Week in Paris - Help us plan it!

My favorite area of Paris for soaking up the city is the Latin Quarter. This is the area where university kids hang out, so you'll find a lot of street kiosks and fashion, and Shakespeare and Company, one of my favorite bookstores ever, is nearby. Yes, it's a popular bookstore, and yes, tourists will probably be visiting there as well, but I feel like it's a no-miss if you want a small slice of Parisian life. In the same line of thinking, I'd recommend walking up Boulevard St Germain to find any number of cafes to stop in for a leisurely lunch (check out the menus for tourist prices, though, and keep moving if you see a big price uptick), and visiting Place Saint-Michel and the surrounding streets for some people watching. There are also a lot of ethnic eateries here, including some fantastic Tunisian bakeries. If you like art, visit Place Saint-André-des-Arts where a lot of students artists sell their original works. And don't leave without visiting Rue Mouffetard for some serious old-school Parisian cobblestone paths (and a famous Italian pasta shop, Androuët). Again, you definitely won't be the only visitor in these areas, but it sounds like you're casting a wide net of what to visit, so these are a few of my suggestions. Have fun! 

I would try  La Fontaine de Mars or  Chez Julien for restaurants. Both are wildly romantic (Julien is a little pricey, though). 

I would also stroll through the  Le Marais district, especially on a Sunday. There is a lovely little square called the  Place des Vosges where there are tons of art galleries and people walking around. 

I also love  Rue Montorgueil which is a fun little market street with all kinds of pretty restaurants and stores. Great for people watching. 

It sounds kind of touristy but I would take a ride on the  Compagnie des Bateaux Mouches which are the boats that go down the  La Seine. They are wonderfully romantic and will give you a great overview of the city. 

For culture, I would hit the  Musée de la Vie Romantique which is pretty much just how it sounds, and/or the  Musée Rodin which is beyond romantic. 

I would also make sure you plan a stroll through either the  Jardin des Tuileries or the  Palais Royal, both of which are stunning. 

Have a fabulous time!!

You could go to the Café on the top of Centre Pompidou - Musée National d'Art Moderne, in the evening to get a cocktail with a nice view on Paris by night; the Mama Shelter is also a good bar or restaurant for a nice diner. Try the Sacre Coeurr in the evening also but climbling the hill from the North Face, less touristic and more "Parisian"... then Le Marais, Place Saint-Paul, Île de la Cité are classics !

My Fav insider restaurant is Pamela Popo 15 Rue Francois Miron - dinners & brunch are terrific. It is in the Marais (4th district) just off the Sienne on a quiet residential street.  Do make reservations as it is small and local.  Kong  1 Rue de pont Nuef - Asian Fusion with a very hot & energetic vibe.  Do book an upstairs terrarium table (top floor is all glass that open in the summer months to the sky & stars.  Overlooking the Siene & Ile Saint-Louis.  Design is by Phillip Stark - very interesting and the food is terrific.  $$$$.  Alcazarat 62 rue Mazarine is more medium price - great design & great food.

A lovely French restaurant is Chez Janou

Hi Katya, 

An experience you will never forget: a romantic diner in a master chief's home: http://bit.ly/20bNXvQ  and he will share with you the french spirit of gastronomy 

I made a post about where to eat in the 10th Arr. you can check it out here.