Paris Tips
Parisian Views
Check out my little post on the HiP Paris Blog about all these amazing Parisian views! Do you have a favourite view in Paris?
Valentine’s Day in Paris
Soon it’s Valentine’s Day and even though I don’t have a special someone to celebrate it with I’m kind of looking forward to it. I’ve always been a fan of Valentine’s Day since it’s just a way to bring a little extra love into our lives (says the hopeless romantic inside of me), so why not? Although when a person brings you flowers, sends a card or surprises you without it being any specific day or reason, that’s the very best of all in my opinion.
Anyways, I can imagine that there’s a lot of couples madly in love on their way to Paris at the moment to celebrate this little occasion together in the city of love. So what can you do if you’re in a couple on Valentine’s Day in Paris?
• Romantic dinner: What’s a Valentine’s Day without a romantic dinner? My pick for the evening would be Le Violon d’Ingres hands down.
• Love tour: Go on a guided tour around Paris in the name of love together with your own professional photographer.
• Dinner cruise: I’ve never done this but it sounds quite lovely, right? A candlelight dinner on the Seine…
• Modern love letter: Send a modern love letter to that special someone that might be displayed on screens all around Paris.
• Strolling: Stroll around Paris with your loved one and be sure to make a stop at Pont des Arts, Pont de l’Archevêché and in Montmartre.
• Sparking Eiffel Tower: Watch the sparkling Eiffel Tower together! You’ll get the best view from Place du Trocadero or Champ de Mars.
And what if you’re single in this unbelievably romantic city on Valentine’s Day? Well, I think it depends on your state of mind… If you’re ready to face all that lovie dovie stuff or if you rather hide out until the day is over. Either way, here are a few suggestions on what to do:
• The movies: If you want to hide out, go and see a great movie! Don’t forget to stock up with a bunch of popcorn, yummy candy and other treats!
• Overindulge: Grab a table at your favourite pâtisserie and enjoy. A few great picks are: Ladurée, Angelina, Café Pouchkine or Un Dimanche à Paris.
• SPA day: Book a day at the SPA or have your own SPA day at home. Buy some pretty nail polishes, make yourself a nice foot bath and relax!
• Boat ride: Go on a lovely boat ride on the Seine and see Paris from a different angle. Pick a tour during the day or the evening.
• Dinner and drinks: Dress up, meet up with some friends and go for a few drink at any of these cool new bars. Have dinner together with friends and enjoy some girl talk! The best cure if you’re having the blues about Valentine’s Day in my opinion.
So wether you’re in a couple or single on Valentine’s Day in Paris there are always great things to do. And what about me? Well, I’ll be celebrating this day of love together with some amazing new friends, dinner and drinks!
Crêpe Day
Today it’s crêpe day here in Paris! Or well, the actual name is apparently “La Chandeleur” but “crêpe day” sounds much more fun. I first learned about this little phenomenon thanks to Lost in Cheeseland’s post on the subject and I’m very happy that I did. So today you have the perfect excuse to indulge in some very yummy crêpes!
Jardin des Plantes
If there’s one park in Paris that has it all, it must be Jardin des Plantes. Here you can find a mini forest, a gorgeous park with beautiful flowers during the springtime, a zoo (yes, I’m serious), a little maze and a fantastic museum that you really shouldn’t miss during your visit here.
I recently took an early morning walk around here and even though it was super cold there was a crazy amount of morning runners out and about. Now when I think about it I was probably the only person not running… I guess I have to get up and join them next week!
New(ish) Neighbourhood
I’ve finally found an apartment! And guess where? Yes, that’s right, about 100 meters from my old one… Isn’t life just a little bit too ironic sometimes? Even though it’s more than I wanted to spend on rent I’m just happy to have a (more permanent) roof over my head at this point.
Since I spent my previous four months in Paris right on Île Saint Louis I can’t say that I really need to go out and “get to know my neighbourhood” all that much, but it will be nice to come back. And even though I don’t get to explore new streets, new cafés and restaurants in my quartier (as planned) I’m very happy about “coming home” to my little island. I move in the beginning of February!
So, what’s your favourite places around this neighbourhood?
Today’s Buy
During the weekend my mom and I went for manicures at a little nail bar in the 7th arrondissement. While waiting for our appointments and watching other customers getting their nails done I noticed a little trend; all of the women left the nail bar with dark and very very short nails. When I asked the woman who did my nails about current “trends” and what’s popular at the moment she of course told me that this was the case — short and dark. She took a look at my (medium long) nails, which at the moment were painted in a light peach/pink colour, and giggled: “That colour is very popular among the old ladies here in Paris!”.
To sum things up, I’m now writing this with shorter (much shorter) nails painted in a very dark burgundy colour from Mavala which I bought immediately after my appointment.
Parisian Markets
I love markets, and especially in Paris. A market that was located quite convenient for me last time was Marché Maubert but since I’m moving I guess it’s time to find a new “local market” in my neighbourhood. Do you have any suggestions? Which Parisian market is your favourite one?
Galerie de l’Évolution
Jardin des Plantes (which you’ll find in the 5th arrondissement in Paris) isn’t just a beautiful garden and a entertaing zoo, it’s also home to the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution which is a part of Paris’ natural history museum. A true must if you’re even the slightest interested in these kind of things. Just the building itself is spectacular! So to sum it up: visit Jardin des Plantes and be able to check off three things on your to-do list.
Hair in Paris
When making a move to another country or city there’s always a million new things that you have to figure out and find. Just a simple thing like going to the hairdresser (or even finding one) could suddenly be a tricky little problem… I even think I need to make a mini dictionary just for my first Parisian cut! I’ve heard horror stories about (non French speaking) friends getting their hair coloured green (!) and hairdressers cutting off way too much or simply cutting the whole head of hair crooked. And no, that didn’t make me feel any better… So, my question to you is: do you have any Parisian hairdresser tips? I need them!
New Neighbourhood
I can finally tell you that I’ve found the apartment I’ll be staying in during my first months back in Paris! It’s a tini tiny flat on the sixth floor in a gorgeous Parisian building. Since my stay will be longer this time (I don’t know when, or if I’ll ever leave) I had to think more economically this time around — meaning no gorgeous window overlooking the Seine or an address on Île Saint Louis… But I think I’ll manage anyway!
My little apartment is located in the 6th arrondissement, which just happens to be one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Paris. And now I need your help. I want to know about your favourite cafés, restaurants, bars, boulangeries, pâtisseries, stores, parks and supermarkets in this great neighbourhood. I want to find that perfect croissant, that neighbourhood café I can sit at for hours and that go-to restaurant that always delivers.
Give it to me!