So you've already done the Louvre, seen the Eiffel Tower sparkle, and taken a stroll down the Champs-Élysées. Now what? If you're looking to skip the tourist traps and experience la vie Parisienne like a true insider, we've got you covered.
From hipster neighbourhoods to the chicest boutique hotels, here's how to spend a weekend in Paris doing what the locals do...
Unique Paris hotels to stay in
Maison Albar - Le Vendome, Opéra
Where? 9th arrondissement, classic Haussmann elegance, understated, and incredibly luxe
A five-star boutique, blending classic Haussmann elegance with contemporary interiors. Marble, velvet, and gold light makes everything (and everyone) look gorgeous. Maison Albar delivers on indulgence, too; lunch is served in a pristine Japanese garden patio – a setting so serene you could happily while away an entire afternoon there. The chocolate mousse was almost too perfect to eat...
If you prefer to stay cocooned, slip downstairs to the spa. Complete with a pool, hammam and treatment rooms, it’s blissfully removed from the city whirl – after a long day of pounding the Parisian pavements, a dip in here feels borderline medicinal.
Location wise, you couldn’t ask for better. A short stroll from Galeries Lafayette, Place Vendôme and the Louvre, with metro links galore, it's an ideal stay for Fashion Week, a culture fix or romantic weekends.
Rooms at Maison Albar start from approximately £350 per night, find out more here
Hotel Suzie Blue, Le Marais
Where? 3rd arrondissement, retro-chic, vibrant and a vintage shopper's dream
If you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe while in Paris, Le Marais is where you’re going to want to stay. From boutiques to second-hand shops, the Marais is undoubtedly one of the best areas for sorting souvenirs (BIS Boutique, Revoir Vintage and The Frankie Shop are personal faves).
And once you’ve shopped until you’ve dropped, Hotel Suzie Blue is the place to rest your head. The hotel is the epitome of retro chic while still feeling modern and importantly, super clean. Like most boutique hotels in Paris, there aren't many facilities to speak of, but the café and lounge make a stylish spot for breakfast, coffee and co-working. Though being in a prime location, we recommend exploring the neighbourhood to make the most of the city’s authentic restaurants and bars.
Rooms at Hotel Suzie Blue from £156 per night, find out more here
Hôtel Lancaster, Champs-Élysées
Where? 8th arrondissement, historic, deeply decadent, and a quiet oasis right by the action
Celebrating its centenary this year, the Hotel Lancaster is a Parisian institution. Located a stone's throw away from the Champs-Élysées, you are right in the thick of the action, although you wouldn’t know it from within. One of the city’s best kept secrets has to be their hidden courtyard. Connected to their decadent restaurant by floor-to-ceiling folding doors, the space boasts in-out living and dining, ideal for spring and summer getaways. Tired of the throngs of shoppers on the parade outside? No bother, dash back to the quiet oasis and be tempted by one of the experimental cocktails from their in-house bar, CopperBay.
Speaking of which, even if you don’t book a room here, their bar is worth a visit in its own right. The cocktail menu is innovative and delicious – no gimmicks to be found. Soak up the alcohol with a selection of their small plates at the bar, which are equally as tasty (particularly the marinated prawns.) And if you’re missing home already – although really, who misses the UK when they’re in Paris? – they’ve started doing Sunday roasts too, for a true home away from home.
Rooms at Hôtel Lancaster start at £401 per night, find out more here
Hôtel Rochechouart, Pigalle
Where? 9th arrondissement, glamorous, nostalgic, and subtly star-studded
Part of the Orso group, this quintessential Parisian hotel has everything you could want from the City of Lights: just a short walk away from the Sacré-Coeur (visible from some rooms), it serves serious old school glamour with an art deco feel running throughout – and has happily affordable room rates. You can practically feel the history of the building pulsing throughout and rumour has it, it's just as popular with celebrities today (Lily Allen recently stayed there) as the site was back in the roaring twenties.
As for the rooms, Paris is known for its intimate bedroom sizes and the classic double rooms at Hotel Rochechouart could certainly be accused of falling into that bracket, but there was still ample space for our suitcases and the cosy vibe made it perfect for switching off after a long day of exploring. All the staff we chatted to were super friendly, speaking an array of languages (fear not if your French is rusty) and were more than happy to recommend a great local spot for a drink, dance or bite to eat, too.
Rooms at Hotel Rochechouart start from £162 per night, find out more here
Le Pigalle Hotel, Pigalle
Where? 9th arrondissement, quirky, effortlessly cool, and completely music-obsessed
Also in Pigalle is, err, Le Pigalle – a quirky boutique hotel that’s far from your traditional, stuffy five star. It’s also around the corner from Pigalle station, neighbouring Montmartre and a 5 minute walk from the Moulin-Rouge. From the quirky, liberal artwork to the retro furniture and dreamy marble table tops, this hotel is cooler than we'll ever be.
Each room is oh-so-Instagrammable and feels immensely chic yet cosy – the comfy bed was literally heaven after a long day walking around the city. Expect the home-from-home essentials like your own bedroom has, but far chicer cooler – we’re talking about the unique artwork and books, an iPad, a record player and personal selection of vinyl’s, as well as your own bar with cute pre-bottled cocktails so you can sip on a Manhattan while you get ready for dinner.
Downstairs is home to a cafe and restaurant complete with record library and DJ decks, so expect to experience a laid-back coffee shop vibe in the day and a buzzing atmosphere when the resident DJs start playing their sets at night.
