Paris · City of Timeless Charms

Being an avid explorer, there is a singular destination that holds an irresistible allure for me year after year: Paris. This city exudes an enchanting aura that captivates my heart. Each district possesses its own distinct charm, as though every corner unveils a treasure waiting to be discovered. And let's not forget the sheer beauty that graces every street.

The last time I came to Paris was a decade ago to celebrate my high school graduation. I regret not visiting this beautiful city often enough. Time has slipped through my fingers, and time just goes by in a blink of an eye. Anyways, when it comes to planning my honeymoon trip, two places immediately came to my mind: Paris and Tuscany!

We spent 4 days in total immersing ourselves in the wonders of Paris, which was adequate enough considering our plans were to leisurely meander through the city streets and indulge ourselves in French cuisine (apart from capturing photographs of some romantic city landmarks). Thank goodness to e-scooters which enabled us to traverse the cityscape swiftly and effortlessly. Surprisingly, we accomplished every item on our itinerary, far sooner than anticipated! We actually got a moment to respite under the warm sun, reclining in chairs at Jardin de Tuileries, and blended in perfectly with the locals (although I do regret not bringing a book with me to read).

Day of Arrival

Upon our arrival in Paris, we found ourselves entering the city at precisely noon, having embarked in the late morning. Despite the persistently cloudy weather that had cast a gloom over the preceding week, our spirits remained unscathed. The sight of the exquisite streets before us effortlessly eclipsed any influence the overcast sky could muster, leaving us brimming with joy and contentment.

Since it was way too early to check in at the hotel, we just dropped off our bags and thought, "Why not hit the streets?" We stumbled upon this random restaurant not too far from the hotel and figured to grab some lunch there.

I had my one and only onion soup here and started the first meal with some delicious duck liver pate. The restaurant wasn't exactly buzzing when I arrived, but within a mere 20 minutes, it was jam-packed with hungry folks, mostly office peeps on their lunch break. Now, here's the scoop on the main courses – they were alright, nothing mind-blowing. I mean, don't get me wrong, they tasted good, but they didn't have that wow factor I was hoping for. Gotta admit, though, I've whipped up some seriously better dishes back home.

But hey, dining out is all about exploring new flavours and taking a break from the usual kitchen routine, right? So, even if this particular food fiesta didn't quite hit the mark, there's always the excitement of trying out different restaurants and discovering hidden gems.

Champs-Élysées

We were strolling down Champs-Élysées, and the beautiful street looks exactly like how I remembered, except for the fact that the road is wider and WAY longer.

I couldn’t wait to try the desserts here and that is when we stumbled upon the Pierre Herme Cafe. We ordered their set menu which consisted of a cake, 3 macarons, and a drink. The Pistachio cake was very sweet and rich in flavour and the macarons were tasty. The unique combination and perfectly delicate texture made them stand out, surpassing even the renowned Ladurée in our opinion. With their pricing though, I wish they could offer a tad more in taste and overall creativity. I guess this is part of the Paris experience 🥰

We went back to our hotel to check in at 3 PM. The hotel we were staying at is called Hotel Bowmann, a five-star boutique hotel. The room was beautiful upon checking in. I’m a big fan of Parisian interior design and this room was so on-point for me. The moment my eyes landed on the walls, adorned with delicate gold outlines, it reminded me of a more modern version of the Palace of Versailles. Those intricate details added a touch of regal splendour, transporting me to a world where elegance reigns supreme.

I remember the rooms at hotels in Paris were super tiny, but this room is big enough for us to open 2 giant luggage along with 1 small suitcase.

Let me tell you about an amazing feature of our hotel room: a balcony facing the lively streets of Paris! It was an unexpected bonus that we couldn't resist. We ended up spending an hour there, taking pictures and capturing the vibrant atmosphere. You'll get to see those photos in the next chapter of our journey. Stay tuned for more stunning glimpses of Paris from our hotel's balcony!

Eiffel Tower

We quickly got dressed up and headed our way to the famous photoshoot spot for the Eiffel Tower. There was a light rain that came and went. Definitely got to experience that “Paris in the Rain” vibe from Lany’s song.

Let me spill the beans about this popular spot for picture-taking: it's often filled with far too many people. Unless you're an early riser or a skilled photo editor who can seamlessly remove people from your shots, I wouldn't 100% recommend.

