Soco's Paris Guide!!!
I've been lucky enough to go on some pretty epic Paris trips in the past couple of years - celebrating my birthday, my BFF's bach, some solo time, and more - here's a round up of my fave spots to hit!
Hello everyone! It’s been a minute since we have caught up on here - now that I am back from my travels, I am going to try and keep up with Substack more consistently - as always if you have any requests, please slide in my DMs!!!
If you know me, you know I am literally obsessed with Paris. I have spent so much quality time there over the past few years, and it has really become such a special place for my soul. I’m saying it now, I am going to move there one day - I actually just signed up for a French class in NYC because I am that committed to making it happen for myself!!!
I’ll keep you guys updated on that, but in the meantime, let’s go through some of my fave spots to hit when I visit! I definitely still have so much more ground to cover in Paris, but I do have some really awesome recs of where to shop, eat, explore, and ofc have a drink or two. Let’s get into it!
WHERE TO SHOP (mostly vintage FYI)
Let’s start with what I know you are all here for, my shopping list. Paris is by FARRRR my favorite place to vintage shop. I have gotten my absolute favorite pieces here and I find the prices to be so much more reasonable than NYC. I also love so many of the smaller boutiques/brands that I have stumbled upon here. And ofc, you can’t miss the iconic department stores. So without further ado, here are my fave spots:
BOBBY - Bobby is my favorite place of all time. In my opinion, they have the sweet spot when it comes to the amount of merchandise. Enough variety that you can dig and find pieces of all different prices, but not too overwhelming that you get lost in the racks. I have gone with many of my friends and every single one of them has found something there. They have great designer vintage, french brands, and eclectic pieces. There are two locations, one in the 2nd and one in the Marais (the Marais location is bigger, but both have a great assortment)
THANX GOD IM A VIP - Thanx God is definitely a popular spot amongst the masses. Also a great selection of designer vintage pieces. The racks are all color coded which makes it very aesthetically pleasing as well. I have found an epic purple Dior leather bomber there as well as a sickening Sonia Rykiel pink rain trench (pictured above) definitely a must hit spot!
LOUISE PARIS - After you pop into Thanx God, two doors down is my girl Louise! I absolutely adore meeting small business owners, especially when I am traveling, and I have had the pleasure of getting to know Louise, the owner of of this store. She has such a beautiful assortment of curated vintage designer, lots of great Chloe for our neutral girls. And she is an absolute delight to be around, which makes the experience that much more fun!
NUOVO (and others) - Nuovo is another spot that a lot of people like. They have a great assortment of designer vintage, heavy on the Dolce, Cavalli, and JPG. Also there are two stores that I am blanking on the name of that are right next door that also have similar, great assortments. I got a 25 euro Cavalli bikini at one of them, such a steal!! And this spot is right around the corner from one of favorite lunch spots below, Cafe Charlot, so this is a great strip to hit right before you are ready for a bite to eat.
CHEZ SNOW BUNNY - Another one of my favorite spots, they have such fun Y2K, bright, colorful, funky pieces. They just opened an upstairs too so their selection is wider. They also have great accessories, bags, shoes, jewels, etc here. Also in a great area, around the corner from one of Bobby’s location and next to an adorable bookstore.
GOOD JO PARIS - Good Jo has some of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever seen. It is in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Saint Germain, on the other side of the river from the majority of the other stores mentioned. Many of the pieces from Emily in Paris came from this store. It is definitely pricier, but definitely a place to find those WOW one of a kind designer vintage pieces! Also, while you’re in the neighborhood, take a stroll down Rue De Buci, so many cute cafes, restaurants, ice cream, other shops, people watching, and more!
OTHER NOTABLE VINTAGE STORES I HAVE FOUND WALKING AROUND THE MARAIS
Dressing Particulier - great designer vintage, wide variety
Second Season Paris - great designer vintage, smaller store
Nice Piece Vintage - designer vintage, I find this spot to be a tad bit pricier
Open Dressing - great designer vintage
Predilection - more Y2K vibes, some designer vintage
The Parisian Vintage - designer vintage, I find this spot to be a tad bit pricier
Skat Vintage - beautiful curated designer vintage
Kilo Shop - where you can find vintage tees, jeans, etc, cheaper!
Pop ups - walk around, you will see vintage pop ups all over the place!
I also got a rec from a follower to follow the IG account @kissa.vintage.paris who constantly posts about where the flea markets are going on!!!! I am so upset that I didn’t get the chance to hit one on this trip!
