A Week In Paris

WORDS & IMAGES: CHYKA KEEBAUGH

Beautiful Paris…

No city really takes my breath away as this fantastic city does; from the moment you arrive, you are surrounded by such beauty. Each building is intricately crafted with stunning doors, beautiful windows, ornate carvings and flowers everywhere. I am in absolute heaven! I’ve been to Paris many times, yet it never ceases to take my breath away. I arrived by train this time which was fun, dropping you straight out into the hustle and bustle of everyday life where you are instantly amongst it all.

However, Paris has been very busy this year, and people are everywhere! I love that people are travelling much more freely than they have in the past few years, but boy, you can feel the difference! So when travelling in the European summer, it is really important to be organised, and if you are sightseeing or taking a tour, make sure to book early, make those reservations and reserve those tickets.

Every time I come to Paris, I see something new, and depending on what your interests are, some excellent walking guides will take you to the best food areas, art, flea markets etc. This time, I have taken the time to wander and LOOK UP! From the beautiful buildings to the meandering cobble-stoned streets, keeping your eyes and mind open is essential. I loved this article when I was planning my day of walking!

I’m obsessed with the flea markets that pop up from Friday to Monday. It’s as simple as googling what market is closest to you and spending a day looking at some of the most incredible antiques plus bric-a-brac; you never know what you will find! This seriously is my dream date! I always like to have a hot chocolate before I begin and spend lunchtime people-watching!

Let’s go shopping!

Marin Montagut 48 Rue Madame Paris 6E

Gorgeous shop of hand-painted homewares, watercolours and knick-knacks.

La Maison Du Pastel 20 Rue Rambuteau, Paris 3E, A shop that has been making pastel paint since 1870.

Passementerie Verrier 10 Rue Orfila Paris 20E

Librairie Jousseaume 45-47 Galerie Vivienne Paris 2E. Old Book store with both antiques and recent secondhand books.

Bouclerie Poursin 35 Rue Des Vinaigriers Paris10, In Paris since 1894, beautiful leather goods.

Deyrolle 46 Rue De Bac Paris 7E. The most incredible store I always go to has an incredible taxidermy collection.

Ultramod 4 Rue De Choiseul Paris 2E. Hat Maker and Milliner have been in this location since 1832. Across the road is the haberdashery store with antique ribbons and braids.

A La Providence 151 Rue Du Faubourg Saint Antoine  Paris 11 E. The hardware store was founded in 1830 and sells beautiful door knobs and handles, screws and plates, plates etc..

Herboristerie De La Place Clichy 87 Rue D’Amsterdam Paris 8E. Established in 1880 herbalist, the boutique sells dried flowers and herbs, tisanes and infusions.

Produits D’Antan 10 Rue Saint Bernard Paris 11E. 100-year-old shop selling household products for cleaning everything from marble and wood to polishing bronze and steel.

Graineterie Du Marche 8 Place D’Aligre Paris 12 E. A beautiful old school shop selling garden supplies, seeds, pasta rice and dried legumes is the oldest seed shop in Paris.

Place d’ Aligre has been the location of the largest food market in Paris for centuries. It’s a covered market with fruit and vegetable stores and antique stands.

Officine Universelle Buly 1803 A perfume store that has been going since 1803 and has the most extraordinary body products, perfumes etc., the in-house calligrapher can personalise everything. Such a beautiful shop

Astier de Villatte 16 Rue de Tournon Paris. The most beautiful ceramic shop selling handmade pieces that are now found worldwide, but this is their flagship store, and it’s really beautiful.

Cire Trudon is the Oldest candlemaker in Paris and one of the most beautiful brands.

Must go to the covered passageways (Les Arcades)

Galerie Vivienne

Passage Jouffroy

Passage du Grand Cerf

The Marais - main streets 

Rue des Francs- Bourgeois

Place des Vosges

Rue de Turenne

Rue des Rosiers

Merci

Feeling a little extra?

High-end shopping area that could have us having lunch at Le Avenue or a drink at George V…

Les Bon Marche

Samaritaine

9 Rue de la Monnaie

St Germaine des Prés

New discoveries!

Yam T'cha restaurant is a place like no other in Paris (usually, it takes a few months in advance to get a table there. It is a Cambodian chef's table menu, and it is a really wonderful experience.
Shabour restaurant is also fantastic: the finest cuisine of Jerusalem in an open kitchen with your personal cook/waiter cooking in front of you and giving all the explanations in English. Chef's table menu is more extravagant for dinner. You will need to make a reservation a month in advance, and they also have a fabulous and lively vegan restaurant just across the street called Tekès.

Frenchie wine bar Delicious French tapas with good wine pairing. Open at 6.30 pm without reservation; there is also the Frenchie gastronomic restaurant for which you’ll need to make a reservation.

Restaurant Passerini is a great Italian restaurant, so much so that it was elected the best Italian restaurant in the world outside of Italy!