My Paris shortlist

Where to go and (especially) what to eat when you're in the "Ville Lumiere" (city of lights :)
People always ask me this question when they're planning a trip to Paris, so I thought it was about time I compiled a master list for easy sharing! Let me know if you would like me to add other recommendations. 
Note: I lived in the 5th arrondissement and worked in the 7th arrondissement for over 30 years so a lot of my addresses are concentrated in those areas.

Best drinks + people watching
Marais area (4th arrondissement) 

• La Buvette - drinks and light food in the courtyard of a public library!
• Peniche Marcounet - Drinks and jazz music on the Seine

Saint-Germain area (6th arrondissement)

• La Rhumerie - rhum cocktails just like Hemingway liked them.
• Les Deux Magots - quintessential Parisian terrass

Invalides area (7th arrondissement)

• Rosa Seine - Popular happy hour spot close to the musée d'Orsay. Wine and charcuterie boards on the riverbanks. Three other adresses throughout the city. 

Further afield

• La Felicità - Halle Freyssinet in the 13th arrondissement- great brunch option!
• 61 - 19th arrondissement - Bar with excellent charcuterie and veggie boards and themed expos.

Get your crêpe fix (7th and 14th arrondissement)

• Galette Café - 2 rue de l'Université
• Le Bac a Glace - 109 rue du Bac
• Rue d'Odessa and Rue de Montparnasse - creperie des cormorans, creperie Josselin, and more!

Sweets and chocolate

• Des gateaux et du pains - 89 rue du Bac
• Angelina - 108 rue du Bac
• Chocolat Chapon - 134 rue du Bac 
• Christian Constant - 40 rue des Ecoles - chocolates and mind-blowing ice-cream in Summer
• VG Patisserie - 123 Boulevard Voltaire (Vegan)

Restaurants and Take-out

• La Fourmi Ailée - delicious French food in a private library setting - 8 rue du Fouarre
• Auberge Bressane - Traditional French - 16 avenue de la Motte Piquet
• Aux Perches - Normandy cuisine close to the Luxembourg gardens - 25 rue Servandoni, 75006 Paris
• Mini Palais - dine under the colonnades.
• Auberge de la Reine Blanche - Traditional French - 30 rue saint Louis en l'Ile
• Pasta linea - Italian - 9 rue de Turenne. TIP: grab to go and find a spot on the grass Place des Vosges.
• Ciasa Mia - Italian - 19 rue Laplace 
• Le coq et l'elephant - French Thai fusion - 47 bis rue Poliveau

Best views

• Montmartre - view of Paris
• Pont de la Tournelle - view of Notre Dame (the cathedral is still under construction)
• Tour Montparnasse - view of Paris. TIP: don't buy the pass for the observation deck but go get a drink at the bar. Same view but with a cocktail in hand :)
• Pont Alexandre III - view of The Eiffel Tower

Where to daydream

• Ile de la Cite
• ​Jardin des plantes
• Jardin du Luxembourg
• Place des Vosges 
• Parc des Buttes Chaumont
• Boulevard Paris 13 - fantastic streetart

Fun museums

• Musee des Arts et Metiers - founded in 1794 as a repository for the preservation of scientific instruments and inventions.
• Galerie de Paleontologie - Paleontology and comparative anatomy gallery. The setting and beautiful displays are worth a visit alone. 
• Musee Carnavalet - dedicated to the history of Paris in a Renaissance setting.
• Musée des arts Forains - a collection of curiosity cabinets, carnivals, incredible gardens and Belle Epoque funfairs.
• La Villette - interactive science museum for all ages.

Theatre and Improv 

• Colors - Theatre des Mathurins 
• Theatre Gaiete Montparnasse