So many of our guests choose to enhance their Beautiful Villages of Provence experience by adding a few days pre or post to another destination... And in France, one of the most obvious choices is of course, Paris! If you're heading to this iconic city before or after Provence, this post offers you some alternative suggestions...
For Terese and I, travel is deeply engrained in our DNA... And we've personally been touring Europe for over 4 decades... We've been to Paris many times. but we haven't been back for quite a few years... Like many people, we too watched the Paris Olympics in 2024 which brought back so many amazing memories for us... This year, we promised ourselves ~ We're going back!
There is a certain magic in returning to a city that has lived in your memory for years, only to find that its pulse is just as vibrant ~ and the butter in its croissants just as unapologetically rich as you remembered. Some of you have asked for the best way to bookend your journey with a Parisian interlude... We ourselves have been thinking about this, as Terese & I have planned our personal vacation in Paris after Provence this summer.. and this time, we decided to leave (most of) the "must-see" checklist at home. Instead, we're embracing a bit of our slow-travel whimsy: the kind where a perfectly timed picnic by the Seine is more important than a museum queue, and a couple glasses of wine and some "professional people-watching" is a legitimate afternoon itinerary...
What follows isn't a rigid schedule or a professional directive ~ far from it! Just some personal thoughts... Think of these as a collection of postcards meant to possibly spark a bit of wanderlust... We’ve curated these suggestions for those of you who, like us, may prefer to savor the city rather than sprint through it... Whether you use these ideas to navigate the hidden corners of the Marais or simply to find the best spot for a sunset glass of Rosé, we hope they offer a little inspiration for your own Parisian detour... Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and above all ~ do the things you want to do & allow yourself the luxury of getting a little bit lost...
Highlights & Inspiration For Your Parisian Interlude:
The Art of the "Brief Encounter": Greet the icons (Eiffel, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe) with a tip of the hat rather than a four-hour wait... (if you're going up, or going in, plan your timing, and buy tix in advance)
The Moveable Feast: Tips for curating the perfect riverside picnic with finds from the local boulangerie and fromagerie.
The Slow Stroll: Exploring the bohemian soul of the Canal Saint-Martin or the elevated greenery of the Promenade Plantée.
River Perspectives: Using the Seine as your primary transit for a relaxing, high-vantage view of the city’s architectural grandeur.
After the golden sun and lavender-scented air of Provence, Paris can feel like a totally different world ~ but it’s one that speaks the same language of beauty and slow, intentional living. For those of you extending your journey, think of these days not as a frantic checklist of monuments, but perhaps as a celebratory "Grand Encore."
We’ve designed this interlude with suggestions for the savvy traveler: the one who would rather sip a crisp Sancerre while people-watching on a sun-drenched terrace than stand in a three-hour line for a glimpse of a famous painting... This is by no means a full daily activity itinerary... These are just a handful of suggestions about catching the "vibe" of the city... the subtle click-clack of heels on cobblestones, the smell of warm butter from a corner boulangerie, and the way the Paris light turns everything to rose-gold at dusk... Consider this your invitation to wander, to linger, and to fall in love with the city’s quietest, and most evocative corners...
The Parisian Interlude: A Slow-Travel Itinerary
Day 1: The Icons & The River Start your first morning at the Trocadéro for that classic, breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower... it’s the best way to say "Bonjour" to the city without the crowds at the base. From there, perhaps wander down to the Seine... Skip the narrated tourist cruises and hop on the Batobus; it’s the local water taxi that lets you hop on and off at your leisure. In the afternoon, pick up a fresh baguette, some aged Comté, and perhaps a bottle of wine for a quintessential picnic at Square du Vert-Galant ~ the very tip of the Île de la Cité ~ where you can watch the river flow by at eye level... (by the way, the late night light show at the park in front of the Eiffel Tower is a memory that will last forever ~ this too calls for a small blanket & a bottle of wine)
Day 2: The Heart of the Marais Dedicate your second day to the Marais, Paris’s oldest and perhaps most soulful district. Stroll through the Place des Vosges, the city’s most elegant square, and get lost in the narrow medieval streets nearby... This is the place for "discovery shopping" ~ think tiny paper boutiques and independent galleries... For lunch, join the lively queue for a world-famous falafel on the Rue des Rosiers, or find a sun-drenched table at a sidewalk café and watch the world’s most stylish people pass you by... (if you're brave enough, pick up a red beret & a classic French Navy shirt and wear it for the day !)
