Last week one of my best girlfriends in London and I decided to take a quick two-night jaunt to Paris. After purchasing my Eurostar tickets, I realized I haven’t been back to Paris for almost 4 years! Well, this trip was one of the best that I have. I re-fell in love with the city, and am dying to go back soon. Here’s a list of what we got up to in the City of Lights….
Where We Stayed
Hotel Bel Ami. 7-11 Rue Saint-Benoît, 75006 Paris
The Hotel Bel Ami is an adorable little hotel in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It’s moments away from great shopping and the most famous cafes (Café de Flore is on the corner, and Brasserie Lipp across the street are both typically Parisian). The hotel is really bright and modern and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. We came to Paris with a list of recommendations from various friends, and every day our concierge would help us map out the perfect walk to get to our hotspots.
Where We Drank
Hotel Costes. 239 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
If you have one glass of champagne in Paris, this is where you need to have it. The heated patio was filled with sexy French people, and the candlelight at dusk is pure magic. Make sure to walk through Place Vendôme and admire the beautiful architecture and gorgeous jewelry stores on your way out.
Le Meurice. 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Le Meurice is gorgeous, after all, it’s The Dorchester’s answer to Paris. If you happen to go during fashion week, this is where you need to hang out. Order a Kir Royale.
Where We Lunched
Ralph’s. 173 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
Take my word for it and lunch here.. The restaurant in the Ralph Lauren boutique is the place to have lunch in Saint-Germain. The courtyard is filled with twinkle lights and RL tartan cushions. The inside part of the restaurant has a giant stone fireplace and is covered with the classic polo artwork. Order the cobb salad, and make sure you save room for the carmelized popcorn which comes as a treat at the end.
L’Avenue. 41 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
This was my favourite lunch of all time in Paris. It’s on Avenue Montaigne and you may recognize the name from Kim and Kanye recently being photographed there. Ignore that bit, and go for the food and the true glam factor. Ask to sit near the window and you can have a peek of the Eiffel Tower, the Dior boutique, and if you go in winter, the hundreds of Christmas lights. Order the artichoke and asparagus salad, and the tuna tartare with avocado. Have a Bellini or two before you cross over the road to the Celine flagship store.
La Société. 4 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris
The same owners as L’Avenue but in Saint Germain. The interiors are super sleek, and the people are just as sexy as at L’Avenue. Order a Bloody Mary, and the porcini mushroom salad.
Where we Dined
Buddha Bar. 8-12 Rue Boissy d’Anglas, 75008 Paris
Buddha Bar is an old favorite. We had a great recommendation for our first night in Paris, but because it was a Monday night there wasn’t a soul in the restaurant. We decided it was time suck it up and head to Buddha bar. If you haven’t been, go. It’s big and a little cheesy but the food is amazing. Do not mistake this one for the one in London. I personally think the London one is not as good. Order the chicken salad and the crispy rice with spicy tuna.
Le Schmuck. 1 Rue de Condé, 75006 Paris
Go for the ambience, stay for the goat’s cheese on toast with ham. Let yourself have bread on this one occasion! Le Schmuck is in the heart of Saint Germain and has crazy wallpaper and giant chandeliers. Also order, the sea bass and a cosmopolitan.
Where We Shopped
Alaïa Outlet Shop. 18, rue de la Verrerie, Paris
Here’s a golden tip that you won’t find on other Paris guides my little chickens. A friend gave us the directions for the Alaïa shop which discounts their dresses, shoes, and accessories up to 50% off! The address is above, simply go down the little alley (I promise this is not as shady as it sounds) and the shop is on your right. The shop is only open for a few hours in the morning and the afternoon. Make sure to avoid going during lunchtime because they are closed.
Celine. 36 Avenue Montaigne, Paris
You’re obsessed, I’m obsessed, and those bags that the Harrods ladies won’t even let you touch are all sitting in the Celine boutique on Avenue Montaigne. The shop assistant was super lovely to us and let us play with all of the bags that we were oogling over. Don’t overlook the accessories case- and I’m talking jewlery not wallets- on the top floor. I even snapped a forbidden photo of the new “it” bag that came out last week…
Iro. 68 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75007 Paris, France
YES. I know it’s at Trilogy. But make nice with the shop girls and they may tell you they are having a secret sale that day. We were trying on coats, and voila! all of a sudden they were 30% off…
Must Do
Love Lock Bridge. Pont de L’Archeveche
This is something I had never done before. Be cheesy and go to Pont de L’Archeveche and write your names on a padlock and lock it to the bridge. After locking, throw the keys in the Seine to ensure true love forever and ever and ever. The idea is to write the name of your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/etc but I wrote the Mini’s names on it in hopes of taking them back one day to find their love-lock.
Have a favorite place I forgot to mention? Share with fellow AGs in the comments below. Au revoir!
I love this guide! I’ve lived in Paris for two years now, and it can be difficult to put together a nice guide of places to visit in order for people to get a feel of the true Paris. Well done! I hope you had a lovely stay. xx
Thanks Patricia! I’m so happy to hear it! xx