A long weekend in the city of lights was just what the doctor ordered. Winter isn’t a bad time to visit Paris at all. It’s less crowded, you can zip in and out of the museums and cold, rainy days and nights just beg for you to sit indoors at a cozy bistro to stuff your face with cheese and sip wine. Thanks to a few tips from friends in the know, my own research and some fantastic recommendations from the Paris food authority, Paris by Mouth, we ate nothing but extremely well while in town.
And while I’d visited the city of lights a few times before, thanks to the City of Paris and my travel photography friends, Flytographer, I got to have some new experiences too. Here are my food and travel tips for Paris which like I’ve said before: is always a good idea!
DO SUNDAY BRUNCH
Fr/ame Bistro
The Pullman Eiffel Tower is home to the stylish Fr/ame Bistro where on Sunday’s for €30 you can enjoy brunch with a view. The hotel sits in a prized location at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and despite the bistro being on the ground floor, many of the tables have a view. And if not, step outside for a second just to remind yourself that the tower is there – you can just about touch it from here! Brunch is a causal affair with unlimited fresh juice, tea and coffee, a hearty homemade bread basket (including baguette of course!) and yoghurt and muesli. Your table is set with honey, jam, butter, peanut butter and even Nutella jars. You then get to choose a dish from the menu ranging from Eggs Benedict to smoked salmon.
HEAD TO A CLASSIC PARISIAN CAFE
Café de Flor
Located in Saint Germain, Parisian style street cafes don’t get more quintessential than Café de Flor. At one of Paris’ most historic cafes, try for an outdoor table in the warmer months but don’t fret about a table generally. It’s always busy but tables turn over quite quickly and there are two levels of dining space. All the classics are on the menu from your croque monsieur to soup à l’oignon (French onion soup).
EAT AT WINE BAR
Le 6 Paul Bert
Innovative dishes with a classic French cuisine feel are prepared before your eyes in the open kitchen at the intimate but stylish Le 6 Paul Bert. The staff are super friendly (even to non-French speakers like moi) and for about €50 you can dine on a 4-5 tasting plate menu including wine. It’s no fuss and not pretentious, just wholesome and delicious really. 
HIT THE MUSEUMS
Musée D’Orsay
Paris isn’t short of a museum but the Musée d’Orsay is a spectacle if there ever was one. An old railways station, built at the turn of the 20th century, it sits proudly on the left bank of the Seine and boasts the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world. Be sure to see some of the most famous works of Monet and Van Gogh and do it with a Paris https://cialischeapprice.com Passlib so that you can not only return but also visit many of the other museums in town.
EXPLORE MODERN FRENCH CUISINE
Semilla
Open kitchen, chic yet simple fit-out and a renowned chef, Semilla is surprisingly laid back and given the quality of produce they source, quite inexpensive. The menu here changes daily and for about €25 for lunch (3 plates) and €45 for dinner (5+ plates) (excluding wine), let the chef do all the work as you sit back and enjoy a truly impressive meal. 
DINE AT A MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANT
Epicure at Le Bristol Paris
Epicure is not just any Michelin star restaurant, in the country where the Guide started, this one boasts 3. Eric Frechon is nothing short of a culinary magician, innovating and constantly challenging cuisine principles to create dishes that look and taste divine. If the dinner menu is a bit of a stretch (€320 plus wine), go for the set three course lunch (two options per course to choose from) for €145 plus wine. You still get all the frills from the cheese trolley which is pretty unforgettable and the vintage mirrored dresser with its shelves and drawers full of decadent mini sweets and a full range of macaroons. It. Blew. My. Mind. 
HAVE COCKTAILS
Prescription
On a side street in Saint Germain, Prescription has everything you’d expect in a cool cocktail bar. That is, comfortable couches, cute and friendly barmen, dim lighting and awesome cocktails. 
GORGE ON MACAROONS
Ladurée
Anyone who knows or follows me, would know that I’m partial to a macaroon (or five). Ladurée bakeries are now everywhere in the world, but I can never resist popping into one in Paris. I’m a sucker for the raspberry and lemon flavours. 
CAPTURE THE MOMENT
Do a Flytographer shoot
There really isn’t a better way to have your holiday memories live on, than a photo shoot with Flytographer. Imagine having your own photographer follow you around for a half hour or hour in a location of your choosing. For us, choosing the area around the Palais Royal meant getting to know a new part of Paris. Best part of the shoot was getting home and having the photos in my inbox. I will cherish my Paris pics forever. (Special shout out to our photographer Goncales!) 
STAY
Paris Pullman Eiffel Tower
Unless you were sleeping literally perched on the Eiffel Tower, you couldn’t get a bed in town closer than the Paris Pullman Eiffel Tower. This sleek and modern four-star hotel, is positioned at the foot of the tower and has, you guessed it, great views! Rooms start from about €250 for a double and there’s a higher premium for rooms with a view and balconies facing the Eiffel Tower. 
Signing off from Trastevere (daydreaming about cheese, macaroons and more cheese).
Baci Maria
Note: My travel partners for this trip included: the City of Paris Tourism Office – Paris J’etaime, Paris Pullman Eiffel Tower Hotel and Flytographer. Nobody tells me what to write on my blog and all opinions expressed are my own.
