14 Jan A Girls Guide to Paris
As someone who’s always had the travel bug, things slowed down a bit after the birth of my first child. But wanderlust never fully disappears, right? One night, when my daughter was 10 months old, I was messaging with one of my best friends and travel soulmates based in NYC. We were both itching for a quick escape—and just like that, we started throwing out destinations.
She happened to be heading to London for work, and I thought: why not meet her there, then hop over to Paris for a few days? Girls’ getaway mode: activated.
A Quick Stop in London
We spent the night in London’s King’s Cross neighborhood for easy access to the train the next morning. I love any excuse to use Bonvoy points, so we stayed at the Great Northern Hotel, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel. That night, we grabbed a black cab and headed to Jacuzzi for dinner—an ultra-Instagrammable spot where we indulged in wine, tableside Mafaldine al Tartufo, and the kind of girl talk you only get over a decadent Italian meal. We quite literally shut the place down.
Day 1: Paris Is Always a Good Idea
- Hotel: La Demeure Montaigne ~15 min from Paris Gare du Nord
- Visit: La Galerie Dior
- Dinner: Kitchen by Stephanie Le Quellec (Hotel Madame Rêve)
- Cocktails: Little Red Door
We kicked off Day 1 with coffee and breakfast at the nearby Standard Hotel before boarding the 12:31 p.m. Eurostar high-speed train from London’s St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (arrival at 4:01 p.m. with one-hour time-zone change).
We splurged on Business Premier seats, which included lunch and champagne service. We arrived at the station with plenty of time to utilize the business premier lounge before boarding for snacks and extra comfort. Everything about the train experience was seamless and easy.
Travel tip: Once you arrive at Gare du Nord, restrooms are scarce and require payment. Utilize facilities on train prior to deboarding or plan ahead!
Check-in: La Demeure Montaigne
Just a 15-minute taxi ride from the station, our stay at La Demeure Montaigne was a dream. I booked the Junior Suite Eiffel, and the small private balcony offered a magical view of the Eiffel Tower—especially as it lit up at night.
Champagne on arrival? Yes, please.
Culture Stop: La Galerie Dior
Dinner: Kitchen by Stephanie Le Quellec
Nightcap: Little Red Door
Day 2: A Shopper’s Paradise
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs (closed Mondays)
- Shopping along Rue Saint-Honoré
- Lunch at The Ritz Paris
- Visit: Galeries Lafayette
- Dinner at Vivant 2
We started the day at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, located in the west wing of the Louvre (but not part of it). It’s a brilliant option if you want to soak in art, fashion, and design without spending an entire day at the main Louvre. Don’t skip the gift shop on your way out.
Shopping Along Rue Saint-Honoré
One of the best places in Paris for high-end fashion. We made stops at Chanel and Maison Goyard, where I scored a miniature trunk-shaped clutch—totally worth the splurge. Chanel’s flagship was as opulent as you’d expect, and Goyard felt like a sophisticated, oldschool whiskey bar. Even their pet shop across the street is fabulous. Our final retail stop was the iconic Galeries Lafayette, where we grabbed a glass of wine at The Wine Gate under the stunning glass dome.
Know before you go: Many luxury boutiques require appointments with a “style advisor.” Annoying? A bit. But it guarantees a 1:1 experience, from styling to tax refund paperwork.
Lunch: Bar Vendôme at The Ritz
Champagne + burgers = unforgettable. The atmosphere, service, and people-watching were all top-tier. It felt like walking into a movie.
Dinner: Vivant 2
A small, intimate restaurant with candle-dripped counter seating and an artsy Parisian crowd. The menu was seafood-forward, with shareable dishes and an Absolutely recommend.
Day 3: Fall in Love with the Marais
- Breakfast: Café Crème
- Shopping: Merci
- Wine & Cheese: O Château
- Dinner: Giraffe
We began our final morning at Café Crème in the Marais. Despite mixed reviews online, we enjoyed our traditional French breakfast under cozy heat lamps. Then it was off to Merci, a beautifully curated three-story concept boutique full of unique clothing and home goods.
Their Used Book Café is also worth a visit—even if just for your second coffee of the day.
Wine Tasting at O Château
We stumbled into O Château for a spontaneous wine and cheese tasting. We sat at the bar, but they also offer bookable wine experiences across Paris and the surrounding countryside. A perfect find for wine lovers!
Dinner with a View: Giraffe
For our final dinner, we dined at Giraffe with unbeatable Eiffel Tower views. The seafood, dessert, and ambiance made it a perfect way to end our whirlwind girls’ trip.
Final Thoughts
While short and sweet, this was the perfect Paris girls’ getaway—and my first solo trip since becoming a mom. Between the rich history, amazing food, and fashionable flair, Paris stole my heart. I already know I’ll be back.
Bonus Stops
(Some Visited, Some Still on the List)
To See:
- Rue Saint-Honoré shopping
- Merci (Marais)
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs (closed Mondays)
- Musée d’Orsay (closed Mondays)
- Drinks at The Ritz
- Maison Labiche (Marais)
Restaurants to Bookmark:
- Danico (cocktails, Galerie Vivienne)
- Frenchie Rue du Nil
- Café Crème
- Racines
- Vivant 2
- Hoxton Hotel Bar
Wine Tasting:
- Le Caves du Louvre
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