My biggest rec is to go to the Marais, use a few of these as your key places to hit, and just walk around and let the city sweep you up and you will stumble on so many treasures! Here is a link to my Google maps list to make things easier :)
TIMELESS PEARLY - Those of you who keep up with me know that I am actually addicted to the jewelry brand, Timeless Pearly This is where my infamous mismatch earrings are that I wear every single day. Their showroom is literally heaven on earth, bowls and bowls of the sickest charms, necklaces, bracelets, earrings; everything is colorful, whimsical, and just has the IT GIRL FACTOR! You can DM them on insta to make an appointment at their showroom where you can not only shop their pieces, but also customize absolutely anything you could dream of. The team is incredible and have become dear friends of mine. I really haven’t seen many brands doing what they are doing, and you will just get so inspired being in their space. It is an absolute MUST visit.
OTHER SMALL BOUTIQUES
Alison - cutest boutique that has locations all over, has a great curation of colorful, funky, well priced brands
Merci - really cool concept store in the Marais, great place to discover new brands and find unique pieces
Berenice - I discovered this brand on my most recent trip, where I got “The Coolest Girl” tee, that is truly what all of their pieces embodied
Officine Unviversalle Buly - this is the place where you can get engraved combs, lip glosses, toothbrushes, etc, the chicest toiletries ever to bring home that special trinket you’ll have forever
Cecile Jeanne - really funky mother daughter owned jewelry store that I stumbled upon in the Marais, great chunky jewels
Tresse - also stumbled upon this brand in the Marais and saw their stores all over Europe this summer, really beautiful, unique pieces that were all themed around Italy this year, I think it changes every season!
OTHER VINTAGE STORE RECS I HAVEN’T TRIED YET: Palace Callas, Dawn, Twice, Come on Eileen, Vintage Paris, Vintage Desir, Le Temple Du Vintage
DEPARTMENT STORES:
I would much prefer a vintage store over a department store, but definitely browse the below for great inspo and brand discovery!
Le Bon Marche
Samaritaine
Galeries Lafayette
WHERE TO EAT
There are so many incredible restaurants in Paris, I truly feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface. And when it comes to food, I’m not picky - your girl loves to eat, but I also very much love a place for the vibes. The below has a mix of touristy/more basic places, but also some spots that I keep going back to just because they are that good. I emphasize this again at the end of this section, but literally around every corner there is an adorable bistro/brasserie whatever you wanna call it, walk in somewhere local, or ask a local! Those are always the best spots.
Lunch/Coffee
CAFE CHARLOT - Cafe Charlot is probably one of my top 5 fave Paris spots overall - the vibes, the people watching, the food, the location. It is such a fun spot. The waiters are all hilarious and love to banter, the burger is 10/10, and you have to get a sweatshirt for the road. It’s such a chic souvenir. Go for lunch after shopping, or later in the afternoon when it gets more poppin, they keep the drinks flowing there and you will get a great taste of what I feel like is the “cool downtown” version of Paris ppl.
CARETTE - This is definitely a basic B instagram spot, but I will say the brunch is amazing and it is in such a good location. It looks out onto Place De Vosges, which is a beautiful park in the heart of the Marais. You can get your chic French eggs, cappuccino, hot chocolate, and croissant here all in one meal.
L’AS DU FALAFEL - You may have heard about a famous falafel shop in the Marais. This is the spot. There is always a line, but it moves quickly, you MUST get one of their falafel wraps, truly one of my fave meals ever. Will leave you perfectly full and content for a day of shopping. It is grab and go style.
L’AVENUE - If you’re looking for a bougier lunch spot, definitely hit up L’Avenue. This is also somewhat basic, a Kardashian frequented restaurant, but the vibes are so freaking chic. The pasta is incredible. And you will just feel like a glamorous Parisian princess sitting here. It is near Avenue Montaigne which is where all of the designer stores are, it’s kind of like the Upper East side of Paris and it is such a beautiful neighborhood to walk around and window shop or make a delulu purchase.
LOU LOU- Another basic spot, I’m sorry guys, but especially if you are going to Paris for the first time, some of these spots are just great to hit to give you the vibes that you’re looking for. Lou Lou is in the grass right outside of the Louvre - the view is stunning, you have the museum on one side and then can see the Eiffel tower on the other. Have a spritz, get your Instagram, and this will leave you right in the center of Paris to explore some of its most beautiful sights.
RUE DE BUCI/CAFE DE FLORE/LES DUEX MAGOTS - Like I mentioned above, one of my favorite neighborhoods is Saint Germain. I have stayed here on three separate times now and it just really has the perfect mix of everything and feels a little more neighborhoody than some of the spots in the left bank. Rue De Buci is a great street filled with lots of good restaurants and also this neighborhood is home to the famous Cafe De Flore. I’ve been once, I don’t think I need to go again, but once again, especially if you are a first timer, it’s a great brunch spot to hit. Lex Deux Magots has the same vibes, but is a bit less touristy and chicer in my opinion.
