Curated by Collins / She Knows Paris
A Luxury Girls’ Trip to Paris
My favorite experiences, a six-day itinerary and where to stay
THE PARIS GUIDE
Paris is a beautiful place to celebrate friendship. A few fabulous dinners, a little shopping, a private cruise on the Seine and enough time to enjoy it all: that's my idea of a girls’ getaway.
I’ve returned to Paris more than once, but traveling with girlfriends gave me a fresh appreciation for the city. On that trip, we made our own perfumes, tasted our way through Montmartre, toured the hidden King’s Apartments at Versailles and explored the Champagne region with a private guide.
I'm sharing the tours we booked, the details I would build into a six-day itinerary, and three stylish hotels for different kinds of travelers. One of my favorite hotels is SAX Paris, where we stayed on this trip. The result is a guide you can use to book individual experiences or to have me curate the whole getaway.
Booking disclosure: Some experience links in this article earn me a commission if you book through them. I may also receive a commission on eligible hotel reservations arranged through Curated by Collins. Any applicable price and terms are shown by the booking provider.
01 / THE ITINERARY
Six days in Paris, beautifully paced
Here is how I would organize a similar getaway today. It's a suggested route inspired by my trip, rather than a diary of our exact daily schedule. Think of it as a starting point you can shape around your friends' interests.
Arrive & settle in
Check in, enjoy an easy neighborhood dinner, then see Paris from the Seine at dusk.
Perfume & Parisian style
Blend a signature fragrance at Molinard, browse the boutiques and add a special café stop.
Versailles
Take a small-group palace tour that includes the hidden King's Apartments. Return for an elegant evening in Paris.
Art, food & Montmartre
Pair the Palais Garnier with a private food walk, then choose a lively spot for after-dinner drinks.
Champagne country
Spend the day with a private guide in Reims and Épernay. For a gentler evening, bring a chef into your apartment.
A final Paris morning
Leave time for a long breakfast, a favorite boutique or one last stroll before departure.
The activities below are the ones I experienced. Exact tour schedules, admission options and pickup arrangements vary by date.
02 / EXPERIENCES
What I booked and loved
These are the experiences that gave our getaway its personality. I've linked to the specific bookable tours we used when available.
A creative afternoon
Create your own fragrance at Molinard
One of my favorite kinds of souvenirs is something that comes with a memory. At Molinard, we worked with individual fragrance notes and left with a perfume that was entirely our own. It's playful, personal and particularly fun with friends because everyone gravitates toward something different.
What to plan: The linked classic workshop takes place at Molinard's Rue Saint-Honoré location and includes a 50 ml eau de parfum. Allow time around the appointment for browsing and lunch nearby.
Book the Molinard perfume workshop
A royal day trip
See a quieter side of Versailles
Versailles is spectacular, but what made our tour memorable was the opportunity to explore the King's Apartments with a guide. The small-group format gave the visit a more personal feel and helped bring the palace's history to life.
What to plan: The exact tour we took is capped at six people, lasts approximately two hours and 45 minutes and meets at Versailles. Build in your transportation from central Paris and extra time for the estate or a browse through the museum shop.
Book the six-person Versailles tour
A delicious walk
Eat your way through Montmartre
We explored Montmartre on a private food tour, the sort of afternoon where wandering between small shops is every bit as enjoyable as reaching the next stop. Think pastries, cheeses, neighborhood stories and enough time to appreciate the atmosphere.
What to plan: The tour is private to your party and runs approximately three to four hours. Its current listing shows a nonrefundable booking policy, so confirm the details and date before purchasing.
Book the private Montmartre food tour
Beyond the city
Spend a day in Champagne country
Exploring Moët & Chandon's cellars was unforgettable. But the beauty of this day extended beyond the tasting: vineyard scenery, small villages and a private guide who made the experience feel personal rather than rushed.
What to plan: Our linked full-day private tour visits Moët & Chandon and a boutique Champagne producer. It runs about eight hours and starts in Reims, Épernay or another eligible local pickup point. Arrange the journey from Paris separately, then coordinate your train arrival with the guide's start time.
Book the private Champagne tour
Another scene from our Champagne day.
A private experience
See Paris from the Seine at dusk
There is something special about watching Paris change color from the water. A private cruise gives your group space to take it all in, linger over the views and enjoy the city together. Vessel style, duration and route make a real difference to the experience.
I can help match your group with a private cruise that suits your occasion, from a relaxed first evening to a milestone celebration.
