Day 1: Bonjour, Paris! A Perfect First Day in Saint-Germain
After a direct overnight flight, we arrived at Hotel Bonsoir Madame around 10:30 a.m. and were greeted with the warmest Parisian welcome — and a delicious breakfast. We always stay in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, my absolute favorite neighborhood. It’s charming, walkable, and filled with boutique shops, cafés, and local restaurants that make you feel like a true Parisian.
Our hotel was a short walk from the famous Luxembourg Gardens and offered a delightful surprise: a complimentary 30-minute steam session in the spa downstairs. (Pro tip: book it an hour in advance so it has time to heat up!)
We toasted our arrival with the bottle of champagne waiting in our room, admired the city views, unpacked, and set off for a walk along the Seine River. Of course, we stopped for rosé and snacks along the way — Paris people-watching is unmatched.
That evening, we took a Seine River cruise — one hour, champagne in hand — which I highly recommend for your first day. It’s the perfect, mellow way to see Paris landmarks while shaking off jet lag.
Dinner was at our favorite spot from our last trip, Chez Fernand. The boeuf bourguignon, escargots, and crème brûlée were even better than we remembered. Tables are close together (in the best way), which always leads to fun conversations with your neighbors. We closed the restaurant down around 12:30 a.m. — and melted into our cozy beds back at Bonsoir Madame.
⸻
Day 2: Champagne Dreams in Épernay
We took the train to Champagne for a full-day tour and lunch at one of the smaller Champagne houses. Our guide met us at the Épernay Tourism Office, and it turned out to be just us and two other travelers — the perfect intimate group!
Lunch was a four-course meal paired with Champagne, followed by tastings and a chance to purchase bottles (no pressure, but I couldn’t resist bringing home a few favorites). The weather turned a bit dreary, but driving through the vineyards still felt magical.
Pro tip: Reserve your return train tickets in advance. We didn’t — and almost didn’t make it back to Paris!
Dinner that night was spontaneous. We stumbled upon a charming alleyway of restaurants and ended up at Cèpe Figue, where everything was divine — except the pig intestine (we’re adventurous eaters, but that one was a hard pass!). We laughed about it the rest of the trip — one of those travel stories you never forget.
⸻
Day 3: Macarons, Shopping, and a Little Magic
We started with a morning stroll and shopping on our way to our 2 p.m. macaron class. Just down the street from our hotel was Marin Montagut, an absolute must for charming Paris souvenirs, and Le Tanneur, where I found the perfect petite purse.
Our macaron-making class was such a highlight! It turned out to be so much fun — we made three flavors and each took home fifteen delicious little creations. Our group was all women, and we bonded over baking and laughter. I booked the class at Patisserie à la Carte
After class, we discovered an incredible local boutique, did some additional shopping, and had dinner at a neighborhood café recommended by our pastry chef. The mussels-and-fries and steak frites were perfection. We ended the night with cocktails and late-night snacks, blissfully tired and full of joy.
⸻
Day 4: Shopping Saturday & Café-Hopping Bliss
Saturday was all about shopping and savoring. No plans, just a leisurely day wandering Paris. We hit Le Bon Marché for fashion finds and La Grande Épicerie next door for gourmet treats and gifts — skip the over-crowded Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées and come here instead.
Lunch was a leisurely café meal in Luxembourg Gardens, followed by more shopping and a dinner at the iconic Les Deux Magots. There’s usually a long line, but we lucked out. The salmon appetizer, hot chocolate, and crème brûlée were divine — truly worth the hype.
It started pouring rain while we were there, and Paris is truly so lovely in the rain. (Unless you are caught in it) We returned to the hotel, slipped into pajamas, and drifted off watching French TV. Heaven.
⸻
Day 5: A Picnic in Versailles
For our final day, we took the train to Versailles for a picnic in the gardens. We skipped touring the palace since we’d both done it before, and instead focused on soaking in the beauty of the Versailles grounds. We brought our own picnic — baguette sandwiches, macarons, a fig tarte, and wine — but there are plenty of options inside the park as well.
We sipped hot chocolate (“chocolat chaud”) and watched swans chase tourists — peak Parisian entertainment. Back at the hotel, we squeezed in our 30-minute steam session, which felt amazing after a long day of walking.
That night, we returned to the charming alleyway we’d discovered earlier and had dinner at Le Jacobine, which ended up being our favorite restaurant of the trip. The ravioli appetizer was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten — no exaggeration. We waited an hour for a table, but it was so worth it. We walked home slightly tipsy, full of good food, laughter, and gratitude.
Nourish your friendships, eat the food, take the trip. That’s what life is all about.
⸻
Travel Notes & Tips
• Charles de Gaulle Airport is huge — allow extra time to get between terminals.
• The French are strict about bag weight and liquid limits — everything must fit in one plastic bag for carry-ons. I had to toss a few things I loved (tragic!), so pack accordingly.
Whether you’re planning a girlfriend getaway, anniversary trip, or solo adventure, I hope this Paris itinerary inspires you to sip, shop, and savor every moment.
We returned with full hearts and can’t wait for our next Paris adventure!
XO,
Source link
