Emily in Paris Season 3 returns on December 21st and I couldn’t be more excited. Maybe it’s because Paris is my favorite city on the planet, or maybe it’s because Emily has impeccable style, but this show has me hooked! So on my last trip to Paris, I got an inside look at Emily's lifestyle and visited all the famous (and not-so-famous) spots from the Emmy-nominated series. I also discovered a few places that haven’t yet become the backdrop for the show – but would totally make sense in Emily’s world. If you're planning an Emily-style vacation in Paris , I've got plenty of travel tips for you.
I asked some Parisian friends to show me around – my own version of Mindy and Gabrielle – and I’m passing on their advice to you. From Emily and Mindy's trendy hangouts to the shops Emily frequents on her lunch breaks, here's where to stay, what to do, and where to eat and drink while you're in Paris.
Where to stay during Emily's trip to Paris
I was invited to stay at the Hotel Marignan Champs Elysées, located in the heart of the 8th arrondissement and close to many of the filming locations for the show. (It’s a short walk to the Roxie, the restaurant and music venue where Mindy sang “Chandelier,” Emily’s choice in season 1, and Pont Alexandre III. The bridge served as the backdrop for her ad shoot.) My room had a spacious rooftop wooden terrace with views of the Eiffel Tower sparkling all night long. Rooms start at $500 per night.
I also loved staying at the Canopy by Hilton Paris Trocadéro in the 1st arrondissement. This dynamic hotel has 123 rooms and features 1930s architecture and modern Parisian elegance. It partners with nearby award-winning Frédéric Lalos bakery to offer Emily's favorite chocolate bread as well as freshly baked breads, croissants and more. It's close to Place de Valois (the square where Emily works at the (fictional) marketing agency Savoir) and the gardens of the Palais Royal where she first met Mindy. Rooms start at $343 per night.
If you want more Alfie style and less Emily style, consider the Pullman Paris Montparnasse. Although it's not in La Défense (his neighborhood doesn't have much accommodation), it's a 15-minute drive away. Like Alfie's apartment, this modern skyscraper offers views of the Seine and the entire city, including the tallest building in the business district. It’s also home to Paris’ highest open-air rooftop bar and restaurant, Skybar, which offers the most beautiful, unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower, Panthéon, Montparnasse Tower and Luxembourg Gardens. It's famous for its Champagne cocktails, which reminded me of the Champagne Champagne launch party that Emily was a part of. Rooms start at $361 per night.
Emily in Paris - Inspiring things to do
A Parisian I met there (my version of Gabriel) took me on a date near Montmartre, where Emily often hung out with Mindy in front of the famous Catholic church, Sacre Coeur. The cathedral is the highest point in Paris and is perfect for watching the sunset. The area is surrounded by street painters and souvenir shops.
From there it was a short walk to the Moulin Rouge, where Emily and Mindy would go to the famous cabaret after dancing around the Sacre Coeur. This iconic venue popularized the cancan dance. The bright red building has a large windmill on top because it stands out and can be seen from all directions. Watching the dancers perform in elaborate costumes with rhinestones and glitter is part of the true Parisian experience.
The next day I went to Père Lachaise Cemetery, which is both the largest park and the largest cemetery in the city. Its Gothic tombs and mausoleums dating from the 19th century make it an ideal place for scenic walks. Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison are buried here. In season two, Emily and her co-worker Luke come here for a birthday lunch.
For all you shopaholics out there, head to La Samaritaine, a luxury store located on the banks of the Seine. In season two, Emily and her classmate Petra go on a shopping spree there.
Where to eat, drink and have fun in Paris
Remember the diner Mindy and her band were in at the end of the Season 2 finale? The scene was filmed at the Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant Shang Palace. I ate there with my Parisian girlfriend (my Mindy). The restaurant is located in the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris and has the most exquisite chandeliers. Its specialty is barbecued pork buns, which are Cantonese-style steamed buns stuffed with sweet barbecued pork. I love the dumplings and the super crunchy shrimp rolls.
Although Gabriel's restaurant, Les Deux Compères, is fictional, you can get a similar experience at Les Parisiens, a new bistro located in the Pavillon hotel just outside Saint-Germain. I had veal risotto for lunch and fish and seasonal vegetables for dinner.
Since the Four Seasons Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat in St. Tropez played such a big role in Emily, Mindy and Camille’s Girls Trip in Season 2, I headed to the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris to try it out The taste reflects the elegance of the brand. Surrounded by stunning woodwork and ornate decor, I drank a cocktail made with vodka, champagne, hibiscus syrup and elderflower foam. It was enough for me to immerse myself in Emily's "It Girl" lifestyle before returning to normal life.
