I honestly can’t get enough of Paris. No matter how many times I visit, it never gets old, and I immediately want to go back the literal second I leave.
I love the city in every season, but winter, especially December, is my absolute favourite time to go. There’s something about the lights, the festive vibes, and the way the city feels extra magical that makes it feel completely different from anywhere else, and any other time of year.
This trip was one of my favourites yet, so I thought I’d share a little diary of what we got up to.
Monday 4th December
We started the day early, driving from Bristol to London and parking near King’s Cross using JustPark so our car was safely parked on someone’s driveway. I really recommend doing this as it’s so much cheaper than car parks or road parking in London, and we always get a spot within 10ish minutes walk to the station.
We left St Pancreas and that’s always the cue that the trip has begun. I love the Eurostar, and find the train a part of the trip to be honest. When we arrived in Paris we did the usual taxi queue outside the station and got dropped off right outside our apartment, which was just off the top of the Champs Élysées. It couldn’t have been a better location and I was just so excited to be right where we wanted to be, surrounded by millions of Christmas lights and holiday shopping chaos – I know, I think I’m the only person who actually enjoys being in the middle of the busyness.
We quite literally dropped our bags and walked over to Swatch because Toby’s been wanting a Moon Swatch for ages, and last time they sold out everyday, so we thought seeing at we were two minutes walk away we’d see if they had what he was looking for.
Amazingly they had the one he wanted so we really did kick the trip off with a bang. Afterwards, we had a quick look around Sephora (of course) and I picked up the Charlotte Tilbury foundation as I’d wanted to try it for years and can’t believe I still haven’t!
Even though we already had a dinner reservation at Aubrac for the next day, we ended up there for dinner because it was just across the road and we didn’t want to look around for somewhere to eat for ages, and we knew it would hit the spot.
We had steak, which was amazing as always, and a couple of drinks before heading back to our Airbnb for an early night.
Tuesday
We woke up, put on a Christmas movie while getting ready, and hang out in our Airbnb together until we were ready for the day.
I think it might actually be my favourite Airbnb we’ve stayed in so far, it was the perfect size, the location was incredible, and I loved the decor.
Once we were ready, we walked straight to Starbucks on the Champs Élysées for a matcha because I definitely needed the energy and as you know, Starbucks tends to be a winner because they do almond milk (don’t worry I will get to the good matcha spots later).
Our first stop was the other Galeries Lafayette, which is huge compared to the one on the Champs Élysées. It’s one of those department stores you could easily get lost in for hours, and even thought we loved having a browse around, it was absolute chaos in a way neither of us were particularly up for. It was giving Oxford Street on Christmas Eve, and that’s a level of panic I don’t enjoy.
After that, we took the metro to the bottom of the Champs Élysées, starting at our favourite whisky shop – a little tradition of ours that I get excited for every year.
Every trip, we buy a special bottle to take home, and this time we went for a Japanese whisky called Kujira, which is made from rice.
Next up was one of my happy places – The Royal Village. We always stop for a drink there because it’s such a calm, pretty spot in the middle of the city, and it always makes me so happy to be back. it’s the place I imagine when I’m having a bad day, and I’m really trying to manifest living in this area one day (please, please, please)!
After this we went to Loewe, and I have to preface this with the face that I’ve had the Puzzle Bag on my wishlist for about two years now, and after narrowing down a few options this year, the Puzzle always came out on top… and if you’re going to invest then where better to do it than in Paris?
Earlier in the day at Galeries Lafayette, I’d tried on the small size and thought I’d made my mind up, but when I tried the mini in the Loewe store, I knew that was the one. It feels more me, and I feel like for now, it’s much more wearable for my style.
That evening we went back to Aubrac for our reservation, but sat upstairs this time which gave it a completely different vibe. I ordered an espresso martini to celebrate my new bag, and it was the perfect way to end the best day ever.
Because we’re both self employed, we don’t get to have a Christmas party this time of year, and I’m always so jealous of my friends getting dressed up and having a crazy time, so for the last few years we’ve gone for dinner and drinks and then onto a casino as our own little version. Of course, we wanted to do this in Paris rather than doing in back in Bristol, so we went to the Club Barrière, which was honestly so much fun.
