SHARE

My Paris Agenda

Someone pinch me quick! I just arrived after a few delays to my apartment in Paris and it is beautiful! I hope to take more photos for you tomorrow after my jetlag has left my body. I have been thinking a lot about this latest trip. The past few visits to Paris have been shorter and exhausting trying to fit everything and everyone into not enough days. This time around I rented an apartment for a month so I could slow things down a bit. If I learned anything from my time from Cuba was that it is so important to unplug and rest. You need to reset every once in a while. 

I am really happy to be back and Paris in the Spring is simply the best! I really want to show you my daily life here in Paris which is sometimes filled with crazy cool activities and other times it is literally running to pick up a baguette and cheese. I am looking forward to the balance. To keep things even I decided to come up with a set of “rules” I use the term lightly because there is no punishment if I don’t follow them but I am hoping they are a guide for the month ahead. My friend Amy Feezor set up something similar (she gets credit for the idea) when she came to Paris for three months a few years back and ended up falling in love. I am not saying I am doing this to fall in love in Paris but I am open to the possibility.

My Paris Agenda 

1. Practice French Daily. I will be the first to admit I am so shy when it comes to speaking and practicing French. As long as you make an effort the french are really sweet and help you along. Also, I am meeting with Carrie Anne of French is Beautiful for a café lesson. 

2. There are tons of florists on every corner. Take advantage and always have fresh flowers in the apartment. Peony season is just beginning.

3. Take a cooking class with La Cuisine Paris. I have had my eye on a baguette/croissant class for a while now. This way I can make them home when I am in Chicago too. 

4. Read a book at a café. This is something I have actually never done but see so many people do in Paris. I brought a few books but I would love to stop by Shakespeare and Co too.

5. Get lost. Let the city lead me. This is one of my favorite things to do in Paris and the best way to discover new neighborhoods.

6. Spend time with my Paris Family. I am really looking forward to catching up with them since it has been since October when I saw them last. I hope I can pick up M from school and we can walk through Parc Monceau at least once. Carousel rides/ice cream is requested but not necessary!

7. Find the best croissant in Paris. I plan on creating a few guides/content for the blog while I am here. Researching and reporting back on where to find the best croissant in Paris sounds like a tough assignment but I am willing to do it! (suggestions welcome) 

8. Watch the sun rise and set as much as possible. This is something I have enjoyed doing for years and I love how the light changes the city. 

9. Visit new museums. I have had a few on my list for years with the help of a 2-day museum pass I plan on visiting a few new ones. The louvre and d’orsay are not included on this trip. 

10. Try a new cheese weekly. You may know already my favorite meal is wine, cheese, and baguette. I love comte and brie so much that I don’t always try something new and different. There is a cheese shop on my corner so I can practice my french and taste new cheeses at the same time.

11. Visit the Paris Flea Markets. I am hoping to go with Karl from Posh Chicago next month but either way I hope it brings me inspiration for my own home decorating.

12. Picnic on the Seine. This is a given and I hope to do this as much as possible!

13. Keep meetings to one a day. I am the queen at overscheduling and it may ruin this trip if I don’t play by my rules. There are enough days to go around but I also need time for me and to be creative.

14. Find the perfect market basket. I plan on visiting the Bastille market to pick up fresh food on a weekly basket. I haven’t found a good basket in Chicago so I am hoping I can find one to bring home with me.

15. Sleep. I am not the best at it but it is so important! I have actually never really slept in while in Paris. There may be once or twice on a trip and that is it. I don’t need to be up EVERY morning before the sun rises. It is all about finding a balance.


I hope you all enjoy the Paris plan. I promise to share photos and my adventures as the days go by. If there is anything you want to know or see in Paris let me know and I can see about adding it to the walking agenda! 

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


  1. Great agenda Rebecca, reading this I realized I haven’t been to many Paris museums and must include that in next trip. I always seem to find my self just walking around and going to pastry shops and cafes I learn about.

    • I went to a few today as it was absolutely freezing! I have a few more on my list that I haven’t been to yet and I will hopefully get to this trip!

  2. Well, Rebecca, I have to be honest, you made part of my inspiration to traveling alone to Paris this spring, I just arrived from Paris the last Sunday, words are not enough to describe this trip. And it may sounds very touristy, but please take a ride boat at the Seine in the sunset, you will never regret 🙂

    • Hi Caroline,

      I am so happy I was an inspiration. I hope you are enjoying Paris. Even with the weather a bit on the colder side it is still beautiful!

      xo

  3. And going to shopping, eat chocolats, find the perfect perfume, eat many desserts, find a delicious soup a l’ognion, take it slow 🙂

  4. Hi again yes Ble Sucre is great – also Pain de Sucre rue Rambuteau, Boulangerie Bo rue de Charenton and you have to try a cramique from Aux Merveilleux de Fred (just opened in NYC too). My fave baguette is from Desgranges rue de Passy (it’s called the Passy Passion) if you find yourself in the 16th. Of course Barthelemy for fromage which I’m sure you know already. If you want interesting eclairs I loved Boulangerie Utopie in the 11th. I’ll stop now……I live in LA but I’m a lifelong Francophile! Heading to Europe in 2 weeks so I’ll be green juicing until then! xo, Courtney

  5. Hi I just came across your lovely blog/Paris agenda. Some suggestions for you: try the St. Felicien, St Marcellin and a briquette de Brebis for your cheese adventure. Some of my fave lesser knows museums include the Nissim de Camondo, Jacquemart-Andree and the Petit Palais (which has free entry and a nice café as well). If you opt to splurge on an unforgettable meal go to L’Arpege across from the Musee Rodin. Beyond amazing even after all these years. Also worth standing in line is Du Pain et des Idees near Canal St Martin – incredible boulangerie. Enjoy!!
    Courtney

    • Courtney!

