From Paris with love!
Paris does not require a proper introduction. Considered by many the most romantic city in the world, it is a city that has grown on me over time. I think I must have visited a good 6 times, but Mr. O and I hadn’t ventured over the Channel for around 5 years, so it was great to go back.
Our daily walk – just past the Arc du Triomphe
For the second consecutive time, we stayed at Le Meridien Etoile (Starwood had somehow a limited choice in Paris, but of course that now changed with the recent opening of the W – just the excuse I needed to go back). It’s located not too far from Etoile – Place Charles de Gaulle, possibly a 5 minute walk – and a quite pleasant one, I may add.
For our weekend routine, well, you know the drill. Walk down the Champs Elysées - not one of my favourite places in Paris as it is way too busy, say a little hello to Monsieur Vuitton (if there is no queue, which is pretty standard and ridiculous) and have a nice and pleasant walk down Avenue Montaigne.
This is where you see the impossibly chic Parisien ladies who lunch – and shop of course!
Plaza Athenée, Av Montaigne, Paris – Very Sex and the City
From there, we get to the river.. the Seine, of course, and start playing “Spot the Tower”. Have you noticed how in movies, the Eiffel Tower is always within sight? I love playing that game – we are in Paris, after all – and I have no intention of getting any closer to it. It’s Saturday, it is sunny.. and that means queues, which Mrs. O doesn’t care too much for.
It’s approaching noon and I haven’t bought anything yet… so time to catch a taxi and get to my favourite department store in France – Le Bon Marché in the Rive Gauche. It is not a touristic destination, which makes it way more appealing and obviously not so crowded, like Printemps or Galleries Laffayette.
Apologies, can’t remember what this place is called…
I love the theatrical displays and having a good look at all the best things money can buy, my favourite part being the homewares section. Paris is the home of Frette bed linen and it is really wonderful to see so much of it. Shame it isn’t much cheaper than at home! Oh.. and the shoes aren’t bad either 
Le Bon Marché department store
From there, we walked down Rue des Sévres, a wonderful surprise on quite a few levels! I found one of my favourite shops in the world – Natura, a Brazilian beauty brand, Princesse Tam Tam (ladies, take note), Repetto (shoes!!) and the most beautiful Hermès store I have ever seen. It is so special, it has a flower shop inside. Sadly, I was too embarrased to take photos.
Hermès – Rive Gauche
From there, we kept on walking, all the way to St. Germain. I love getting lost in the side streets and finding a lovely bistro for lunch. We managed to find the place we went to last time, but I couldn’t tell you where it was, even if I tried. I know it is not too far from.. Ladurée!
Ladurée on Rue Royale
We certainly needed to digest the stunning macaroons (coconut are still my favourites), and isn’t a walk by the River Seine the perfect place to do so?
Mrs. O by the Seine
We crossed a different bridge and loved seeing the love locks – almost gave in to temptation, but didn’t at the end – possibly the street sellers selling them by the kilo may have possibly put me off. But still sweet and a nice kodak moment.
Love is everywhere in Paris
And of course, we couldn’t not walk around the Louvre, could we? And yes.. I did it.. just for Mrs. O’s blog…
Not one of my proudest moments..
Writing about it makes really takes me back to very happy weekends. I always fantasized about spending a couple of weeks in the summer in this city, and get lost everyday.. hum.. that idea seems better and better… let’s see what Mr. O thinks.
Love Paris. Love travel. Love shoes.
xx
Mrs. O
PS. I went to Paris again in January 2013 – read about my latest trip here!
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i can NEVER get enough of Paris and i’d never say no to more time and opportunities to go & spend there.
lola recently posted..Ultra Music Festival – Miami Edition
I’ve never really wanted to go to Paris but you’re doing a good job of changing my mind, Mrs. O!
Francesca recently posted..National Park Service Units of the Midwest: The Great Plains States
Paris is always a good idea, Francesca!
Huge fan of Paris…and France for that matter! As someone with a penchant for shoes…I have not let myself delve into the world of shopping in Paris – it’s a slippery slope from one pair to “I think I saw a suitcase shop over there – I could get a couple pairs!!!”
Anita Mac recently posted..Running the Rochester Color Run
Uber dangerous, as they say! Tres tres tres dangerous!
Paris is one of the greatest walking cities. Thanks for reminding me why.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Enjoying an outdoor café in Caen, France
My pleasure!
Ana – I don’t need to tell you how much I love Paris… This post was a pleasure to read and it’s interesting how different your experience there was from mine. As much as I love shopping and shoes, I’m always too busy with drinking cafe cremes and hopping from one gypsy jazz club to another.
Those stores look beautiful though. I know I’ll be back in Paris, so… next time!
