The CC's Insider Guide to Paris
Jaime O’Donnell, a TCC Tastemaker in Paris, has an innate love of the French language, Parisian architecture and food culture. It was only natural that she found herself living in her favorite city in the world! She spends her time discovering hidden and local gems in Paris.
PLANNING A TRIP TO PARIS?
The Citrine Compass is a boutique travel planning network that helps busy, sophisticated world explorers create curated and authentic travel experiences. The CC is comprised of a hand-selected collection of local tastemakers around the globe that have amazing taste and a passion for their region.
Jaime is on our France team and works with clients 1:1. Check out our Services and Booking pages to learn more!
What are your favorite Paris hotels?
I always recommend staying in central Paris so that you can easily access the entire city. I like The Hoxton on the right bank for its trendy vibe, Cour des Vosges* as a classic option in the Marais, and the chic Hotel Verneuil in Saint-Germain. If you are here to splurge, I adore Le Bristol* and Hotel Lutetia.
Favorite type of local food and place to get it?
One of the things I love about French cuisine is that it’s so creative - chefs are incredibly open-minded and work magic with every dish under the sun. I have eaten more adventurously in Paris than I have anywhere else! Some of my classic French faves are Les Antiquaires for escargots and French onion soup, Vivant2 for ris de veau (don’t ask, just try it) and La Fontaine de Mars for coq au vin.
Where do you go for an amazing lunch?
Le Bon Georges has one of the best wine lists in the city, and an amazing meat selection - take advantage of their lunch “formule”, which is a shorter lunch menu offered at a much lower price (more bang for your buck!). For something more casual, try Le D’Argout or the cobb salad at Poni. For a swanky lunch break, I like Le Petit Lutetia on the left bank. Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Girafe - while reservations are impossible to come by, I’ve always had luck walking in for lunch, and the Eiffel Tower views are unmatched!
*Cour des Vosges and Hotel Bristol are part of The Citrine Compass’s partner portfolio and we are able to get members of our community VIP perks such as complimentary breakfast for two each morning, hotel credit, early check-in, late check-out and room upgrades, subject to availability. Reach out to us here to access our insider connections!
Best museums or galleries?
You can’t miss the classics - the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, and L’Orangerie are famous for a reason (just make sure to get a ticket before you go). My other favorites are Musee Rodin and Musee Marmottan. It’s also worthwhile to look up any expos at Grand Palais and Petit Palais during the time you’re visiting!
Where do you like to shop?
Paris has four fabulous department stores and I LOVE Le Bon Marche. The selection is just as incredible as that of Galeries Lafayette, Printemps and Samaritaine, but I find that it’s less crowded. It’s also connected to the most amazing grocery store called La Grande Epicerie: 4 floors of culinary bliss that will satisfy any savory or sweet tooth and is the perfect spot for curating a picnic spread.
Favorite beach, park, outdoor space?
On any Sunday, you can find me at Jardin du Luxembourg. It’s perfect for reading a book, playing a game of chess or cheering on your friends playing paddle.
Favorite wine bar?
This is an endless list of amazing wine bars but I’ll narrow it down to my top picks of the moment. I am loving Folderol, a casual, local spot whose homemade ice cream is almost as perfect as its wine list, as well as Chez Nous, Terra Bar à Vins and Le Barav.
Favorite cocktail bar?
The Marais is full of amazing speakeasies, my personal favorite is Candelaria for margaritas and mezcal cocktails. I also like L’Epicier and Mobster Bar, which are also in the area.
Best day trips?
My favorite day trip from Paris is to visit Normandy. You can get there by train, bus, or car and the region is full of World War II history and beautiful beaches. Another easy day trip is to Fontainebleau to see the Château de Fontainebleau, a medieval castle with beautiful gardens that has served as home to all the Kings of France including Napoleon I, Henri IV, and Louis XIV.
Best fitness studio or outdoor activity for a workout?
If you’re looking for group fitness, Paris has it all. My favorite yoga studio is Yuj Yoga, for pilates I frequent both locations of Reformation and for HIIT you can choose from Barry’s Bootcamp, Orange Theory, Episod Bootcamp and more. There are also a number of parks perfect for outdoor walks such as La Villette, Parc des Buttes Chaumont and Bois de Vincennes.
Top dinner restaurants?
A next to impossible question to answer. I have truly never had a bad meal in Paris, even at spots that are deemed “touristy”. But as a dedicated foodie, I take this question very seriously. In addition to the restaurants mentioned elsewhere in the article, I love Camille, Malro, Le Relais de l'Entrecôte (left bank location), and La Regalade Saint-Honore.
Cool events that only happen once a year (or seasonally)?
Nuit Blanche and Paris-Plages are two of the commonly known annual Parisian events but I’m also a big fan of “Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre” or “The Grape Harvest Festival”. This traditional festival celebrates all things wine and takes place in Montmartre every October. Over the course of 5 days, the festival hosts wine and food tastings, tours of Montmartre’s only vineyard, concerts, dancing, and fireworks. My favorite part is meeting the wine producers, makers, and artists who have booths at the event to display their products.
Any essentials on your packing list?
Good walking shoes are an absolute must! You’ll definitely be hitting your 10k steps per day goal in Paris as you roam the narrow streets of the Marais and spend afternoons shopping on Rue Saint-Honore. I always pack a light jacket as well; even during the summer months Paris can be a little chilly in the early mornings or late evenings. As we all know Paris is the fashion capital of the world so don’t be afraid to pack and wear anything that shows off your unique sense of personal style.
Best views of the city?
Perruche is a rooftop restaurant on top of Printemps, one of the four major department stores in Paris and the view of the city is INSANE. It doesn’t hurt that the cocktails are fabulous as well. I also like the view of the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero and the bird's eye view of the city from Sacre Coeur in Montmartre.
