Paris France Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Stay & Gluten-Free Tips

**Paris Travel Guide: Adjusting To A Faster Pace**

Long walks, late summer heat, and learning when to slow down.

After easing into my three-month solo trip in London, Paris felt like an immediate shift in energy.

Traveling from London to Paris via the Chunnel felt like a rite of passage—and my first real introduction to long-distance European train travel. The ride itself was smooth, but nearly everything surrounding it felt slightly chaotic: crowded boarding areas, limited luggage space, and my growing realization that European travel requires a different level of adaptability than I was used to.

Instead of quiet riverside walks and slower mornings, Paris pushed me into longer days, bigger crowds, and far more physical ambition than I probably needed. I walked everywhere and quickly learned that there’s a difference between wanting to experience everything and actually needing to.

This guide covers where I stayed, how I explored Paris mostly on foot, and what helped make navigating the city—especially with celiac disease—feel more manageable.

Some links in this guide may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them—at no additional cost to you. I only share places and services I personally used or genuinely enjoyed during my trip. Read the full disclosure policy.

Paris Overview

Paris is the capital of France, set along the Seine in northern France. Compared to my experience staying in Chiswick in London, Paris felt faster-moving from the start. Staying in Le Marais meant stepping directly into busy streets, cafés, restaurants, and constant movement almost immediately outside the hotel.

I visited in late summer, when the weather was hot, sunny, and busy with both locals and tourists still filling the city. Between the heat, the crowds, and the amount of walking I did each day, Paris felt noticeably more intense than London—but in a way that made the city feel energetic and immersive.

Arriving In Paris: A Very Sweaty Lesson

Before leaving for Europe, I made a pact with myself: whenever possible, I would walk from the train station to my hotel. Arrival day in Paris was my first real test. I stepped off the train at Gare du Nord on a warm late-summer afternoon, carrying my full turtle setup—a 25-pound backpack in front and a 50-pound backpack on my back—and committed to a 45-minute walk to my hotel.

In retrospect, I should have taken a cab.

By the time I arrived, I was drenched in sweat and internally narrating my own embarrassment: Typical gross American.

Meanwhile, the Parisian women at the front desk looked impossibly polished and entirely unflappable. When I told them I had walked from the station, they looked terrified—apparently not many people attempt that. Especially in August. Especially while carrying 75 pounds of luggage.

Lesson learned: ambition is great. So are taxis.

Where I Stayed In Paris: Le Marais

I stayed at Hotel Georgette, tucked into the heart of Le Marais, spanning the 3rd and 4th arrondissements on Paris’s Right Bank. Le Marais is historic yet trendy, known for its preserved architecture, narrow streets, cafés, boutiques, and lively — but not overwhelming — energy.

The location was incredibly convenient. Nearly everything felt walkable (depending on how much you enjoy walking — which, as it turns out, I enjoy a lot).

The hotel itself was charming and intimate, with a café and bar downstairs and a great view. No matter where I wandered in the evenings, I always felt safe walking back — there were people out and about, but once inside the room, it was quiet and calm.

I stayed in a Classic Double room, which was perfect for one person but might feel tight for two. It was also my first experience with a hotel that requires you to insert your room key into a slot to activate electricity — a detail that required (another) quick, humbling chat with the front desk.

Nighttime view of a restaurant's interior and exterior through large glass windows, with neon signs, artificial flowers, and empty chairs.

A hotel room with a bed, black fur throw, and white bedding. A black side table and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall are visible. There is a small closet area with hangers, a bathroom with a sink and towels, and a window with dark curtains.

A black table against a wall with black and white circular wallpaper. On the table are bottled water, a metal electric kettle, mugs, a cordless phone, and some boxes. A white trash can is in front of the table, and a black backpack is underneath it.

Photo of Parisian apartment buildings with classic architecture, including dormer windows and balconies, under a cloudy sky.

View of multiple apartment buildings with windows, balconies, and rooftops in an urban setting.

How I Spent My Time in Paris: Walking, Biking, and Testing My Limits

After arriving overheated and exhausted from carrying my luggage across the city, I decided not to force too much sightseeing on the first evening. Instead, I unpacked, showered, decompressed, and headed out for dinner—a far better decision than trying to immediately conquer Paris in a single afternoon.

A Rainy Bike Tour Through Paris

The following day, I joined a Paris bike tour with Blue Fox Travel, which ended up being one of my favorite experiences in Paris—despite torrential rain.

Our guide was excellent, the group stayed in good spirits, and we covered major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris, Louvre Museum, and the Champs-Élysées far more efficiently than I ever could have on foot.

That afternoon, I continued exploring on my own through Île de la Cité, the 5th arrondissement, Jardin Tino-Rossi, Pont d’Austerlitz, the 12th arrondissement, Gare de Lyon, Porte Dorée, the 11th arrondissement, and the Coulée Verte René-Dumont.

By the end of the day, I had logged roughly 35,000 steps while breaking in new shoes.

My feet were not impressed.

