Discover Paris’s 200 best Unhurried Traveller spots for your trip

The Luxembourg Palace was built in the early 17th century for Marie de' Medici and now houses the French Senate, set within the beloved Jardin du Luxembourg. While the palace interior has limited public access, the surrounding gardens — with their fountains, tree-lined paths, and green metal chairs — are one of the most cherished green spaces in Paris.

The Hôtel de la Marine occupies one of the twin buildings on Place de la Concorde designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel in the 1770s, and served as the headquarters of the French Navy for over two centuries before its recent restoration and public opening. The interiors have been meticulously recreated to their 18th-century splendor, and reviewers consistently rate it among the best museum experiences in Paris.

A 45-75 minute guided tour covering both the exterior and newly restored interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The guide explains the Gothic facade's symbols, flying buttresses, and rose windows, then leads guests inside to see the light-filled interior following its five-year post-fire restoration.

Le Petit Grain is a modern bakery popular for breakfast and coffee breaks, offering pastries, grab-and-go sandwiches, and high-end juices. Regulars praise the consistent quality of its pain au chocolat and croissants, often returning daily.

Prices are considered good value for the quality, and the spot regularly draws a line of customers out the door.

This Rue Marbeuf branch of the Paris bistro chain offers just one dish: a walnut green salad followed by tender contre-filet steak in a secret sauce, served with homemade matchstick fries. Founded in 1959 by Paul Gineste de Saurs, the format has remained unchanged across generations.

The setting reflects a classic, elegant Parisian bistro atmosphere, with efficient service and no menu to choose from.

Near the Canopée des Halles and the Louvre, this brasserie has served round-the-clock since 8am to 5am, seven days a week. The menu features generous, traditional French dishes such as frog legs, cassoulet and pig's trotters, alongside a seafood selection also available for takeaway.

With its classic Parisian décor, terrace and lively atmosphere, it's a spot for family lunches, late dinners or gatherings with friends.

Opened in 1875 to mark the inauguration of the Opéra Garnier, this Grands Boulevards brasserie retains its period charm. Open daily from 7am to 1am, it serves traditional French cuisine including pâté-croûte, steak au poivre and seafood platters.

A sunny terrace and private salons make it suited to family lunches, post-theatre dinners or private events.

Brasserie Des Prés serves classic French brasserie fare in Paris's 6th arrondissement. It belongs to the La Nouvelle Garde group, known for reviving traditional bistro cooking with a contemporary touch.

Expect a lively, convivial setting suited to casual meals or drinks, in keeping with the group's other Parisian brasseries.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés dates back to the 6th century, making it the oldest church still standing in Paris, though most of the current structure was rebuilt around the 11th century. It anchors the historic square and neighborhood that share its name, and remains an active parish church as well as a landmark stop for visitors exploring the Left Bank.

Printemps has anchored Boulevard Haussmann since 1865, its flagship store crowned by an ornate stained-glass cupola dating to 1923. Beyond the extensive fashion floors, the rooftop terrace offers one of the best free panoramic views in central Paris, making it a worthwhile stop even for non-shoppers.

Built for the 1900 World's Fair, this arched bridge links the Invalides quarter to the Champs-Élysées area near the Grand Palais. Its single steel span is adorned with gilded bronze sculptures, cherubs, and nymphs at each end, reflecting Belle Époque design.

The bridge offers open views along the Seine and makes for a scenic stop while walking between riverbank landmarks.

Bofinger is a longstanding brasserie between Place de la Bastille and Place des Vosges, known for its historic decor and Alsatian cuisine such as choucroute, vol-au-vent and flammekueche. A large seafood display and classic French brasserie dishes round out the menu, paired with a selection of artisanal and traditional beers.

The restaurant offers a terrace, private salons for groups, and late-night dining, and is open daily including Sundays.

Le Café du Commerce occupies a historic building with a distinctive covered courtyard, spread across several floors connected by walkways. The menu offers traditional brasserie fare, including steaks, seafood, and salads, served in a lively, high-ceilinged setting.

Its scale and central open atrium make it a well-known address for group dining in the 15th arrondissement.

Le Bon Marché opened in 1852 as the world's first modern department store, and today remains one of the most stylish and carefully curated shopping destinations in Paris, distinct from the larger, more crowded stores near Opéra. Its adjoining food hall, La Grande Épicerie, is considered a destination in its own right.

Angelina is an iconic Parisian tea room on Rue de Rivoli, known since its founding for signature hot chocolate and pastries like the Mont Blanc and mille-feuille. The elegant setting draws steady crowds for breakfast, brunch and savory dishes alongside sweets.

Expect attentive service, occasional waits, and a refined, bustling atmosphere popular with international visitors.

