When it comes to traveling internationally, Paris is a popular bucket-list destination for many people (including myself). This past summer, I had the opportunity to cross this dream getaway off my bucket-list. I spent four full days (not including travel) roaming the streets of Paris, strolling the gardens at the Palace of Versailles, eating at the most divine gluten-friendly restaurants, and so much more. Here, you can find a breakdown of my entire trip: my itinerary, 11 of my favorite restaurants/patisseries, 5 MUST go-to spots, what I wore, and where I stayed. If Paris is on your bucket list or if you’re planning to go soon, SAVE this blog post for future reference to plan the perfect stay!

Part 1: Where I Stayed

Let’s start this post off where WE started on our trip upon arrival: Hotel Regina Louvre Paris. This boutique hotel right next to the Louvre with stunning views of the Eiffel Tower has the most luxurious rooms and accommodations. The staff were so friendly and always made sure we had everything we needed. We stayed in the junior Eiffel Tower suite room which had stunning views of the Eiffel tower and Paris! Here’s a view from one of the windows:

My absolute FAVORITE part of the entire hotel experience was actually the room service. We ordered room service multiple times for breakfast… and it was the best breakfast I have ever had in my life. They offered a basket of fresh GLUTEN-FREE pastries, which included croissants, pain au chocolat, and more!

I mean… just look at that spread. I’m drooling just looking at it!!! If you’ve never had French soft scrambled eggs… try them. They changed my life and I’ve never looked back.

Along with all of the accommodations, the hotel is also in walking distance of so many cute cafe’s and shops. If you’re looking for the best place to stay while in Paris, I’d recommend this hotel to anyone and everyone.

Part 2: The Best Restaurants in Paris

I’m a big foodie, so when it came to picking out restaurants in Paris, my family and I did some SERIOUS research on where the best places were to go as someone with celiac disease/a gluten allergy. We found some pretty incredible gems, every single restaurant we ate at was absolutely divine. Here, you’ll find a breakdown of the restaurants/what they serve, and what I recommend!

1. Perruche: We went here on our first day for lunch, and this restaurant set a very high standard for the rest of our meals abroad. Everything was absolutely delicious and so fresh, featuring classic Parisian cuisine with lots of gluten-friendly options. The views from the patio were stunning and the decor itself is reason enough to dine here. These pictures speak for themselves; but the simple heirloom tomato salad.. it was life changing. Seriously.

There’s the beautiful view from the patio (!!!)

2. Tasca: A fully gluten-free Italian restaurant located in the heart of Paris, in walking distance from the Eiffel Tower. This restaurant had the largest menu I’d ever seen of delicious, gluten-free pastas, pizzas, and so much more. I got the fettuccine bolognese and it was 10/10. If you have a gluten allergy like me or just try to avoid it + you love classic Italian fare, this restaurant will be your heaven.

Featuring the best dad in the world <3

3. GROM: GROM is a gelateria with multiple locations throughout Paris (and Italy!!!). They’re known for their authentic and classic gelato, with fresh sorbets and rich gelato flavors. We stopped by a GROM location when we shopped around Paris, and we were all blown away by how incredible the gelato/sorbet was.. we’d never had ANYTHING like it. I’d recommend any of their flavors, but I got strawberry and lemon sorbet (dairy-free)!

4. Bento&Go!: This quick lunch spot is a little hole in the wall on the streets of Paris, making it a hidden gem. The vibes in here were immaculate and the food presentation was aesthetically pleasing + so yummy! If you need to grab a quick bite or need food (they do takeaway bento boxes) to go, I’d definitely recommend trying this spot!

