The Paris Guide: My Little Black Book

By popular demand—after many requests (and a little goading) from family, friends, and readers—I’ve finally brought my Paris recommendations together in one place.

Paris is a city of neighborhoods. Not just monuments and museums, but cafés you return to, streets you learn by heart, and small rituals that become familiar.

Through years of traveling to France, living there, and returning again and again, I’ve come to know Paris as a collection of lived-in places—cafés, streets, shops, and corners that shape daily life. This guide is a reflection of that experience.

Thus, The Paris Guide was created.

My “Little Black Book”

This is a carefully curated collection of places I return to and recommend without hesitation. It reflects my own sensibility—traditional brasseries, classic cafés, time-honored boutiques, and neighborhoods rich in character, history, and that certain je ne sais quoi.

But The Paris Guide is more than a list. Each section provides context, small details, and thoughtful perspective—so you understand not only where you are, but why it matters.

Many of the restaurants featured are places where bentwood chairs, paneled walls, and well-prepared classics define the experience. The boutiques represent Paris at its best: craftsmanship, creativity, and a sense of style that feels both timeless and current. Every recommendation is chosen for its quality, ambiance, and enduring charm.

How the Guide is Organized: Understanding Paris, Arrondissement by Arrondissement

Paris is made up of 20 arrondissements, arranged in a spiral from the center. This guide focuses primarily on the 1st through the 11th—the most central and frequently visited—while also introducing the outer districts.

Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning with familiarity, this structure allows you to navigate the city with confidence and ease.

Practical Resources and Cultural Insight

You’ll also find a dedicated resources section with links to my most helpful posts, covering topics such as tipping, transportation, dining customs, hotel classifications, and everyday etiquette.

Traveling well is not only about where you go—it’s about understanding how things work. These resources are designed to help you experience Paris with understanding and respect.

My Essential Packing Guide

You’ll also find my detailed packing checklist, developed over years of travel. From important documents and in-flight essentials to wardrobe planning and footwear, this section is designed to help you travel comfortably and elegantly, without overpacking.

I truly believe that thoughtful preparation allows you to be fully present once you arrive.

Who Will Love This Guide

This guide is for people who:

• Prefer thoughtful travel over rushed itineraries
• Value cultural understanding over checklists
• Seek trusted recommendations over endless searching
• Appreciate style, substance, and authenticity

It is for those who want to experience Paris with attention, intention, and curiosity.

Launch Invitation

The Paris Guide is a 34-page digital download and now available for an introductory price of $25, as a thank you to my loyal readers.

If you are planning a trip, dreaming of one, or returning to a city you love, I invite you to order your copy now and begin exploring Paris with confidence.

How to Order The Paris Guide

Send a $25 payment via Venmo to @jeannine-bergeron or use this link to my Venmo profile or scan the QR code below.

In the notes section, please include your email address in the notes section. This ensures I can email the guide to you — this usually takes place immediately or within a few hours. Payments sent overnight are fulfilled the following morning

Important Notes:

• The Paris Guide is available directly through me—there is no external ordering link.
• I accept Venmo only.
• I do not accept credit cards, and I will never ask for your credit card information.
• The Paris Guide is for personal use only and may not be shared, distributed, or reproduced without permission—thank you for honoring and supporting this work.

Paris is a moveable feast, and with The Paris Guide, you will savor it with delight. Order your guide today!

P.S. About the Cover: One of my favorite windows into old Paris is the Plan de Turgot, an extraordinary map created in 1739. Commissioned by Michel-Étienne Turgot, then Provost of the Merchants, it captures the city in astonishing detail—every street, courtyard, and rooftop carefully drawn from a bird’s-eye view. More than a map, it is a portrait of Paris as it once was: intimate, intricate, and deeply human. For this reason, I chose it for the cover of The Paris Guide. To me, it reflects everything I love about this city—its layered history, its lived-in beauty, and the quiet continuity between past and present. When I look at it, I’m reminded that long before our favorite cafés and familiar streets, Paris was already a living tapestry of daily life—one that continues to unfold with every generation.