Paris in the fall is truly a dream come true. The air is crisp, the leaves are turning vibrant shades of gold and red, and the city seems to sparkle with an extra touch of magic. My daughter, Elle, and I were eager to return to this enchanting city, and the timing of her fall break (on my birthday!) provided the perfect excuse. In this travel guide, I’ll share our favorite spots, our itinerary, and some funny anecdotes from our Parisian escapade. Ready to start planning your own Parisian adventure? Let’s go!
A Chic Arrival and Parisian Delights
We touched down in Paris on a Wednesday morning after a night flight. After a quick croissant and coffee, we made our way to L’Avenue for a delicious lunch. L’Avenue is the perfect spot for people watching, especially if you like a little “je ne sais quoi” in your surroundings. After lunch, we strolled through the stunning Galeries Lafayette, a grand department store filled with everything from fashion and beauty to home decor and food.
We stayed at The Ritz Paris, an iconic hotel located in the heart of Place Vendôme. While it doesn’t offer Eiffel Tower views, the location is simply unbeatable. It’s the perfect place to soak up the Parisian ambiance.
Thursday: A Whirlwind of Fashion, Treats, and Relaxation
Our Thursday started with another delicious lunch at L’Avenue, followed by a leisurely stroll down Avenue Montaigne, known for its luxury boutiques. We hopped in an Uber and headed to L’île aux Fées, the enchanting Charlotte sy Dimby boutique. We’ve been fans of this brand for years, and Elle was thrilled to finally meet Sybille in person.
After our visit, we stopped at Ladurée for a quick pastry treat, then explored our neighborhood before settling in for a cozy slumber party. Jumping on the bed, enjoying room service, and relaxing in our robes was the perfect way to end our day.
Friday: A Day of Parisian Indulgence
We started our Friday morning with a visit to the legendary Angelina, a Parisian institution known for its hot chocolate. We then returned to the hotel for some pampering – a blow dry for Elle and me, and a manicure for Elle.
After getting ready, we made our way to Chanel, a must-visit for any fashion lover. I highly recommend booking an appointment with your hotel concierge, as it saved us a lot of time. After a bit of shopping, we tried to grab lunch at Costes, but it was packed. Instead, we enjoyed a delightful meal at The Ritz’s Bar Vendome. A tip: If you’re staying at The Ritz, you won’t need a reservation, but if you’re not, it’s a good idea to book ahead.
A Tour of Paris and a Romantic Dinner
After lunch, we embarked on a vintage car tour of the city. While the car wasn’t quite as chic as I had imagined, the tour guide was knowledgeable and the open-air experience allowed us to truly soak in the city’s beauty. We cut the tour short to visit the enchanting Dior museum. A must-visit for fashion enthusiasts!
Later, we dined at Girafe, a restaurant with spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower. The restaurant has two seatings, and ours was at 7 p.m. It was a bit chaotic, with everyone arriving at once, but the atmosphere was fun and lively. The best part? You get to watch the Eiffel Tower light up every hour.
Saturday: A Day of Parisian Charm
We started our Saturday with a leisurely river cruise, a fantastic way to see the city from a different perspective. Afterwards, we hopped on an electric bike and made our way to our picnic by the Eiffel Tower. Our hotel helped us find a semi-private spot, which was much appreciated as the main lawn was quite crowded. After our picnic, we enjoyed a coffee and pastry at Cafe de Flore, a classic Parisian cafe, before heading to the charming Luxembourg Gardens.
The Luxembourg Gardens are truly special, especially for kids. Elle loved the adorable merry-go-round, and we wandered through a lovely street fair filled with antiques and paintings.
A Day of Friendships and Parisian Favourites
Our afternoon began with tea with friends from Atelier Choux at the beautiful Ladurée on Champs-Élysées. It was so fun to see Elle connect with Chloe, a budding friendship across continents!
Later, we joined Michael for a drink, where we bumped into Claibore Swanson Frank, a fun surprise. We then headed to our favorite restaurant in Paris, Le Voltaire. It’s an intimate, old-school restaurant with truly delicious food. After dinner, we walked across the river to The Louvre, a special tradition we shared with Elle.
A Photo Shoot, A Parisian Garden, and a Delightful Lunch
We started our Sunday with an early morning photo shoot with Audrey Photo. Afterward, we spent some time in the Tuileries Garden, where Elle rode on a merry-go-round and devoured a cotton candy bigger than her head. We also rented a push boat for a fun ride along the canal. After a quick stop at the playground, we made our way to Costes, this time with a reservation. It was a delightful coincidence that we ran into friends from Atlanta, and even more surprising, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen!
We continued our day with a visit to the Orangerie Museum to admire Monet’s “Water Lilies” series. Elle, who was developing a love of panorama photos, was in her element. After a late Sunday afternoon stroll, we returned to the hotel, where Elle enjoyed a dip in the pool. We ended the day with dinner at Lou Lou, a lovely restaurant with stunning views of the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.
A Day at Disney and Our Final Parisian Delights
On our last full day in Paris, we went to Disney Paris. While Elle wasn’t terribly interested in the Princesses, we had a wonderful time exploring the park and enjoying the rides.
After a fun afternoon at Disney, we returned to Paris, shopped in Place Vendome, and enjoyed a macaroon before heading to Gigi, our final Parisian restaurant. During dinner, we were serenaded by a live musician! We took pictures outside the hotel every night, and our last night was perhaps our most memorable. The music may have been lingering in the air, making the moment even more special.
Saying Goodbye to the City of Lights
We packed up before bed so we could enjoy our last morning in Paris. We had a delicious breakfast at the hotel, then visited the Tuileries Garden playground and shopped at Au Nain Bleu, a charming children’s toy shop. After a quick lunch, we headed to the airport, feeling grateful for the magical memories we had made.
Paris is a city that stays with you long after you’ve left. Every corner of this magical city offers something special. As I write this, I can vividly recall every moment of our trip. It feels like it flew by too quickly. Just like New York City, there is always more to explore, always another reason to return. Elle and I both can’t wait to return to Paris.
Looking for more inspiration for your own Parisian adventure? Browse my entire Paris collection on LTK, where you can shop all the outfits, accessories, and locations featured in our trip.
Bon voyage!
