February 2017 | Page 2 of 4 | so then they say

For someone who has been blogging for a number of years, coming back after four months feels like an eternity. I always said that I wanted blogging to lead me to another avenue so I didn’t have to do it for forever. And as my wishes were answered (photography has now become my life) I realized that I missed having this little outlet. My little place I can say, do, and post whatever I please. This go around, I am doing the blog just for me! No pressure or expectations, just my little place of happy!

Speaking of happy. Spring is around the corner! Usually, I can’t bare the thought of winter dissipating into spring. This only reminds me that summer is around the corner, and if there is one thing I hate, it is summers in Texas. However, this year I have spring on my mind. The flowy blouses, the tailored pants, and the easy trench coats. I have been busy on Pinterest finding loads of inspiration for the upcoming season. This BB Dakota trench, which is perfect now with jeans, will be paired over a white dress and sneakers (or heels) and with a pair of tailored navy trousers I just purchased. A breezy trench is such a classic piece and a great item to add to your closet!

I can’t wait for you to enjoy one of my favorite cities. The magic, the romance, the beauty, and the history make it so so special!

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A few things –
1) ALWAYS make a reservation when eating out (especially dinner). It sounds weird but for most places they require one

2) I took the metro twice and it was the worst experience. Uber or taxi!!

3) It is difficult to get lost in paris if you stay near the Seine. It goes West to East and most things you want to see are not far from it

4) When at the Eiffel WATCH YOUR BAGS!!!! There are serious pickpocketer’s. I watched someone try to pickpocket my father-in-law right in front of us!

5) Paris is known for its cocktail bars and coffeeshops – list at the bottom
6) Bring a lot of comfortable shoes and one pair of heels for night (if you even wear them). Everyone in the city is wearing comfortable flats!

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Here is an itinerary but feel free to substitute anything you want! I left some other options at the bottom 🙂

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Day 1

Breakfast – Claus – get there early
Taxi to Palais Royal – (this is the famous black and white pillars you see people standing on for photos).
Walk through the gardens to grab a coffee at Cafe Kitsuné – super cute and located in Palais Royal
From Palais Royal go to Le Louvre – I don’t recommend going inside but if you want to get there early or prepare for a long line)

From Louvre walk to the Tuileries Gardens – stroll around them. They are beautiful! I recommend even grabbing a chair around the fountain and people watching as you finish your coffee

Walk across the Seine and shop the famous Saint Germain Boulevard (you can also go to visit the famous Bon Marche shopping)

Eat lunch on Saint Germain at Ralph’s (must make reservation) – get the ralph’s sample dessert! SO good

You can also eat lunch at Bistrot Vivienne – Delicious and historical spot

From Ralph’s or Bistrot Vivienne visit Musee d’Orsay (or another museum or you can walk the art studios in the 6th/6eme)

You can get a coffee or hot chocolate at the very famous Cafe de Flore (back on Saint Germain) or go back to hotel to rest

Have dinner and drinks at Hotel Costes (very “sceny” – sure to see a celeb or two). Definitely go to their bar inside after dinner. Must make reservation

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Day 2

Breakfast – Holybelly – no reservations so get there early

Walk (or taxi) to Alexander Bridge (depending on where you are staying you can walk along the seine or through the Tuileries garden). From here you can see the Petit and Grand Palais. I recommend seeing what exhibits they currently have going and attending one, one day. The Palais’ are gorgeous and usually they have a cool fashion exhibit (I saw the YSL one years before it came to the US).
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Grab a taxi to head to the Arc de Triomph – Go up top for 360 degree view of Paris or just stand in front and take a photo

From there you can walk (25 min.) or taxi to Le Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower). It is so big and gorgeous! Definitely a site to see but be sure to watch your bag and pockets. There are a TON of pickpocketer’s around this monument.
Walk (20 min.) or take a taxi to Hotel Peninsula for lunch on their rooftop (gorgeous views MUST make reservation)

Another amazing lunch spot – Restaurant Le Bois – Absolutely gorgeous decor, divine food and a favorite amongst locals

This is a gorgeous area so you can walk around after lunch (if you want a coffee go to Cafe Chic – just east of the Peninsula)

You can visit a museum or head to the hotel to rest

Dinner – River Cruise (this one) – I know what you are thinking, no way! But I had the same thoughts until my mother-in-law booked a really nice one and reserved the table at the very front. You get delicious food, wine, and amazing views of Paris!

