oui oui paris

I've been lusting over dreams of Paris lately! I think it's the side effect of watching a few too many Audrey Hepburn movies…
But definitely read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. It's a young adult chick lit novel but the characters and plot line are really well developed and written. It also paints a beautiful portrait of Paris! It includes lots of real landmarks as well that you might find you want to see.
Have so much fun and I can't wait for pictures!!

Aw Carly this is amazing!!

I went to Paris (just once) when I was 13, (almost 25 now), so I don't think my recommendations would be of any help.

My brother and I were DYING from jet lag and we ate McDonalds on the Champs d'Elysees… my dad still cringes at that thought, so in his honor, please avoid doing that. A bakery crossaint will suffice.

Also, I thought Midnight in Paris was a great movie… I may be alone here.

Allison

Oh Carly, I'm so excited for you!! France and Paris are amazing. I know you're not a big music person, but you really should check out some French music- Charles Trenet, Carla Bruni, and Françoise Hardy are amazing. There's no way to feel more "French" than relaxing at a streetside café with a little "Quelqu'un m'a dit" (Carla Bruni) crooning in your ears.

As for books and movies, I love Midnight in Paris… it will only further your romanticization of the city. Also Passport to Paris (Mary-Kate & Ashley!!), Madeline, Marie Antoinette, and Amélie. Some books I like are Books, Baguettes and Bedbugs by Jeremy Mercer and The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. I've also really liked/really want to read a lot of the books on this Goodreads list.

As for recommendations of things to see and do, you ABSOLUTELY have to check out Lauren's blog Aspiring Kennedy. She always has the BEST tips. She did a whole guide to Paris, which you should read, but you should also check out her other Paris recaps.

I hope that helps and gets you even more excited! I can't wait to hear more about your trip as the planning unfolds. I hope you'll be blogging about it!!

This is so exciting!!!!

oh and I really couldn't stop just there. Paris is a walking city. Or a metro + walking city. Wear comfortable shoes.

There's no need to go to the second level of Notre Dame or any other church.

There are these green metal huts that line up the river seine. They sell authentic vintage music, posters, art, magazines, books and souvenirs.You can bargain.

I wish I took more videos. I wish I had macarons at Laduree.

I am study abroad in England this semester in London and just went to Paris this past week! It is worth EVERY penny!

You will obviously want to see all the touristy things but by my far my favorite place of the trip was Montmartre! It has the most beautiful view of the city! (And its a free view!!)

I would also plan to go to the Louvre! It would honestly take days to completely go through the whole thing, but on Fridays at 6pm the entrance to the museum is Free!

Other than that I would highly recommend eating crepes (Mich's Sandwhiches and Crepes which is outside of Notre Dame has THE BEST) and trying some snails (once you get past the whole snail part of it, they are actually really good!)

On a side note though, Longchamp bags are a lot cheaper in Paris then the states, so you might still be able to get a new purse at the same time as your big voyage!

You are going to have a blast!!

Fabulous! You will have a great time! I highly recommend seeing Versailles as I'm sure everyone will suggest to you. The town around Versailles is also nice– had a great lunch next door to a pastry shop where no one spoke English, definitely as authentic french as you can get.
When I was there, there was a beautiful outdoor market on the way to 31 Rue Cambon, aka the Chanel store (also a must see, though underwhelming). La Vieille Tour was my favorite restaurant I went to- definitely try to find it, I had the best escargot I have ever had there!
Have fun planning your trip!
xo,
E

C'est ma ville favori (my favorite city) You will love it! If there is one place you have to go it is Shakespeare and Company in the Latin Quarter on the left bank. It is my favorite bookstore in the whole world. Even if you don't buy anything, you have to wander around in it. Hemingway was a big supporter when it was first a store.
Also, go to Montemarte and the Sacre Coeur. I think it has the best view of Paris. I got goosebumps when I was looking out over the city up there. With all the walking I am sure you do in New York City, you will be ready for all of the steps.
If you are looking for some great shopping like the editor did at the being of Funny Face, go to the Place Vendôme. It is all Chanel and such and even if you aren't interested in buying, it is fun to window shop.
Bon Voyage!
-H

Paris is a stunning city – every corner you look is just photo-worthy and Paris ladies are just pure class. The food is great, the sights are amazing but we warned – it aint cheap. I'm a Londoner and the prices between Paris and London are the same – expensive.

