Last year, John and I took a cheeky little weekend trip to Paris in December, hopping on the Eurostar after work on Friday evening and arriving back in London just in time to slide behind our work desks on Monday morning. It felt so cosmopolitan and chic! We strolled the streets of the Marais, sipped thick hot chocolate at the top of Galeries Lafayette, and watched the sun set on the Champs-Elysées.
This year, we're doing the same - except I'm taking my parents and my brother, and we're heading over to Bruges as well. I can't wait.
Here are five things I loved about visiting Paris in December (though some of them hold true for any other time of the year as well!):
1. Waking up to this view
I mean, when you wake up and throw open your hotel windows onto a balcony like this - you know you're in Paris. You just do.
2. The department store Christmas window displays and installations
I think that department stores in big cities across the world take their window displays pretty darn seriously, but Parisian stores take it to another level: Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Le Bon Marché are all favorites of mine to visit for their beautiful, whimsical, and creative effects.
3. Christmas shopping in Paris
Of course you can buy a bottle of Chanel No. 5 in the UK. But it's somehow just not the same. I told my mom that for her Christmas present, we can visit the Diptyque or Longchamp flagships in Paris and choose something together. The ultimate mother-daughter shopping trip, amirite?!
4. Taking a break from it all to take in the rooftops of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower just on the horizon
Yep. Basically.
5. Eating ALL the macarons. ALL OF THEM.
Again, I know that macarons are everywhere in London. But selecting a small box of these pastel treats at Laduree or Pierre Herme on rue Cambon feels so much more special. This photo was taken at our wonderful stay at luxury boutique hotel 123 Le Sebastopol, where they served complimentary snacks (think freshly made brownies, pastries, and a cheese plate) and refreshments (anything from coffee to Diet Coke) throughout the day. COULD. NOT. STOP. EATING.
This post was part of November's Travel Link-Up on "Your Favo(ur)ite Things", hosted by Rebecca, Emma, Kelly, and Frankie. Got a favorite travel tale to share? Let me know in the comments below!
Ahhhh this has made me so excited to go back to Paris next week! I couldn't agree more with all of these!!
ReplyDeleteLauren xx | The Lifestyle Diaries
Can't to follow along on Instagram, Lauren! xx
DeleteAnd now I'm looking at airfare to Paris from Dublin.
ReplyDeleteHaha, DO IT, DO IT!!!
DeleteLovely post! Paris is perfect any time of year, isn't it? Except perhaps August when the only people in the city aren't actually from Paris...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Clare! Yes - I totally agree, especially about that last part, ha!!
DeleteThat hotel has been bookmarked - free snacks all day long, mmmmm!!!! Amazing hotel room view too. Make sure to go to Galeries Lafayette food hall when you go, it's AMAZING! Lots of love, Andrea xxx
ReplyDeleteAndrea's Passions
It's amazing! And I totally love the Galeries Lafayette food hall ... so good! xx
DeleteI love Paris ... and I like the sound of that hotel!
ReplyDeleteIt was one of the quirkiest, loveliest hotels I've ever stayed at, Ruth!
DeleteI've been to Paris four times but never in December. So tempted to go back for another visit ;-) I've still never been to Pierre Herme and I feel that this needs to be rectified ASAP!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely should, Stacey!
DeleteOne of my fondest memories from my December visit to Paris was a visit to Galeries Lafayette and seeing THE Christmas tree - there's nothing else quite like it. I'm SO jealous that you UK-dwellers can pop over to Paris for the weekend - it's not fair!!
ReplyDeleteI love that tree, Carolyn! I can't wait to see what it's like this year. We do have a lot of travel opportunities living in London - I don't take advantage of our close proximity to all of these wonderful cities nearly often enough!
DeleteI love this post! Makes me excited for Christmas AND want to go back to Paris all at once! It's such a beautiful city :-)
ReplyDeleteSophie
October's Girl Blog
Thank you, Sophie! It made me excited for Christmas too! Not too long now ...!
DeleteI'm going in January, bit I still plan to be very festive ;)
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Angie
SilverSpoon London
As you should! :) :) :) Hope you're not too sad to be back (if you're back!) after your beautiful trip to St. Lucia! xx
DeleteSo excited for you! My favourite thing about Christmas in Paris (back when I was living there) was walking around my neighbourhood (I was living below Les Abbesses/Montmartre). So pretty! And of course, like you said, the window displays. Always Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds incredible, Charlotte! There is such an incredible vibe there around this time of year ... I am really looking forward to sharing it with my parents!
DeleteHehe, love this post. That view is incredible!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Jessi! Paris has some stunning views for sure!
DeleteAhh this is making me want to go back to Paris! I also went last December for my birthday and it was just.. Perfect! Christmas-time Paris is the best! I feel a Paris post coming up; inspired by yours of course!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read your post! Let me know when you write it! Also: my birthday is also in December! Birthday twins ftw.
DeleteBirthday twins! Awesome! haha
DeleteCall me a rubbish traveller, but I've never thought of Paris at Christmas - I bet it's amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou're the last person I'd think of as a rubbish traveller! I wouldn't have thought of Paris at Christmas except when John went last year for a work trip and we combined it into a long weekend away ... so that's how I got hooked on the idea! I'm a little stressed out about it as I'll be travelling with my family but I'm hoping that with John there (and with his fluency in French), it'll be better!
DeletePastries and sweets just taste better in Paris. I don't know why, they just do!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. Something about the flour and water, I think! Croissants in particular are ALWAYS better in Paris.
DeleteAhhh I love, love, love Paris! Great post Jaime! I really want to take my mum next year for fresh croissants, Laduree macarons and some shopping. I'll have to show her these pictures and see what she thinks :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charley! Yes, you totally should! I hope my mom likes it :)
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