5. Angelina Paris (Versailles location): We stopped by Angelina when we went to the Palace of Versailles (see itinerary) to grab a quick bite in between exploring the grounds. Angelina is known for their macarons and their famous Mont Blanc pastry. Any of their macaron flavors are incredible, but my favorite is their chocolate macaron. If you visit, you MUST get their hot chocolate and Mont Blanc pastry; they pair perfectly together with the light and airy flavors of the Mont Blanc contrasting the richness of the chocolat chaud. (TIP: if you can’t make it to Paris anytime soon, there is an Angelina USA location in New York City. I’ve been there as well, and it is just as delicious as the one in Paris with such a beautiful interior!)

6. Coco: Coco created such a memorable experience with their delicious food and unmatched ambiance. There was a live band that migrated through the restaurant so every table got to enjoy their lovely music. We sat inside, and I would recommend trying to get a table indoors, because the decoration is unlike any restaurant I’ve ever been to. It was very earthy and warm, with beautiful light and greenery everywhere you look. Once again, everything was divine, but my mom got the truffle pasta. While I couldn’t try hers because it did have gluten, it looked UNREAL and she said it tasted just as good as it looked. For dessert, I always got fresh fruit or sorbet, but Coco had the most beautifully plated and delicious fruit in Paris. Here are pictures of the truffle pasta and melon:

^^^How beautiful is that fruit???

7. NoGlu: If you’re gluten-free, this place should be your first stop upon arrival in Paris. NoGlu is a fully gluten-free bakery and cafe with every pastry you could imagine. It’s hard to get a gluten-free pastry that is actually flaky, beautifully layered, soft, and delicious like normal pastries- but man, oh man, NoGlu did it. You can’t even see the inside of the pastry yet you can still tell that it is perfectly flaky from that beautiful golden outer layer:

I’m drooling just looking at that pain au chocolat^

8. Le Train Bleu: Located inside of a train station, Le Train Bleu describes their food and service as “elegant, timely, and respectful in true French style”, and I couldn’t word the experience better. Upon walking into the restaurant, I was in absolute awe of how stunning and elegant the interior was. There was so much detail everywhere you looked, it was almost like being at Versailles, but inside a restaurant, inside a train station (!!!!). The food was obviously decadent and wonderful, but I’d go here a million times just for the beauty of it.

9. Little Nonna: This is another fully gluten-free Italian restaurant in Paris (the Parisians really know how to do gluten-free, and how to do it WELL). While both Little Nonna and Tasca were incredible Italian restaurants, if I had to go to only one, I would have to choose Little Nonna; for they have the best crafted gluten-free food I’ve probably ever had in my life. From focaccia bread to pizzas and pastas, you can’t go wrong with a single thing on their menu. The margherita pizza is the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life (gluten-free or not).

Can you believe that these beautiful creations are 100% gluten-free? Because I can’t!

10. Pierre Herme: If you’ve never heard of Pierre Herme, he is a master pastry chef and chocolatier. He owns multiple bakeries in Paris and is known for is interesting flavor combinations and masterfully crafted desserts. I went for the macarons (my favorite I’ve ever had) and every single flavor (I tried a LOT of them) was absolutely beautiful in it’s own way. Pairing flavors such as rose, letchi, and raspberry and vanilla, violet, and blackcurrant; the flavor profiles are unlike anything you will ever have and work harmoniously to create a perfect bite every. single. time.

They’re all so perfect.. I’d go back to Paris simply to get more of Pierre Herme’s creations.

10. Carette: Similar to Angelina, this cafe offers a variety of pastries and foods, and is known for their hot chocolat chaud with whipped cream (hot chocolate). All of their pastries are high quality and scrumptious (of course, because all of the food in Paris is amazing). We sat here for a quick little lunch spot and it was divine! I recommend trying their pistachio and raspberry macarons (gluten-free) and the hot chocolat chaud. If you want something a little more filling, I’d opt for the quiche (my mom ordered it and said it was wonderful!)