Since you're coming all the way to Paris – you might as well hop on the Eurostar, 2 hours and 15 minutes and BOOM you're in the centre of London – seriously! I'm not sure how long you're planning to go to Paris for but I would really recommend splitting up the trip and fitting in 2 of the best cities in the world! Might as well 😀

Wow! And I'm excited that I'm going to the west coast this summer…haha. Paris always reminds me of the last episodes of SATC Have fun!!!

How exciting!! I majored in French at NYU and currently work for a travel agency that specializes solely in French/Parisian vacations. One thing I'd recommend if you really want a truly Parisian experience is NOT to stay in the 7th arrondissement (aka where the Eiffel Tower is). Totally overrun by tourists…kind of like staying in Times Square in NYC! I've always found the right bank much more charming.

As for fun places to visit, you CANNOT miss the Musee d'Orsay, which I think beats the Louvre by leaps and bounds in terms of coolness. Versailles is another gorgeous spot, though it's insanity in the summer months! In general, my biggest suggestion would be to avoid overly Americanized/advertised places and go off on your own adventures. Buy a translation book (apps can be tricky with the wireless service over there!), discover new cafes and shops, and try to learn the Metro (which is easier than NY Transit, seriously). Take the same approach to discovering Paris as you did NYC!

Also, we recommend the Girls' Guide to Paris to a lot of our clients and it's a very cute, helpful resource. Bon voyage!

When I went to Paris in 2008 I went on a tour of the Fragonard perfumery.They show you how perfume was made years ago and they have all the equipment and old bottles on display. I especially love that at the end of the tour you can purchase one of their popular scents or make your own. It was an amazing part of my trip and I highly recommend it.

http://www.fragonard.com/parfums_grasse/GB/fragonard/paris/

This is so exciting!! Paris is my absolute favourite city in the world, Ive been there four times and NEVER get bored!

Definetly watch Midnight in Paris and Marie Antoinette, I coulnd't stop thinking about those two movies while strolling Paris at night and visiting Versailles (a MUST if it's your first time there, or even your second..or third)

ALL the touristy things are great, but I also loved just walking around the city. I would stopped at the most random cafes, the ones where there were no foreigners, order coffee and crepes and sit there watching the city. It is AMAZING!

Also take the metro! It seriously takes you everywhere, and there's a part in line 6 when you suddenly go above the ground and see the Eiffel Tower right beside you. I ride it only for that experience.

Hope you have a GREAT time there, Im sure you will!

Paris had always been my favorite even though I hadn't been & I was afraid I had built it up too much. Turns out, nope, the city lives up to the hype 🙂

I would allot time to just wander the streets and relax at cafes. Sights are great but make sure you take that time to really be a part of the Paris life. I would also recommend staying in St-Germain- great location, lots of cafes & life, & easy to go see the touristy things on the right bank.

If you're interested in venturing outside of Paris I have recommendation for Normandy, just email me if you want them!

So exciting! Absolutely take an afternoon to visit Giverny, Monet's home. Probably my favorite part of my trip!

Congratulations on your trip, Carly!! That will be SO amazing. I'm dying to go to Paris as well…hoping that I can go this summer after I graduate! Can't wait to hear/read all about it.

To echo all the other must-sees in Paris: Centre Pmpidou, Sacre Couer (worth the climb up the steps), Eiffel Tower, Tomb of the Unknown Solider, etc. You will be there for the summer, so I suggest finding the gardens (main touristy ones and the off beaten track ones). For unique souvenirs, go to Montemarte. I'm headed back to Paris in a few weeks, and I'm finally getting to do the Royal Opera House tour. If you are a fan of Phantom, I suggest it!