Late night cocktails – options below (Le Bristol)

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Day 3

MONTMARTE

Taxi – Brunch at Hotel Particulier – you will love the inside. It can be tricky to find so make sure to secure directions when you call for a reservation

Walk (9 min) to Sacré-Coeur – highest point in Paris with the most beautiful views

Walk around Montmarte and get lost in all the paintings of local artists.

Have a glass of Rosé at La Maison Rose (famous pink house you see in photos) – You will probably walk past Le Consulat – famous and very cute crepe place

You can go back to hotel and rest or go shopping

Dinner- option below

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Day 4

Breakfast at Rose Bakery (favorite of Isabel Marant) on Rue Debelleyme or my favorite in the Marais – Season (make reservation)

You are in the Le Marais area. This is a young area full of shopping, coffeeshops, and very cool people

Head to Merci – Famous store with a cute coffeeshop to the right. Great place to find souvenirs for people

After Merci – grab a coffee at the CUTEST coffeeshop ever – Boot Cafe!

From Boot this would be a good time to walk to Musee Picasso – Gorgeous building. If you’re not into this you can walk to La Place Des Vosges – beautiful park

Lunch – Chez Julien – the freshest food (make reservation)

From Vosges you can walk to Île de la Cité. You are now on the island

Be sure to get a view of the Conciergerie – it is stunning and reminds me of a Disney castle

From here you can visit the Notre Dame

After Notre Dame DEFINITELY get a glass of rosé at Au Vieux D’Arcole – IT IS STUNNING
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Head back to hotel

Dinner options below :
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte,
Le Cinq Mars
dessert and drinks Hotel Plaza Athenee (GORGEOUS exterior), or you can order the moose at Le Cinq Mars (it comes in a giant mixing bowl!

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Day 5

Easy morning

Breakfast – Either Cafe Breizh or Eggs & Co (very small American style breakfast)

Le Jardin du Luxembourg

Lunch – café restaurant Les Éditeurs -This is right by where I used to live so I ate here A LOT. The food is really good, the service is great, and the people watching is the best! Walk this cute area after eating – Saint Sulpice is one direction and Boulevard St. Germain is the other

Grab a taxi to visit Musee Rodin (absolutely stunning garden)

Easy afternoon of shopping or resting

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OTHER OPTIONS

Coffeeshops- I highly recommend visiting a few of these! They are all so cool! Here is a post I did on my favorites – http://sothentheysay.com/tag/paris-coffee-shop/ – add Lily of the Valley – so cute in the Marais!

Cocktail bars– http://sothentheysay.com/paris-best-cocktail-bars/

Add Hotel Le Bristol – so so good!!! Voted Best cocktails in Paris! Don’t order off the menu, just tell them what you want and they will make the best drink you’ve ever had!

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Food (other than what is above)

Seasons – Lunch

Klay saint sauveur – sinople – Dinner – super cool decor – need reservation

Au Vieux D’Arcole – Gorgeous in Spring with wisteria climbing up. Also very old and very famous – dinner or rosé

Le Bonaparte – one of my favorite bistros!!! Right by Cafe de Flore And Deux Magots

Deux Magots – Very famous – lunch or dinner

Bread and Rose– delicious bakery – Breakfast or lunch

Eggs & co. – American style breakfast

L’Avant Comptoir– very famous – can be tough to get in to eat – just have wine

Le Fouquet – VERY famous, a little dark but much history

Les Antiquaires – Good bistro right across from the Louvre

Ze Kitchen Galerie – Right across the street from where I lived. Very modern and very good ($$$)
Le Hibou – Really food and one of my favorite areas

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To Do
Passage du Grand Cerf
Versailles – Take the RER train
Giverny – Home of Monet and the inspiration of his water garden paintings

Buly 1803 – This is my favorite place to get skincare. Last year I literally took a trip to Paris to restock after running out. Buy their skin oil and they will hand calligraphy your name and date right on the box.

Galeries Lafayette – Go to the rooftop! You can get a coffee there and enjoy a Birdseye view of the city

Pont Neuf – Cool to walk – on the tip of the Island. I love to grab a bottle of Rosé and read here.

Place Dauphne (right across from Pont Neuf) – Cute square – go for dinner as there are a few restaurants and is very quiet

Place Vendrome – This is where Coco Chanel’s lived. You can get a photo of the beautiful “Chanel” blue door

Avenue Montaigne – GORGEOUS street of luxury shopping

Goyard– Their flagship store and full of history. Ask to see King Edward VIII trunk

Le Plongeoir – cafe located INSIDE Hermes

Musée Nissim de Camondo – A real home of a 1900’s aristocrats family

Silencio – Club – can be hard to get into but fun!!

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Spring Trench Coat

5 Days in Paris: The Complete Itinerary