‘Paris Is Always A Good Idea’ ~ Audrey Hepburn

48 Hour Whirlwind Parisian Escapade.

First time visiting Paris ? I’ve got you and your itinerary covered. Where we stayed. What we ate. What we did.

Monday 15th April 2024 - Day One

Our arrival in Paris at 9 am via the Eurostar from London St Pancreas was a smooth and enjoyable experience. Known for its high-speed rail service connecting various European cities such as Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam provided us with a stress-free journey to the French capital. I found the ease and comfort of traveling via Eurostar far superior to air travel. No need to arrive at the station hours before departure - we arrived just an hour ahead, thanks to the convenience and efficiency of Eurostar. Personally, I found traveling by train much more enjoyable than taking a flight - no long security lines, no cramped seats, just a smooth and scenic journey without any concerns about baggage allowance or liquid restrictions. While we did have to go through passport control and security, which is understandable given that we were technically entering a different country, the process was efficient and well-organised.

Hilton Paris Opera 📍108 Rue Saint - Lazare, 75008 Paris, France

We took a taxi to our hotel, the beautiful Hilton Paris Opera which totally met our expectations with the breathtaking decor, impeccable service & ideal location. Conveniently situated within a maximum 20-30 minute taxi ride to all the main attractions, the Hilton Opera provided us with easy access to explore Paris. A few days prior, I had reached out to the hotel mentioning that I am an independent travel agent and kindly requested an early check-in. To our delight, the hotel graciously accommodated our request, allowing us to check in at 10am instead of the usual 1600pm check-in time. This early check-in privilege offered us several benefits, including the opportunity to freshen up after our journey, drop off our luggage, relax before starting mini break.

If you know me then you will know that I’m a planner. Sure, not everything sticks to the plan, but I like to map out my trips to make sure I catch all the good stuff in the city. I don't get many chances to travel solo. But when I do get the opportunity, you bet I'm going to make it count by soaking in all the sights and experiences that have been on the bucket list. So here’s what went down on day one;

Rooftop views of Paris Galeries Lafayette 📍40 Bd Haussmann, 75008 Paris

First stop was Galeries Lafayette, a short walk from our hotel. For those of you who might not know, Galeries Lafayette is a department store in Paris that's all about luxury shopping and style. Picture this: rows of high-end fashion brands, accessories, gourmet food and more, all under one roof. But what makes it truly special is its jaw-dropping glass dome and a rooftop offering the most incredible views of the city. It's not just a shopping spot; it's like stepping into a Parisian dream. So, of course, we had to kick off our adventure by soaking in the magic of Galeries Lafayette, a must-visit gem in the heart of Paris.

Lunch at Ralphs 📍173 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris

To make the most of our short two-day trip, we pre-booked a few restaurants in advance to skip the long queues and ensure we got to dine where we wanted. Planning ahead saved us from any dining disappointments and allowed us to savor our limited time in Paris without worrying about where to eat. So after exploring Galeries Lafayette, we stopped by Ralph's for lunch and let me tell you it was a real treat. I have a soft spot for beautiful interiors and gardens, and this restaurant ticked all the boxes. The experience was a solid 10. From the delicious food to the cozy ambiance and the interior all exuded the classic Ralph Lauren style. It was cold, so we didn't quite get to enjoy the courtyards. I can only imagine how beautiful this will be in the summer.

Coffee & Cake at Ladurée 📍75 Av. des Champs-Elysees, 75008, Paris

Arc de Triomphe📍 Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris

After lunch we took a walk down Champs Elysées for some casual window shopping, some cake and coffee & a visit to the Arc de Triomphe.

Our Paris trip wouldn't have been complete without a pit stop at the famous Ladurée for some coffee and cake. The café was beautifully decorated, offering plenty of spots for those cute, girly photos. If you ever find yourself there, do yourself a favour and try the incredible vanilla millefeuille - you won't regret it. While the service fell a bit short of expectations, the live pianist, scrumptious coffee and cake, and the charming interior all came together to create the perfect setting for a delightful experience.

