptional Clefs d’Or concierge service, a spa, and top-floor suites boasting Eiffel Tower views. Book on Booking.com
- 🌟🌟🌟 Mid-Range — Hôtel Muguet — A beloved family-run three-star hotel on a quiet street between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides, consistently praised for its warm staff, charming rooms — some with Eiffel Tower views — and a wonderful glass-ceilinged breakfast room. Book on Booking.com
- 🛏️ Budget — The 3 Ducks Eiffel Tower by Hiphophostels — Paris’s oldest private hostel, housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century coaching inn, offering colourful rooms, a lively bar and outdoor terrace, free Wi-Fi, and a location within easy walking distance of the Eiffel Tower. Book on Booking.com
More to Explore