It was such a beautiful place, and we had the best time playing blackjack with lovely people at the table and the nicest dealers. If you haven’t been to a casino, it’s not all about gambling like I used to imagine, it’s such a fun place to meet people and have a great night, especially if you have a good table and you kind of all play together and get so invested in each others bets.
Wednesday
We started the day with a walk to the Arc de Triomphe. It was so close to where we were staying that we could just pop over rather than travelling over, which was amazing, as we’ve never actually had time to walk the steps to the top, which we did do this time. The views are truly amazing, and I would even say it’s the best view in Paris.
After that, we stopped at the Apple Store because I needed a new phone case… you won’t find another Apple store like this I guarantee you! If you’re in Paris please go, it’s worth it just to see the old building and beautiful architecture.
Next, we headed to Trocadéro for a coffee – something I’ve been doing since I was 18. It might be touristy, but I’ll never get tired of sitting there, sipping coffee, looking at the Eiffel Tower and people watching.
In the afternoon, we went to the Samaritaine department store by Pont Neuf, which I’d never been to before. It’s easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever shopped – so much calmer than Galeries Lafayette, and architecturally stunning.
The restored painting on the top floor is so beautiful, it feels like you’re shopping in a museum. We shopped and then stopped for a drink before heading on to my next must-visit spot – Matcha Social Club.
You know how much I love matcha, and this place is my heaven. They serve ceremonial grade matcha with almond milk, which is surprisingly hard to find, and it’s the best matcha you’ll find. The area itself is lovely too, so we stayed in the area for drinks and dinner at La Belle Époque. I can’t recommend it enough – great atmosphere, amazing staff, and I loved that they had their own bespoke Le Labo candle burning.
We ended the night with a wander through the Christmas market along the Champs Élysées – busy and touristy, but so festive and fun that it’s always worth it.
Thursday
It was raining in the morning, so we decided it was the perfect time to visit La Galerie Dior. I’d been wanting to go for ages, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations, and Toby loved it too. The whole place is incredible – full of iconic Dior pieces, beautiful colours and displays. Even if you’re not that into fashion, it’s such a special place to see in Paris.
Afterwards, we stopped at Chez Francais café for coffee and fries while looking out over the Eiffel Tower, which was the perfect little break, and another one of my favourite places (everywhere is my favourite place at this point it seems haha)!
I’ve had a photo of a Paris street as my screensaver for years, and this trip I wanted to find it in real life. We did, and it turned out to be right next to Thoumioux, so we walked there, took photos and just soaked up the feeling of being in my favourite place.
Later, we stopped in Saint-Germain-des-Prés for dinner and cocktails at Prescription Cocktail Club – a gorgeous, prohibition-style bar with really creative drinks and such a nice atmosphere.
Friday
Leaving day always makes me sad, and this time was especially hard because I loved our apartment so much, and the trip had been such a busy, fun, amazing whirlwind.
We got up early to catch the Eurostar back to London, and once we arrived, we checked into a hotel in Angel for the night because we were staying to see friends and go to the theatre, thank GOD, because I was so happy to extend this trip in any way possible!
We met friends for dinner, went to the Dominion Theatre to see Elf (which was so much fun) and finished the night with a drink before heading to bed completely exhausted but so happy.
Saturday
We woke up in London and decided to make the most of it before heading home because now I don’t live so close, I actually don’t spend anywhere near as much time in London, and I really miss it.
We walked along Oxford Street, popped into Liberty (obviously a must at Christmas), Ganni, Cutter & Squidge for their amazing vegan cakes, and then Gail’s Bakery for Toby because he needs to stock up on cheese twists of course haha!
After that, it was time to drive back to Bristol to see Buddy – who we’d missed so much and is really the sole reason I even went home and didn’t try to hop back on the Eurostar to go back to Paris.
We had the best time. Paris just feels like home to me, and every time I leave I already start planning when I can go back. This trip was full of everything I love –Parisian cafés, amazing food, boojie shops, and Christmas magic.