CAFE KITSUNE - We have Cafe Kitsune in NYC, BUT in Europe it is tricky to find a good iced coffee, so I like to go here if I am really craving one. It is also in a very central neighborhood for exploring, so a perfect first stop of the day.
SEVENLY HEART - I tried this coffee shop on this past trip with a friend who lives in Paris, it is in the Marais and so beautiful. Would be a great spot to curl up with a book and people watch for the day.
MUSEE CARNAVALET - This is actually a museum, but they have a gorgeous garden that is the perfect spot to get a coffee. Very dreamy and gives you that chic Parisian vibe!
Dinner
CHEZ JANOU - Chez Janou is my absolute favorite restaurant in Paris. It is just EVERYTHING and more. The only downside is that they don’t answer the phone, so it is pretty difficult to get a reservation. You can always put your name down and wait. I recommend going around the corner to Le Petit Italien for a drink before, such a cute local spot. Or go there on your first and make a reservation for later in your trip. The food is unreal, you cannot leave without getting their famous chocolate mousse, I think about this once a day. It is just the perfect, fun spot, the ambience is exactly what you would want from a French bistro. I have had so many special nights here with friends. You can also go here for lunch too!
LE PETIT LUTETIA - This spot was recommended to me by a few people, and I keep going back to it because the food is just soooo good. It is in the 7th, a less touristy area, so the scene is really chic and Parisian. It looks out onto the most beautiful street, so picturesque. Get the truffle pasta, you will thank me later. This is a little more expensive, but definitely worth it for the vibes and food.
MONSIEUR BLEU - This restaurant is also on the fancier side, but if you are looking for that Eiffel tower adjacent spot, this is a great alternative to Girafe and Gigi (which I have heard the food isn’t that great at) You don’t get the full view here when you are sitting, but it is so beautiful, chic, and picturesque and you can run out across the street to get your pic. Also a great scene and turns into a little party when it gets to 10:30 pm. I went with 10 girls on a bachelorette trip and we had the best time!
FONTAINE DE LA MARS - This is an adorable French bistro right near the Eiffel tower. With its red checkerboard table cloths, steak frites, and flowing wine, you really feel like you are in an authentic French restaurant. This is definitely a spot I need to hit again. And then you can have your late night moment seeing the tower sparkle.
LA PALETTE - La Palette is a beautiful local spot in Saint Germain. It is a truly dreamy spot on a street corner. You will really get an authentic vibe and meal here. Definitely stop here if you are in the area.
BRASSERIE LIPP - This is another spot in Saint Germain. Old school, classic vibes. Very grand interior. I went here on a solo date and it was so delicious and loved the people watching.
WALK AROUND! GRAB A BAGUETTE AND BRING IT TO A PARK! ASK A LOCAL! SEE WHAT DRAWS YOU IN! (this is the best way to go in my opinion)
ON MY LIST STILL: Chez L’Ami Louis, Paul Bert, Vivant, Le Dauphin, Clown Bar, Parcelles, Ferdi, La Perouse
WHERE TO DRINK AND PARTY
Ugh, I live for a Paris night. You guys know I love to have a good time, and I’ve definitely had my fair share of fun in Paris. If you don’t speak French, it is not the easiest to get around the nightlife scene here, but here are a few spots that I have hit and had a time at.
SILENCIO - Silencio is honestly the club of my dreams LOL. It is just an absolute vibe. This is the spot you are dancing on a table or by the DJ booth till 4am at. The music here varies, sometimes it can be kind of techno, we even had a performance from a drag queen once, but overall it is just an absolute time. Great mix of people, I don’t have the secret sauce for getting in, but show up in a great outfit or with a friend who speaks French and try your best.
SERPENTE A LA PLUME - Before you go to Silencio, hit Serpente a La Plume for drinks. This place is also such a vibe. Funky, cool, great music. You can sit outside and be in the Marais scene or go in the basement and dance all night long. They have really great cocktails and a very cool crowd.
LES JARDINS DU PRESBOURG - This is actually a restaurant, but I had my 25th birthday dinner here and it ended up being a great party spot, so I thought I would throw it in here. It was a chic dinner spot in the 11th that turned into a party with a DJ set, sparklers, the whole nine yards. Great spot to start the night for a group dinner party scene. We were dancing through the whole restaurant causing a scene and we loved every minute of it!
