Paris, The Love of My Life
BONJOUR…How does one even begin to write about Paris? The literal love of my life. My heart is fluttering in this moment as I am beginning to reflect on my favorite things of Paris. Isn’t Paris referred to as the city of love? Well, I find this to be SO true. I think Paris is utterly romantic. Yes, you see couples and people in love and I do love this because I love love. BUT it’s romantic also because you fall in love with the city.— The buildings, the cafes, the language, the people, the elegance, the wine. Everything makes you in awe of Paris.
So far, I have been once by myself and saw some friends there and a second time with one of my best friends. And the most recent time, with my boyfriend! All experiences have been pure magic!! I think in any situation, Paris is a necessity!
Okay first of all, THE EIFFEL TOWER. Okay. We love her. We referred to her as a human the whole time. She is magic in all her glory. Obviously, she is an iconic landmark in Paris. It is so lovely walking past her up close and seeing her from afar. I recommend seeing her in all her phases. See her in the day, see her at sunset, see her at night with her lights on andsee her at night all dolled up and sparkly (every hour once it is dark until about 1am).
Some things… We stayed in the 13th and 14th arr. for a chunk of our trip and we really loved it. It is quieter and feels more local. And it is so close to the Eiffel Tower. We really enjoyed starting our day seeing her and ending it seeing her. It was also cheaper to stay over here and I would absolutely recommend it. It is a good stroll down the river to head toward some more main things to do. If you stay in the 13th arr., we went to the most perfect, luscious food market on a Sunday! Head toward the Plaza de Italie and you can’t miss it. Overall, I think you can’t go wrong in any neighbourhood of Paris, because it is so captivating, but I would make sure you are somewhat central, because it can get exhausting having to travel to all parts of the city all the time!
In all seriousness, do yourself a favour and please just go to the Parc du Champ de Mars. Bring something to sit on (or not lol), bring some wine or Rosé, a baguette, CHEESE, macaroons, anything and watch the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower. Maybe the most glorious picnic I have had and I have had a lot!!! This is my top place to see the tower at sunset– Up close and personal! There were tears shed.
A view that we loved of the city and of the tower is from the Arc de Triomphe! It cost to get in, but totally worth it. We went around sunset and it was dreamy. There is a line to get the ticket and then a line to get up. We split up and saved time! Jaja. (if you live in the EU, have identification and are under 26, you can get in for free! And to pretty much any museum or church that cost.)
Since you’re over here… YOU HAVE TO GO TO LADURÉE PARIS CHAMPS ELYSÉES. I had a friend who told me if I got macaroons from anywhere else, then I didn’t really do paris. Bold statement. The truest words I’ve ever heard. These macaroons will change you. (My order of flavours if you must know: cafe, strawberry vanilla, chocolate, strawberry poppy, vanilla, pistachio, rose and finally salted caramel. These are the ones we tried. There’s more. I need to be honest, we wish the existence of the salted caramel was not a thing. Lol) You need to go to this location. BUT I will tell you, there is a mini stand of the same ones inside the shopping area of the Louvre (in case it’s an emergency).
Other views:
Le Perchoir Marais (at BHV Department Store)— the vibes and views were so wonderful and hip. As always, around sunset is a must. It opens at 20h, so getting there early is good because there is a line outside. We actually ended up being some of the first people in and the wait was worth it for a good seat location (I think we waited an hour.. but I fell asleep so I am not sure!! lol) You can see the Eiffel Tower from afar!
Top of the store Printemps — lovely view of all of Paris!!!
I haven’t done this, but my friend suggested it and I will definitely be doing it next time!— Boat ride on the Videttes de pont Neuf. Buy a tickets online in advance, it’s only 10€, otherwise it’s 15€. You should reserve for 21:45h and get there at 21:30h to get a good seat and see the Eiffel Tower in all her sparkling wonder!
You have to see the Notre Dame. Duh. I’ve never been inside though and I think I will need to at some point.
Near there is the Shakespeare & Company Bookstore and it is so cute!
Also we went into the The Sainte-Chapelle and really enjoyed it. So beautiful.
There is a super cute cafe, very picturesque, in this area— Au Viuex Paris!
Near here also is the Isle de San Louis—cute cafes and restaurants! We went to St. Regis and were obsessed.