We had pre booked a Seine River cruise for early evening. Personally, I feel I would have enjoyed it more at night, as the daytime views didn't wow me as much. Seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle from the river at night would have been more magical, I think. Nonetheless, I don't regret it at all because we got to see many bridges and popular sites, all at a reasonable cost. I booked the cruise from the UK for about €16 per person. I have attached the link below.

Eiffel Tower 📍Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007, Paris

Link i used to book the 1 hour SeineRiver Cruise;

https://www.headout.com/sightseeing-cruises/seine-river-sightseeing-cruise-in-paris-e-5730/

By this point, we were utterly exhausted, having been up since 2 am that morning. So after a well needed refresh and sometime to relax we ventured out for a view of the Eiffel Tower by night. It was the perfect way to cap off the day. The ambiance was brilliant with a live busker adding to the atmosphere. Surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded allowing us to wonder around at the Eiffel Tower and watch her sparkling against the night sky. A helpful tip: the Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour, on the hour for five minutes, so make sure you arrive in time to avoid unnecessary waiting.

Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Day 2

Day two kicked off with the morning spent at Le Café Marly, nestled in the heart of the Louvre. This is one of those places you really want to be as good as everyone says. You can read all the reviews you want, but until you're there, you never know for sure. I'm the type who likes to check out reviews before trying a new spot, and I can quite confidently tell you that it lived up to the hype. Despite the chill in the air we decided to sit outside on the terrace. We were given blankets to keep warm while soaking the views of the iconic Louvre and watching the lively bustle of people passing by all while enjoying freshly brewed coffee, decadent hot chocolate and buttery croissants. It's such a cute spot and also that spot for taking all those instagramable pictures. It was the perfect morning. A simple, cosy experience that made our visit to Café Marly quite enjoyable. I would definitely recommend a visit here. Although it wasn’t as busy for us, I can only imagine how busy would get once the weather gets warmer so try to book in advance if you can.

Lunch at Pink Mamma , which TikTok made us do &  I can confirm the restaurant lives up to the buzz. The food, especially the buratta and truffle pasta, was exceptional and some of the best Italian I've ever tasted. The decor was equally impressive with a charming mix of portraits, lamps, and greenery that gave the place a fairytale-like ambiance. The restaurant is spread over 4 floors & being seated on the top floor was a stroke of luck, allowing us to enjoy the stunning skylight (which it is known for) and captivating atmosphere. The Instagrammable staircase added to the charm of the place. It really is an escape from the bustling streets of Paris. Again, make sure to reserve well in advance to avoid the long queues.

Breakfast at Le Cafe Marly 📍93 Rue de Rivoli, 75001, Paris

Lunch at Pink Mamma 📍20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris

With the first half of the day spent indulging in some amazing food we took a walk down  Rue de l’Universite to get a close view and some pictures of the Eiffel Tower. Would you believe the sun was shining so bright, it finally felt like a beautiful spring afternoon and within the space of 15 minutes there was a downpour of rain and hailstones. But that did not stop us from enjoying that iconic view. If you're looking for a quiet and beautiful spot to get closer to the Eiffel Tower & for some pretty pictures, I suggest checking out Rue de l'Université. This street is not too busy and offers a lovely view of the iconic landmark.

Best view of Eiffel Tower📍Rue de l’universite

To wrap up our day, we popped to Galleries Lafayette to grab some gifts for the kids before heading back to our hotel. There, we capped off our wonderful trip with a coffee and a toast to the most wonderful girly trip at Le Grand Salon Cocktail bar.

Le Grand Salon Cocktail bar 📍108 Rue Saint Lazare, 75008, Paris

And that's a wrap! Whether you've explored Paris before or are dreaming of your first visit, I've shared my 48-hour itinerary with you, with the hope to provide you with inspiration and guidance. I wanted to make sure I didn't miss a thing and have shared every moment with you. I hope you've enjoyed it. I'm already looking forward to my next trip back to this beautiful city and this time with my Amber. Please do share your thoughts in the comments below, and if you have any suggestions for me, I'd love to hear them.

Until the next time, take care and happy travels!

My love to you always, speak soon x