Paris

Lodging

• Hotel L'Echiquier Opéra, 38 Rue de l'Échiquier, 10eme -- This is a lovely DOG FRIENDLY boutique hotel within walking distance of Gare du Nord and most central Parisian attractions - perfect if you’re visiting during a transit strike!
• La Narcise Blanc
• Hotel Regina
• Hotel Napoleon
• Any of the Citadines Apartment hotels, but especially nice are the ones near the Opera and in St. Germain (6e)

Restaurants

• Le Chalet des Iles, Lac Inférieur 16eme -- Fun and lovely restaurant and bar on an island in the middle of the Bois de Bolougne. You need to take a (free) ferry across the water to enjoy a glass of wine on the waterfront or an elegant dinner in the restaurant. Perfect for summer!
• Derrière, 69 Rue des Gravilliers, 3eme Paris -- super cool, hipster restaurant and bar with a hidden room behind a wardrobe and exquisite food. By the owners of Sketch in London.
• Chez Janou, 2 Rue Roger Verlomme, 3eme Paris -- classic, charming French Bistro with warm service in the Marais.
• Le P'tit Troquet, 28 Rue de l'Exposition, 7eme Paris -- tiny, adorable bistro with a creative, seasonal prix fixe menu close to Les Invalides on the left bank.
• Candelaria, 52 Rue de Saintonge, 3eme -- Tiny authentic, high-quality taco joint with a rotating seasonal menu - always including one vegetarian option - and a frozen margarita machine. Most of the young, hip customers walk straight through the front of the house through an unmarked service door into the giant hidden speakeasy bar behind, but I prefer to sit on a stool eating all the delicious tacos!
• Looking for vegetarian or vegan options in Paris? There are plenty!
  One member made a Google Map with vegetarian/vegan friendly places.
• Le Café Marly
• Fontaine de Mars
• Café du Marche
• Le Castiglione

Activities

• Musee Marmottan Monet and Jardin du Ranelagh in the 16eme
• Brunch at HolyBelly, street art and walking along Canal Saint Martin in the super hip 11eme
• Exploring “Chinatown,” which is actually mostly Vietnamese, and getting amazing Banh Mi at Mekong, 135 Rue de Tolbiac, 13eme
• Shopping for gorgeous groceries and eating oysters and champagne on the street in the middle of Aligre Market, Rue d'Aligre et, Place d'Aligre, 12eme
• The steampunk Christmas festival at the incomparable Musée des Arts Forains, 53 Avenue des Terroirs de France, 12eme
• Take day trip to Claude Monet’s house in Giverny
• Boat on the Seine
• Day trip to Champagne region

Bonus Tips

It's a great city to wander around and wonder at the beauty. Get distracted by side streets, peer into windows. Stop for an espresso and a snack when the mood strikes. Enjoy yourself!

Check out the Paris recommendations on David Lebovitz's blog - be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom!

Derriere

Le Cafe Marly