6 Ultimate Moments You Can Have in and Around Paris

Picture a dream holiday in France and it probably includes exquisite food, cultural riches and ambling down romantic Parisian streets. But there’s an art to finding the best experiences in a city that’s an international muse and a country that sets the standard for fine dining. Here’s our pick of the best things to do in the City of Light, plus a few insider hacks.

7am: Stroll along a quiet canal with some of France’s best baguettes

Wake up early and do as the Parisians do – get your daily bread while it’s still hot from the oven. In the 11th arrondissement, Boulangerie Utopie is a no-fuss, classic neighbourhood-style bakery that employs traditional methods to make some of the country’s most lauded crunchy baguettes, chewy sourdoughs, buttery croissants and delectable pastries. Be there by 8am to avoid the sprawling queue of locals, then take your treats for a stroll along the colourful Canal Saint-Martin.

While ambling through this bohemian neighbourhood’s tree-lined streets, pop into trendy shops including ultra-hip bookstore and café Bonjour Jacob and Make My Lemonade, a boutique that sells homewares and women’s fashion.

12pm: Check out the most stylish shops in the city

Paris is renowned for its grand department stores, designer threads and quirky book shops, but there are plenty of boutiques that are just as worthy to explore. French author and artist Marin Montagut sells everything from soap and whimsical glassware to personalised plates and his famed illustrations. Once you've stocked up on chic homewares, pop over to À La Mère de Famille on 35 rue du Faubourg Montmartre – established in 1761, it's the oldest confectionary shop in Paris. Treat yourself to a petit beurre (butter biscuit) – the shop’s signature dessert – or order an exquisite assortment of handmade chocolates, boxed and wrapped with a burnt orange ribbon for the perfect Parisian souvenir.

TIP: Travel to Paris with confidence thanks to Complimentary Travel Insurance³ with the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Receive domestic and international insurance for you, your partner and your dependent children, when you pay for your return trip on your Card. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

3pm: Tour the home of a French music legend

Say the name “Serge Gainsbourg'' to a Parisian and you’re sure to strike up a conversation. As a prolific jazz/pop/funk/electronic musician, plus an actor and director, Gainsbourg left behind a bold, humorous and sometimes controversial body of work that spans decades. You can take an audio tour of his home, Maison Gainsbourg, which has remained intact since his death in 1991 (bookings are essential).

The Gainsbourg museum across the road showcases a collection of more than 450 objects, including some of his most prized manuscripts and artworks. In the basement, you’ll find one of Saint-Germain-des-Prés’ best-kept secrets: Le Gainsbarre, a sultry, speakeasy-style cafe and bar with a vibrant cocktail menu that includes unique blends (“Beluga Noble Vodka, eucalyptus, tangy foam”) and “The Forgotten Cocktails” (such as the Brandy Crusta, which was originally created in New Orleans and features Camus VSOP Borderies Cognac, triple sec, Luxardo Maraschino, Boker’s Bitters and lemon).

TIP: Book your Maison Gainsbourg ticket ahead of time to guarantee entry. Pay with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card and you’ll earn up to 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases¹. You'll also enjoy uncapped Qantas Points earning potential for every dollar you spend on your Card.

10pm: Soak up the Eiffel Tower from a private hot tub

In the competition for best Eiffel Tower views, few hotels can rival Brach Paris in the leafy, upscale 16th arrondissement (also home to the Trocadéro and Arc de Triomphe). Splash out on the Suzanne suite, which boasts an expansive 120-square-metre private terrace complete with a Norwegian wood hot tub that overlooks the iconic Paris landmark. Between sundown and 1am, the Parisian icon dazzles with an hourly lightshow, so you can watch it twinkle as you soak. Pure magic.

For a different perspective, visit Gustave Eiffel’s Secret Apartment. The architect and engineer designed a small hidden room at the top of the tower for entertaining guests, including US inventor Thomas Edison, who visited in 1889. Fully restored in 2015, the hideaway is now open to the public. Visitors to the observation deck can view the room – complete with mannequins of Eiffel, Edison, and Eiffel’s daughter – through a glass divider.

TIP: Check into relaxation mode early with the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card and receive two complimentary Qantas Club Lounge invitations each year after your first Card spend on selected Qantas products and services⁴ and two Amex Centurion® Lounge passes to use at Sydney or Melbourne International Airport⁵. Lounge access entitles you to complimentary food and beverages, including wine and beer after 12pm. Enjoy free and fast wifi and more.

10am: Make your own champagne in Reims

The next day, watch the Parisian cityscape melt into rolling green hills and storied vineyards on the 45-minute high-speed train trip from Gare de l’Est to Reims. As the heart of the Champagne region, the city is home to the terroir of renowned wine houses, including Maison Mumm and Veuve Clicquot. Book ahead with Tours In Champagne and you’ll be whisked away by a convertible (upon request) to a half-day Create Your Own Champagne masterclass, where a skilled winemaker will help you blend your own bubbles before giving you a taste of the region’s finest drops.

Post-tour, visit Reims’ star monument: the cathedral. Built in the 13th century, this Gothic structure hosted many coronations and made UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1991. Inside, stained-glass windows celebrate Dom Perignon and his role in the history of champagne-making. Best of all, entrance is free.

TIP: You can continue to enjoy fine French champagne at home with your Qantas Wine Premium Membership, which is complimentary with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Not only will you get access to exceptional wines and exclusive events, you'll also earn 3 Qantas Points per dollar spent on all Qantas Wine purchases⁶.

7pm: Do dinner in a Michelin-starred mansion

When dining at a classic chateau, once owned by the grande dame of French champagne, Louise Pommery, sophistication is par for the course – but the two-Michelin-starred takes the “fine” in fine dining to a whole new level. Looking for the best bubbles? Choose from a list that’s almost 900 labels long. Views? You can’t beat a lush, historic garden with trees planted by Madame Pommery herself. And then there’s the six-course seasonal menu that features a rotating selection of elegant dishes by chef Christophe Moret. Think sea urchin and caviar on a delicate royale followed by a palate-cleansing dessert of “crystalline” sea lettuce with cottage cheese mousse, lemon and olive oil. Prefer to dine a la carte at Le Parc? Top tip: don’t skip the cheese trolley. The selection is among the best you’ll find in France, with an emphasis on locally-made raw milk cheeses.

After dinner, head across the grounds to the exclusive Bar La Rotonde. Comprising just 40 seats, this moody bar is known for its 3500-strong wine list which includes 1200 champagnes from all the major houses.

TIP: If choosing your own adventure is a big part of your life, you’ll love taking advantage of the $450 Annual Qantas Travel Credit² that comes with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Each year, you’ll receive a $450 Qantas Travel Credit to use on eligible domestic or international Qantas flights when booked through American Express Travel.

Have fun getting there

Fly Sydney to Paris return with Qantas using Classic Plus, Points Plus Pay, or via our oneworld Alliance member airlines to get to your destination.

Discover Paris’s ultimate moments with the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points* when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.

Plus, you’ll also receive:

• An annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit² to use on eligible domestic and international Qantas flights booked through American Express Travel.
• The potential to earn more Qantas Points with up to 4 Additional Cards for family or friends, at no extra fee⁷.
• Two Qantas Club invitations each year after purchasing select Qantas products and services⁴, plus two complimentary entries to The Centurion® Lounge⁵ at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports.
• Complimentary Qantas Wine Premium Membership⁶, allowing you to enjoy gourmet food, exceptional wines and exclusive access to events around Australia.
• Domestic and international travel insurance³ (for you, your partner and dependent children) when you pay for the return trip with your Card. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Insiders’ Guide to Adelaide’s Hidden Gems