Paris Lately 01.

Little musings, updates and recommendations from life in Paris lately.

Aug 29, 2024

Welcome to the first edition of Paris Lately, a series where I plan to share little musings, updates and recommendations from life in Paris as of late. From things I’ve purchased, to new discoveries, these posts will be part personal essay, part curated recommendations.

Note: if there’s ever any topics you’d be interested in hearing from me about, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send a DM. While I have ideas of my own, I’d always love to hear from you too!

A PERSONAL CHECK-IN

It’s now been two months since we’ve arrived in Paris, and while we’re beginning to feel more settled, there are still so many aspects of life that feel unresolved (mainly due to summertime and August in Paris, which if you’re familiar with French culture, is the month where everyone goes “en vacances.” We went on our own little getaway to the Loire Valley, and you can read all about it here in case you missed it.)

With August nearing completion, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My in-laws have returned from a nearly month long vacation, school is starting soon, and we’ve successfully found childcare for our son. And while life currently lacks the structure and routine I’m craving, I’m simultaneously reminding myself to enjoy these last few weeks of summer, especially with our daughter before she returns to full days at school.

In summary, life feels good right now! Paris feels great. Everyday I’m reminded of why we chose to uproot our life and move our family here. Things are already unfolding beautifully for us and while it’s not without daily challenges, I know it’s for the best. Anyways…let’s get to the fun part of this post: all of the things I’ve been loving in Paris recently.

PLACES

Restaurants, coffee shops, parks and more:

As we’ve been continuing to get settled, we haven’t ventured out of our neighborhood nearly as much as I’d like. The good news is, we live in an amazing neighborhood with so much to explore right outside our door, however, with school starting soon, I’m already planning many outings across Paris.
Here are a few places we’ve visited (and loved) over the past several weeks:

Tapisserie: Our neighborhood go-to for morning coffee and pastries. You can regularly find us here on their patio, sipping lattes with a pain au chocolat in hand. They also have another location in the 11ème, which seems to have a bit bigger menu.

L’Auberge Bressane: This has been a longtime neighborhood favorite of ours. Even if you’re not in the 7ème, Auberge Bressane is worth a visit, featuring all the French classics from soufflés, to chateaubriand, and my personal order, poulet aux morilles. Come hungry!
Matsuhisa Paris (Nobu) : Before my in-laws left for vacation, they stayed with our littles ones so that Léo and I could enjoy a date night for the first time in a long time! A meal at Matsuhisa at Le Royal Monceau feels nothing but luxurious, and has always been a go-to for special occasions and celebrations.
* P.S. Another high-end Japanese hotel restaurant on my list is Hakuba at the Cheval Blanc.
Le Voltaire: A very good (but pricey) traditional French restaurant located on the quai just across from the Louvre and Tuileries. Similar to L’Auberge Bressane, this is an address where you’ll want to show up hungry. From steak béarnaise served with green beans, mashed potatoes, AND sweet potatoes, to a delicious lobster roll, the prices may be high, but the servings and quality justify the indulgence.
Jardin du Luxembourg: I could easily spend an entire day roaming the Jardin du Luxembourg and all of the amazing addresses nearby. The park itself is complete with beautiful gardens, playgrounds, fountains, and a carousel, making it a must-visit for both kids and adults alike. Go for lunch and window shopping around the neighborhood, then relax (and play) here afterwards.
Jardin d’Acclimatation: Leave it to Paris to make amusement parks aesthetic. It was my first time going to the Jardin d’Acclimatation, however it’s a place my husband and his family visited regularly as kids. From rides, to games, restaurants and more, this is the perfect way to spend an afternoon (or day!) with kids. Honestly it felt like a mini Disneyland!

PURCHASES

For myself, our little ones, and the apartment:

Petit Mirage Cuff by Charlotte Chesnais: I’ve had this ear cuff saved for several years from Paris-based jewelry brand, Charlotte Chesnais. I love the earring look, however my ears are no longer pierced, so this cuff is the perfect solution! Hoping to grow my collection to include some of their other pieces, like this Triplet Ring.
Glass Goods from La Soufflerie: This boutique has been a personal go-to for all things glass, from vases to drinking glasses. Each item is hand-blown and therefore one-of-a-kind, with their Vase Tête being a favorite of mine (I’m now the proud owner of two.) During their recent sale, I purchased two vases and a carafe, which made for the perfect additions to our new apartment.
Diptyque Essentials: As a longtime fan of all things Diptyque, we have used their products throughout our home for years now. Once we arrived in Paris, one of our first purchases was a restock of a few of our favorites, including the liquid hand soap, the Savon 34 Boulevard Saint Germain soap, and the liquide vaisselle à la fleur d’oranger (dish soap). That’s the amazing thing about scents: reincorporating these products back into our daily routines instantly instilled a sense of comfort and feeling of home.
Art & Design Books from Delpire & co: While I’m sad that my entire book collection remains in Austin (at least for now,) I’m happy to have purchased a few favorites from Saint-Germain based bookshop, Delpire & Co. My selections were “Puglia” by Luigi Ghirri and “A Life in Design” by Miguel Miga.
Phone Case by Casetify x Le Bon Marché: One of the things I love most about Le Bon Marché (a high-end shopping center in Paris’ left bank,) is that they always have exclusive collaborations and pop-ups happening in-store. When I came across these Parisian-inspired phone case designs, which can only be purchased at Le Bon Marché, I had to snag the one with the quintessential bistro chairs.
Candlesticks from Le Trésorerie: In addition to collecting books, candlesticks are also a staple in our household. I love to place them on top of our fireplaces, or use them to decorate shelves and to create tablescapes. While we were browsing Le Trésorerie, I picked up this Bougeoir Laiton Perles, as well as this wooden Set of 3 bougeoirs in terracotta.
French Baby & Kid Products: We’ve recently incorporated a few new essentials into our little one’s routines, including this sunscreen from Ouate Paris and this body lotion from Minois Paris. Love the smell and consistency of both of these!

SMALL MOMENTS

Moments and experiences that have brought me joy lately:

The A.S.L x Au Rêve Pop-Up at Le Bon Marché: As mentioned above, Le Bon Marché always has such unique pop-ups and exhibitions. When I saw that A.S.L. was collaborating with Au Rêve, I knew I had to swing by to browse, as I’ve been a longtime admirer of the A.S.L brand by creative studio, Saint-Lazare. In addition to the beautiful home goods, Au Rêve also installed a vintage Photo Booth which made for a super fun moment and souvenir.

Playdates and hang outs: I’ve been catching up with some old friends and making new ones, and it’s been so nice to begin building a community. I know community is going to be extremely important to our overall happiness here, and in addition to having my husband’s family, I’m hoping to foster some meaningful friendships as well!
Morning pastries in the park: Once a week or so, we will grab pastries from the boulangerie and lattes to-go from a coffeeshop, and will set down a blanket and have a little breakfast picnic in the park. It’s the most casual, yet beautifully simple way to start the day.

ON THE AGENDA

A few things I’m looking forward to in the coming weeks:

Téo’s Birthday: Our baby boy’s first birthday is next week (how has it already been a year?!) So we will have a large family gathering this weekend, then have a smaller, more intimate party on his actual birthday. In true American fashion, I can’t help but be a little extra with his party, including an on-theme birthday cake, decorations, and some other fun elements.
Dinner Reservation at Oobatz: I’ve now heard from several notable sources that this is the best pizza in Paris. So I’m excited to finally give it a try and see what all the rage is about!

Until next week,

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