As a travel tastemaker who appreciates the finer things in life, Paris is the perfect place to indulge. Some hate to admit it, but nobody can deny the French have taste and that’s reflected in everything from the fine wines and food to the fashion and interior style. In our Luxury Traveler’s Off the Beaten Path Guide to Paris, we introduce you to the places to stay, visit, shop, dine, and drink that exude the taste and quality you’d expect from Paris, without the crowds. Read on to find out about the city’s most stylish stay, where to shop like a Parisian, which tables to book, and much more.
Luxury hotels off the beaten path in Paris
Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts, 7th Arrondissement
Opened in April 2025, Sax Paris (the first of LXR Hotels & Resorts in France), is one of the city’s most exciting new hotels. Embracing modern elegance with an artistic flair, its design is beautifully bold yet classically timeless. Using natural materials like marble, stone, wood, and leather, its rooms and suites feel grounding and tranquil. But it’s the public spaces that make Sax really stand out. Enjoy lunch at the checkerboard garden courtyard before an indulgent afternoon at The SAX Le Club and dinner at Franco-Japanese infused rooftop restaurant overlooking the Eiffel Tower.
Le Grand Mazarin, Le Marais
If you want to stay in the most stylish spot in Paris, reserve a suite at Le Grand Mazarin, a 61-room boutique hotel in Le Marais. Adding a modern twist to French classicism with a distinctive pastel color palette, Swedish interior designer Martin Brudnizki has created an elegant yet playful masterpiece. The hotel’s luxurious spaces include Le Petit Bazaar, an atmospheric, hidden basement bar with weekend DJ sessions; a chef-driven restaurant and bar called Boubalé, featuring gourmet cocktails and a mysterious cabaret; and a wellness center that offers a whimsical hammam, pool, and treatment room.
Hôtel La Fondation, 17th Arrondissemen
From the outside, La Fondation is a brutalist gem on an otherwise uniformed Haussmann-style city. On the inside, it’s juxtaposed with a warm modern elegance by designers Roman & Williams to create what the hotel describes as an ‘urban cocoon’, and we’d have to agree. From the rooms and suites to the restaurants, rooftop bar, offices, and sports club and spa, the hotel’s spaces are serene and inspiring. Having opened in early 2025, it is quickly becoming a hub for visitors and Parisians alike to come and work, eat, and relax.
Shopping off the beaten path in Paris
Go antiquing in Marche aux Puces de Saint Ouen
France’s largest antique market, Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, is one of the country’s top destinations to find high-quality antiques from around the world. There are multiple markets to visit along the Rue de Rosiers in Saint-Ouen, some specializing in vintage clothing and records, and others focusing on furniture, rugs, and art. If you’re looking for high-quality, rare antiques, head to Marche Malassis or the red carpet-lined Marche Biron. For mid-priced antiques and the best vintage clothing in town, browse the shops of Marché Vernaison along with Paris’ coolest residents.
Gallery hop in Le Marais
Home to Beaux-Arts de Paris, the Sorbonne, and many notable historical painters, part of Paris’ appeal is its penchant for art. While institutions like the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay will introduce you to timeless and priceless works from famous historical paintings, Le Marais’ exceptional selection of galleries will introduce you to the city’s currently emerging and established artists, making it a must-visit whether you’re interested in appreciating contemporary or investing in it. Don’t miss the Marian Goodman Gallery, Perrotin, De Medicis Gallery, Polka Galerie, or Collection Gallery.
Shop boutique in Saint Pauls
From luxury vintage and homeware, to art, gourmet food, and independent labels, Saint Paul's is a diverse yet consistently refined place to splurge. As many of the boutiques are dotted around the streets between wine bars and antique dealers, it’s the kind of place where you can stumble upon gems by leisurely wandering around. Eventually, you’ll find Place des Vosges, a quiet park surrounded by elegant 17th-century buildings now occupied by luxury boutiques like leather goods store Pourchet France, LEMAIRE Accessoires, and luxury perfume store Christian Louis.