If you have time to make it out of the city, get down to Nice. Incredible city, tons of stunning views, the beach, shopping, etc.

Cannot wait to hear of your adventures!

I went to Paris when I was in the 3rd grade and it was the best experience of my life! Even though I was only 8years old, I still remember every detail from the trip!!

My favorite restaurant was right next to Notre Dame…it's called, Aux Tours de Notre Dame(Cafe in the Shadows of Notre Dame) They seriously had the best chicken with the best shoe string fries…kind of like the fries at Daily Grill in Georgetown but BETTER!

& of course for some shopping…Champs-Élysées!!

Ashley, over at A Little Dash of Ash, just did a great recap of her recent trip to Paris. Just reading it made me want to book a trip!

http://alittledashofash.blogspot.com/2013/03/paris-recommendations.html

Hopefully you can find something helpful from it 🙂

You're going to ADORE Paris. My mom and I went this summer as my 18th birthday/graduation present and I'm already ready to go back. Definitely buy Rick Steve's Paris guidebook before you go; it's incredible (sometimes, I read it like a novel when I'm feeling nostalgic) and offers some great "must-see" tours, especially if you only go for a few days or a week.

We were there for a little over 2 weeks and one of our rituals was to wander around the streets until we found a boulangerie, buy a baguette and some cheese and then find a spot to sit and eat. Super cheap and we actually ended up at Notre Dame most days. It makes the city feel a lot more homey to have a 'spot' like that.

I highly recommend going to Chartes if you have a day to spare–it's the CUTEST, beautiful little town that really just surrounds this incredible cathedral. Sacre Coeur is phenomenal as well and the Eiffel Tower is a must. We went up twice–once at night and once during the day. The day was nice, and it's a great view of the city, but the nighttime view of Paris is just magical. I was waiting for movie cameras and dramatic music. Les Invalides is fascinating if you have the time, just to get a very in-depth perspective on the major wars of modern France, from a French perspective.

Have a fabulous time and I can't wait to hear all about it!

Congratulations Carly. I love Paris and have had the pleasure of going twice. Everything everyone has said is lovely and I agree. But PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go to Shakespeare & Co. It's a really amazing bookstore. The owner of it passed away last year but it is still operable. Travelers come and work in the store for board. But it is really fantastic if you are a book lover. They are from floor to ceiling and in every nook and cranny. I have also met some amazing staff in the shop. An Irish Pub right down the block (I think its just called that, Irish Pub) was my favorite stop after, for some quick use of English without feeling odd 😉 It has been said here, but I really love Montmartre, my favorite part in all of Paris. Go to the Two Windmills, the cafe from Amelie! And for the love of God eat plenty of Camembert sandwiches because they are the best and you can't buy real Camembert in the states. Relish in the best cheese of the world while you can. Grab a bottle of wine and watch the sunset on the banks of the Seine. And please dear, a pilgrimage to Chanel at Rue Cambon is in order.

Oh my goodness, I've been following your blog now for a few months and I swear it spooks me how similar we are! I too actually have been saving up my money to treat myself after my first year of grad school and will be going to Paris in May! I've never been but ALWAYS wanted to go. It somehow worked out perfectly because a close friend of mine is living in Paris this year (rough life ha!) and so I will be visiting her and doing everything Parisian we can, of course! I hope you have a great trip!

Paris is amazing! I was just there in January. Go to a cafe and just eat and people watch all day. The food is incredible! Make sure you get macaroons from Lauduree. They are my favorite cookie! Enjoy!

-Valerie
valeriekuller.blogspot.com

If you're going during the summer you absolutely must buy a few sandwiches and picnic supplies and just have a little picnic in the Tuilerie Gardens. When I lived in France is was one of my favorite things to do in Paris — and it still is.

