Welcome to Paris Smooth Arrival!
I’m Kate — an American who came to Paris eight years ago and simply never left. Somewhere between the first café crème and the tenth time getting lost in the Marais, Paris became home.
This blog is everything I wish I’d had before my first trip — honest advice, real neighborhood guides, and the kind of tips you only learn from actually living here.
More about me →Don’t Miss Right Now 🗓️
Getting from CDG to Paris — the honest guide
What nobody tells you before landing at Charles de Gaulle.
Where to stay for a first visit — by neighborhood
After 8 years here, I finally know which areas are worth it.
Plan Your Paris Trip ✈️
Arrival & Transport
CDG, Orly, Beauvais — plus how to actually get into the city without stress.
Plan Your First Paris Trip
How many days, what to book early, and what to skip entirely.
Where to Stay in Paris
The best neighborhoods depending on your travel style and budget.
Practical Paris Tips
Safety, scams, tipping, the metro — things that actually matter on the ground.
Day Trips From Paris
Versailles, Giverny, Champagne — worth it or overrated? My honest take.
Explore Paris by Area
Montmartre, the Marais, Saint-Germain — what each neighborhood actually feels like.
Eat, Shop & Enjoy 🥐
Food & Restaurants
Where locals actually eat — and how to avoid the tourist traps near every monument.
Shopping in Paris
Department stores, hidden boutiques, luxury streets, and outlet tips.
Nightlife in Paris
Wine bars, rooftops, cabaret, late-night walks — Paris after dark is something else.
Kids in Paris
Paris with children is very doable — here’s how to make it easy and fun.