A Weekend Break Guide: Paris

There are a 1,000 reasons why Paris is a great location for a weekend break. Its close to the UK and Europe by air or the Eurotunnel, its super romantic if you are going with a loved one or fabulous shopping if you are going with friends and its got some very instagrammable places to snap. So this is a little guide to what I got up to on my weekend break.

Be Aware: It's not known for being cheap.

How To Get There

 So there are a few options to get to Paris you can Eurostar it or you can take a leaf out of my book and fly. I popped to Heathrow after work and got a flight with Air France which was pretty simple and one of the shortest, short haul flights you can get and with prices from £78 return you can't really complain. I also have 8 Tips to flying short haul, if your interested in taking a gander.

When you land in Paris its best to already have your transport planned as the most easiest and cost effective way is via Viator with there airport roundtrip transfer, the cars are lush and the drivers are so polite which is just want you need when you get off the plane. There got us to our hotel with ease and then we had the same driver back again - I cant recommend enough.

Where To Stay

When you get to Paris you need to do it in style and for a bit of luxury you can't go wrong with InterContiental, Paris Le Grand. The hotel is pure luxury with regal style rooms to make you feel like a princess. There are plenty of deals online to get the best price but I threw in the Luxury Spa Package which gets you get a 25 minute body massage and a 50 minute radiance facial (you can move the timings around) for two people. This was definitely needed after a full days work being a tourist.

Get ready for some stunning views and as I popped my head outside the hotel there was the world-famous Palais Garnier or home to Paris Opera. Thats one tourist attraction ticked off your list. If you head to this hotel I recommend getting the buffet breakfast as part of your deal at the famous Café de la Paix which is a stunning location filled with pain au chocolate and baguettes galore.

What To Do

For a weekend break in Paris there are a few key places to go but if you are stuck for choices you can use the Air France Paris City Guide which has everything from the current time to tasty strolls.

Palais Garnier, Opera

8 Rue Scribe, 75009, Paris

Price: Free to look, price varies depending on show.

As mentioned if you end up staying at the InterContiental, Paris Le Fran then the Opera is outside your window but if not its definitely worth the journey to have a look at the intricate architecture and the sheer size of this magnificent building.

Love Lock Bridge

Ponts des Arts, 75006, Paris

Price: Free to look, a few £ for a lock which are sold at the bridge.

Tourists renamed Ponts des Arts in 2008 as Love Lock Bridge where loved-up couples fixed locks as tokens of their love. The Ponts des Arts bridge crosses the river Seine so its a lovely walk and links up with Palais du Louvre if you are walking in that direction.

Eiffel Tower

Champ de Mars, 5 Avneue Anatole France, 75007, Paris

Price: 17

You can't come to Paris and not visit the Eiffel Tower, even if you have visited it multiple times before. Somehow, Adam and I ended up going the back way and I can defiantly say its worth walking around the Eiffel tower, there are some beautiful gardens and I got a totally different perspective of the tower. You don't need to pay the entry to take in the view from down below.

Parks & Gardens

We were lucky enough to have the sun shining and what better way to explore than a walk through the parks and gardens around Paris. Air Frances' city guide can tell you all the best places.

The Louvre

Musee du Louvre, 75001, Paris

Price: 15

The Musee du Louvre is just BEAUTIFUL with that glass pyramid in the centre is just draws you in but we warned the queues can be crazy! Best to pre-purchase tickets. If you're after a art and culture hit whilst is Paris the Louvre is the one for you where you can see the Mona Lisa!

Le Palais Royal

8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001, Paris

Price: Free to walk around the gardens.

If you go on the a little 5 minute walk you can come upon the the blogger location spot of dreams at Le Palais Royal. There are just some stunning gardens where everything seems to be symmetrical and then an area full of black and white stumps of all different sizes. If you get out your Olympus Pen and that 45 mm lens you are on to winner. 

Notre-Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre-Dame, 75004, Paris

The Notre-Dame Cathedral just takes me back to my youth and reminds me of the Disney classic, The Huntchback of Notre-Dame. It is a site to be seen and its huge.

Where to Eat & Drink

InterContinental for cocktails; they are pricey but damn they are tasty and anywhere that gives free nuts is a winner is my eyes.

Champeaux

Forum des Halles La Canopee, 75001, Paris

££

In an open air shopping centre so you can get your Sepora fix before you head in for food. Fashioned in a contemporary canteen style, this restaurant is light and airy, perfect for a lunch in Paris when its a bit too cold to sit outside.

Starter: Charcuterie board with a mixture of cured ham, saucisson, terrine and grattons (Perfect to share)

Main: Fillet steak with peppered sauce and green beans

Dessert: Creme Brulee

Les Pinces 2

43 Rue Mazarine, Paris

££

Lobster or Steak, that is the question...there is not much else to it. This simple but tasty menu pulls in the tourists and locals alike for a relaxed atmosphere. You can feast on a lobster, lobster roll or steak (of course I went for the lobster) and the good value and delicious taste means I will be back again. Oooo and the homemade french fries were tasty!

Prescription Cocktail Club

23 Rue Mazarine, 75006, Paris

£££

This is so close to Les Pinces you would be silly not to give it a whirl. There are no photos because this place is so dark you can barley see the cocktail in front of you but with its speakeasy style and pretty drinks you are instantly drawn in.