Ask about a private Seine cruise
A night in
Bring a private chef to your apartment
We invited a chef into our Paris apartment for dinner, and that evening is still one of the moments I remember most fondly. It felt relaxed and intimate, with beautifully prepared food and the freedom to enjoy the evening at our own pace.
For a group celebrating a birthday or another milestone, I can coordinate the accommodation and an in-home dining experience together.
Plan a private-chef evening
Add a little Paris glamour
Dining, design & a stylish night out
Leave room for the experiences between the scheduled tours. Kong makes a striking dinner setting; Le Matignon is an option for a dressed-up final evening; and a visit to the Palais Garnier pairs beautifully with a day of art and architecture.
For a fashion-inspired café stop, consider Café Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton at LV Dream, 2 bis rue du Pont Neuf. It is a lovely addition to a day in central Paris. Check current reservations for your dates.
FROM A PARIS CHEF
Chef Stéphane’s Paris restaurant shortlist
Chef Stéphane, a chef in Paris, shared these eight restaurant recommendations with me. It’s a wonderful local perspective to have alongside the dining experiences I’ve enjoyed myself. Here are his suggestions, with a little neighborhood context to help you decide what fits your own itinerary.
Hugo & Co
5th arrondissement · Latin Quarter
Contemporary French bistro near the Arènes de Lutèce.
Explore restaurant & reservations ↗L’Évadé
9th arrondissement · Saint-Georges
Creative, seasonal French bistronomy in an intimate setting.
Explore restaurant & reservations ↗L’Escudella
7th arrondissement · Ségur
Refined seasonal cooking with a French bistro spirit.
Explore restaurant & reservations ↗Le 122
7th arrondissement · Rue de Grenelle
Contemporary French market cooking near the Rodin Museum.
Explore restaurant & reservations ↗Madamador
6th arrondissement · Saint-Germain-des-Prés
A lively French neighborhood table on Rue Guisarde.
Explore restaurant & reservations ↗La Boussole
6th arrondissement · Saint-Germain-des-Prés
French dishes with a distinctive spice-forward influence.
Explore restaurant & reservations ↗L’Insoumise
15th arrondissement · Porte de Versailles
Relaxed, modern French bistronomy made with seasonal ingredients.
Explore restaurant & reservations ↗Le CasseNoix
15th arrondissement · Rue de la Fédération
A traditional Parisian bistro known for hearty French cooking.
Explore restaurant & reservations ↗These are Chef Stéphane’s recommendations, rather than restaurants I’ve personally reviewed. Menus, opening days and reservation arrangements may change, so check each restaurant’s current details when planning.
Ask me to curate your Paris dining plans03 / WHERE TO STAY
Three chic hotels for a Paris girls’ getaway
Where you stay sets the tone for the trip. These three hotels offer distinct versions of Paris: polished Left Bank luxury, expressive Marais style and a lively Saint-Germain base. SAX is my personal favorite and the only one of the three I've stayed at so far; the other two are curated recommendations.
MY PERSONAL FAVORITEThe standout splurge / 7th arrondissement
SAX Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts
I've stayed at SAX Paris, and it remains my favorite. The rooms were gorgeous: luxurious, chic and beautifully considered. The service was top tier, and the views from the rooftop were amazing. There's also a heated outdoor pool and hot tub tucked into the garden, a feature that makes this hotel feel especially indulgent in the middle of Paris.
For girlfriends, the connecting-room configurations are a real advantage. You can stay close to one another while enjoying the privacy and comfort of separate rooms. SAX lists two-room and three-room connecting options, with exact categories and availability varying by stay.
I took this photo of the garden during my own stay, before I became a travel advisor. It's one of the details that stayed with me.
- VIP guest recognition
- Complimentary breakfast for two
- USD $100 hotel credit per eligible stay
- Possible room-category upgrade, subject to availability
- Hilton Honors benefits and any bonus-points offer subject to the eligible rate and current promotion
The artistic boutique / Le Marais
Hôtel du Petit Moulin
For a fashion-loving group, this intimate hotel is full of personality. Its colorful interiors were designed by Christian Lacroix, and the Marais location puts galleries, cafés and independent shops right outside your door. Guests also have complimentary access to the Spa de la Reine at its sister hotel, a short walk away.
- Daily breakfast for up to two
- Welcome drink and in-room gift
- Possible room upgrade at check-in
The social Left Bank stay / 6th arrondissement
Hôtel Dame des Arts
Contemporary design and a wonderfully central position near Saint-Germain make this a strong pick for friends who love walking to cafés, restaurants and cultural sights. The hotel's rooftop has impressive city views when in season, and select room types can be coordinated for groups.
Seasonal note: The rooftop is closed from October 2026 until spring 2027, according to the hotel.