Discover top brands in Le Bon Marché
If you’re looking for department store shopping that’s a little more upmarket than Galerie Lafayette, opt for Le Bon Marché instead. Founded in 1852 overlooking Square Boucicaut in the 7th Arrondissement, the department store is one of Paris’ longest-standing shopping destinations. While honoring its history and status in Parisian society, Le Bon Marché has curated an eclectic selection of established and up-and-coming upmarket brands and designers to please its fashion-forward crowd across all departments, which include fashion, jewelry and watches, beauty, home, and luxury.
Shop like a Parisian in Galerie Vivienne
Galerie Vivienne is one of Paris’ best secret passages to shop in, both for its architectural charm and its selection of high-end boutiques. , many of which were built in the 19th century so that the upper classes could shop. Built in 1823 as a warm and dry place for the city’s middle and upper classes to shop in, the now-historic monument is renowned for its neo-classical décor, mosaic floors, and wrought-iron features. From women’s clothing stores like Catherine André and Nathalie Garcon Et Associes to jewelry designers like Boitien and Siam, it’s perfectly suited to ladies with class and style.
Dine and drink off the beaten path in Paris
Le Gabriel – La Réserve Paris
When in Paris, indulge in the finest in French cuisine in three-star michelin restaurant Le Gabriel at La Réserve Paris, a five-star hotel just off the Champs-Élysées that captures the essence of Parisian living in every way. The restaurant’s lunch and dinner menus, continually rotated based on seasonal ingredients, present traditional French and regional classic dishes like Pigeon de Louvigné, Poulpe de Bretagne fumé, and Rouget barbet. Set in a decadent dining hall of the historic Haussman mansion, the restaurant’s interiors match its food both in style and class.
Sushi Park by Saint Laurent
The world of gastronomy is in an exciting new phase of luxury fashion brands expanding into the culinary scene, and Sushi Park Paris by Saint Laurent is one of the best additions to this scene yet. Located inside the Saint Laurent flagship store on the Champs-Élysées, the fashion house’s collaboration with Chef Peter Park offers an unparalleled omakase dining experience in a setting where Japanese interiors have been the moody-chic Saint Laurent touch.
Marché Saxe-Breteuil
Stretching along Avenue de Saxe, with a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, Marché Saxe-Breteuil offers a gourmet take on the typical farmer’s market. Its selection of high-quality produce, meats, cheeses, pastries, and regional specialtes, it’s the preferred market for Paris’ more discerning shoppers. If you’re in Paris on a Tuesday or Thursday, stop by Avenue de Saxe, sample its regional dishes, cheeses, and pastries, and picking up a charcuterie board for a picnic in the park.
Le Très Particulier
Nowhere does sophisticated cocktails in a sultry setting quite like Le Très Particulier in Hotel Particulier, a luxury boutique townhouse stay in Montmartre. An ideal cocktail setting from day to night, the bar features an intimate indoor piano bar and a greenhouse surrounded by lush vegetation. Its maximalist take on Art Deco gives it the same playful and creative, yet seriously stylish edge as its cocktails. If you visit on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night, your drinks will be served with a DJ set.
Le Compagnie Wine Bar
As a country famous for its wine habits, you’ll find many delightful wine bars across the city, but if you’re looking for something with a specialist selection and elevated service, sip a glass or two at Le Compagnie. With tiger-print seating juxtaposed against the dark walnut bar and rustic walls stacked floor to ceiling with hand-picked fine French wines, the atmosphere is rich yet classy, just like a French wine. Offering delicious small dishes thoughtfully created to pair well with wine, Le Compagnie is the perfect stop for a leisurely afternoon or an indulgent evening of fine wine.
Where to hang out as a luxury traveler in Paris
Quartier Saint-Paul
Saint-Paul is a small, quiet quarter of Le Marais neighbourhood that perfectly captures Paris’ historic elegance whilst maintaining a sense of modern sophistication. Among the magnificent historic buildings, secret courtyards, and quiet squares, discover luxury galleries, antique dealers, boutiques, cafes, and wine bars that exude elegance and refinement. Despite being located in the heart of Paris, Saint-Paul is the kind of neighbourhood you can count on to feel calm and relaxed, whether browsing the ateliers and galleries or sitting idly at a cafe. For a truly peaceful moment, sit and read, write, or ponder in Cour et Jardin de l'Hôtel de Sully, a little-known public courtyard of a 17th-century building.