Not very touristy but relaxing and very real.

Love your blog Carly! I've been a follower for over a year now. Funny story, I actually came across it when I was studying abroad and one of the places I traveled to was Paris! I spent 5 days there and it was NOT enough time. I am so excited for you! Paris is one of my favorite places in the world!
As mentioned in some previous comments, DEFINITELY visit the Musee D'Orsay!! I could have spent an entire day wandering around the floor with all of the impressionist paintings. They just took my breath away.
Explore the city at night. Get out and just walk around! That was how my friends and I found the restaurants where we had dinner and they were all FABULOUS. Dining out is on the expensive side though, so you should prepare for that, but absolutely DO NOT let the cost of the nicer restaurants keep you away. They are worth every cent!
On that note, my absolute favorite restuarant was Chez Fernand. It was on a dingy side street in the Latin Quarter that my friends and I happened to come across. Please check it out because it was AMAZING.

Everyone else's suggestions seem to be pretty great, so I will just leave you with those two from me!

Can't wait to read about your trip!

Safe Travels!

I loved Versailles. It's not really in Paris, but definitely something you should experience while you're there. My mom and I spent hours just wandering around the garden. It was absolutely beautiful. Too bad I had a son that just wants to go to Disney World all the time. Smh!!

I love Paris! One of my favourite things to do in the city is just wander around, everything is so beautiful. Walking through the different arrondissements is amazing, plus there are always so many little bakeries and cafes to stop in on if you get tired.

I'm sure everyone has already mentioned the big touristy things, but my favourite museum was the Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris. It's a museum in two townhouses with collections of paintings, sculptures, furniture and scale models that tell the story of Paris from prehistoric days to the present. I wandered in here by accident one day and keep wanting to go back.

Cafe Louise which is close to the Louvre is a good spot after a day spent at the museum. Louise, the owner, who also makes all the foods (her daughter makes the desserts) is so sweet and welcoming.

Paris is such a beautiful and magical city! It's so inspiring and completely full of possibilities. One of my favourite places is Sacré-Cœur Basilica. It's a white church at what I believe is the highest point in the city. You walk up a ton of stairs to get to it, but at night it's lit up and simply breath taking. People meet there and have late night picnics. It's a brilliant place to people watch. There's also a fountain, though I forget the name and where it is exactly, but I think it's right in the heart of Paris and people meet up for blind dates. It's such a romantic place, and even more interesting is that people who have been stood up are known to get together and go out themselves.

As spectacular and full as Paris is, it's very simple. One of the nicest things to do is simply wander the parks and streets, and eat simple but delicious food. Don't pass up the chocolate crepes, they're to die for! And spend every moment you can out exploring. Even if it's just resting with a book in a park or strolling along the water. It's a magnificent city and all this talk is making me want to go back!

Also, if you have a chance to get out of the city, the small towns are incredible, and Northern France has some gorgeous castles. There's nothing better than French countryside. Except maybe a French vineyard!

Carly,
I'll be in Paris again in another 3 weeks!! Trust me, you haven't over-romanticized anything, Paris is every bit as magical and fabulous as everyone makes it out to be! Last time I was there I really enjoyed just window shopping, there are gorgeous boutiques and little shops everywhere. You can't leave without eating Nutella crepes, fruit tartes, and without taking a nighttime cruise on the baton mouche down the river Seine! So pretty! The area around Montmartre is also quite unique and fun to walk around. I know you are going to have a fabulous time 🙂

Xoxo,
Vina
theprettyinprep.blogspot.com

I love Paris! I had such a great time when I went last summer but I did make one mistake and that was what I packed. I thought that it would be nice and warm seeing as it was July, but that was not the case! I spent the entire time freezing in cute sundresses. Not really ideal! It also rained a ton. So, just to be safe bring jeans, a trench coat, and umbrella.

