My husband is officially the most romantic man in the world. At least, that’s what I’ve decided after the surprise he sprung on me earlier this week.
The morning started out innocently enough. We deposited the children at school and headed into town for a few hours of modest celebration. It was simultaneously Carl’s birthday, ten years since our first kiss and the eve of our second wedding anniversary. We dropped into Starbucks for a quick mug of coffee before watching Gravity at the cinema in 3D. It was raining slightly by the time we came out, so we huddled together beneath my umbrella as we walked the short distance to Brasserie Blanc.
I was immediately impressed by the restaurant and very much looking forward to sampling the food. As I casually sipped my glass of red wine and nibbled on our starter, Carl asked me if I like French food.
‘Of course,’ I replied. ‘I love it.’
‘Well,’ he said mysteriously, before handing me a small package wrapped in brown paper.
Inside I found the guidebook pictured above, complete with details of the trip he’s booked for later this year. Flights and hotel on the Champs Elysees aside, the most romantic part of the bold gesture is that he’s even sorted the childcare!
Honestly, I can hardly contain my joy! I visited Paris many years ago as part of a fairly bland coach trip, and while the visit left me with a deep love for the city, I can’t wait to explore properly. In my head, it’ll be just like this…
Aside from re-reading Zoe’s fabulous Amelie inspired blog post, I’m yet to do any real research into our destination. Are you an expert on Paris? Where should we head and what should we do? Any top tips for dining out? Our time is fairly limited, are there places we should skip?
Sqeeee! I’m positively giddy with excitement!
Love Audrey xxx
Two things:
1. We went to Brasserie Blanc for lunch when we got engaged. It’s a good place for such meals.
2. If you don’t go to the Shakespeare bookshop I’m going to punch you in the face.
Wow what a lovely surprise!
I live in Paris now (as a photographer, woo!) and a few things off the top of my head…..
– Shakespeare and Co. bookshop obviously!
– I know you love movies so you can retrace steps of famous movies filmed here – there is a book called Paris Movie Walks or alternatively here’s a helpful blog post: http://pretemoiparis.com/2012/01/22/parisian-movie-magic/?relatedposts_exclude=7617
– If you want to go to the Louvre use the secret entrance to beat the queues and save time: http://lemichaux.com/paris/secret-paris/secret-entrance-into-the-louvre-museum/
– Try Rose Bakery on Rue des Martyrs (9th) for one of the best brunches in Paris, or East Side Burgers on Blvd Voltaire (5th) for veggie burgers!
– Le Depanneur is a hip new restaurant on Rue Pierre Fontaine (9th), near the Moulin Rouge and the food is yummy
– for vintage shopping try Désir on Rue des Rosiers in the Marais – so cheap!
– for cheap wine with locals try Le Baron Rouge (12th): http://www.wineterroirs.com/2004/08/paris_wine_bars.html
My advice is not to try and fit too much touristy stuff in, but just walk all day, take pit stops in cafés and enjoy the atmosphere!
x
Thank you so much Rhianne, great to have some advice from someone who really knows the city well. I’m a huge advocate of just wandering a new city so I think we’ll definitely follow that suggestion!
xxx
Agreed on the Shakespeare bookshop! It is the ULTIMATE place for book lovers! Plus there are loads of gorgeous boutiques, chocolatiers and boulangeries in the neighbourhood around it, so it makes a lovely lazy afternoon trip.
This might be controversial, but skip the Eiffel Tower and do the Arc de Triomphe instead. Much less busy, plus you get a stunning view of the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower from the top. Sunset is the best time to do it 🙂
Enjoy! x
That’s an interesting tip, thanks Naomi. I don’t think I feel the need to go up the Eiffel Tower, but sunset at the Arc de Triomphe sounds a bit wonderful!
xxx
Wow, what a very romantic gift! I’ve only been to Paris once for the day a very long time ago but would love to go again so I look forward to hearing of your adventures in due course.
I mainly wanted to say hi! I stumbled across your lovely blog a few months ago but never commented till now. We also moved to Bristol recently, in September, and into a new house which we’re slowly doing up – exciting times! Xx
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment Emma, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. It seems we’re in a very similar situation with house makeovers and a new city to get used to!
xxx
Definitely go to Shakespeare and co- brilliantly busy and very higgledy-piggledy.
Then in the evening, head to Rosebud (11 B Rue Delambre)- this was Beckett’s favourite haunt and the serve the best martinis I have EVER had.
Also go to Harry’s Bar (5 Rue Daunou)- birthplace of the bloody Mary and near to Rue Cambon (aka Fashion Mecca). Stunning interior and hang out of Hemmingway.
Cafe St Regis on Ils Saint Louis, Paris for the best omelettes.
You must go to the Orangerie – waterlillies are incrediblly beautiful.
Also skip along to the Eiffel tower/ Place du Concord at night on the hour to see the light show. Much better to see the sludge coloured lum at night than during the day.
And finally, and perhaps obviously, Les Deux Moulins (aka Amelie’s Cafe) 15 Rue Lepic. There are some fabulously inexpensive costume jewellery shops around Montmartre too.
I think that’s it.
Louise
xxxx
PS We also did the wonderfully camp and, dare I say it, boob-tastic Moulin Rouge. I’ve always wanted to go so we did for my birthday in the summer. Mesmerising, weird but fascinating all the same.
Oh you know me so well. Cocktails and literature! I love the sound of everything you’ve mentioned, just hope we can fit plenty into our whirlwind weekend.
xxx
dear Mme L.A., je trouve ta blog chouette et inspirante, merci pour toutes les choses merveillees que tu as postee. (ok I know that’s not a word really).
In Paris I think you might like the Rue St Andre des Arts, a little cobblestoned alleyway going back to the middle ages, with wonderful old shops including a tea room with old china and flowered print tablecloths -if its still there, when I went ten years ago it was recommended in Lonely Planet as a place where people in publishing hung out. when we went into Sainte Chapelle, my kids (who were a couple of years older than yours) just gasped at the beauty of the stained glass and you might like those beautiful colours.
Notre Dame feels ancient and mysterious. the younger possums in my last french class liked the Buddha bar (sp?). There’ s a blog called “frenchaz” at blogspot that has lovely photos of Paris and France which I think you might like and find inspiring for your trip. And I loved Victor Hugo’s house in the Marais. Lunch at Samaritaine with big glass windows looking over the roofs below (Carrie had lunch here with Aleksandr’s ex in SITC) is also pretty stunning. Have you seen Midnight in Paris?Maybe the magical midnight taxi has a number on its side if you just look closely enough
your fan from down under
sandy
ps port de clignacourt had a great flea market too, again its a while since we went but I still have a fabulous silk scarf I bought there
Merci! Such wonderful travel tips, I’m even more excited to visit now!
xxx
Hello there,
I’m french but do not live in Paris.
But, next time I will go there, I have to go to Jovoy (a fine perfume shop). I’ve heard that the staff is able to find “the” perfume that really fits you (and this without trying to sell you the most expensive one).
See there : http://www.jovoyparis.com/jovoy.html
Oh and try to get some honey from the Opera (Palais Garnier), they breed bees on the roof; it is an expensive honey but of great quality. I would say this is a much more romantic “souvenir” than an eiffel tower key holder 😉
Have a nice trip there !
Thank you, these sound like wonderful places to visit! Perfume and honey would make fabulous souvenirs.
xxx