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!