keep-it-simple-with-alyssajfreitas.blogspot.com

Sweety, take a breath. Breathe. You will easily find the big things to do. It is the small, petite, things that will make your trip to Paris special. Do not spend money on fancy digs, why bother, your memories will not come from that. I say walk everywhere you can, pack lunches and eat outdoors. Be a people watcher. Step into churches wherever you can. They are beautiful and usually contain lovely art. Self guided walking tours from guide books are wonderful. Eat croissants, ice cream, and crepes. I enjoyed the Ille St. Louis very much. You will know what to do, the city will guide you. Parisians are very friendly. Make an attempt to speak their language and their hearts will open up to you. I can't wait to read about your adventures. Rebecca

I went to Paris last summer and loved it!!! Beware—summer can be chilly and rainy. In June, it was in the 50s and 60s and I was so thankful I brought a good rain jacket. I also bought Liberty of London wellies in Paris! Paris in the rain is amazing—if you're dry!

Definitely do:
a night time cruise on the Seine
Montmartre
Versailles
go shopping at Printemps and Galeries Lafayette!

Have fun!!

What a fun trip! Do as much as you can every day. Take advantage of free perks wherever you can! Eat way too many pastries (seriously) and check out every little shop or store (the grocery stores are fab!). I spent a few days there when I was a junior in high school and I am dying to go back. I should start a Paris fund – even a few dollars a month would add up in time!

leopardspot-theblog.blogspot.com

I'll be there this summer too! It's my first time, so I can't offer too much helpful advice, but I'm definitely going to "borrow" some of the tips you obtain from this post. I couldn't be more excited!

How exciting for you! I went in high school over 30 years ago, but my favorite souvenir is a huge charcoal portrait I had done by an artist at Montmartre. They used to set up easels everywhere but I've read it may not be the same. Also, as a silly high school girls, so many of my photos are of me and my friends kissing statues at Versailles and posing beside those little French sport cars (Citrons?). Ha. You're going to have the trip of a lifetime!

I just went to Paris last summer for the first time!

I took a tip from Jordan at Oh Happy Day and enjoyed the most amazing brunch at Pain et Chocolat. Be sure to check out her other Paris posts, I went to another cafe that she blogged about.

http://ohhappyday.com/2011/03/pain-et-chocolat/

I also would recommend walking tours with Paris Walks — I went on a tour of Montmartre which was really great. Most importantly, just plan to spend a lot of time wandering the streets and sipping espresso at outdoor cafes. Nothing is more Parisian than that!

How great is it to make a goal and REACH it! I wish I had the same willpower. I have never been a big fan of Paris?! I don't know why. You had definitely made me interested in researching and looking on Pinterest! (Another excuse to get on my favorite site) My only suggestion about reading and soaking in as most knowledge as possible is to read "The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain. I loved it!! It gives you a feel of how life was in Paris back in the day through Ernest Hemingway and his first marriage. Good Luck!!

I went last summer and it was amazing! Definitely visit the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louvre, Champs Elysees, The lock bridge, and Versailles! Versailles was probably one of my favorite places I went! You have to make sure to go on Sunday at 11:30 or 3:30 because the fountains will be on and trust me, they are worth being on! The fountains were beautiful. I LOVED Versailles. I went to other countries outside of France as well on this trip and Paris was by far my favorite city we visited! Oh and the crepes at the Eiffel Tower are delicious! I had a crepe with nutella and strawberries and it was literally like eating heaven…soooooo good!

I was in Paris a few summers ago…I loved all of the basic tourist stuff that everyone's mentioning, but one of my favorite parts of my trip ended up being my trip to the Fragonard Perfume Museum. It's a real French perfumerie that you can tour and learn about how some of the most famous perfume is made, and then you can take some home. I bought a bunch for my mother and for myself and I still use it daily. It was something different and special I haven't heard of many people doing, and it was one of my favorite things. (Also, Versailles is totally worthwhile. Find a way to get there for sure) Have a great trip!

ohmygosh, that is fantastic news! i am so excited for you! 😀

<3, Mimi
http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
Win a pair of Saltwater Sandals!

