1. Croissants

You have not had a croissant until you've had one in Paris. How can anything be so buttery and airy, so delicate and decadent? These are reason enough to bring you to this food heaven of a city. Grab one (or three) along with a cafe au lait from any neighborhood boulangerie for a quick and cheap dejeuner. We even designed a t-shirt in our threadless artist shop to celebrate our love of these flaky miracles and the city of light.

2. The Eiffel Tower

If you're the type of traveler that likes to avoid the sight seeing circuit and go off the beaten path, you may be tempted to skip the Eiffel Tower. Don't! This wrought iron marvel of engineering was completed in 1889 for the World's Fair. Can you imagine how badass this structure would have been back then? According to the historian Robert Hughes in The Shock of the New, the tower is sure to have inspired cubism and modern art in the early twentieth century by allowing people to see the flattened, geometric shapes of the landscape below in a way that was not before possible. At 324 meters tall, it remained the tallest building in the world until 1930, when the Chrysler Building was completed. I'm not one for organized tours, but getyourguide.com offers some awesome ones that get you past the lines and give a concise, informative and entertaining history of the tower and the Parisian skyline. If you're not sold yet, let me just say that you can buy macarons at the top.

3. French Style

I'm not talking about haute couture and designer labels, I'm talking about that je ne sais quoi that French people have. Parisians are just so damn stylish in a cool and effortless way, that it's just plain infuriating. Back in California, effortless means I'm wearing flip flops, yoga pants and I haven't washed my hair in a couple of days, whereas in Paris it looks like everyone fell out of bed with perfect hair and the coolest shoes. Infuriating, I tell you.

4. The Louvre

Plan a half day for this one, because boy, is it huge. And I won't lie to you- it's exhausting. But it's also absolutely amazing and not to be missed. The key is to go in with a game plan, a sandwich or snack (remember the croissant?) and your walking shoes. Pick a few highlights, like 10-15 works you'd like to see and refer to the museum map to plan your route. If you're not sure what to see, the Louvre has some suggested trails that you can follow. If you must see the Mona Lisa (I won't talk you out of it), try to go as soon the museum opens and hit that one first. You may still have to push through some crowds and manic selfie sticksters to glimpse La Jocande, but make your way over to the stunning, less visited Vermeers and Ingres and you'll practically have the place to yourself.

The Valpinçon Bather, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. Move over, Mona Lisa. — *The Valpinçon Bather*, *Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. Move over, Mona Lisa.*

5. The Markets

Whether it's produce, vintage clothing or everything in between, there's a market for it in Paris. Stalls and tables are filled with beautiful fruits and vegetables, fresh bread and pastries, second hand books, clothes and housewares. In one afternoon we scored an Adventures of Tin Tin cookbook, a gorgeous men's wool jacket and some delicious figs. Vive le shopping!