A row of light blue bicycles parked and locked under a covered area with signs indicating bike tours in Paris and Versailles, France.

Front view of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, showcasing its Gothic architecture, detailed sculptures, and large rose window.

People wearing rain ponchos and a man with a helmet look at a row of blue rental bikes on a rainy city street with tall buildings.

The image shows an outdoor seating area of a cafe with numerous tables and chairs, some of which are occupied by people. There are green framed windows and an entrance to the cafe, with warm lighting inside. A large potted plant is visible on the lef

A street market stand under rain, displaying various fresh fruits such as peaches, grapes, and melons. Rain is visible on the wet pavement and a glass enclosure is seen in the background.

A cobblestone street in Paris, France, with shops and cafes on each side. People are walking with umbrellas, and some storefronts have awnings. The sky is partly cloudy.

People walking with umbrellas near the base of the Eiffel Tower in rain.

A woman smiling in front of a historic building with glass pyramid, crowd of people, and cloudy sky in the background.

View of a river with a cityscape in the background, trees lining the riverbank, a stone bridge with arches, and a boat sailing on the water under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

View of the Seine River with historic buildings and trees along the riverbank in Paris, France, under a cloudy sky.

A Paris river scene with a stone bridge, a statue on the bridge, and a boat labeled 'VÉDETTES DE PARIS' on the water. Multi-story buildings line the riverbank under a partly cloudy sky.

An outdoor fruit market stall with a red and white striped cloth covering the display table. Various cut melons such as watermelons and other fruits are arranged on the tables. Overhead, there are hanging signs with prices for different fruits, and w

A landscape with a railway track surrounded by green trees and a fenced wall on one side, with a modern building visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A view of tall apartment buildings in an urban area with trees and greenery in the foreground. A railroad track runs along a graffiti-covered barrier in front of the buildings. The sky is partly cloudy.

A pathway through a green tunnel created by leafy vegetation on metal trellises on each side and overhead, with a few people sitting on benches and walking in the distance.

View of a multi-story beige residential building with balconies, trees lining the street below, and a blue sky with scattered clouds. A pedestrian walkway with a metal railing is in the foreground.

A Parisian street corner at night with a cafe called 'Le Comptoir des Archives,' outdoor seating filled with people, illuminated by street lamps and shop lights, wet street reflecting the lights, and a passing bicycle in motion.

Night view of a modern urban building with exposed metal framework, staircases, and a glass tube structure illuminated by lights, with a sign hanging from the upper part.

People sitting at outdoor tables outside a restaurant with a colorful mural wall at night.

A street scene at night show a red restaurant or cafe with large windows and an outdoor seating area filled with people. The street has many parked bicycles in the foreground, and the street is wet, likely from rain. There are buildings with windows

The Eiffel Tower

The next morning, I had a reservation for the Eiffel Tower (book ahead — always). I opted for stairs, instead of the elevator, to the second floor, thinking: It’s the second floor…how bad could it be?

The answer: 674 steps bad. That may not sound like a lot, but that is roughly equivalent to ascending to the 45th story of a building.

There was laughter, sighing, strategic pauses, and deep breathing — but I made it. The views were absolutely worth it, and taking in Paris from above was breathtaking

That afternoon turned into another marathon walk: Pont des Arts, Champs-Élysées, Montmartre Cemetery, Sacré-Cœur, Saint-Denis, Jardin du Luxembourg, the Panthéon, Place de la Bastille, and Père Lachaise.

By the end of the day, I had logged nearly 48,000 steps and worsened my already blistered feet — but I knew Amsterdam was next, and rest would come later: a tomorrow problem.

A historic castle with multiple towers and spires, built with light-colored stone, situated along a river with a stone embankment, under a clear blue sky.

A scenic view of the city skyline along the River Seine in Paris, featuring historic buildings, a dome, and a bridge crossing the river.

View of a historic building with a domed roof and classical architecture under a blue sky, taken from a wooden bridge with benches in the foreground.

A street in a European city with buildings, parked bicycles, street signs, and green plants.

Empty outdoor restaurant patio with wicker chairs and tables, large umbrellas, and green plants, with a city street in the background.

View of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, seen from a narrow street framed by classic European architecture, with balconies, white shutters, and leafy green trees against a clear blue sky.

Close-up view of the Eiffel Tower's structural metal framework with a clear blue sky in the background.

People walking up stairs on a large, intricate metal structure, possibly part of a Ferris wheel, with a partly cloudy sky in the background.

A smiling woman with a ponytail, wearing a purple tank top and a black backpack, standing on an outdoor observation deck with a metal safety fence, overlooking a cityscape with buildings, trees, and a cloudy sky.

View from an observation deck with a metal railing and a telescope, overlooking a cityscape with various buildings and greenery under a cloudy sky.

People standing on an observation deck or a similar high-rise structure with a view of a cityscape in the background. The deck is enclosed with safety fencing and metal railings, and there are signs in multiple languages indicating the different leve

View from a tall building overlooking a cityscape through a metal safety fence, with cloudy sky overhead.