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Photo of the Week: A street in Oaxaca City, Mexico
That is one of the amazing things of Paris – we can all have our own version
And I shall try yours 
1. love laduree but pierre herme (also in st. germain!) takes the macaron cake for this girl. & 2. I DIDN’T KNOW THERE WAS A W PARIS. the hubs & i are starwood preferred guests, too, and this just MADE MY LIFE.
the lazy travelers recently posted..no travel required
There is no life without Starwood
it opened early this year and I need to check it out 
LOVE the shoes! They look just like sweets!:)
Fiona recently posted..The Photo Edit: Lake Como, Italy
I know.. which ones to choose? First world problems, me thinks
Note to self: Bring my own lock to Paris!
Leah Travels recently posted..Costa Brava,TBEX & an Unexpected Trip to Spain
they sell them everywhere
not too romantic to be honest
Paris is so awesome. I spent a day there last month on my way back from Romania and just walked and walked, as you did. It is such a phenomenal place for that! By the way, when I lived in Paris, my company’s main offices were on the Louis Vuitton building above the retail space. It is a cool building inside with glass elevators where the glass would frost the moment the doors closed and the elevator (lift, for you) would go up or down. Also, from one of those terraces in the top floors, I watch Lance Armstrong do his final laps before winning his 1st TdF!
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..Trekking with a Purpose – the Best of Both Worlds
That is so cool! I don’t think I could work so close to LV.. actually I did just opposite and was close enough
Thank you Mrs O! Went to Paris again and visited Au Bon Marché – what a great alternative to Galeries L etc! Can I put in a good word for Restaurant Paul Chene…. Amazing french cuisine. A big spend affair but well worth every penny! Also loved Jardins de Luxembourg and Musée Jacquemart-André.
Hi Fiona, I am so pleased to be able to help
I promise to check out the restaurant on my upcoming Paris trip, so exciting 
Have you ever been to the U.S. Virgin Islands? This blogger would love to connect with you if and when you ever decide to visit!
Hi! I personally haven’t but it is now firmly on the list for 2013
Need to start planning soon!
That’s exciting! Let me know if you need any island recommendations!
oh i will, promise!
I adore Paris and try to visit every few months as it’s so convenient from London. I had the pleasure of staying at the Plaza Athenee last year – it was fabulous!
http://www.bonvivant.co.uk/blog/2011/05/23/travel-guide-hotel-plaza-athenee-paris/
Emyr
Hi Emyr, sooo lucky!!
thank you for sharing your link, will have a look asap!
Great top tips thank you Mrs O! Am heading to Paris very soon with 2 teenage girls who love shopping and eating out. I’ll be forcing a bit of Musee Rodin and other favourites on them too for a bit of culture! All part of their education!
Sounds like a lot of fun
Let me know of any great finds!!
If you do go a couple of weeks to Paris, save 1-2 days to go to Versailles. Not too far away and a world apart. It’s a bit like popping to Sintra, on a trip to Lisbon. Be warned though: it is very touristy and busy.
Never been
and promise to if these 2 weeks ever happen 
Nice post, Mrs O! I lived in Paris for a while, and it’s always nice to read about it. Bon Marche is definitely a favorite, but have you also been to Colette? Next time, you might like to visit that one as well, it’s in Rue St Honore.
And every time you’re in Paris, there’s always something new to discover.
Oh I have, but no photos allowed
and did my best to help them with the monthly sales! Love Paris 
Great post – going there in April & can’t wait Mrs O – lovely photos as always
Thank you Liz! Hope we catch up in England
You know how to CAPTURE the MOMENT!!
EXCELLENT – You know how to CATURE the mood and the moment!
Thank you, Mira
I don’t do queues either! Didn’t cope in the security queues last week!!
too many places to go, too little time! if they let us fast track it.. then would be talking
Mrs O, lovely article once again. Loving your proudest (not) moment pic!! xx
funny boy
you should have seen… has to queue! 
I hadn’t thought about my trip to Paris in the next couple of weeks but after reading your post, i’m getting excited. I missed the new Hermes shop last year, so am looking forward to seeing it this time. I was interested to read that you hadn’t been to Paris for five years. I always imagined that living in London would mean weekend visits to Paris, Rome etc a couple of times a year!! It’s probably just a fantasy of an Aussie who has to travel for days!
Hi Jenny! Thank you so much for your comments. Your last one certainly made me think – when I moved to London I always thought I would go more often, but the problem is.. London opens so many other opportunities, that you really don’t know where to go next! Have an amazing time in Paris, and check out some of the stores!
Thank you for this article, I was in Vietnam, very happy to be your friends.
Great post – I’m going back in a few weeks, it’s getting hard to contain my excitement!
ohhhhhhhhhhhh lucky you!! Do go to Rue des Sevres, a wonderful discovery for me – great shops and not lots of people! And Kong as a restaurant recommendation, fantastic!
Ooh, duly noted! Thanks for the recommendations!
pleasure
you nearly touched the sky there
and paris will be paris <3
always
but that photo wasn’t quite right… need to go back, I suppose!