This Montparnasse branch of the Relais de l'Entrecôte family follows the formula created in 1959: a walnut-topped green salad followed by tender contre-filet steak in a secret sauce, served with homemade matchstick fries. There is no menu choice to make, just the classic combination in a bistro setting.

Part of a small family-run chain with several Paris addresses.

Coutume Babylone is a coffee shop run by Coutume, a Paris-area roaster founded in 2010 specializing in single-origin coffee. Baristas prepare freshly roasted coffee as espresso or filter methods, alongside a seasonal food menu.

The setting suits brunch, lunch or a casual coffee break, located on rue de Babylone near the Sèvres-Babylone metro station.

Built for Saint Louis, Sainte-Chapelle is a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of Rayonnant Gothic architecture within the Palais de la Cité. Its upper chapel is lined with towering stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes, illuminating the space in color.

The Rose Window of the Apocalypse adds further detail to this soaring, light-filled interior. Tickets cost €22, with free entry for visitors under 26.

Opened in 1862 alongside the Grand Hôtel, Café de la Paix is a Parisian institution on Place de l'Opéra, known for its classified Napoleon III interior blended with contemporary touches. The restaurant serves French classics such as foie gras, tartare, sole and onion gratin, plus oysters and shellfish from its Écailler counter.

The terrace and café are open all day into the evening for coffee, light lunches or homemade pastries.

This French bistro has served one signature dish since 1959: grilled steak with matchstick fries and a secret sauce, brought by traditional waitresses in a lively atmosphere. The menu also features a selection of French wines and rich desserts like profiteroles.

Its long-running, no-choice format has made it a fixture of the Paris dining scene for over 60 years.

Just steps from Place des Victoires, this bistro features an old-world decor of stucco and mirrors, with close-set tables and a lively atmosphere drawing regulars and tourists alike. The chalkboard menu lists classics like duck confit, roast chicken and steak tartare, with the house specialty being grilled entrecôte with charred thyme, served with hand-cut fries.

No reservations are taken, and a copious brunch is offered on Sundays.

An evening ticket to the Moulin Rouge's famous "Féerie" cabaret show, featuring a troupe of 100 artists including the Doris Girls, in around 1,000 feather and rhinestone costumes. Guests are seated for the performance and served half a bottle of Champagne during the show.

L'As du Fallafel is a lively, always-buzzing street food spot in the Marais, considered one of Paris's most popular falafel stops. Expect a queue, with staff sometimes taking orders directly from the line.

The falafel is the highlight, served fresh with generous fillings. Note: cash only.

Founded in 1884 and named for the two wooden statues watching over the room, this Left Bank café was a meeting point for writers and artists like Sartre, Beauvoir and Picasso. Expect red Moleskine banquettes, a leafy terrace facing the church, and Parisian classics such as hot chocolate and tarte tatin.

A weekend brunch runs Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 11am to 3:30pm.

Established in 1686 in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Procope was the first Paris restaurant to serve coffee at table and became a meeting place for figures like Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot. The 18th-century interior preserves this literary history, while a hidden courtyard terrace offers outdoor seating.

The kitchen reworks classic Parisian dishes such as coq au vin and braised beef cheek, and historic salons are available for private events.

This Saint-Germain outpost of Le Relais de l'Entrecôte offers no menu choices beyond salad, steak and fries, served with a signature sauce. Expect queues, as reservations aren't taken and the format draws steady crowds.

The dining room has a lively, bustling atmosphere, with staff bringing a second helping of steak and fries after the first plate is cleared.

Opened in the early 20th century at the corner of Boulevards Raspail and Montparnasse, La Rotonde is a longstanding Parisian institution known for its warm, traditional décor. The menu ranges from croissants and coffee in the morning to sole meunière, escargots de Bourgogne, and seafood platters served late into the night.

A weekday lunch formula is available at 25€.

Café de Flore is a landmark café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, long associated with Parisian literary and intellectual life. Since 1994 it has hosted the Prix de Flore, an annual award for a promising young author, presented each November over dinner at the café.

Expect classic café fare, coffee and breakfast service in a setting steeped in literary history.

Carette is a popular café serving breakfast and pastries, best known for its rich, velvety hot chocolate paired with fresh butter croissants. Expect a chic, classic Parisian setting with a lively atmosphere, and be prepared for a queue, though it tends to move quickly.

A favored spot for a relaxed morning coffee break.

Open since 1923 at the Vavin crossroads, Le Select is a classic Montparnasse brasserie once frequented by writers, artists and filmmakers. Mirrors and old woodwork line the interior, while a terrace overlooks the boulevard.

It serves coffee, lunch and dinner in a traditional Parisian brasserie setting, open daily from early morning until late at night.