Bon Voyage!
Paris is a gorgeous city, I hope you have a fantastic time. Obviously you need to do the touristy things (Louvre, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower), but walking around the city is great as well. I'd definitely recommend checking out the Canal St. Martin area (and coffee shop Ten Belles) as well as many long walks through the Marais. You also MUST go to Pierre Herme, Galleries Lafayette and an outdoor market. Not to mention eat a lot of croissants…
But really, take a boat ride on the Seine. Have a great trip! 🙂

Have a great trip!! You'll fall in love! I went this summer while studying abroad — there are some things to watch out for, but it's an incredible city! I posted about it: http://www.rcsoatl.com/2012/07/paris-good-food-bad-typical.html

Have fun!!

You must read A Moveable Feast! Hemingway captures the beauty of Paris and also gives the city so much historical context if planning a trip

I was lucky enough to live in Paris for 3 years and trust me, it is impossible to over-romanticize Paris! The touristy stuff, like the Eiffel Tower and such, you must do, of course. But there are also some hidden gems. Sacre-Coeur and the Montmartre area are in every tour book, but wander the back streets of Montmartre because the cobbled streets and all the little cafes and apartment buildings are so charming. The Latin Quarter (the Marais) is another beautiful little place. I wish I had spent more time there when I lived in Paris. If you want to see a truly Parisian street market, go to Rue Poncelet. It's closest to the metro stop, Ternes on the 2, plus the little patisserie has amazing eclairs! Paris has amazing vintage shops, so you may want to look into going to some of those. On sundays, there's a bird market on the Ile de la Cité which is really fun! There's an ice cream/gelato shop called Amorino that you should visit as well! Not only is the ice cream phenomenal, they scoop it out onto a cone and shape it like a rose!

BUT my other piece of advice is DO NOT, no matter what you do, GO IN AUGUST. Not only is Paris packed with tourists, but the Parisians literally all leave the city. So many shops, restaurants and cafés are shut down for the entire month, so you must go earlier in the summer or you'll miss out on a lot of little gems and you'll be overwhelmed by all the other tourists and you won't truly be able to enjoy much of anything.

I would highly recommend going out to Giverny, where Monet's house and gardens are located. It is JAW-DROPPING. His paintings literally come to life, and it is hands down one of the most peaceful places. Versailles was nice, too, and it's sort of a touristy must-see, but if you can only go to one or the other, please go to Giverny.

Whatever you do, you're going to LOVE Paris! My biggest piece of advice is to learn a few simple phrases and use them. Parisians can be rude to Americans sometimes, because of our reputation, but if you make an effort, they will be so much nicer! Also, in French culture, when you enter a shop, it is general etiquette to always greet the shop owner, so make sure you do that! Have an amazing, amazing time, and say hello to my favorite city for me!

Paris is beautiful! I'm so excited for you!

Definitely do the touristy things. Les Invalides, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, Eiffel Tower (take the stairs, you get an incredible view of the city!), and my personal favorite Arc de Triomphe. Spend a lot of time in the museums, the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, etc. Take a river boat tour on the Seine at night… it's so romantic. And you will see the Eiffel Tower sparkle! One of my most vivid memories of the city. There's a tiny store a few blocks away from the Louvre called Claus, and it has some of the most unique fine food, and it's a little restaurant! It's adorable. And near the University (Sorbonne) there is a store called Upla, which has the cutest messenger bags. Google both, so you know the addresses.

Definitely take a trip to Versailles, and rent a bike to see Marie Antoinette's little village! And spend plenty of time walking around the gardens.

Buy fresh baguette from the Patisseries, eat plenty of macarons (OMG) and have SO MUCH FUN.