There's a secret worth sharing. If you venture into the parks (just walk straight towards the Eiffel Tower when you arrived at the photoshoot street), you'll stumble upon hidden gems that offer even better photo opportunities with the iconic landmark. And the best part? All you need is your trusty smartphone and a nearby tree.

We were casually strolling around the park and Han mentioned that he had been waiting to come to Paris to get me a birthday present. He knew exactly what I had been longing for—a Chanel cardholder to replace my old one. Without wasting a moment, we swiftly hopped onto an e-scooter and zoomed our way to the Chanel boutique.

I had been longing for a piece from the boutique that came in those iconic white boxes, bearing the enchanting inscription "31 Rue Cambon - Paris," which is different from their usual black packaging. There are only one (or two?) boutiques worldwide that offer white packaging. The allure of this unique touch made the experience special, lol! They know how to get us.

We arrived at the store about 45 minutes before they close, and waited there for 20 minutes for our turn. The store was not packed with too many people, but the sales were busy since everyone wanted something out of there!

The sales lady who greeted me was super nice and patient. She showed me all the cardholders that they had in stock. A mint green one caught my eye, but I still settled for my favourite colour, beige-pink! You can never go wrong with that neutral colour, lol!

We told her that it is for my birthday celebration happening the next day, and she immediately asked if we wanted some champagne to celebrate. Of course yes!

One thing I absolutely adore about the Chanel store is their thoughtful attention to detail. As we made our purchase, the salesperson handed us a black reusable bag to ensure security. It was a brilliant gesture, considering the possibility of any lurking thieves. Their dedication to customer satisfaction truly shines through in these considerate touches.

Eiffel Tower at Night

It’s true if they say that if you have to pick between visiting the Eiffel Tower at daytime or at night, always choose to visit it at night! The way the tower lights up is nothing short of enchanting. The moment my eyes met that dazzling spectacle, I finally understood why they call Paris the most romantic city in the world.

Even Han, who's usually not easily impressed, couldn't help but be captivated by the shimmering lights. It was a sight that left us both in awe. There's just something about the Eiffel Tower, bathed in its nighttime radiance, that ignites a sense of wonder and romance.

Let the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower work their magic on you. It's an experience you won't soon forget, and it'll remind you why Paris holds a special place in the hearts of millions.

Breakfast at Le Deux Magots

After our journey exploring Northern Italy, we found ourselves in Paris once again for a few more days. My adoration for this city knows no bounds. While Italy is incredible, there's an enchanting quality about Paris that captivates me completely.

Side note: I originally booked a beautiful Parisian apartment Airbnb but unfortunately had to cancel and request a refund due to the gate being locked…. We did manager to book Hotel Rochester which is couple minutes down the block and super close to Champs-Elsyee.

Anyways! We woke up in Paris and immediately ride the scooter to Le Deux Magots, a renowned café located in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood of Paris, France. It holds a significant place in the city's history and has become an iconic establishment. The café has a rich heritage, having been in operation since 1884. It is frequently visited by many artists and writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso.

We opted for two set menus, and surprisingly, each menu included two croissants! It led us to question whether we accidentally ordered two sets of meals meant for two people, as we found ourselves quite stuffed halfway through, jokingly so! Nevertheless, it provided us with a wonderful opportunity to leisurely enjoy our food and observe genuine Parisians strolling along the streets. It's fascinating how they manage to maintain their figures despite indulging in croissants daily. I can't help but wonder what their secret is—I might need to uncover it myself, haha!

Strolling around town

Han and I spent hours strolling around Parisian town, sometimes on foot and sometimes on e-scooters. Every district has its charms! Le Marais undoubtedly takes the top spot as my favourite. It boasts a plethora of shops, encompassing renowned clothing brands that are otherwise exclusive to online platforms or collector stores in Vancouver. Additionally, it is home to captivating vintage stores brimming with an assortment of jewelry and various goods.

Le Comptoir

We came here because we heard they have exceptional snail dishes, and it’s true. The experience of savouring the large and small snails we ordered was truly delightful. Among the various options available, our favourite picks were the Chilli and Original flavours.
The other dishes that we’ve ordered were also delicious as well :)

Maxime Frédéric Cafe at Louis Vuitton

Pop Up Cafe

This is a pop up cafe located beside the Louis Vuitton headquarter office. I was a bit hesitant at first about luxury brand and desserts, but let me tell you, the cakes were surprisingly delightful! Not only did they taste delicious, but they were also incredibly visually appealing. Honestly, I found them even better than the ones we tried at the Pierre Hermé Café a couple of days ago!