Montmartre
Yes, Montmartre is touristy, but don’t let that put you off. Beyond the crowds of the Sacre Coeur, you can find everything a luxury traveler’s heart desires from fine dining to high-end shopping and boutique stays. Not to mention the elevated romance of its cobbled streets and wowing views across Paris from the shuttered windows of the hilltop hotels. It’s no coincidence that Picasso, Renoir, and Dali all chose to live here. Rue de Abesses is a lively hub in Montmartre where a leisurely afternoon transforms into a lively evening. Meanwhile, shopping streets Rue Ravignan & Rue des Trois Frères, and the restaurant-lined Rue Caulaincourt feel much quieter and more exclusive, ideal for travel tastemakers who prefer to stay off the beaten path.
Charonne, 20th Arrondissement
With cobbled streets, climbing ivy, and low-rise buildings, Charonne is like a charming French village than an inner-city neighborhood, and that’s because it was indeed once a small village outside Paris’ city walls. Located in the 20th Arrondissement, Charonne feels like an insider’s hangout spot because few visitors venture from the center of the city. Those who do will not regret it. The neighborhood has the charm of Montmartre but without the droves of tourists and unnecessarily steep prices. The narrow lanes hide luxurious art studios, bistronomic restaurants, and small independent boutiques, making it the kind of place you could spend an indulgent weekend.
Things to Do off the beaten path in Paris
Château de Versailles Private Tour
As a former royal residence of many historic figures, including the iconic Marie Antoinette, the Palace of Versailles is one of those places worth visiting, no matter how touristy it is. But if the idea of waiting in lines and admiring historic antiques and art between the bobbing crowds is a no-deal for you, book a private tour instead. Not only does it allow you to skip the queues and beat the crowds, but it also gives you access to restricted areas and hear stories and insights most visitors never hear. If you have a particular appreciation for history and art, this tour will surely satisfy your curiosity.
Book a private wine tasting at at Ô Chateau
Whilst in Paris, take the opportunity to access some of the finest wine collections in the country at Ô Chateau, near the Royal Palace in the 2nd Arrondissement. The high-end wine bar specializes in tastings and workshops that reveal each wine’s depth and let guests fully appreciate every flavor. Enjoy a classic wine and cheese pairing, a wine-tasting dinner, or a Grand Cru tasting in their rustic private cellar, or join a sommelier on a luxury day trip to the Loire Valley or Champagne.
Indulge at the Dior Spa at Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Home to a generous amount of luxury spas, it would be rude not to indulge in a bit of pampering in Paris. You can find everything from traditional Moroccan hammams to biotech wellness experiences, but our favorite is the Dior Spa at Hôtel Plaza Athénée. The interiors, which have an all-white-everything policy with an exception for gold hardware, transport guests to a kind of futuristic heaven where the outside world is soon forgotten and all tension instantly melts away. While the spa offered all of the classic facial, body, and beauty treatments, they are given the couture touch of Dior. Even the massage tables are accessorized with Dior blankets and cushions.
Hire a private art guide for contemporary gallery tours
Want to see what Paris’ contemporary art scene has to offer? Instead of wandering aimlessly around galleries, book a curated gallery walk through contemporary art spaces with a local art consultant. These local art specialists have all the best connections to the Parisian art scene, so whether you’re seeking something specific, or just curious about the city’s up-and-coming artists, they will be invaluable. Not only do they know which galleries and artists to visit based on your taste, they’re the first to know about upcoming shows and exhibits. We recommend booking with The Seen Paris, run by Alexandra Weinress whose knowledge and expertise are second to none.
Create your personalized luxury Paris itinerary
Now that you’ve read our luxury traveler’s off-the-beaten-path guide to Paris 2025/2026, you’ll likely have a better idea of how to spend your time in the city. Whether you feel ready to create an itinerary or want more recommendations, our Tripsby Travel Planner is here to assist you. All you have to do is give us a rough summary of your travel style and preferences, and in a matter of minutes, we will provide a bookable itinerary or recommendations. Extraordinary travel has never been so effortless! Get started now.
