7.1 Must-see for your first month ### The classics • Eiffel Tower (7e): Best view from Trocadéro (RER C → Trocadéro). Go at sunset, then again at 22h for the sparkle (every hour, lasts 5 min).

• Louvre (1er): Free for under-26 EU residents, ALWAYS. Bring your school student card + passport.
• Notre-Dame (4e): Reopened end of 2024. Free entry. Book a free time slot on the official site to skip the line. --- • Sacré-Cœur & Montmartre (18e): Climb the hill or take the funiculaire. Stay for the view at sunset + wander the streets behind.
• Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées (8e): Climb the Arc for €13 (free under 26 EU). Walk down the Champs to Concorde.
• Le Marais (3e/4e): The chic neighborhood. Falafel street (Rue des Rosiers), vintage shops, queer-friendly bars, gorgeous architecture.
• Latin Quarter & Île de la Cité (5e/6e): Shakespeare and Company bookshop, Pantheon, Luxembourg Gardens. Old Paris vibes.
• Musée d'Orsay (7e): Impressionist heaven. Free under-26 EU. Smaller and more digestible than the Louvre. --- OUR PICK — First weekend: Eiffel at sunset + walk to Trocadéro. Next weekend: Louvre + Tuileries + Marais dinner. You've now seen "Paris" — go deeper from week 3. ## 7.2 Hidden gems (beyond the tourists) ### Neighborhoods • Canal Saint-Martin (10e): Picnic by the water, hipster cafés, cute boutiques. Sunday afternoons = locals only.
• Belleville (20e): Multicultural, street art, Belleville Park has the BEST skyline view of Paris (better than Eiffel area). Free. --- • Butte-aux-Cailles (13e): Village inside Paris. Cobblestone streets, low buildings, small bars.
• Coulée Verte René-Dumont (12e): An elevated park built on old train tracks. Walk above the city — almost no tourists know about it.
• Île aux Cygnes (15e): Mini Statue of Liberty + walk along the Seine with no crowds. ### Spots • Galerie Vivienne (2e): Hidden 19th-century glass-roofed passage. Like stepping into a movie.
• Promenade Plantée: Sister name for the Coulée Verte, 4.5km of elevated green path.
• Père Lachaise Cemetery (20e): Strangely beautiful. Find Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf. --- • Rue Crémieux (12e): The pastel-houses Instagram street.
• Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (19e): Massive hilly park with cliffs, waterfalls, a suspension bridge. Picnic central in summer. --- ### Places to feel at home ## 7.3 Restaurants ### French cuisines Restaurant · Address · Why • Bouillon Pigalle (NEW) · 22 Bd de Clichy, 75018 · CLASSIC French dishes for €10-15. No reservations, expect a queue. WORTH IT.
• Bouillon Chartier (NEW) · 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 · 150-year-old institution. Cheap, fast, very Parisian. --- • Margaux · 10 Av. de New York, 75116 Paris (Pont de l'Alma, right by the Seine, Eiffel Tower views from the area) · You can SEE THE EIFFEL TOWER from here. Add great French food. We recommend the steak tartar
• L’entrecôte · 15 Rue Marbeuf, 101 Bd du Montparnass or 20 Rue Saint-Benoît · The famous "one-menu" steak frites spot charges around €29.50 for the full formula green salad with walnuts + their signature steak with secret sauce + unlimited frites
• Les Antiquaires · 13 Rue du Bac, 75007 · Traditional French, locals' favorite. Mid-range.
• Loulou · 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 · Inside the Louvre garden. Pricey but the view is unreal. --- • Le Petit Marché · 9 Rue de Béarn, 75003 · Cozy bistro in the Marais.
• L'Escargot Montorgueil · 38 Rue Montorgueil, 75001 · If you want to actually try escargot. Touristy but iconic.
