After we went to London to see Chris’ family this Christmas, we wanted to take advantage of being over the pond and visit another city. We decided to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Paris, and it was such a magical few days. I had only been one other time for a quick day trip, so I was really excited to sink my teeth into a longer trip this time around. I have to say, I feel like I still need more time there, but I guess that means we’ll just have to go back (wink). Here’s my guide to where to stay, eat and play for your next trip to Paris.
Stay
If you’re planning the trip far enough in advance, save for a splurge at the Peninsula Hotel. The rooms are the epitome of luxury with his & hers sinks (our NYC apartment’s greatest shortcoming), heated floors, a massive bathtub with a tv and the most comfortable pillows I’ve ever used. Seriously, we low key considered stealing them. If you’re not looking to splurge this time around, I’ve heard great things about the recently opened Hoxton Hotel.
Eat
My favorite meal we had in Paris, for both the food and the atmosphere, was Hotel Costês—hands down. The crowd is way chic, which makes for great people watching and eavesdropping (guilty as charged), and the food was great. After dinner there, pop over to the Ritz Carlton for a drink in their incredibly chic bar. If you only have one night in town, this one-two-punch would be my recommended evening plans.
We also had an authentic French experience at the infamous L’ami Louis that was truly delicious. Warning: the service was a bit lack luster, so pack your patience if you decide to go this route. We also loved the french onion soup at Café de Flore so much that we ordered it twice. Some of the other places that are on the top of my list that we couldn’t squeeze in (because most places were closed on New Year’s Eve and Day) are Le Mary Celeste, Pink Mamma, Daroco, Le Brebrant and Loulou.
Play
My favorite way to spend a day in Paris is strolling, seeing all of the city’s beautiful attractions, and stopping in cafés along the way for a coffee or glass of wine. There are just way too many beautiful sights to count—from world famous museums to picturesque landmarks. Here are some of my favorite pitstops we made throughout our trip.
1. Go to the Louvre early in the morning to beat the crowds, and get photos before the crowds descend.
2. Walk from the Louvre to the Jardin de Tuilleries (it’s less than 5 mins) for a shot with the chic green lounge chairs.
3. Have a coffee at Café Kitsuné in Galerie de Montpensier. Peruse the vintage shops along the corridors, then get photos on Les Deux Plateau (the famous black and white disc installation).
4. Go shopping at Merci, a concept store with chic home goods, specialty items and exclusive clothing. I got an Anya Hindmarch candle and a new notebook for my daily to-do list. Afterwards, take the short walk to Fragments for a coffee and more café cuteness.
5. Go to a cabaret show. We did this to celebrate NYE at Lido, and it was great because the show included dinner and champagne all night. I’ve also heard great things about the shows at Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse. This is a such a fun night that you can’t go wrong.
6. Watch the sunset at Montmartre. The view of the city at the top of the hill is amazing and there are lots of little cafés to pop into for a drink or a snack.
7. Dedicate a day to walking the exhibits at the Louvre and Musée Rodin. We didn’t have enough time in this trip to really dedicate to the museums, so they are at the top of my list for our next trip.
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