Angelina Paris

226 Rue de Rivoli, 70051, Paris

£££

Looking for a sweat treat or just somewhere to take a delicious looking photo? Look no further than Angelina Paris. I have heard the hot chocolate tastes incredible but the eclairs, macaroons and cakes just look like they were made for a royal - I had two, but I will let the photos do the talking.

What to wear

Be Parisian chic with both of these outfits.

What am I wearing: 

Bomber Jacket: Topshop Top: Zara Basic | Shorts: Boohoo.com | Shoes: Lacoste |Backpack: Michael Kors (ON SALE) | Sunglasses: Gucci |Necklace: Mawi | Rings: JewelleryBox.co.uk |Bracelet: Astrid & Miyu| Watch: Links of London

What am I wearing: Dress: House of Frazer (BIBA), Sunglasses: Gucci | Handbag: Monnier Freres, Philip Lim | Watch: Links of London 

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Time2Travel: Bath Day 1

From living in the UK for god knows how many years I have visited very few places so the other weekend we dropped everything else and traveled up to Bath with my other half with a weekend break.

Day 1

Travel To Bath: First Great Western

If you are traveling from London the best way to go is from Paddington via First Great Western and from traveling everywhere by train I was impressed especially as my phone was already nearly dead before the trip has even started and every seat has a plug - not just the special people who manage to get a table :-)

 

Where2Stay: The Francis, Mercure

Right in the heart of Bath next to a quaint park and a cheese shop is The Francis Hotel part of the MGallery Collection.

The Francis occupies seven of the original of townhouses and in the hotel it tells you where A new house begins. You will notice that the floors are not straight they slope up and down depending to which house you are in.

The hotel has modern, eclectic decor and is pretty beautiful - perfect for a photo shoot. Everywhere we visited in Bath was only a short walk away from the conveniently positioned hotel.

Like many places in Bath afternoon tea is served daily at Francis Hotel but for a more formal dining experience visit chef Raymond Blanc’s Brasserie Blanc, for beautiful French cuisine which we visited recently in London and can truly say it was scrumptious.

Francis Hotel is part of the unique MGallery collection of individual hotels, none of which conforms to the norm and all of which promise a journey of discovery both within their charming and remarkable walls and beyond.

Beautiful Architecture 

Awkward photo of moi

The beautiful architecture of the houses and buildings was just outstanding. 

New Boots

So although I loved all the independent stores I have been really wanting some knee high boots and I was lusting of the Stuart Weitzman ones but with the high price tag i sadly could not afford them. But recently  I spotted some look-a-likes from Carvela with a gold plates on the back heel from TKMAXX for £90 and I love them. With my lower legs being quite gangly i find it a real struggle to find boots that don't slouch down to my ankles - what do you think?!?

Boots Carvela: Buy the suede versions here

Dress: Armani

Where2Eat: Browns Bath

After a lovely day shopping we headed down to the river, right in the centre of town, next to the Guidhall and Bath Abbey. Every building in bath looks like it used to be home to something Royal with beautiful intricate details and Browns is no different. It was once home to a magistrates court and a police station with its grand enterenace.

As we entered everyone was in high spirits and we were happy sipping cocktails until a table outside came  available - as it was so unusallly warm.

Rivoting Raspberri - £8.50

Outside everyone was sipping wine and cocktails so we were happy to go ahead with a bottle of wine

Sauvignon Blanc, Mamaku from New Zealand - £22.8

This is a Classic Sauvignon from my favorite wine region

 Starters

Roasted Goats Cheese - £7
I aabsolutelylove Goats Cheese and this walnut crusted one was just devine with a beautiful Pico de gallo salsa and a beetroot and pomegrate vinagigrette was the perfect accopinant to the creamy goats cheese.

Chicken Liver & Brandy Parfait - £6
This parfait is partnered with a punchy rhubarb & tomato chutney.  Alongside you get so lovely crispy cinnamon brioche.

Main Dish

Lobster Tagiatelle - £15.5
Lobster and pasta are two of my favourites so partnered they are just perfect. If you are going to choose any pasta at a restaurant I would always recommend the tagliatelle as its fresh and with a creamy sauce and the rich lobster is just lush - I got all the lobster out first and chopped it up instead of messing around throughout the meal.

Adam chose the special which was Duck with a red wine jus and mash cooked to perfection and deliciously rich.

Dessert

Peruvian Brownie - £6
After a delicious lunch I was unsure if I could fit a desert in but after seeing someone else with a brownie I knew I had to be naughty especially as it was partnered with vanilla ice cream.

With Cheese being famous in Bath Adam decided to go for the selection of British Chesses £9 and for the price it was massive with good sized cheese - may of needed a more varied selection of crackers as there was only one type but we defintley tried all of what Bath had to offer in the way of cheese with: Silton, Wensleydale, Mature Cheddar partnered with celery, grapes and chutney.

Cocktails
After have a nap on our comfy bed at The Francis we got ready for an evening on the town still full from lunch we went straight to hunt out an underground cocktail bar called Opium. 

We were looking for a while but when we finally did find it you were hit with a wall of insence and an intimate location which was a a mish mash of vintage furniture.

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