There is a reason that a song was written for this time of year in Paris…because springtime in Paris is absolute perfection! And while one doesn’t need an excuse to visit the city in all of its blooming glory, what better reason to go than a Parisian Wedding of a fellow Kentuckian childhood friend?!
Like any trip to Paris – ours was filled with delicious cuisine, tasty wines, outdoor cafes, rich culture, high-end window shopping, and a highly contagious “c’est la vie” attitude. I think I can best describe the trip through our photos…they speak much louder than my words!
First though, on a quick practical note – I would like to share with any Beijingers traveling to Paris that we flew on the direct flight from PEK to CDG on Air France which left around 11AM getting us to Paris by 2:30PM. This was actually really convenient timing – it allowed us to check it, take a quick catnap, and freshen up before hitting the town that night. On our last visit we took a redeye on Aeroflot and connected through Moscow. This trip was much easier and we were more adapt to “Parisian time” (i.e. waiting until 10-11AM to really get the day started!).
For the first 2 nights in Paris, we stayed in a lovely Relais & Chateaux hotel in the 8th Arrondissement near the L’Arc de Triomphe. Lucky for us – we were able to communicate with our taxi driver very easily…because he spoke English? NO! Because he was Chinese/French and he spoke Mandarin! www.hoteldanielparis.com
Hotel Daniel in Paris
Living Room at Hotel Daniel - So Cozy!
On our first night, we started at Hotel Amour in the 9th Arr. for a romantic dinner for two in their outdoor courtyard. The hotel is a bit edgy with a fashionable crowd, and the food was tasty. Not Guy Savoy tasty – but not Guy Savoy prices either. It was a very reasonable dinner (great prices on wine) and the setting was lively and Parisian chic. I recommend a reservation – specifically for one of the hidden tables in the back, tucked among beautiful hedges in a glow of candlelight. TIP: It is a bit difficult to find a direct contact online. I suggest emailing your concierge to make the booking for you.
Outside the Amour Hotel. Not our best photo – but the crowd was a bit too cool for tourists! Clearly – this is a self-portrait.
Bird's Eye View of Amour Hotel's Outdoor Restaurant Seating
After dinner we grabbed a taxi to the recently renovated Royal Monceau Hotel (a Raffles Hotel) for a few drinks at Le Bar Long. It was here where we found our second wind…a second wind to the level of a couple of 21 year olds and we would pay for this later! Specifically, we would pay for this the next morning! Maybe we can still go out like 21 year olds – but we can certainly not recover like them!
From The Royal Monceau we headed to Le Baron (in the 8th Arr. Opens around 1AM). Proud of ourselves for getting “in” ahead of a line full of 18-22 year old extremely put together Parisians, we danced the night away and left around 4:30 AM with sore feet, hungry bellies, and an inevitable headache on the way. But…what a fun way to get there!
Needless to say, we slept in on Friday and room service seemed the only option for our first meal of the day – around 11! Afterwards, we threw on some clothes and hit the streets with the intent of buying a wedding gift for the happy couple. Unfortunately, after unsuccessful visits to the bridal registries at Galleries Lafayette and Printemps, we realized that Jennifer and Jean Marc were actually registered at Bon Marche. With too little time to get there, we scurried back to the hotel to get ready for the rehearsal dinner and shop for the betrothed online at www.mariage.lebonmarche.fr. Finally…success! And let’s be honest, a bit of window shopping in two of the most famous department stores in Paris was not so bad…
Unsuccessful Shopping Excursion. I apparently decided to dress like a human traffic cone.
I love that he is still this jolly after two failed attempts at bridal registries. What a good husband!
Our very kind cab driver made a quick stop by the L'Arc de Triomphe for a photo op on the way to the rehearsal dinner. Who says the French are snobs? I think they are quite lovely!
Outside the Buttes Chaumont Park in the 19th Arrondissement. The dinner was inside this beautiful park at Le Pavillon du Lac. It was a fantastic evening full of great conversation with old and new friends alike! FASHION: Vintage 1980's Silk Carolina Herrera Jumpsuit & Red Bottega Veneta Clutch
Paris in the Springtime…Part Deux COMING SOON!
A Blonde in Beijing 