CARMEN - I went to this club once, it almost looks like a chic French ballroom turned nightclub. It was a beautiful setting, but the crowd there wasn’t really down to mingle. It was a fun stop in the night and definitely recommend it just for the ambience.
LES TRES PARTICULARES - This is a spot I tried on this trip and was so completely obsessed with and will need to go back every trip. It is a hotel in Montmarte that used to be one of the homes of the Hermes family. Talk about chic!! It reminded me of the Chateau Marmont in LA, had a great bar area, music performance, and insanely chic crowd of Parisians. Plus, you have to press a button on a gate to be let it, it’s giving private, it’s giving elevated, a must hit spot.
CRAZY HORSE PARIS - Crazy Horse is a full experience. We did this on the bachelorette trip and it was the perfect activity. It is a cabaret show and just so much fun. It was chic, sexy, glam, and a little bit trippy. Our glasses were flowing with champagne the whole night and we came home and tried to perform all the routines.
WHERE TO EXPLORE/WHERE I LIKE STAY
Ending with a couple recs of where to stay / some other activities that I love to do! Paris is similar to NYC in the way that you can truly just let yourself walk around and get lost in the city, but I know when planning a trip, it is good to have a few soft plans and reservations, so here are my recs!
Where I like to stay
When I was planning my first trip to Paris, I got the advice to stay somewhere near the river, which I think still holds true! Especially if you are going for the first time, I think it is good to be in a central location and being near the river makes it easy to get around! I also think that depending on who you are going with and what kind of trip you are trying to have
ST GERMAIN - this is probably my favorite place to stay solo, I just did a few days alone in Paris and stayed at this hotel and it was perfect!!! Very well priced and perfectly located. Like mentioned a few times above, Saint Germain is such a lovely neighborhood, very cool yet elevated, with a ton of great restaurants and shops. And right near the Seine!
LE MARAIS - I actually have not stayed in the Marais yet, but it is definitely my fave neighborhood to explore in Paris and think it would be such a great place to stay. I am already looking into hotels and air bnbs for my next trip in September ;) here. You will be central and in the heart of cool kid town near all the great vintage, restaurants, cocktail bars and more.
THE 2ND ARRONDISSEMENT - the two times that I have stayed with bigger groups (once for my birthday and once for a bachelorette trip), we have stayed in the 2nd. This area is SUPER central so I think it works great for a trip that you know you will be going all over the place and doing lots of different activities. You might not get a cute, quaint street here, but you will be set up for success for a great central stay!
Some fun places to explore
FYI All of the above spots are also great places to explore and I feel like I have given you a lot of activities throughout this article, but here are a few more :)
PICNIC IN THE GARDENS - especially if you are going to Paris during warm weather season, it is a must to grab a baguette, a cappucino, a picnic blanket, and head to the Tuilerie Gardens or the lawn right across the Louvre to sit and bask. Another great park to do this in is Place Due Vosges in the Marais!
9TH TO MONTMARTE - I spent some more time in the 9th this trip visiting with my friend who lives there and absolutely loved this neighborhood. There are so many cute restaurants and shops and the streets are just absolutely gorgeous here. If you walk north too, you will make it to one of the most beautiful areas, Montmarte. This is more touristy, but if you go to Sacré-Cœur Basilica's Front Steps, you can see a whole view of the city. But Montmarte has so many cute spots to explore and walk around as well.
EIFFEL TOWER SAVE FOR LATE NIGHT - Obviously the Eiffel tower is packed with tourists, I honestly don’t think it’s necessary to go all the way up. I did that with my family years ago, and I don’t feel like I ever need to go again, but I do think its fun to have a late night moment with your friends on the lawn outside it to watch it sparkle! That romanticize your life moment!!
DELULU SHOPPING ON MONTAIGNE - I mentioned this when I was talking about L’Avenue, but if you are going on a girls trip, there’s gotta be at least one person in the group who wants to make a big purchase. Go to Avenue Montaigne, go to all the designer stores, and have yourself a boujee day. The designer stores are all over the city, but I think this is the best strip to get them all in.
FASHION MUSEUMS - I hate to say it, but I am not the biggest museum person, so I don’t think I am the best person to give you recs for those kinds of activities, but if you are a fashion lover like me, the YSL museum is a must!!! Also, there are always temporary fashion exhibits/other cool temporary exhibits at the Louvre. A couple years ago I got to see the Schapiarelli exhibit and it was incredible!
Ok I think that pretty much covers it!!!!! Linking my google doc of recs here as well that has a more extensive list of everything! I hope this was helpful and got you excited for your next trip to Pariiiiiiii! And for now, au revoirrrrrr!!!
Xoxo
Soco