Go to Berthillon— famous ice cream! Seriously, one of the best. There will probably be a long line. There are two locations right on the same street! If you walk toward the St. Regis restaurant, there is a window and you can order there. It is usually more low key!
My friend recommended this restaurant also and seriously so cute and hoppin’!—Ma Salle la Manger on Dauphine!! She never leads you astray on recommendations!
Lets talk about the Louvre. Magic. You have to go inside and see many classics. Obviously the Mona Lisa is there and she is lovely.
The whole area outside of the Louvre is a dream. I like to lay on the grass on a sunny day and reflect!!!! This may not be aloud anymore lol but I would still do it, but watch out for goats and security. Jaja! Seriously though.
Near here is a restaurant, that I LOVED, called Chez Monsieur!! I went by myself and enjoyed a lovely glass of wine and the best escargot of a life time, as I people watched!! I think this is a good evening dinner spot.
A spot near the Louvre for lunch is the best ramen I’ve had. If you feel like mixing it up, go to Dosanko Larmen ! We ate this in area so much. I am always trying to embrace the international cuisine in major cities. So the ramen and boba tea was my jam!!!
The Palais-Royal was lovely to visit in the spring with all the blooms!!
Some other things that I am passionate about:
THE FAT TIRE BIKE TOUR. (www.fattiretours.com) Do the Paris Night Bike Tour. I love bikes and you get to see the whole city by bike, you make stops for ice cream, you make friends and it ends with a boat ride with a lot of wine lol !! This is one of the best tours I have ever done!
The Luxembourg Gardens!! Explore and take a nap on the lawn on a Sunday afternoon! Or any afternoon! Near- ish here is an area we loved. I think it may be called the art district ( it’s the 5th arr.) We went to this cute little coffee shop called, DOSE – Coffee Dealer and walking in this area, we saw loads of cute places !
OKAY. MY FAVORITE AREA OF PARIS. I don’t think this is a surprise… MONTMARTRE!! It is so cute and just “feels” like Paris! It’s quite the hike up. We stayed in this area for a couple days and we were so thankful and exhausted haha. You will inevitably see the Sacré- Coeur ! Lovely, with a great outlook of Paris! But up here, in Montmartre, everything is perfect. Stop and eat lunch and have a drink up top!
La Maison Rose— is a pink cafe and a good photo spot!
On your way up, theres a place called, Roberta. You have to eat here. They had the best zucchini parmesan meal. Also, check out Paul Art & Design. Really cute mugs, art and postcards!
Anyways…. walking around and stopping at cafes in Montmartre is a must.
When you are heading down from Montmartre and meandering your way around, this is a cool and spunky basketball court that we loved, Pigalle Basketball.
We also enjoyed walking through the 4th arr. Low key boujee and charming!
Going out on the town:
We were looking for the young, hip, bar scene. Not feeling the club vibes in Paris! But we had a hard time finding the right places. Some places we saw and were recommended to us to go out are:
–Latin quarter
–Le Marais (super cute and this is where the rooftop place I mentioned is)
République
go near the metro Odeon and walk through the little streets towards the Seine. Great places there.
Some other places that are cool here are— Boot Cafe, La Favorite and Place des Vosges. (not going out places, just cafes and parks!)
And a super cool architectural building, The Centre Pompidou.
A friend recommended Tango-ing and truly, this was my dream but we couldn’t leave the vibes of the rooftop place. But this seems fun! I think it’s open from 20-23:30h and it is near the Eiffel Tower! https://tango-argentin.fr/paris/la-star-trocadero.html I live with regret from not going. Lol. Next time.
Foods to try, that I have tried and loved in Paris: Escargot, Fois Gras, crepes (obviously, savoury and sweet!), get yourself a dang croissant, MACOROONS, French onion soup and there are many more. Also, cheese and wine. BUT I am not THAT adventurous in the food department. LOL.
Geez, Paris is a dream! It feels romantic and elegant and like you’re living in a movie! I think it is a walking city, because there’s so many things to see and fall in love with on the way. BUT, sometimes you’re lazy and the metro here is easy breezy and cute! The actual trains are adorable. But nonetheless, get lost through the streets of Paris and stop at any and all of the countless cute cafes for a coffee or wine!
Au revoir y merci 🙂
We love Paris. The literal happiest girls alive!