- Daily breakfast for two
- USD $100 food-and-beverage credit per eligible stay
- Welcome amenity
- Upgrade and priority check-in/out, subject to availability
Hotel benefits shown reflect the advisor-program details available when this guide was prepared. Eligible rates, inclusions, room configurations and current offers are confirmed during booking. The hotel portal lets you explore available stays and request or complete reservations with Curated by Collins.
04 / THE DETAILS
Small planning choices that make a big difference
From arriving at the airport to navigating the Métro and shopping in Paris, a little preparation makes the entire getaway feel easier. Here's the information I like to have at my fingertips.
Arrival day
Getting from the airport: Paris taxi prices
Paris has official fixed taxi fares between the city and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY). The price depends on which bank of the Seine your hotel is on. The Right Bank lies north of the Seine and includes the Marais; the Left Bank lies south and includes Saint-Germain and the 7th arrondissement.
| Airport | Right Bank | Left Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | €56 | €65 |
| Orly (ORY) | €45 | €36 |
For the hotels in this guide: SAX Paris and Hôtel Dame des Arts are on the Left Bank. Hôtel du Petit Moulin is on the Right Bank. Follow the airport signs to the official taxi queue for the regulated fare. A reserved taxi may carry a booking fee, and a group of five or more may incur a passenger supplement. For larger groups and extra luggage, I can coordinate a private transfer.
2026 regulated fares. Official French government fare schedule.
Moving around the city
How to use the Paris Métro and buy tickets
- Get your ticket: The Île-de-France Mobilités or Bonjour RATP app can hold your tickets on a compatible phone. You can also buy a Navigo Easy card for €2 at a station and load it at a ticket machine or counter. Each traveler uses their own card or device.
- Choose the fare: A standard Métro–Train–RER ticket costs €2.55 for a journey across the Paris region, including connections within two hours while remaining inside the network. It also covers trips such as the RER journey to Versailles.
- Tap and follow the line: Touch your phone or Navigo Easy card to the gate reader, follow the line number and its final destination, and keep your ticket available until the journey ends.
Airport rail tickets are separate: The 2026 Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket costs €14 for eligible routes including the RER B to CDG and Métro line 14 to Orly. It's a handy alternative for a light-packing trip.
Official resources: RATP standard tickets · Airport ticket information.
Shopping in Paris
How to request a VAT refund on your purchases
A little extra planning can make luxury shopping even more enjoyable. Visitors who normally live outside the European Union, are at least 16 years old and are visiting for less than six months may qualify for a refund of French VAT on eligible goods.
- At the boutique: Spend more than €100 including VAT at the same store on the same day, ask for détaxe (tax-free shopping), and present your passport. The participating store issues an export-sales refund form with a barcode.
- At your final EU departure: Have your form, passport, travel ticket and purchased goods accessible for customs validation. When leaving the EU from France, use a PABLO kiosk to scan the barcode, or see customs if directed. Plan this step before checking bags containing your purchases.
- Receive the refund: Follow the retailer's instructions for the refund method you selected. Processing charges can reduce the final amount you receive. The customs validation must be completed by the end of the third month following the month of purchase.
For travelers visiting another EU country after Paris, the customs validation happens at the final point of departure from the EU. The store can explain the applicable refund provider and terms.
Official guidance: French Customs PABLO VAT refund instructions. Fares and regulations in this section were checked in November 2026 and may change.
A few more ways to make the trip special
Choose the room setup early
For three or four friends, connecting rooms can offer a good balance of togetherness and privacy. A suite or a well-located apartment can also work, especially when planning an in-home chef dinner.
Anchor the day trips
Reserve your preferred Versailles time and Champagne guide first, then arrange transportation to meet the tour's stated starting point.
Save room for slow moments
A beautiful lunch, a long café stop or an hour at the hotel pool can be just as memorable as a formal tour.
Frequently asked questions
Is six days enough for a luxury girls’ trip to Paris?
Yes. Six days makes room for several signature Paris experiences and a day trip or two, while leaving time for restaurants, shopping and unplanned discoveries.
Can we visit Champagne from Paris in one day?
Yes, with an early start. The private tour linked in this guide begins in the Champagne region, so plan train or private transportation from Paris separately.
Are connecting rooms available at SAX Paris?
Yes. The hotel has connecting two-room and three-room configurations. Specific room categories and availability depend on your travel dates.
Can I book the hotel through Curated by Collins and the tours myself?
Absolutely. You can explore eligible hotel options through my booking portal and choose the linked activities that suit your plans. For a fully tailored trip, I can help coordinate the entire experience.