      Thank you so much for the wonderful suggestions! I will put those cheeses on the list. I will be practicing my french with the man on the corner soon! I need to visit nissim de camondo and jacquemart-andree those are both on the list and have been for way too long. My first stay in paris was just a block from l’arpege I have been dying to try it! You know so much about Paris. I am hoping to go to du pain et des idees tomorrow. I was at ble sucre today. So good! Have you been?

      Where do you follow from? Tell me about yourself!

      xo

  6. Rebecca,
    Sounds wonderful, I am finally renting an apt in Paris next year and I am so excited. I have been fortunate to have traced my roots back to one of the French Chateaux that is open to the public a few months a year.
    Have you ever thought of taking some pictures of some of the incredible Chateaux throuout France, whoops this will be another trip back to France!
    Have a marvelous time and keep us up on your adventures.

    Candy

    • Candy!

      Lucky you! Where is the apartment you are renting for next year? I would love to visit the chateaux in france. I always find myself never wanting to leave Paris once I am here. I will see what I can do about exploring. I can’t wait to fill you in on my adventures. Thank you so much for following!

      xo

  7. I am planning a trip to Paris in the next few years. A month is my goal. I will be taking notes. I am smiling ear to ear to be able to share your trip. Anne

    • you are so sweet, Anne! I am sharing ear to ear knowing that I get to share it with you! A month is a perfect amount of time. Let me know if you have questions about the planning process!

      Thank you for following!

  8. Spring in Paris is something I would love to do! Enjoy your adventure! Your apartment sounds perfect. My husband and I took your print of the window with balcony views in St Germaine (Eiffel tower in background and a dome to the left) to a talented framer in Stratham, NH. We bought the 24×36 from you. We all enjoyed picking out the colors found in the photograph to bring out in the matte choices. Then my husband started finding tiny hints of the unexpected on the balconies and window treatments. We all had a good laugh! Do you remember if it was taken during sunset or sunrise. There are many pinks in top left corner.
    Thank you, Laurie Crevier Hughes

    • Hi Laurie,

      I am laughing at the unexpected you found in the photo! I will have to take a second look. It was taken at sunset so that may help with the story after looking more closely! Enjoy the photograph and please send me a photo of it framed if you wouldn’t mind. I would love to see it!

  9. I love these plans! Especially number 4 ). I am looking forward to read your Parisian adventures….

  10. I’m looking forward to hearing about your wonderful adventures! My trip to Paris was limited to 5 days, and it felt I had only accomplished 10% of what I wanted to do. Will be looking for great ideas for the next trip. Enjoy your visit!

    • Thank you so much! I always feel like there is more to see in Paris even if I am here for a month. I have a reason to return and explore more the next trip! Happy Sunday to you! xo

  11. Off to a great start! That window is divine! I love your list and am inspired to make my own when the time comes. Just know that this girl in Austin, Texas will be living vicariously through you for the next month as I take notes for my trip (yet to be planned) to Paris. Enjoy!

    • Meric! Paris will be waiting for you whenever you plan your trip! I look forward to sharing my adventures with you from Paris to Texas!

  12. Great plan! I look forward to seeing pictures and hearing about your adventures! I’m headed to Paris in three weeks and I have some of the same goals on my agenda 😊

    • Thank you Meredith! Paris will be nice and warm for your arrival. This weekend was a bit chilly. You will be here for peony season it is just beginning! I am happy to hear you have an agenda of your own too! xo

  13. Love this Rebecca! I’m going to Paris for 5 days in just a few months and some of these ideas are now being added to my list. Lucky you get the month! I dream of doing that one day. 🙂

  14. Can’t wait to hear all about your lovely trip! Enjoy the flea market trips, we adored or Marche aux Puces when we went last year & found a lovely restaurant just outside the market on a corner when the rain started. The dealers all popped in for their lunch whilst we were there, it was wonderful to sit in the midst of them. I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant but it was almost opposite the entrance to the small indoor market, on Rue Voltaire if I’m correct.
    As for museums, have you visited the Conciergerre (I’ve spelt that wrong, sorry) It’s simplicity is beautiful, although it’s history somewhat gruesome – then head next door to the chapel (the tickets are linked) for the opulence of windows in the upper floor.
    Wishing you a wonderful trip 🇫🇷😘

  15. I’m so looking forward to living vicariously through you! I’ll be there in August, and I’m already planning. Have a wonderful time! X

  16. Have a great time! I’m anxious to see if you find a market basket! They’re one of my weaknesses but I haven’t found one I like-minded yet!

    • Hi Debra,

      I am already on the hunt! Nothing yet but a few options. I did visit the market today with a tote because I couldn’t resist. Happy Sunday to you!! xo