• L’avenue · 41 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris France · If you want a chic Parisian dinner with classic french cuisine. Iconic Paris spot, beautiful ambiance, no reservation needed, and the staff speaks english. OUR PICK — Bouillon Pigalle. €15 for steak frites + dessert + glass of wine. Take your parents when they visit. They'll cry happy tears. --- ### Asian cuisines Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese Restaurant · Cuisine · Address · Why • Yunnan Sanhe (Carnet de Voyage) · Yunnan (Chinese) · 4 Rue de Budapest, 75009 · Bamboo shoot chicken soup, pork ribs. Light, fresh, healing.
• Le Mandarin Provence · Sichuan (Chinese) · 50 Rue de Provence, 75009 · HUGE water-cooked beef. Spicy, generous, cheap. Unlimited rice.
• Sichuan Fondue Trois Saveurs · Hotpot (Chinese) · 25 Rue des Lombards, 75004 · 3-flavor hotpot near Pompidou. €30-50/person. Group must-go. --- • Shinko Madeleine · Japanese · 21 Rue Vignon, 75008 · Lunch buffet — €23, way better than chain sushi. Get there at 11h.
• Hando Roll · Japanese · 89 Rue de Sèvres, 75006 Paris · Specializes in handrolls. It's a tiny spot, counter seating, you watch them prepare every roll.
• New Balal · Indian · 25 Rue Taitbout, 75009 · Voted top Indian in Paris. Get the bread + butter chicken.
• Desi Road · Indian (modern) · 14 Rue Dauphine, 75006 · Trendier Indian, date-night vibe.
• Pho 14 (NEW) · Vietnamese · 129 Av. de Choisy, 75013 · Best pho in Paris. The queue moves fast. €10-12 for a giant bowl. --- ### Latin, Italian & Spanish cuisine in Paris Restaurant · Cuisine · Address · Why go • Pizzeria Popolare · Italian (pizza) · 111 Rue Réaumur, 75002 · Big Mamma's cheapest spot. €5-12 pizzas, no reservations, fun chaos. The queue is worth it.
• Daroco · Italian · 6 Rue Vivienne, 75002 · Famous carbonara, gorgeous Art Deco interior. Date night energy.
• East Mamma · Italian · 133 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 · Pink Mamma 's chiller sister. Truffle pasta + tiramisu. No reservations. --- • Daroco 16 · Italian · 26 Rue de Longchamp, 75116 · Newer Daroco, even prettier setting.
• Bellota-Bellota · Spanish (jamón) · 18 Rue Jean Nicot, 75007 · THE jamón ibérico spot. Tapas + sherry. Pricey but iconic.
• Tasca Real · Spanish (tapas) · 78 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 · Casual Spanish tapas, paella, sangria. Group-friendly.
• Tio Lulu · Spanish (tapas) · 21 Rue de la Roquette, 75011 · Affordable tapas in Bastille. Lively, late-night vibes.
• Candelária · Mexican (+ speakeasy) · 52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 · Best tacos in Marais. Hidden cocktail bar --- • Distrito Francés · Mexican · 10 Rue Faidherbe, 75011 · Trendy Mexican in the 11e. Margaritas + tacos + DJ nights.
• El Nopal · Mexican · 3 Rue Eugène Varlin, 75010 · Tiny authentic taquería. Quick, cheap, real. €5-7 tacos.
• Anahi · Argentinian (steak) · 49 Rue Volta, 75003 · Cult Argentinian steakhouse in Marais. Bella Hadid sightings. €€€.
• Oakberry · Brazilian (açaí) · 2 Rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris, France · Real-deal açaí bowls
• Brutos · Brazilian(steak) · 5 Rue du Général Renault, 75011 Paris · Charcoal grills, steaks & Brazilian dishes in a stylish space with exposed brick walls. --- • Las Almas · Latin / Peruvian · 7 Rue Lamandé, 75017 · Ceviche, Peruvian flavors, cool atmosphere. Underrated. ### Trendy / Instagram / brunch • Pink Mamma (Pigalle, 9e): Iconic pink restaurant, Italian, rooftop. Book WEEKS ahead. Truffle pasta is the move.
• Big Mamma group (East Mamma, Ober Mamma, Mamma Primi): All sisters of Pink Mamma. Italian, dramatic, fun.
