Paris is one of those cities that’s simply just a perfect place for different types of travel. Although its nickname is the City of Love, Paris isn’t just a great honeymoon destination, it’s also a great place for solo travel, and of course a girls trip.
Paris is an ideal place for a girls trip since there’s so much to do. No matter what your girlfriends may be interested in, there is likely something that you’ll all love and enjoy.
Whether you’re planning a girls getaway with your best friends, relatives, or your mom, here’s how to enjoy the beautiful city of Paris.
What to Do on a Girls Trip to Paris
This past summer I spent an entire month in Paris to work on creating my Paris Guide. My mom came with me for the entire time, and we had so much fun wandering the streets of Paris, shopping, relaxing at cafes, and seeing everything the City of Light has to offer.
After 30 days in Paris and countless activities with my mom, here are the best things to do during a Paris girls trip.
Take a Cooking Class
The best way to immerse yourself in French cuisine is to take a cooking class.
If you want to go the traditional cooking route, be sure to sign up for a cooking class with La Cuisine Paris. I did the French Market and Cooking Class which was phenomenal. We stopped by a little grocery store on Île Saint-Louis along with a cheese shop and candy shop, then went back to the classroom to make a phenomenal chicken dish with French gnocchi and sides.
La Cuisine Paris offers lots of different types of classes; be sure to plan accordingly, as classes fill up about a month or so in advance. It’s located in the heart of Paris and within walking distance to Hôtel de Ville, Paris’ city hall.
If it’s pastries you’re craving to make instead, taking a baking class at Maison Fleuret in Saint Germain. I had an excellent teacher who made our class fun, not intimidating. Plus, you get to go home with several homemade pastries.
Both classes were a highlight of my trip; I recommend doing either as a fun way to learn about such important parts of French culture.
Have a Picnic at a Beautiful Garden
Paris has so many beautiful parks and gardens, and when the weather is nice locals and tourists alike head to them to enjoy a picnic.
Grab some cheese, a baguette, and other snacks at a local market, then head to one of the many green spaces around the city. A few favorites include Jardin du Luxembourg, Place des Vosges, and Jardin des Tuileries.
Go Shopping
There’s no better way to spend a relaxing day in Paris than with a shopping day!
There are several beautiful, high-end department stores in Paris. My favorites are Le Bon Marché (the first department store in the world!) and Samaritaine.
If you’re looking to splurge on a designer item, Paris is one of the best cities in the world to do so. Since many designer houses are based in France, there’s no mark ups for export fees, so prices are usually cheaper than US prices, even with the exchange rate. Don’t forget to take advantage of VAT refunds, too.
A great way to discover local shops is to wander around various neighborhoods and just see what you find! I love Le Marais and Saint Germain (Saint-Germain-des-Prés) for this kind of local shopping.
Find more shopping recommendations and VAT refund tips in my Paris Guide!
Café Hop
Saint Germain, Le Marais, and the Latin Quarter are packed with tons of charming Parisian cafes.
Once you’re shopped out, or if you need a break, be sure to stop at one for a leisurely meal and drink.
Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore are both very popular Saint Germain, and although they’re beautiful, there are so many other cafes in the neighborhood (without lines, and with better service). If I had to pick one, I prefer Les Deux Magots. The servers are much nicer.
Take a Seine River Cruise
I always recommend a 1-hour cruise along the River Seine, especially if it’s your first time in Paris or you’re on a short trip. It’s a great way to see a lot of the city in a short time, and the only way to see the bridges of Paris up close.
There are several cruise companies and all of them go the same route down the river in the city center.
You’ll get to pass several iconic landmarks like Notre Dame, Musee D’Orsay, and you’ll start or and with a stellar Eiffel Tower view.
Visit a Museum
Paris is filled with endless museums. If you and your girlfriends have already seen the Mona Lisa, I’d skip The Louvre and visit Musee D’Orsay or Musée de l’Orangerie . Musée de l’Orangerie is one of my favorites; it features two peaceful rooms with paintings from Claude Monet’s Water Lilies series, and you can walk through in under an hour.
For a more fashion-forward spin on Parisian museums, you can’t go wrong with Musée Yves Saint Laurent and Galerie Dior.
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Wander Around Montmartre
This charming hilltop neighborhood is famous for its artistic heritage, with sweeping views of Paris, including a view of the Eiffel Tower.
Head to Sacre Coeur, then follow the winding road to Place du Tertre to see artists in action and grab a coffee or lunch. And a stone’s throw away: Moulin Rouge.
Grab a Sweet Treat
Île Saint-Louis is home to famous ice cream shop Berthillon. While you can get the same ice cream in various cafés, it’s worth a stop at the original outpost.
Or, wander the streets for the best pastries in Paris!
Eiffel Tower Views at Arc de Triomphe
The Paris skyline wouldn’t be complete without the Eiffel Tower, but I’m personally a fan of viewing it from afar – if you go up it, you don’t get to see it!
The Arc de Triomphe provides a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower, along with unrivaled 360-degree views of the entire city. Plus, the Arc itself is another one of Paris’ iconic sites located on the famous Avenue Champs Elysees.
If you’re heading to Paris for a girl’s trip and you’re looking for more things to do for your next trip, be sure to check out my Paris Guide! It’s over 50 pages and filled with 100+ recommendations on where to dine, visit, and shop. Plus, you’ll find lots of helpful travel tips and basic Paris etiquette.
