Midnight in Paris

Zara Dress | Milly Bag | Forever 21 Flats & Belt

The last day in Paris we slept in a bit because our bodies were nearly shutting down at this point. Started with a lunch at Chez Robert et Louise (review w/ 10 other great restaurant recs here) and some vintage shopping in the Marais (found some gems at Violette et Leonie). To work off lunch, we hopped on the Vélib' bikes and rode down to the Eiffel Tower for wine and a picnic on the lawn at dusk. We then headed back to the Marais for a traditional french dinner and Berthillon ice cream (get early & often anywhere you can in Paris). Our generous host and lifelong Parisienne, Jacques, drove us around to just about everything you could want to see including a midnight drive down the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the original Chanel and Louis Vuitton stores, Sacre Couer / Montmarte among others...stopping for drinks at really cool bars in between namely Candelaria (think La Esquina-esque speakeasy) and Hotel Costes (fancier, call early to reserve a table in the garden).


And with that, I will no longer talk about my trip to Europe (that's probably a lie). Back to our normally scheduled programming with a 'Weekend Update' post on Monday. Happy Friday to all!

{lunch at Chez Robert et Louise in the Marais}

{maybe the most beautiful day ever?}

{picnicing at dusk}

{the first light show when the clock struck 8:00 pm}

{the original Chanel...I kissed the doorstep}

{traditional french meal: tomato tarte, foie gras (which I discovered I actually like} and duck}

{Berthillon ice cream...heaven on earth}

{midnight in Paris (literally)...the view from Sacre Coeur overlooking Montmarte}

Paris in Polka Dots

H&M Dress | Milly Bag | Aldo Shoes | MAC Pink Nouveau Lips | Burberry Watch

After Beaune, we headed north to Pa'riii. Ahh, the nostalgia taking over me just writing this. Like Beaune, we had the great fortune of staying with locals in Paris as well, which I must say...is the way to go if at all possible in my (limited) experience traveling in Europe. My boyfriend's Aunt / cousin that hosted us happened to live in quite possibly my favorite neighborhood in the City: the Marais. Think up and coming, cute restaurants and vintage shops a la Brooklyn (for the New Yorkers), Bucktown (Chicagoans) or Haight & Ashbury (San Franciscans).

We woke up early to a traditional French breakfast of fresh croissants and chestnut jam (if anyone can tell me where to buy this in the U.S. I will name my first born after you) before stopping by the Marché Popincourt or farmers market (complete guide to food markets in Paris by arrondissement here). We then capitalized on the City's unbelievably convenient and user-friendly bikesharing program or 'Vélib,' which is free for the first 30 minutes*, to get down to the Louvre. Since I spent a day at the museum on my trip to Paris in college, we parted ways and I went shopping in St. Michele and St. Germain before meeting for a late (and great) lunch at L'Avant Comptoir (great reviews here and here as well).
* Unlimited half hour trips can be taken or pay €1.70/day...a great way to get around this bike-friendly city

{traditional french breakfast of orange juice, espresso...

{...baguette, croissant and chestnut jam}

{Marché Popincourt}

{the city's free bikesharing program, Vélib'}

{Palais Royale}

{Le Louvre}

{an artiste in action along the Seine}

{lunch at L'Avant Comptoir in St. Germain}