TOP: AND OTHER STORIES STRIPED WOOL KNIT SWEATER | PANTS: SPANX FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS | SHOES: KATE SPADE GOGO TAXI FLATS | SUNGLASSES: & OTHER STORIES ANGULAR CAT EYE SUNGLASSES (PICKED BY MY ONE AND ONLY AS HE DOESN’T LIKE MY BIG SUNGLASSES, SO THIS WAS A COMPROMISE) | EARRINGS: J.CREW PEARL AND CRYSTAL EARRINGS.
Paris, the most romantic city in the world, and one that I just had the opportunity to see this month. The city was everything I thought it would be and more. The people were actually very nice, and I had the best time even though the weather was not always great but in between meetings, I made the best out of it. I went to great bars, restaurants and did cultural things that may be useful to others, so I’ve gathered them here. If you want to check out my favorite bars, you can see this post where I highlighted the ones, I liked the most.
ONE – FIND A COOL SPOT FOR DINNER: Go to dinner at Hotel Costes, it’s the place to see the Paris crowd and be seen. Make sure to dress the part as this was a very chic, dreamy spot in Paris. The food is good, the ambiance is top notch, and the place is perfect for a glass of wine or dinner to wind down the day. Here are some other places I’ve tried in Paris that I highly recommend.
TWO – EIFFEL TOWER VIEW: Find a cool restaurant or rooftop where you can see the Eiffel Tower from and just take the view in. A few suggestions are the Hotel Raphael rooftop, the La Terrasse Kleber in the Peninsula Hotel, Bar a Champagne as the name says it, enjoy a cold glass of bubbles and take the view in. another suggestion and a must see in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe, the view of the Eiffel Tower is spectacular. If you want to go up, get tickets in advance in the warmer months. If you go in February, you can easily get a ticket the same day.
THREE – SHOPPING: Shop along Plaza Vendome, walk over Rue Saint Honoré, check out all the stores, see the original Goyard store and enjoy the beautiful architecture everywhere you go.
FOUR – CULTURE: Make the time to check out at least one museum, the Louvre of course is a classic but there are so many others you can go to, if time allows it. You know Paris and the Louvre go hand in hand, it is the biggest museum in the world, it has the Mona Lisa, and it just has the most beautiful architecture.
FIVE – THE SIENE: Stroll down the Seine during the day or evening when you can see all the lights and take the city from a different angle. Stop by a café for a glass of wine.
SIX – BREAKFAST: Find a café nearby and have a croissant and just enjoy where you are. There are thousands of cafes in Paris, one nicer than the other and with a different vibe depending on the neighborhood.
SEVEN – GET OUT OF TOWN: If you have time, I highly recommend taking a day trip to the Palace of Versailles (20 km from Paris), it’s just a 35 min taxi ride from Paris and Ubers/Free Now taxis are very reliable and not expensive. You can enjoy lunch at one of their many restaurants or grab a sandwich and wine and have a picnic in the property. The palace, the gardens, the sculptures, and the Triton states, where Marie Antoinette lived are not to miss.
EIGHT – COCKTAIL TIME: Indulge at a great cocktail bar. Check out a swanky bar, get dressed up and have a romantic evening in the city of lights. I went to a few while I was in Paris and my two favorites were the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz and the 228 Bar at the Le Meurice Hotel, more suggestions can be found here.
NINE – BRIDGE LOVE: You can’t go to Paris and not walk by the Pont Alexandre III; it is a deck arch bridge that spans through the Seine River in Paris. it is well known for its gilded sculptures and the breathtaking design; it is THE BRIDGE to see in Paris in my opinion. I dreamt all my life about seeing it and walking it and seeing it at night when the night is just starting. It was perfect! Other ones I love are the Pont des Arts, Pont Neuf and Pont de Bir Hakeim.
TEN – SIGHTSEEING: Check out the Palais Royal, yes, the one with the neoclassic architecture, elegant arcades, and those white and black striped columns you’ve seen in thousands of pictures aka the Palais Royal Striped Columns, it’s so unique, one of my favorite spots and a photo perfect setting. No, I didn’t wake up at the crack of dawn to take photos. I simply got ready for breakfast, went for a walk, took the photos and grabbed a croissant at the nearby café, but I did plan my outfit because I had to, I love stripes, I probably have way too many sweaters, shirts and dresses with different variations of it so this was like striped heaven for me. It’s the place with the white and black striped marble columns that lead to the Jardin du Palais Royal, which are also very beautiful and all walking distance to the Louvre. Some other places I recommend seeing are the Notre Dame cathedral, you’ve seen it in the movies, you’ve imagined it and then when you get to see it, it’s gorgeous. Take a walk to Montmartre, set up on a hilltop in the northern part of Paris, and see Sacre Coeur Basilica, climb the stairs, walk around the neighborhood, the cobble streets and alleys are not to miss. The Paris opera house is a beautiful landmark and I highly recommend walking by it at the very least.
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