Day 3: Left Bank Luxe & Luxembourg Cross over to the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and immerse yourself in the literary history of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This charming neighborhood is perfect for people-watching with its lively cafes and chic boutiques... Visit the legendary Café de Flore ~ not just for the coffee, but for the history that practically seeps out of the walls... If you can't handle the idea of the crowds at The Louvre, but want the museum experience, consider The Musee d'Orsay... Spend your afternoon in the Jardin du Luxembourg, perhaps the most beautiful park in the world. Grab one of the iconic green metal chairs near the Medici Fountain and simply be... Luxembourg Gardens is a wonderful spot for what Terese & I like to call "The Chic Peek-nique..." This is slow-travel at its finest!
Day 4: Montmartre Mornings & Secret Passages On your final day, head to Montmartre early (around 8:30 AM) to see the Sacré-Cœur before the midday rush. Explore Place du Tertre (artists' square), browse the unique shops, and discover the hidden vineyards (Vigne de Montmartre). Or instead of the main tourist square, wander the back streets behind the basilica to see the vines of the only remaining vineyard in Paris. Grab a delicious and affordable crêpe from a crêperie like Crêperie Chez Germain or Breizh Café (known for their creative galettes) in Montmartre... Finish your trip with a stroll through the Passages Couverts ~ a 19th-century glass-roofed shopping arcades like Galerie Vivienne. They are hidden architectural gems that feel like stepping back into a Belle Époque dream...
The French Kiss: A Dining Shortlist
Traveler’s Tip: In Paris, a "Bouillon" is a historic, high-ceilinged canteen that serves traditional French fare at incredibly fair prices. They don’t take reservations, so arrive early (around 11:45 AM or 6:30 PM) to secure a spot. As so many restaurant prices in Paris have gotten astronomical, the classic Bouillons have once again become a staple of Paris cuisine... you don't have to spend a fortune on dinner to have a great time!
The Notable Bouillons (Classic & Grand)
Bouillon Chartier (Grands Boulevards): A legendary time capsule. The waiters still scribble your order right on the paper tablecloth. It’s bustling, loud, beautiful and quintessentially Paris...
Bouillon Julien: For the Art Nouveau lovers. It is arguably the most beautiful dining room in the city, adorned with shimmering mirrors and ornate moldings, yet you can still enjoy a three-course meal for a very modest price...
Hand-Picked Bistros
- Chez Janou (The Marais): Since you’re coming from Provence, you’ll feel right at home here. It’s a lively Provençal bistro famous for its massive chocolate mousse (served in a communal bowl!) and an impressive list of over 80 pastis varieties...
- Bistro Paul Bert (11th Arr.): A true institution. If you want the definitive Steak Frites or a perfectly executed Sole Meunière in a room that feels like a warm hug, this is the place.
- Les Philosophes (The Marais): The perfect corner spot for a long lunch. Their onion soup is a local favorite, and the terrace is prime real estate for people-watching.
- Le Relais de l’Entrecôte: If you want the quintessential Parisian experience, look for Le Relais de l’Entrecôte. It is a true Parisian legend, famous for having absolutely no menu... There are no menu & no choices here except how you like your steak. For about €30, you get a walnut salad, two rounds of steak in their famous secret sauce, and unlimited fries. They don’t take reservations, so the line is part of the ritual ~ grab a glass of wine at a nearby bar if the queue looks long!
This video provides a great visual tour of the "Bouillon" experience, showing the stunning interiors and classic dishes you can expect at these historic Parisian institutions.
