The day we arrived could not have been more beautiful or spring like. As soon as we set foot in the City, I simply couldn't wait to start exploring and revisiting some of our old favorites. We set out wandering through the enchanting streets of Le Marais, which in my eyes was simply impossible not to fall in love with. It was one of those evenings where everything seemed so perfectly magical. The warm evening breeze with the sun softly touching the tops of the most charming buildings all felt so dreamy. We stopped at Carette to enjoy some of the most delectable treats, which were terribly moreish; recommended are the eclairs and macarons, both of which were heavenly. It's moments like these, in which the whole world seems to slow down to exactly the right pace allowing every moment to be savored and never rushed.
The next morning we woke early and decided to start our day close to the Eiffel Tower. When traveling, I barely spend time visiting famous landmarks, which I think is largely down to my preference to stay in quieter areas, away from large crowds. So prior to this, I had spent little time discovering this area. I have to admit as we walked through the gardens of the Champ de mars and came across the most dreamy of locations, it really was the best start to any morning I've had. As it was still early, the air was crisp and dewy but filled with the heady scent of a nearby magnolia tree. The sky was cloudless and all we could hear was the sound of birds singing. Moments like these are truly special and I could easily have pictured myself living in Paris with such incredible beauty all around.
Paris is a City which offers an array of world class eateries and there is definitely no shortage of brunch spots from which to choose. During our trip I was determined to make Paperboy one of my 'must go' places. Largely due to the fact it had received excellent reviews from pretty much everyone I knew. The previous year when we wanted to go, it had opened late due to the Easter holidays, but this year we were lucky enough to finally sample it, and I'm so glad we did! The vibe was very laid back in the most aesthetically pleasing of spaces. I found myself wondering, if I were to design a cafe, it might look something like this. The service was prompt and the food was even more memorable. So much so, that we nearly went back, just to order their french toast which was utterly divine.
That Sunday afternoon we decided to explore the Montmartre area which is steeped in history and undeniably charming. Being a Sunday, it was a little too busy for us to experience it fully. I really enjoyed wandering through some of the quieter streets, some of which I immediately fell in love with. I was delighted that we got chance to see La Maison Rose, which I have seen countless times over the years on Instagram. The day we were there, the light fell so beautifully, casting the most amazing shadows on the picture perfect sun dipped buildings. Paris is a City that always makes me wish I could just stay a little longer, just to marvel at the beauty of everything.
I don't think I could visit Paris without spending an hour or two at Palais Royal. This year everything was even more dreamy than the last. The gardens were in bloom & we were lucky enough to catch the prettiest magnolia and cherry blossom. Everything there was so peaceful and calm, which I find is the most special place to be. I prefer to visit early in the morning to take advantage of the beauty of the surroundings when it's quieter. Whilst there, it's possible to enjoy one of the smoothest lattes at nearby chic Cafe Kitsune, which I think probably has one of the best locations in the City from which to enjoy coffee. The morning light is always so captivating; the only trouble you will find is how to stop photographing everything.
Although I love doing my own research for travel, I also find it helpful to ask my likeminded friends for their recommendations. One of such places was Holybelly. I was so thrilled that we were able to try this lovely brunch spot. It's fair to say that their coffee was my favorite of those I tried during my stay. As much as I love french cafes, having a great flat white from a Melbournian style cafe is always a great idea! We also marveled at the excellent food which was were served in the most unpretentious of environments, with great vibes to match.
I think it was only a few days prior to visiting Paris, that I added one of the loveliest places of this trip to my list. Whenever I'm in London, I always try to make a point of visiting the utterly charming pastel coloured houses in Notting Hill. Whilst researching for Paris, I came across a street which had the dreamiest pastel facades you could possibly imagine. Immediately I knew we had to visit. The moment we arrived, it was love at first sight. I was in awe of this beautiful street which seemed almost like setting foot in a different part of the country or perhaps even a town overseas. I had never come across anything like it in Paris. I was so caught up in the moment and inspired by everything I saw there, taking photos was a pure joy.
We ended our trip on the sweetest of notes, with a trip to E'clair de Genie. Words cannot describe how the first bite of their highly sought after eclairs tastes! As we walked through the streets of the 1st Arrondissment, I sensed that it would not be long until we revisited this magical City.