11. La Suite Girafe: Our GRAND FINALE meal was at La Suite Girafe. This restaurant and meal experience was most definitely a top 3 highlight of our trip. If you go, you must ask for an outdoor table with a view of the Eiffel Tower; it is the most beautiful spot to dine in Paris. Beyond the beautiful view, the food is elegant and decadent with creative plates and satisfying bites. We all got the filet mignon and it was the best steak/meat any of us had on that trip, absolutely divine. We celebrated my birthday this night (!!!) so the waiters were kind enough to bring out a celebratory dessert as well as sparklers (SO FUN!) I’d definitely make this a priority on your list of where to go in Paris, it was truly an unforgettable dinner.

Literally the highlight of my trip and probably my entire life.

My life was forever changed after that first bite of burrata.

Part 3: Must Go-To Spots + Itinerary

When we visited Paris, we did our absolute best to cover as much ground as we could in four days. There’s obviously a lot to do here, so we had to pick and choose a bit to make sure we got to go everywhere we wanted to go. In my opinion, we had a near perfect itinerary for our trip- we had plenty of things planned but it wasn’t overwhelming. We made sure we got time to relax and unwind, as well as just explore. From the Palace of Versailles to a boat tour on the Seine River, here you can find the must go-to spots of Paris!

• Chateau de Versailles (Palace of Versailles): The Palace of Versailles is absolutely one of the most beautiful works of architecture and art in the world. Halls and rooms with tall ceilings and the most detailed + gorgeous chandeliers you’ve ever seen, gardens with perfectly trimmed greenery everywhere you look, and so much more. Each room itself was a piece of artwork, filled with even more artwork. Words cannot begin to describe how much I dreamt of visiting this one-of-a-kind chateau, and it exceeded any expectation I ever had. If you visit Paris and are planning an itinerary, I’d recommend putting Versailles at the very top of your list. This was my favorite part of the entire trip; the palace has even inspired the decoration for my bedroom + studio since I visited, it’s that beautiful.

Me pretending I’m Marie Antoinette for the day ^^^

The pictures don’t even do the beauty of Versailles justice, but you can’t tell me those are the most beautiful works of architecture and artwork you’ve ever seen.

• Opera Palais Garnier: We didn’t go to an Opera show, but we did get to visit the Opera Palais Garnier and revel in all of it’s beauty. With a similar architecture and artwork style to Versailles, the Palais Garnier absolutely stunned all of us. It was fairly empty the time and day we went, which made it even more magical to experience. If you have the time, definitely stop by to explore this magnificent building and pretend you’re French royalty (like I most certainly did, haha!!)

• Luxembourg Gardens: To experience the true French lifestyle; take a peaceful stroll through the famous Luxembourg gardens. There are about 60 acres of beautiful gardens and greenery to explore; perfect to walk around with some sorbet or even find a bench here and read a good book. The French value their calm and quiet lifestyle, and visiting these gardens made me feel like I was embracing their tranquility.

• Tea Time at the Ritz Carlton: If you’re looking for a fun and elegant afternoon activity to enjoy some delicious food and beverages + feel like Blair Waldorf (iykyk) while doing so, reserve a tea time at the Ritz Carlton in Paris. They had menus for wines and a large variety of teas to choose from as well as a pastry tower that had little pieces of Paris on every tier. It was very relaxing to sit and enjoy time with my loved ones with such a beautiful ambiance; I’d highly recommend this tea time to anyone.. it was definitely a bucket list experience.

• Seine River Tour: The absolute BEST thing to do if you want the prettiest views of the Eiffel Tower, an amazing photo op, and a wonderful experience overall! Funny story… we accidentally booked a DINNER cruise when we actually had dinner reservations at Tasca after the cruise. SO, we didn’t end up eating any food on this tour, but we still got to enjoy wine + champagne while we learned about the historical monuments that we saw as we went! There are options for dinner and non-dinner boat tours, we just accidentally booked the wrong one; but at least you have options! You were allowed to exit to the front or back of the boat as you wished, so of course Soph and I went so we could get these views!