• Holybelly (10e): American-style brunch, the pancakes are famous. Expect a 30-min wait.
• Season (3e): Healthy brunch, avocado toast aesthetic, near Marais. --- • Mokonuts (11e): Cookies + lunch. Hard to book. Worth the chase. OUR PICK — Pink Mamma for date night or birthday. Holybelly for Sunday brunch. Both Instagram-famous for a reason. --- ## 7.4 Bars & nightlife ### Chill bars / cocktails • Little Red Door (3e): World-ranked cocktail bar, Marais. Sophisticated, not cheap (~€16/cocktail).
• Le Syndicat (10e): All-French spirits cocktails. Hidden entrance, you'll love telling people about it.
• Le Mary Celeste (3e): Marais, natural wines + small plates, very cool.
• Lulu White (9e): Speakeasy vibe near Pigalle. ### Student-friendly / cheap • Oberkampf district (11e): Bars everywhere, drinks €5-8. Start at Café Charbon, wander from there. --- • Rue de Lappe (11e): Bastille area, dive bars + cheap shots.
• Bar Hemingway lookalikes — DON'T. Tourist trap with €25 cocktails.
• Belushi's (multiple): International student magnet, English-speaking. Cheap pitchers. ### Clubs/Parties + app shotgun • Pachamama: Latin America-inspired club/restaurant set in a glamorous vintage residence on 3 levels.
• La Machine du Moulin Rouge (18e): Three floors, music varies by night. Iconic Pigalle spot.
• Rex Club (2e): Techno temple. World-class DJs. Get there by 1h. --- • Gate Club: Upscale electronic music club near Porte Maillot. Stylish atmosphere, international DJs, VIP tables, and house/techno nights until late.
• Silencio Club (2e): Exclusive artistic nightclub designed by David Lynch. Hidden underground spot with a mysterious vibe, selective door, concerts, screenings, and stylish crowd. Open to the public after midnight.
• Bonnie Club (4e): Chic rooftop club above the Seine with panoramic Paris views, disco-house music, trendy crowd, and upscale nightlife atmosphere inside the SO/ Paris hotel. --- • Le Duplex (16e): Large multi-room club near the Arc de Triomphe with mainstream music, student parties, and different dance floors ranging from commercial hits to electronic music. Popular with international and university crowds.
• L’Arc Paris (16e): Luxury nightclub next to the Arc de Triomphe, known for celebrity guests, upscale atmosphere, hip-hop and house music, and exclusive Paris nightlife. The dress code is chic and selective.
• La Clairière (16e): Open-air summer party hidden in the Bois de Boulogne. Known for electronic music, sunset parties, international DJs, and festival-style vibes surrounded by nature. Only open during the summer season, follow @laclairiere on Instagram for upcoming events and openings. --- • Solum Paris (8e): Elegant late-night club near the Champs-Élysées with house and commercial music, stylish crowd, and frequent international DJ sets. Popular for upscale Paris nightlife and after-dinner parties.
• YOYO – Palais de Tokyo (16e): Trendy underground-style club inside the Palais de Tokyo museum. Known for concerts, fashion events, electronic music, and creative Paris nightlife with an artsy crowd. --- ## 7.5 Free things to do in Paris ### Museums (FREE for under-26 EU residents) Show your student ID + passport. ALL major museums: • Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou, Quai Branly, Picasso, Rodin, Cluny All FREE under 26 EU. Non-EU students: many museums offer student discounts (~50%).
• First Sunday of the month: FREE for EVERYONE (no age limit) at many museums Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou, Quai Branly, Rodin, and more. Expect long lines. --- • European Heritage Days (mid-September): Free entry to normally closed buildings Elysée, Senate, ministries. Once a year, INCREDIBLE. ### Always-free spots • Notre-Dame: Free entry (book a free slot online).
• Sacré-Cœur: Free.
• All Paris parks: Luxembourg, Tuileries, Buttes-Chaumont, Monceau, Jardin des Plantes.
