As an unfaltering Francophile/Parisian wannabe, I am often asked for my recommendations on my favourite things to do in Paris. I’ll leave it to your guidebooks to tell you all the obvious places to go, but here are a few of my favourite Parisian places and whimsies.
1. Get a sugar rush: I can still vividly remember the glee of my first visit to Laduree back in 2003 (I was travelling to Paris for the first time, all by myself, and it remains one of my fondest memories). Whether you go for breakfast, a pot of afternoon rose tea, a magnificent raspberry and lychee ispahan or a plate of jewel-like macarons, make sure you pay a visit to either Laduree or Pierre Herme for the best sugar rush you’ll ever have.
2. Stroll the Seine. I firmly believe that a long, aimless walk along the River Seine is good for the soul. Last time I went, I passed young lovers kissing, old couples dancing, tiny dogs trotting and the sounds of a French accordion floating on the air as the sky turned fairy floss pink at sundown. Magic!
3. Get a literary fix. For generations, the Left Bank has been the spiritual home for generations of French philosophers, bohemians and intellectuals. Take home your own piece of this history from the English-language Shakespeare & Co. bookshop, where there is always shelf upon shelf of new and second-hand books (they have a superb edit) and a steady stream of modern-day poets and academics.
4. Wander Montmartre. And to that other home of arty bohemians, beatniks and romantics; Montmartre. Pass the iconic red windmill of the Moulin Rouge, climb the hill to the foot of the Sacre Coeur (enter to pay your respects if you so wish) and just take a moment to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views over the rooftops of Paris. Find the big pretty pink wedge-shaped building, then walk down the gorgeous cobbled steps and stop at the bottom to take in the golden dappled light over a peppermint tea.
5. Leave a little bit more lovely. When in Paris, it seems only fitting to treat yourself to a few loveliness-enhancing luxuries. Stop by any number of boutiques or grand department stores that dot the city to buy yourself a gorgeous new French perfume, some silk lingerie, a new Chanel lipstick or some decadent truffles.
Part deux up next!
Love, Miss B xx
I, too, am a huge Francophile!! Though I have yet to visit Paris, I plan to go sometime soon, and I appreciated all of your wonderful recommendations and photos! I cannot wait for part 2!
~ Christina
1. Oui!! 2. Oui oui. 3. Yes. 4. Ah… Oui. 5. Mais Oui!!
Oh wow! I love Paris and often dream about heading back there! Your photos are beautiful and are definitely luring my thoughts back to getting there as soon as possible.
Oh my, you make me miss Paris terribly!!!! My first time to visit Paris was in 2004 and i remember my first visit to the Laduree. It was purely paradise! I have yet to try Pierre Herme tho…
That sun set view along the Seine River looks beautiful. That French perfume looks lovely too=)
Can’t wait to see part 2 of your fave things to do in Paris!!!
Hope you enjoy your weekend dear!!!!
Cinz
I’ll remember these tips for my next trip!
Love all these tips! Paris is one of my dream vacations and hopefully I’ll get to visit soon. 🙂
Such a lovely post ! Even though being a French girl, Paris is not so foreign to me and thus somehow lost a bit of its magic, I still love to see it through eyes of others who are still in awe of it. I highly suggest having a picnic at the Buttes Chaumont or wandering around “Le jardin des Plantes” with the natural history museum… Looking forward to reading the second part of your post !!
Going to Paris soon and this is the ideal start to my to do list!
Great post… Can’t wait to go back to Paris…
This couldn’t be timelier! I’m off to Paris for the first time this May, and am staying in Montmatre. Laduree is most definitely on my to-do list – I’m saving my first macaron experience for Paris. Strolling the Seine will hopefully be something I do more than once, and visiting Shakespeare & Co. is a must! Picking up something luxurious will be an easy box to check, too. I look forward to your Part 2! I can use all the tips I can get 🙂
Great pictures, I adore Paris & just love people watching, strolling & cafe stopping. making me want to book a trip from looking at this! great post! xxx
Thank you so much for the little guide! I will be in Paris in June. So excited 🙂
Your lovely post makes me want to be in Paris right now. I miss it so. Pierre Herme is my favorite macaron and would wait in line for these as they are the most decadent and delicious. I have been wearing Annick Goutal forever. French perfume is like no other. Will be back soon and hope to stay for a long period of time. It’s a magical city.
What a beautiful post, I will have to save for this post for the next time I visit Paris. It is such a wonderful city.
I need to go to back to Paris! I went in 2008 and I barely did any of these things. I did eat some amazing street crepes everyday. So excited to read more about your adventures in Paris.
i am headed to paris beginning of april! i cannot wait! i want to see some live jazz….
I have only been once, and have luckily gotten to do most of the items on your list, but can’t wait to go back and soak up more Parisian prettiness! Thanks for sharing
xx
Wonderful post! I feel like I’ve just had a guided tour of Paris : ) Everything sounds amazing. From the stroll on the Siene to the shopping in boutiques. I love it all. I’ve never been so I’m dreaming of Paris constantly. Can’t wait to read part deaux. I’m living through you right now…: )
Danielle xo
Love love love this post! It’s always great to have a local’s perspective when you’re traveling—to get the real feel of a place!
xx
Giovanna
I love love love love your photos! Makes me want to go to Paris really bad!
Oh my! This is exactly what I needed a this precise moment. Currently plotting a trip to London+Paris for June.
What a lovely post and just in time! I’ll spend this spring/ summer in Paris and I can’t wait to try my first Pierre Hermé maccarons 🙂
cute!!!
this is one of my dreams in life! and I’m determined to make it happen! this post was so lovely I feel like I was transported there 🙂
xx
Oh Bryony,
You make me feel so bad for not loving Paris but unfortunately I’ve never been the biggest fan of the city. I travel their quite frequently for work but still haven’t fallen head over heels in love with it like I thought I would.
Perhaps I head to the wrong areas but I see too many homeless people and dog poop covering the streets that my fantasy about it has long since gone.
On my next trip I will try and visit a few of your recommendations and see if this helps. Until then, I still have lots of love for our sweet city London and lovely New York.
xxx
cont’d
That said, I do love a quick visit to Laduree (which girl doesn’t?).
xx
Hay! that’s my list 🙂
That may be the most tempting thing I’ve ever read this week. I just have this unbearable craving for Paris, thanks to you! And I’ve never been to the City of Lights; which makes the situation even more ridiculous. But everybody had their fair share of this lovely city, even if it’s only by books or movies, non? Can’t wait to wander around in person though. Please write a part 2 for this! xx
Paris it’s just..pure inspiration! 🙂
I follow on Instagram, You always share the most beautiful pictures, Thank You!!
Kiss,
Sara
What a gorgeous French bottle perfumes you have shared in here. I really love perfumes from Paris. 🙂
eula_w