• Shopping and Exploring Paris: To spend some time pretending to be locals, we roamed the streets of Paris, stopped and got tea/pastries/coffee and different shops, visited markets, and more! I definitely recommend getting some shopping in, as Parisians are known for their fashionable taste and style.. they have some beautiful clothes, accessories, and more!

Part 4: What I Wore + Links to Buy*

I’ve always loved dressing up and wearing fancy new outfits. Lucky for me, Paris is one of the biggest fashion hotspots in the WORLD! So, of course, I had to make sure I was as fashionable as I could be to fit the script. I found some amazing pieces that were perfect for that Parisian look; and I want to share them with you! So, here you can find all of my favorite outfits that I wore in Paris, as well as the links for where to buy them. Happy shopping!

1. Bryony Rosalia Floral Midi Slip Dress – AllSaints: This vintage floral print by AllSaints was perfect for a day at the chateau. Super comfy, flowy, and breathable!

2. The Flutter Slip Dress in Fantasy – Selkie: This was absolutely my favorite dress that I wore in Paris. The silk fabric is absolutely beautiful and the dainty florals on this dress are to die for!

Featuring Momma Tay, AKA the best and most stylish mom on this planet <3

3. Butterfly Babe Maxi Dress – Free People: The black and cream colors with polka dots and lacy details paired perfectly with a red lip- giving this whole look all of the Parisian vibes! It was a perfect outfit for visiting and exploring the Opera Garnier.

4. Abeila Strapless Maxi Dress Pink Multi – Princess Polly: I’ll just let this beauty speak for itself…

So grateful I got to bring my best friend on this trip. I love you soph! <3

5. Seraina Free People Blue Maxi Dress – Free People: Last but not least: this tiered maxi dress was so fun to wear and walk around in, I felt like a princess!! Unfortunately, this dress is no longer for sale on Free People’s website, but there are a few on Poshmark and Ebay!

*Disclaimer: the rest of the outfits I wore I either bought in Paris while walking around, or I can’t find links/they are discontinued items.

Extra Tips for Traveling to Paris

Here are a few things that are different in France/important to know if you plan to travel there, just to keep in mind:

• Speaking French: Almost everyone you’ll talk to speaks at least some English, so don’t stress if you don’t speak much French. It is polite to at least greet people using “Bonjour” (hello) or Bonsoir (good evening), ask how they are (comment ca va? or ca va?) and asking them if they speak English (parles-tu anglais?) I would definitely recommend remembering these few phrases, just to start the conversation in a respectful manner.
• Booking Itinerary: I recommend not packing your schedule too full of touristy attractions. For example, we skipped the Louvre just because there were other things we wanted to see more + wanted to have a good amount of time to explore and walk around like a true Parisian!
• Hotels: Many hotels don’t have air conditioning when it starts to heat up. I’d recommend asking your hotel if they have air conditioning if you prefer it.
• Chargers: You’ll need to bring a European plug adapter to be able to use an Apple phone charger (or most chargers) in France; for they have different outlets than us Americans.
• Pickpockets and scams: Make sure to bring a fanny pack or a crossbody purse that stays close to you and doesn’t go out of sight when you are out and about. You could even ziptie your bag shut. Many scammers and pickpockets in Paris go for bags/phones, so definitely be mindful of this when traveling here!
• Flight accommodations: If you have any food allergies like I do, make sure to let your flight crew know ahead of time so they can prepare an allergy-friendly meal/meals for you. Also, bring lots of snacks! I didn’t plan ahead of time for this so I ended up being a hungry gal on the plane flight (not fun)!
• Transportation: We mostly used ubers, taxis, and just walked for forms of transportation. There was really no need for the metro, but this will likely depend on where you are staying.

The End! <3

Thank you SO much for reading my Paris blog and travel guide. If you enjoyed this blog post, make sure to check out my other blog posts + follow me on instagram @lifewithabigailtay for similar content!