• Père Lachaise Cemetery: Free.
• Walking by the Seine: Free + magical, especially Pont des Arts at night. --- ### Free viewpoints • Galeries Lafayette rooftop (9e): Free, 360° view, Eiffel Tower included. Tea on the terrace optional.
• Belleville Park (20e): Skyline view, free, no queue.
• Sacré-Cœur steps: Sunset crowd. Bring wine + crepes.
• Printemps rooftop café (9e): Cheap drinks, killer view.
• Tour Saint-Jacques (4e): Sometimes open for visits — check schedule. --- ## 7.6 Shopping: budget vs splurge vs vintage ### fast fashion + basics • Les Halles / Châtelet (1er): All the chains in one place: Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, Pull&Bear, Bershka, Mango, Sephora, Fnac.
• Rue de Rivoli (1er-4e): Same brands but on a beautiful street.
• Forum des Halles (mall): Underground mall, every brand. Use it when it rains.
• Primark (Boulevard Haussmann): Ultra-cheap, ultra-fast. --- • Monoprix (everywhere): Like Target: clothes, food, beauty, decor. Affordable + decent quality. ### Mid-range / cool • Le Marais (3e/4e): Coolest concept stores in Paris: Sézane, Maje, Sandro, Ba&sh, Soeur. French girl wardrobe central.
• Saint-Germain (6e): Same vibes as Marais but more polished. Apc, Diptyque, French luxury under-the-radar.
• Le Bon Marché (7e): Iconic department store. Mid-luxury but you can still browse for free. --- ### Splurge / luxury • Avenue Montaigne (8e): Chanel, Dior, Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Hermès. Window-shop > everything.
• Faubourg Saint-Honoré (8e): More luxury, especially Hermès flagship.
• Galeries Lafayette & Printemps (9e): All luxury brands under one (gorgeous) roof. Free entry + rooftops. ### Vintage / thrift • Kilo Shop (Marais, multiple): Vintage sold BY THE KILO. €30-50/kg. Treasure hunt energy. --- • Free'P'Star (Marais, 3e): Cult vintage chain. Multiple shops on rue de la Verrerie.
• Episode (Marais): Curated vintage, slightly pricier but quality.
• Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen (north of Paris): GIGANTIC flea market. Open weekends. Go for the experience.
• Vinted (app): Most popular second-hand app in France. Constantly stocked, low prices. TIP — Tax refund: Non-EU residents: bring your passport, ask for "détaxe" when spending over €100. 10-20% refund at the airport. --- ## 7.7 Wellness ### Gyms & climbing • Basic-Fit (multiple locations, incl. near La Défense/Cergy): Cheapest chain gym in Paris. ~€25-35/month, no-commitment plans exist. Check the app for the closest branch.
• Arkose (Nation, Moulin, Poissonnière, Etoile...): Bouldering gym, no ropes/harness needed. Hugely popular with the student crowd, day pass + shoe rental ~€20. Great group activity.
• On Board Climbing / Climbing Base: Alternative bouldering spots if Arkose is packed. --- ### Pools & baths • Piscine Joséphine Baker (13e): Floating pool ON the Seine with a retractable roof — works rain or shine, unreal in summer when it opens to the sky.
• Piscine Pontoise (5e): Gorgeous 1930s Art Deco pool near the Latin Quarter, popular for lane swimming and even night sessions with music some Thursdays.
• Aquaboulevard (15e): Indoor/outdoor water park — wave pool, slides, jacuzzis. A full half-day out, good for a big group. --- ### Hammams & spas • Hammam de la Mosquée de Paris (2bis Place du Puits de l'Ermite, 75005): Budget-friendly hammam inside the Grand Mosque. Steam room + mint tea in the courtyard after. Book ahead, separate hours for men/women.
