THE PARIS I GOT TO KNOW..

Shot by Michael Hughes & I

So after six weeks exploring Europe, I am now back to reality. Kicking off my travel posts in chronological order starting with Paris. 

When Michael and I started to plan our O/S adventure we really wanted to make sure we really focused on staying longer in less locations. We knew this wouldn't be our last time in Europe so we narrowed down our list for this trip and split the 6 weeks between Paris, Italy, Amsterdam & Iceland.

To give a little background on how we like to travel, these posts won't be focusing on the sights we saw. More so focusing on the little details, the food and the atmosphere. The atmosphere in Paris hit me in the face as soon as we got into our first Air Bnb. We probably spent a good hour just sitting at the window on the first day admiring the Parisians below on the streets.

The women of Paris probably is one of my biggest take aways from our stay in paris. I admired their attitude. They seemed to lack the self confidence issues that are more common than I'd like to admit. Their ease, the way they embrace ageing, dressing for personal style rather than fashion trends, their lack of contouring & hair straighteners - I was in love. I wanted to take their self awareness & confidence home with me. Oh, and their amazing taste in eyewear. 

Stand outs from our two weeks in Paris were....
Spending our afternoon then into the night sitting outside a typical Parisian Cafe watching the city pass us by. Spending the day at Palais De Tokyo - this gallery would have to be my favourite gallery I have ever been into and one of my favourite days from the whole 6 weeks. Our breakfast at Ob La Di with this amazing granola and one of the ladies who worked there recognising that my slip dress was by Melbourne Brand Kuwaii then finding out she was from Melbourne. Seeing my first cherry blossom tree in bloom. Just sitting at our window sill watching the people below.

LOCATION

Le Marais, Paris. This area lived up to every Paris dream I had. Cafes & the best little restaurants meters away from your doorway, art galleries on every corner, little book stores with books that make you re-think how you packed your suitcase & designers and shops that make you consider going into serious debt. 

HOME FOR TWO WEEKS

For our two weeks in France we stayed in a little apartment in Le Marais, Paris.
(You can find the apartment here)
This apartment & its location honestly made our paris trip. So much so that I would think any other location would have meant a much different opinion. The apartment was perfect for the two of us. Loft bed - tick, cliche Parisian window - tick, kitchen - tick, washing machine - tick, minimalist bathroom - tick. The window was my favourite part of this apartment. We would have spent hours over our 2 week stay here with a chair pulled up to the window just people/paris watching. 

FOOD

100% Recommend eating at a cliche Parisian Cafe.
Sit out the front from around 4pm until late - you won't regret.

Ob La Di, 54 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris, France
Go here for the tiles, the Australian-breakfast vibes & their muesli.

Season, 1 Rue Charles-François Dupuis, 75003 Paris, France
Go here early because it's super popular. 

Rose Bakery, 30 Rue Debelleyme, 75003 Paris, France
Go here for the salads & amazing frontage

Grazie, 91 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris, France
Go here for the pizza.. what other reason do you need?

Paris New York, 1 Rue Perrée, 75003 Paris, France
Go here for your american fix & cocktail.

Nanashi, 57 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France
Go here when you are feeling guilty for the last few days of pastries & want some healthy Japanese. 

Margherita, 17 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris, France
Go here when you're on the other side of town, Get a pizza & make sure to visit the bathroom.

PLACES

Off the tourist map but worth a visit..

Galleries - Palais De Tokyo & The Centre Pompidou

Shopping - Le Bon Marché, Merci, Maje, Sandro, Saint James, Maison La Biche

Book Stores - OFR & Yvon Lambert Book Store

Flower Markets - Marché aux fleurs Place Louis Lépine - Quai de la Corse - 75004 Paris

Admittedly Paris was what I was most looking forward to & it lived up to all expectations. Next up is Rome.....

x