Oui, Emily, Oui. Emily was right — and I say that as someone who has been making the case for Paris long before Netflix got involved. Still, there is something about watching that show that makes the city feel urgent all over again. Suddenly you are Googling flights at midnight and wondering why you ever stopped planning a trip there. That is the magic of great set-jetting. The destination was already extraordinary. The show simply reminded you.
Paris has been the world’s most visited city for decades. Even so, Emily Cooper managed to make it feel brand new. The croissants. The Seine at golden hour. The winding streets of Le Marais. All of it looked impossibly beautiful — because it genuinely is. However, the real Paris goes even deeper than what fits on a Netflix screen.
Here is what to know before you go.
Montmartre: The Neighborhood That Steals the Show
Emily’s apartment sits in the 5th arrondissement, but Montmartre is where the show’s visual identity truly lives. The steep cobblestone streets, the artists, the sweeping views over the rooftops — none of that is set dressing. In fact, it has looked exactly like this for well over a century.
Start at the Place du Tertre, where painters still set up their easels every morning. From there, walk up to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and take a moment at the top of the steps. The view stops you every time. Beyond the famous landmarks, though, the real Montmartre is in the quieter streets below — rue Lepic, the vineyard on rue des Saules, the small wine bars that open just before noon.
Give yourself a full morning here. Then linger over lunch somewhere nearby and let the afternoon sort itself out.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Cafés, Couture, and All That Parisien Energy
Much of Emily’s social life unfolds in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and it is easy to see why. This neighborhood has been the beating heart of Parisian intellectual and creative life for generations. Simone de Beauvoir wrote here. Hemingway drank here. Today it is still filled with independent bookshops, art galleries, and the kind of café terraces that make two hours feel like twenty minutes.
Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots are the obvious stops — both iconic, both genuinely good. However, do not skip the side streets around the boulevard Saint-Germain. That is where you will find the quieter bistros and the small fashion boutiques that feel nothing like a chain store. Meanwhile, the Luxembourg Gardens are just a short walk away and worth every minute of your afternoon.
The Eiffel Tower: Yes, Every Single Time
It would be impossible to write about Emily in Paris without addressing the Eiffel Tower. The show films it constantly and without apology — and you should experience it the same way. Do not let anyone convince you it is too touristy to visit. It is one of the great engineering and aesthetic achievements in human history. Go see it.
That said, timing matters. Early morning is quieter and the light is softer. The Champ de Mars lawn below is a lovely place to sit with a coffee and take it all in before the crowds arrive. Alternatively, catch it at night when the tower sparkles on the hour. Both experiences are worth having. In fact, if time allows, do both.
Le Marais: The Neighborhood Emily Should Have Spent More Time In
Emily’s relationship with food is one of the show’s greatest running jokes. She orders plainly, she is confused by French dining culture, and she famously struggles with the concept of lunch as a two-hour affair. Do not be Emily at the table.
Paris dining rewards patience and curiosity. Book a table at a real bistro rather than a tourist brasserie. Order the prix fixe at lunch — it is almost always the better value and the better meal. Try the natural wine bars that have proliferated across the city over the last decade. Above all, slow down. The French are right about this one.
For a truly special dinner, the 1st and 8th arrondissements have some of the finest tables in the world. As a Virtuoso-affiliated advisor, I can access preferred rates and amenities at top Paris properties and secure reservations at restaurants that are notoriously difficult to book independently.
Where to Stay in Paris
The right hotel makes an enormous difference in Paris. The city’s neighborhoods have distinct personalities, and where you sleep shapes how you experience everything else. For luxury travelers, the 1st arrondissement puts you steps from the Louvre and the Tuileries. The 6th, near Saint-Germain, offers quieter streets and easy access to the Luxembourg Gardens. The 8th gives you the grand Paris of Haussmann-era architecture and haute couture.
I work with a curated selection of Paris properties — from intimate boutique hotels to grand palace hotels — and can match you with exactly the right fit based on your travel style. Virtuoso benefits often include room upgrades, daily breakfast, and hotel credits that make the investment go further.
How to Plan Your Paris Trip
Paris is one of those cities that rewards both the first-time visitor and the seasoned traveler. There is always more to discover. However, without a plan, it is easy to spend three days in tourist traps and miss the city entirely.
That is where I come in. As a luxury travel advisor based in Fort Collins, Colorado, I design custom Paris itineraries built around your interests, your travel style, and the experiences that are genuinely hard to replicate on your own. Whether you want a week of art and culture, a romantic escape, or a family trip with older kids who have all watched Emily in Paris three times — I can build it.
Emily Cooper made Paris look effortless. The real version is even better. Reach out at amoretraveldesigns.com/contact-me and let’s start planning yours.
Check out my other blog posts:
ROMANTIC THINGS TO DO IN PARIS