My Favorite 48 Hours in Paris
Everything Everywhere All At Once that's the motto I live by in Paris. Forty eight hours may not seems like enough time but trust me, you can get the full experience and a real feel of the city without rushing.
I like to stay in a central location like the 1st arrondissement and rise up at 6 am to do a Tonique workout near the Louvre (where I filmed a Tonique workout few years back ), and walk through the spectacularly manicured Tuileries Garden admiring the rich architecture, and enjoying the hour of the city’s awakening. Parisians do workout; many of them enjoy a morning run in the park along the Seine River and jogging among the picturesque streets of 7th arrondissement. There is an additional advantage of an early morning run or walk around the city - it is totally peaceful, you get a real feel of the area, meet locals who rise up early, observe those who rush to work, and get to stroll the streets before the tourist invasion...plus I get plenty of opportunities to practice my bonjour.
Apres Tonique, I like to grab coffee at the local Terres de Cafe or head to Galeries Lafayette to indulge all my senses with gourmet breads, pastries, chocolates, and other delicacies from best of the best French pastry chefs and chocolatiers. Or I get lost strolling the streets passing countless cafes and boulangeries, stopping at the ones that speak to my appetite.
Before heading to Fondation Louis Vuitton, I stop for a quick fashion fix. Shopping is my favorite sport, from finding unique or vintage pieces to hitting Parisian fashion houses such as Chloe, Chanel, Celine (minus Hermes which most of us agree that what used to be an amazing shopping experience has turned sour). Treasure hunting makes me hungry, so for a quick and delicious bite I head to Tapisserie.
After miles of walking, passing several ethnic neighborhoods I finally reach the 16th arrondissement - a beautiful, swanky neighborhood, home to great cafes, restaurants, countless foreign embassies and renowned museums such as Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Palais de Tokyo and the Maison de Balzac. And I love to stroll and enjoy the park.
I use the late afternoon to reset my energy and be ready for midnight in Paris - it is my dream to relive Woody Allen’s 1920s Paris. I head to Valmont Spa located inside the opulent Le Meurice Hotel. The spa delivers on an immersive experience, no fuss facials - I go for their signature The Grand Hydrafacial Treatment - all I need is to feel that French glow before I put my red lipstick on.
Feeling well polished and glowy, I slip into a silky sheer and flowy Chloe dress and head for dinner to Septime , awarded one of The World's 50 Best restaurants located in the 11th arrondissement. The seven course menu delivers a unique experience of the new breed of French cooking that is hip and relaxed with a pure focus on food and execution rather than being pretentious. The space is rustic chic, relaxed and welcoming. If you can’t score a table at Septime, there are plenty of other amazing options to be discovered. If you are looking for comfort food with something extra, head to Le Chardenoux.
After 3 hours of consuming rich flavors, I take a walk back to the hotel strolling through different neighborhoods and window shopping Vivienne Westwood’s cream silk gown. When the clock hit midnight at Place Vendome, I suddenly realize that being in Paris feels like a scene from Woody Allen’s movie and I am in.
Where to Stay in 1st arrondissement?
Parisian Maison Armance 5 Rue Cambon
Seductive Hotel Costes 7 Rue de Castiglione
Unique 1 Hotel, Place Vendome 1 Pl. Vendôme
Legendary The Ritz Paris 15 Pl. Vendôme
Luxury Le Meurice Hotel 6 rue de Castiglione