I couldn't help but do a little research about the café. It turns out that Maxime Frédéric, the pastry chef behind these amazing creations, is a 3‑star pastry chef at Chevalier Blanc. He has previously worked at Cédric Grolet at Le Meurice and even won the prestigious Gault & Millau Pastry Chef of the Year award in 2022. No wonder the cakes were so good!

Once we finished enjoying the desserts, we decided to visit the Louis Vuitton LV Dream Exhibit. Just a friendly tip: make sure to book your tickets in advance for the exhibit!

Although it was free to enter, you still needed a reservation to secure your spot. We arrived 30 minutes before opening time and there was already quite a line forming, so I recommend getting there early to avoid any wait.

It was such a fantastic experience, enjoying delectable cakes and exploring the LV Dream Exhibit. I highly recommend checking it out if you're in the area!

Fairground Museum of Paris Les Pavillons de Bercy - Musée des Arts Forains

Han booked this museum for us to tour given that none of us want to visit the super touristy areas. This museum is super fun!!!! The museum's owner, Jean, has collected a variety of games and objects from medieval amusement parks across Europe. It feels like stepping into "The Greatest Showman" movie; there are truly so many fascinating collectibles! The attention to detail in the craftsmanship of these antique items is remarkable. It’s even better when we get to experience some of these antique fair rides ourselves.

The entire amusement park museum is actually converted from a winery. It's important to buy tickets in advance because it requires joining a tour guide and self-guided visits are not allowed. They also only offer guided tours in French, so it’s better to download a voice translation app in advance. They do offer a 4 page English guide that we get to read as we enter to the different rooms, but the tour guide is so enthusiastic that I think it’s worth it to download a translator app.

sunset paris

The sunset in Paris is undeniably the most enchanting time of day. It's as if every street transforms into a scene straight out of a romantic movie. As we strolled from Le Marais to the Louvre Museum, I couldn't help but be captivated by the breathtaking sight of the sun's rays illuminating the sky. It's no surprise that countless artists have been obsessed with this city, as the sky and the streets themselves truly resemble living paintings.

A great picture spot with the Louvre is standing directly in front of it.

La Crêperie de Josselin

We decided to try this creperie solely based on JJ's vlog recommendation. Otherwise, we probably wouldn't have made the effort to come since it's quite far from the touristy areas (it took us 30 minutes of e-scooter-ing from Louvre to the crepe place). Fortunately, we were glad we did! The place is located on a street filled with creperies, and it's so authentic! You can tell that the customers are mostly locals or those familiar with Paris.

Initially, we intended to order just one crepe, but we ended up getting three:

🍎 Homemade apple stewed

🍎 Toffino cream and vanilla ice cream

🍎 Chestnut creme

🫕 Apple cider (a small jar, equivalent to about four cups)

We were still full from eating biangbiang noodles earlier, so we couldn't manage to eat any savory crepes. If we come again next time, I think I'll go straight for a variety of sweet and savory crepes for dinner!

I don't know why, but it seems like snacks in Paris are either scarce or they bombard you with an entire street dedicated to one type of snack, haha!

Breakfast at Carette

This place is our favorite among all the breakfast spots recommended on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book)! The food is truly delicious. We arrived at the restaurant at 8:10 AM in the morning. Despite the streets and other restaurants being empty, this place was almost full, and the waiters were super busy running around.

We ordered a Breakfast set menu and a Brunch set menu, both of which included ☕️ coffee ➕ 🍊freshly squeezed orange juice ➕ 🥐butter croissant ➕ 🍞toast with strawberry jam. The Brunch set menu had an additional serving of scrambled eggs, and I chose the ham version. The eggs were cooked to perfection, so fluffy and tasty. I'm not sure if they added butter or milk to it, but the eggs had a creamy texture throughout. ✨

Ending our Paris trip with a delightful breakfast was truly a wonderful experience. It left me with an overwhelming desire to revisit this enchanting city once more. Every street I explored and every meal I had was unforgettable. What made it even more special was having the opportunity to tour this romantic city with my beloved hubby.

See you next time, Paris.