• Les Bains du Marais (4e): More polished/spa-like hammam experience, higher price point. Good for a treat-yourself day. ### Yoga & studios ClassPass is genuinely worth it if 2-3 of you split it — gives access to yoga, pilates and boxing studios all over Paris without committing to one membership. --- OUR PICK — Arkose for a cheap, social Wednesday-night activity. Hammam de la Mosquée for when the semester gets heavy and you need a reset. ## 7.8 Fun • Bowling Mouffetard (5e): Central, retro, always a laugh. Bowling + billiards + arcade games under one roof, near the Latin Quarter bar crawl.
• Le Randolph (11e): Paris's best-known board game bar — hundreds of games, staff teach you the rules, order drinks while you play. Book for groups. --- • K.Box Karaoke (Belleville, 13e/Chinatown): Korean-style private karaoke rooms. Rent a room per group instead of performing solo on a stage — much less scary, much more fun.
• Laser Game Evolution (multiple locations): Laser tag across several arenas, good for a BDE team outing or a big group night.
• Escape rooms (Fox in a Box, Meurtre & Mystère, Team Break): Dozens of themed rooms across the city. Great for team-building or a first date that isn't dinner.
• Urban Jump (La Plaine Saint-Denis): Trampoline park — dodgeball courts, foam pits, slam dunk lanes. A bit of a trek but worth it once. --- OUR PICK — Le Randolph on a weeknight. Cheaper than a bar, way more memorable, and it's how you actually get to know people beyond small talk. ## 7.9 Coffee & Brunch ### Coffee shops Spot · Address · Why • Ten Belles · 10 Rue de la Grange aux Belles, 75010 · OG of the Paris specialty coffee scene. Small, always busy, worth the wait.
• KB CaféShop · 8-10 Rue Grange Batelière, 75009 · Beans roasted in Belleville, minimalist space, excellent flat white. --- • Boot Café · 19 Rue du Pont aux Choux, 75003 · Tiny former shoe shop turned coffee spot in the Marais. Instagram-famous, still genuinely good coffee.
• Fragments · 76 Rue des Tournelles, 75003 · Coffee + natural wine bar, works for a laptop session or an evening drink.
• Substance · 14 Rue Jean Bologne, 75016 · Coffee and pastries from an ex-pastry-chef. Worth the detour near Trocadéro.
• Café Lomi · 3 Ter Rue Marcadet, 75018 · Roastery in Montmartre — go for a cup, leave with a bag of beans. ### Brunch Spot · Address · Why --- • Bagelstein · Multiple locations · Cheap, fast, huge portions. The unofficial-student-on-a-budget move.
• Fragments (again) · 76 Rue des Tournelles, 75003 · Weekend brunch menu, same cozy Marais spot.
• Chouchou · 15e/multiple · Healthy bowls + brunch, good if you want something lighter than the classic egg-and-bacon plate. OUR PICK — Ten Belles for the coffee, Bagelstein when your bank account is crying after a night out. --- ## 7.10 Rainy Days • The covered passages (2e/9e): Passage des Panoramas, Passage Jouffroy (has the Musée Grévin wax museum + old toy shops) and Passage Verdeau, plus Galerie Vivienne already mentioned in 7.2 — you can walk between several of them almost entirely under glass roofs.
• La Félicità (13e, Gare d'Austerlitz): Europe's largest indoor Italian food court/nightlife space — 15+ food stalls, ping pong, DJ sets. A full evening indoors with a big group.
• Musée Grévin (9e): Paris's wax museum, campy but fun, inside Passage Jouffroy — pairs naturally with a passage walk. --- • Aquarium de Paris (16e, Trocadéro): Sharks, jellyfish, a good couple hours indoors — right by the Eiffel Tower viewpoint too.
• Le Grand Rex (2e): Iconic Art Deco cinema, sometimes runs backstage tours ("Les Étoiles du Rex") on top of regular screenings.
• Forum des Halles / Galeries Lafayette / Printemps (already in 7.6): All valid rainy-day wandering, and Galeries Lafayette's dome is worth seeing even if you don't buy anything.
• Fall back on 7.7 and 7.8: hammams, bouldering gyms, board game bars, karaoke and escape rooms are all indoor by design — this is your rainy-Sunday list.