Top Eight: Expert-Level Eiffel Tower
This extremely busy and known area can be hard to navigate and confusing to visitors - should you stay near it? Are there actual good food spots to be had? Where do locals go? All these questions are answered below as someone who frequented this area for the past few years and have many friends living around this section where the 7th and 15th arrondissements meet. Consider this your ultimate mini-guide from me to you!
Some practical info: this area of Paris has UNESCO, several French ministry offices, many ambassadors residences and embassies, and École Militaire. As a result there is often motorcades blazing through, police escorts, or road closures. There are also not as many metros servicing this area as it was purposely designed this way to avoid underground attacks, issues, etc. Line 6, 10, 8, and a bit of 13 are all on the edges of this immediate Eiffel Tower area. Line 6 is the famous above ground one that goes across the river to/from the 16th and you get the perfect moving Eiffel view from the metro car! There are a lot of buses, however, that go all around this area and I highly recommend them whenever possible. In my opinion, this is still a good area to stay in even as a first time visitor, it just depends on your priorities. Contact me here for hotel and micro-location advice!
Always hard to resist capturing her, so I just give in!
#1 - Rue Cler
This famous market street of the Left Bank is always a highlight of this area and bustles with locals and visitors alike. You can find everything here from florists, fresh produce and boulangeries to cafés, an Aldi, and specialty shops. Stroll down this mostly pedestrian cobblestone street snd enjoy the bustling activity in the AMs. Highlights include Les Téléphones, a beautiful bistro, Petibon for coffee, and Little Davola for elevated Italian.
Les Téléphones - a great spot for people watching in any weather!
#2 - Constant
A new favorite popped up this year on a side street off Rue Saint Dominique and has excellent coffee with a cute to-go window and nice pastries. Wander over here from the Eiffel Tower and escape the crowds!
Cutest place with a great cappuccino!
#3 - Roussillon
I love a solid option for a brasserie in touristy areas and this fits the bill. At the intersection of Rue Cler and Rue de Grenelle, it is open from early until late for every need. The staff is lovely and it is kid-friendly with a range of options, including a solid club sandwich and the truffle fries are one of my favorites. The house wine options are nice for a drink at the bar during apéro and the pastries at breakfast are flaky and delicious (sourced on Rue Cler!). Consider this spot after a long, tired day and need something quick and easy. Warm weather here is divine as both glass sides of the restaurant open up and marry the slow dining culture + people watching.
#4 - Marzo
Weirdly, finding a decent pizza in Paris is difficult, but the scene is getting better! This modern restaurant is off a little side street of Rue Cler and does dine-in and take out/delivery. I have had several varieties here and all are high-quality and kid-approved. There is a second location in another area of the 7th near Boulevard Saint-Germain/Place René Char that is equally lovely. It is local forward and they appreciate a reservation, but walk-ins are sometimes possible.
Pizza gone in a flash…! Definitely kid-approved
#5 - Rue Saint Dominique
Another excellent street stretching from the Champs de Mars quite far across the Esplanade des Invalides to Boulevard Saint Germain. The section nearest the Eiffel Tower, however, is what I am focusing on, ending at La Tour Maubourg. There are excellent boulangeries, wine shops, and shopping - from French brand classics like Maje and Sandro to small boutiques. Come stroll here for a more local and authentic experience - highlights include Thoumieux for well-done French classics and room for large groups, Aux Mervellieux de Fred for lovely pastries, and Cave Vino Sapiens for all your wine needs!
This view is iconic and seen in tourist photos quite often, but it’s the best at dusk. I just grabbed this on my phone one evening and didn’t edit it - magic. You can see Thoumieux on the left.
#6 - Comptoir des Fables
Easily my favorite find on the above street, I have been here multiple times. It is exclusively French people from what I have experienced and they have an excellent 3 course menu at the lunch hour - such inventive and high quality ingredients. It is a beautiful interior but a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it type façade on this busy section nearest to the Iron Lady.
Consistently so good! You won’t be disappointed.
#7 - Musée Quai Branly
I love this museum that is hidden in plain sight and at the same time, an imposing rust colored metal modern structure. Located on Rue l’Université one building off of the famous Eiffel photo spot, it is Paris’s collection of art from Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. It is excellent and boasts unique temporary exhibits to expand your knowledge of these regions. A major highlight is the museum’s rooftop bar I mention in my post here about fun ladies’ night spots. I personally think this is the best Eiffel view experience without spending a fortune!
A painting from the exhibition of American artist Kehinde Wiley: A Maze of Power - he is the most famous for painting President Obama’s portrait. This was one of my favorites - a very cool curation of his portraits of African leaders.
#8- Pharmacie du Commerce
French skincare awaits in this bright and spacious pharmacy in the 15th, on Rue de Commerce just near the Eiffel Tower. It is across from a huge Monoprix (the French Target!), so you can really get a lot done in a small area. While Pharmacie du Four (CityPharma) is the most famous in Paris, and incredibly crowded - this is a welcome respite. The prices are still really good in my opinion, and they also have a luxury corner with higher-end brands that CityPharma does not. If you are staying in this area or want to combine an errand with your time near the Champs de Mars, this is a great bet!
Looks like any other pharmacy in Paris but it’s amazing, trust me!
You guys, it’s so spacious and hardly ever crowded - can do a leisurely shop here and the employees are so nice.
I think this area can be thoroughly enjoyed if you know where to go and how to navigate its quirks!
OTHER TIPS:
>> Avoid eating on Avenue Suffren and Avenue de la Bourdonnais, which are the two major streets lining either side of the Champs de Mars. It’s incredibly touristy with less than mediocre food and waiters standing out front waving menus and trying to get people to eat there. That’s never a good sign in my opinion!
>> There two great playgrounds next to each other toward the back of Champs de Mars where Rue de Grenelle goes through - they aren’t really on Google Maps, you just need to know they’re there!
Me at one of the parks - the other is right behind me across the second hedge-row - not a bad park view!
>> Have a nice stroll on the two residential streets parallel to Champs de Mars - Avenue Charles Floquet and Avenue Emile Deschanel. Gorgeous architecture and quiet splendor is a contrast to the sometimes crazy Eiffel lawn areas. Please remember to use your inside voice even though you are outside - people live and work around here and trust me, everything echos!
