A Brief Escape to Paris, Short, Sweet, and So Full
- MY MOOD
- Jul 20
- 5 min read
Finally, the weather in Europe turned consistently warm and lovely—just in time for my holiday in Paris with my dear friend. Europe is filled with fascinating destinations, making it difficult to choose just one—especially for a long weekend getaway. But, Paris is a dream—a timeless destination that keeps calling you back. Though I had visited before, I felt as excited as I did on my very first trip.
With just two nights and half a day, we kept our goals simple: food and shopping—likely two of the top reasons many people visit Paris. So, my friend and I pinned all the shops, restaurants, and bars we wanted to try on Google Maps—around 70 in total. Impossible to visit them all, of course, but that was the spirit!
Day 1
When we arrived in the city centre, we realised it was the day of the Champions League final—and Paris Saint-Germain was one of the teams playing. Fans were everywhere in their PSG jerseys, and the city buzzed with energy. We decided to head to our hotel to drop off our luggage—but getting there took a few hours. Lesson learned: always check the accessibility of your hotel before booking. I chose it for the charm and safety of the neighbourhood, but for such a short stay, convenience might have been the smarter choice.
After settling in at the hotel and getting ready for the afternoon, we headed to our first restaurant in Paris. We stayed at Hôtel de l’Espérance in the 5th arrondissement, just a 15-minute walk from the Jardin du Luxembourg. The neighbourhood was charming—quiet yet full of life, with a relaxed, village-like atmosphere and plenty of cafés, bars, and restaurants. I had found a place called Le Vieux Bistrot, where we could enjoy tartare de bœuf—something I couldn’t imagine skipping. My friend and I are both big fans of raw meat, so it felt like an essential stop.
The restaurant had a wonderfully homey atmosphere, and the staff matched it with their warmth—even though every table was full. They looked after us with friendliness, serving delicious food and a lovely glass of wine that paired beautifully with the meal.
After savouring our meal, we took a stroll to the Jardin du Luxembourg, then wandered into the 6th arrondissement. One of my favourite wine bars, Le Vin en Bouche, is tucked away in this area, but unfortunately it had already finished the service by the time we arrived. Still, we stumbled upon a quiet little hotel bar just down the same residential street, hidden from the bustle of the main road, and decided to stop in. The bartender created a custom spicy margarita for us—it tasted like heaven.
They were happy to craft any cocktail you could imagine, as long as they had the ingredients. A true hidden gem.
Day 2
After waking up feeling refreshed in our compact Parisian hotel room, we walked along a quiet street lined with local pâtisseries and boulangeries in search of a sweet, simple breakfast. We were craving something light and satisfying. At a quiet corner, we came across a charming boulangerie called Merci Jérôme. A large, sugar-dusted brioche caught my eye—the soft, sweet scent perfectly suited my mood. I ordered one along with a caffe latte. It always amazes me how a single, unassuming bite can light up your whole face with joy. This was no exception—just the kind of small joy that makes a morning feel special.
After our lovely morning bite, we made our way into the city, heading toward the Saint-Germain area. Our main stops were Citypharma and Officine Universelle Buly 1803—two places I’d been excited to revisit.
Citypharma is a well-known pharmacy, famous for its discounted French skincare brands such as Nuxe, BIODERMA, and La Roche-Posay. It’s typically bustling with both locals and tourists, all hoping to stock up on their favourites at unbeatable prices.
Officine Universelle Buly is a French heritage brand offering beautifully crafted beauty products. Their range includes candles, body lotions, oils, and fragrances—each with a refined scent profile. Their packaging, elegant and nostalgic, is a visual delight in itself and undeniably part of their charm.
Although the store opens at 11 a.m., a queue had already formed by the time we arrived just a few minutes past opening. If you’re planning a visit, I’d definitely recommend arriving a bit early.
We sampled nearly every scent in the collection—they truly offer an impressive variety. I fell in love with three in particular, but unfortunately, all of them were sold out in perfume form.
Here’s a tip: they restock on Tuesdays, and if you miss out in-store, you can always place an order online.
After picking up a few beauty essentials, we wandered up toward the 2nd arrondissement. The neighbourhood is lined with elegant architecture and effortlessly stylish Parisians. Simply strolling through the streets felt like drifting deeper into a dream.
Our next stop was SÉZANE, but to my disappointment, it was closed! I hadn’t checked the hours beforehand — a rookie mistake. SÉZANE stores are usually closed on Sundays (take note!), and some locations also remain closed on Mondays. So, we decided to return the following day and instead headed to Rouje, famously founded by French fashion icon Jeanne Damas.
Visiting the Rouje boutique had long been a dream of mine — especially to purchase their iconic fitted top in Paris. And finally, it came true! I was thrilled. The boutique itself was beautifully feminine, and the staff were warm and attentive. As I stepped out, I felt a little bittersweet knowing my first Rouje visit had come to an end — the experience was truly special. Also, my friend purchased beautiful clothes and some accessories. We were both so satisfied.
Now, it was time to explore Le Marais, an area we were incredibly looking forward to visiting.
This vibrant neighbourhood is brimming with charming boutiques, cosy cafés, restaurants, and bars. As we wandered through its streets, we found ourselves both inspired and delighted by the variety and atmosphere.
We popped into several shops, including Ysé Paris and Jonak. I also treated myself to some exquisite jewellery from beautiful stores there. A list of the places we visited is at the end of this blog.
After a full day of exploring the city, it was finally time for dinner. We made our way to the 11th arrondissement, where we discovered a natural wine bar called JONES. Their selection focuses entirely on natural wines, but they also offer beer and other beverages. It was my first time in this area, which I found to be wonderfully hip, filled with cool bars and restaurants.
JONES featured an eye-catching menu, and it took us a while to decide what to order. In the end, we chose three dishes to share, which are listed below:
Grilled padrons, date cream and gorgonzola
Red tuna crudo, wild asparagus and XO sauce
Spaghetti, oyster tartare with wild fennel, hay butter
In conclusion, we made an absolutely stunning choice. In particular, the spaghetti was, in my opinion, one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever tasted.
The menu changes quite frequently, so I’m already looking forward to trying other dishes on my next visit to Paris.
Satisfied with our dinner and a full day of exploring, we wrapped up our second day in the city. Paris is vast, with so many more places left to discover, but our short stay had come to an end.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my Paris adventure and that it has inspired you for your next holiday!
MY MOOD
Places visited in Le Marais:
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