I'm currently based in Paris, so a few practical suggestions:

The RATP journey planner (which covers all Paris public transport, so buses, metros, trains, etc.) is very useful http://www.ratp.fr – and there are plenty of maps in central Paris (often right outside metro stations) which make it easy to get around without having to rely on phone apps (you've probably thought of this, but check with your phone provider about their international broadband and call rates – and sometimes, US phones won't even work in Europe…).

Paris is undeniably expensive, but there are plenty of great museums with free entry to their permanent collections; there's a list here – http://en.parisinfo.com/guide-paris/money/free-admission-and-good-deals/.

There's one tourist trap I can never avoid, namely Berthillon's ice creams (http://www.berthillon.fr/) – they're on the island next to Notre Dame.

Oh my, this is so exciting! I've been twice to Paris and I love the city, although I love London even more.
You already have plenty of fantastic advice, be sure to follow it and you'll enjoy your stay in Paris. However, I couldn't refrain from giving you some highlights based on what I've read on your blog for over a year (! – I'm sorry I've never commented before, but not having a blog and fear of showing that English is not my first language overcome me every time):

1. Do have macarons from Ladurée. They are the absolute best + You'll feel like a queen.
2. Visit Shakespeare & Co. It's just behind Nôtre Dame. If you know nothing about this bookshop, do some research before, because it is very interesting (I wish I knew how to insert links!). When you finish roaming the shelves, you can have a snack in the street that runs perpendicular to it. I recommend a French/Italian crêperie/gelateria with a name I can't remember, but with a cherub as a logo.
3. Visit the stalls by the Seine. You'll find all sorts of curious things to just have a look at, but it's also a great source of fabulous prints (to match the ones in your apartment!)
4. Have dinner in Montmartre. It is good quality, in a very Parisian place full of history and not at all expensive.
5. Visit Versailles.
6. Be prepared for lots of walking, changing weather and very persistent street vendors.
7. Have fun!

I was there last summer, so if you need any help, please send me an email!

Carly,
If you'd like to spend a day doing something a little different… I HIGHLY recommend taking a morning or evening market cooking class at Cook'n With Class cooking school!
The class was amazing- we spent a few hours perusing the Parisian marketplace with the instructor, selecting fresh foods to prepare in the class. Then, we returned to the classroom to learn how to cook a 3 course Parisian meal- with free French wine of course! It was the highlight of my trip!
Here is the link: http://www.cooknwithclass.com/
Cheers! 🙂
Alexa

How exciting! I went there about six years ago with a school group-aka I didn't have any free time to wander around the city unfortunately- nonetheless I loved it and hope to visit again soon! I HIGHLY recommend visiting Fondation Claude Monet. It's extremely beautiful and serene and to be able to experience the same beauty that's portrayed in Monet's paintings is unbelievable. A definite must! It's maybe 45 minutes to an hour outside of Paris if you're willing to travel a bit 🙂 OH! and the Luxembourg Gardens! Great place to people watch…and I do have to say…the Mary-Kate and Ashley movie Passport to Paris covers a lot of the main attractions so it's worth a watch. haha! Can't wait to hear about this trip!

I am currently in Paris, and the weather is just turning around and it's getting super beautiful! You will love this amazing city! Visit all the touristy places like Tour Eiffel, Louvre, Champs Élysées, Ladurée, Rue de St. Honoré (the street with all the big names and the original Chanel store on Rue Cambon and the original Longchamp store – I know how you love your bag!), Sacré Cœur, l'Opéra, Musée d'Orsay, l'Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, Jardin de Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg etc. But also try to go into random places and I think you'll like the bookstore Shakespeare & Co. (It's right across the Seine from Notre Dame) and there's a fondue places near Sacre Cœur called Les Refuges des Fondues (it's on rue 3 Frères) it's really good! I definitely recommend it!

And for a day trip Versailles is wonderful, and Fountainebleu, and even going to Mont Saint Michel is good too! And since you'll be here during the summer try going to Giverny where Monet painted his water lillies.

I will be here in the summer, let me know if you need anything else, like recommendation on where to eat or stay! I can email you!