Rooms at Le Pigalle start from £240 per night, find out more here
Molitor Hôtel & Spa, Boulogne
Where? 16th arrondissement, peaceful, sporty, and an absolute urban oasis
If you’d rather get out of the hustle and bustle of the main city, Molitor needs to be your top choice – based in the chic 16th arrondissement in the boujee neighbourhood of Boulogne, it's an oasis of peace and quiet, on the doorstep of a huge park (and for tennis fans: right by Roland-Garros).
Originally opened in 1929, Molitor was the most popular swimming baths in Paris. It closed in 1989, but soon became one of the best-kept-secrets of the Parisian underground scene, flocked to by ravers and graffiti artists. Now, after re-opening in 2014 as a hotel, the best bits of all those eras have been embraced.
The Art Deco design is gorgeous and the two full-size swimming pools (one heated outdoor, one indoor) are surrounded by sun loungers and deck chairs. There's even a luxe Clarins spa, Shu Uemura salon and gym to match. But they've also embraced the building's street art roots, with amazing murals, installations and graffiti artwork everywhere you turn. Plus, there's a rooftop bar, amazing restaurant and poolside terrace.
Rooms at Molitor start from £275 per night, find out more here.
M Social Hotel, Opéra
Where? 9th arrondissement, modern-meets-vintage, generous, and perfectly located
Fun modern decor with a vintage twist? Check! A cosy library nook to hide in on a rainy day? Check! Housed in an area that means excellent bars, shops and restaurants are all on your doorstep? Hat trick! Not only is the breakfast offering top notch at the M Social Hotel, but by Parisian standards the rooms are generous in size too (and we found ours to be spotless, might we add). The comfy beds are also perfect for catching a good night's sleep in after a day of culture at the Louvre or shopping in Galeries Lafayette, one of the city's most iconic shopping centres, both of which are an easy walk away.
In addition to it's ideal location, we found all the staff at the M Social Hotel to be polite and friendly, and that the petite lobby bar was ideal for a pre-dinner drink and a spot of people watching... or a game of chess, if you fancy.
Rooms at M Social Paris start from £177 per night, find out more here.
Insider spots to eat in Paris
Citrons et Huîtres
If you're a seafood and natural wines fan, Citrons et Huîtres oyster bar (situated right around the corner from Hotel Rochechouart, FYI) is the perfect spot for a date night or catch up with a friend. The owners are always happy to recommend a wine to pair with your food and the intimate space is popular with locals and out-of-towners alike.
Find out more about Citrons et Huîtres here
Maggie
Want to feel like you're in an old Hollywood movie for the night? Eat at Hotel Rochechouart's restaurant, Maggie – it boasts classic French fare (for very reasonable prices considering the opulent surroundings) and the dimly lit dining hall, complete with mosaic flooring, makes it feel like anything could happen... and that anyone could be about to walk in mid-starter.
A menu highlight? Le fameux gâteau du crêpes, a stack of thin fluffy pancakes drizzled in a creme vanilla custard (€12). Your stomach will thank you for it. We also loved the artichoke with vinaigrette, and please do note that there's an impressive cocktail menu to boot.
Find out more about Maggie here
Peppe Pizzeria Martyrs
Keen for a pizza fix? (We feel you, it doesn't matter where in the world you are, sometimes you just need a slice of the cheesy stuff). Peppe Pizzeria is the go-to in Paris, adored by the locals – the table next to us leant over to tell us so – and famed for its authenticity.
Find out more about Peppe here
IRWIN
Behind IRWIN’s unassuming facade in Paris’ 8th arrondissement is a sensational spot from Michelin-pedigreed chef Irwin Durand. The moody, calming atmosphere sets the stage for an exquisite special occasion meal where you choose a three, five, or seven-course menu. Each elegant dish tells a story using local, seasonal produce.
Cosmo tried the wine-paired five-course option. Friendly staff explained every delicately-crafted plate, from cod in a ravioli blanket to poached rhubarb with fir tree shoots (!!). Fine dining can feel intimidating, but IRWIN puts you totally at ease—you even get to pick your own knife!
The full seven-course menu is €160 (£140) per person – luxe, but totally worth it for a celebration. Alternatively, grab five courses for €115 (£101), or a lunch-only three courses for €68 (£60).
Find out more about IRWIN here
Explore Paris like a local
Paris can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to rinse your bank account. There are a number of ways you can be savvy with your spends to free up some budget for what’s important to you (like wine and cheese).
Wander Rue des Martyrs
If you’re in Pigalle, make time for Rue des Martyrs, an old neighbourhood market street that feels a bit like Paris’s answer to Portobello Road. It’s full of cute pâtisseries, boutique shops and cafes, so grab yourself a Nutella crepe and have a proper wander.Walk, don’t rushThe secret is to walk everywhere. Paris is one of those cities that reveals itself best on foot, when you’ve got time to take in the architecture, drift in and out of shops and stop for a drink when something catches your eye.
Pick museums strategically
If you do want a cultural stop without doing the full tourist circuit, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, just around the corner from the Louvre, offers a fascinating look at fashion and furniture over the years.
Explore the neighbourhood of Pigalle
There’s never a dull moment in Pigalle. The former red-light district once had a bad rep for being seedy, but the area is transforming into a popular spot with hipster vibes akin to an East London neighbourhood. Of course, there’s still a flurry of all-night sex shops and strip bars, but there’s now enough clubs and cocktail bars, live music venues and chic boutique hotels to make you realise that you’ve discovered one of the hottest (and liveliest) areas in Paris.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
Sophie Boyden (she/her) is Cosmopolitan UK's Head of Social, who leads the content creation and social strategy across the brand’s social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Snapchat. She also occasionally contributes news and features for the website.
