Ina Garten's Paris Travel Guide (2024)

FAQs

How many days in Paris are enough? ›

There's no wrong answer here, but to get the most out of your trip, we recommend at least four days. However, we know not everyone has the time to spend four days in Paris, and some people might want to stay longer. Therefore, in addition to a four-day itinerary, we also offer a one-day and seven-day itinerary.

If it's your first trip to Paris and you want to immerse yourself in culture and see as many sights as possible, the best areas to stay in are the 1st, 8th and 7th arrondissem*nts.

Paris is the Food Network star's home away from home. After first visiting the city decades ago, she purchased a pied-a-terre in the 7th Arrondissem*nt in 2000 and often escapes her main home in East Hampton, N.Y. for holidays and vacations in Europe.

The city is rich in history, art, and culture, and there's no shortage of things to see and do. One of the best ways to explore Paris is by walking, as the city is compact and many of its most famous landmarks are within easy reach of each other.

Spring (especially April and May) and autumn (particularly September and October) are ideal for visiting Paris – crowds are thinner, but the weather is temperate and lovely.

Stalingrad, Jaurès and Mouzaia are some areas to avoid in Paris when you are travelling alone on summer nights. Stay extra vigilant in crowded spaces, especially on public transport. Parc de Buttes-Chaumont and Ourcq Canal are also two places to avoid in Paris in summer because of the widely seen public intoxication.

What is the prettiest area of Paris? Much of Paris is very beautiful. But we'd argue that Montmartre is the prettiest area of them all. Set on a hill in the 18th arrondissem*nt, there are views across the entire city from the grounds of Sacré-Cœur, the white-domed church.

The safest areas of Paris include the central neighborhoods of Saint Germain, Le Marais, the Latin Quarter, Montmartre, Champs Elysées, Bastille, and the Eiffel Tower. Several more residential areas are very safe to stay at, including the 15th arrondissem*nt, the 16th arrondissem*nt, and the 14th arrondissem*nt.

Along with lots of French celebrities, Café de Flore has attracted plenty of well-known Americans: Truman Capote, James Baldwin, and yes, even Ina Garten have graced the cafe's legendary terrace. She loves it so much, in fact, that Garten named Café de Flore as one of her favorite restaurants in the world.

Several years ago, Garten built a second kitchen in a barn on her property so she could have somewhere to film episodes of Barefoot Contessa (she told Oprah Daily all about it in 2021). But Garten's home kitchen, where she still cooks meals for friends and family, has remained untouched for 25 years—at least until now.

Does Ina Garten have her own restaurant? ›

Her fame may be relatively quiet — she doesn't have a line of cookware, there isn't a namesake restaurant — but make no mistake: Ina Garten is a powerhouse celeb chef. Fans know her story well: From a White House budget analyst to specialty food-store owner, her path to stardom has been slow and steady.

Reserving a guide is the key to getting to know an attraction instead of just seeing it. If you have a substantial budget, you'll be best served by a private guide. If you want to find value for money, small group tours (SGTs) are ideal. SGTs are the most popular products we run.

Is three days in Paris enough to see all the main sights and attractions? The best places to visit in Paris are all within easy reach so three days is the perfect amount of time to visit the top sights and attractions and get a good feel for the city.

What an exciting endeavor! A trip to the French capital is likely to be an excellent experience. First-time travelers should try and plan around 4-5 days—ample time to enjoy some classic Parisian highlights and visit a few of the 20 arrondissem*nts (neighborhoods).

What is this? While three days is better than nothing, I think you need more time than that. Ideally, I think you should plan on spending at least five days in Paris in order to see the bare minimum of what the City of Lights has to offer. There's just too much to do.

In all cases, 4 days in Paris will allow you to experience a little bit of the best of what the City of Lights has to offer.