People standing in line on the Eiffel Tower observing the cityscape of Paris below under a partly cloudy sky.

A view of a city skyline with tall modern skyscrapers in the distance, taken from a high vantage point, with a telescope in the foreground.

A city street with a row of trees with green and some orange leaves, parked cars, benches, and bicycle racks. On the right side, a building with reflective glass windows mirrors the trees and sky. The sky is blue with some white clouds.

Parisian street scene with classic multi-story buildings, street cafes, parked cars, pedestrians, and blue sky.

View of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, seen through a busy city street with cars, pedestrians, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.

Aerial view of an old cemetery with numerous tombstones and mausoleums surrounded by greenery and tall modern buildings, with cloudy sky overhead.

City street scene in Paris with stairs between tall buildings, parked scooters in the foreground, and a tree at the top of the stairs under a partly cloudy sky.

Facade of a white European-style building with blue shutters, surrounded by green climbing plants.

Crowd of tourists sitting and standing on a broad staircase, with a view of Paris cityscape under a partly cloudy sky in the background, and locks attached to the railing in the foreground.

A historic stone fountain with arches and sculpted heads, water flowing from the mouth of the sculptures into a greenish pool, under a partly cloudy blue sky.

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica, a white Roman Catholic church with large domes, is seen in Montmartre, Paris. Several people are sitting and standing on the steps and grassy area in front of the church, with trees and a clear blue sky with clouds in the bac

Paris street scene with buildings, outdoor cafes, parked scooters, a bicycle, and pedestrians, under cloudy skies.

Large open park with green grass, rows of tall trees forming a corridor, and a crowd of people sitting on the grass and seated in chairs, some walking or standing. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue.

People playing pétanque on a dirt court in a park surrounded by trees with green and some yellow leaves, with a few spectators sitting on green chairs.

Statue of the Statue of Liberty, depicting a woman in robes holding a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left, situated on a stone pedestal, surrounded by trees and greenery.

A small graveyard with trees and tombstones, a narrow paved path, some graves with stone covers, one with a blue door and others with moss-covered structures.

A cemetery with various tombstones, some covered in moss, surrounded by greenery and trees, under a cloudy sky.

A cemetery with tombstones and crosses, some engraved with family names, surrounded by trees and greenery, with a cloudy sky overhead.

A narrow street in a European city with cobblestone pavement, lined with tall, multi-story buildings with balconies. On the right, a jewelry store with a bright green facade and a window display illuminated with orange light. Several people are walki

Outdoor café and restaurant seating area in a historic European street with stone buildings, street lamps, and red and white striped awnings. Several people are walking by, and a dog is walking on the cobblestone street.

Where I Ate: Navigating Gluten-Free Dining in Paris

Traveling with celiac disease always requires extra planning, but Paris ended up offering far more gluten-free options than I expected. With some research—and a heavy reliance on Find Me Gluten Free—I was able to eat well without constantly stressing.

A few places that stood out:

Copains — a 100% gluten-free bakery and coffee shop with multiple locations in Paris
Kapunka — a 100% gluten-free Thai restaurant with unforgettable yellow curry and Mikatis
The Friendly Kitchen — a vegan restaurant that was incredibly accommodating and genuinely kind
Les Galandines — known for crepes that could be adapted gluten-free, both savory and sweet

Assorted baked goods, including bread, cookies, and pastries, arranged on a display shelf in a bakery.

A slice of cake with blueberries and green fruit on top, placed on brown paper on a table. Some peeled paper wrappers, possibly from baked goods, are also visible.

A breakfast table with a plate containing a veggie omelette and two slices of toasted bread. In the background, there is a large glass of water, a half-filled glass of orange juice, and a pitcher of water. The table is outdoors, surrounded by wicker

A dessert plate with vanilla ice cream, sliced strawberries, sliced almonds, and cherry compote garnished with a small green leaf.

A blue ceramic plate with a small cup of baked eggs garnished with microgreens and herbs, and a long toasted breadstick topped with cherries and microgreens.

A restaurant menu featuring vegetable recipes, with a focus on a dish of lamb chops with herbs, olives, and yellow sauce, garnished with edible flowers and herbs, accompanied by a side dish and drinks.

A plate of assorted vegan dishes including tofu, vegetables, and grains, garnished with sprouts and nuts.

A breakfast plate with a cheese omelette, a side salad with lettuce, tomato, onion, and dressing, a tall glass of orange juice, and a glass of coffee topped with whipped cream, on a white table with a red napkin, utensils, and condiments.

Plate of crepe with bananas and chocolate, glass of red wine, salt and pepper shakers on a white table.

Final Thoughts: Paris, France

Paris was a noticeable shift in pace after London. It also reminded me that there’s a difference between meaningful exploration and exhausting yourself trying to do everything.

If London taught me how to begin, Paris taught me how to keep going—even when I was sweaty, blistered, and (semi) aware of my own limits.