48 Hours in Paris

Paris is a city I never tire of. The way the croissants flake. The effortlessly chic look that all Parisians have mastered. The romantic architecture. I could go on. The city is absolutely magical and truly has a special place in my heart. A trip to Europe is never complete without a trip to the city of light.

After flying into London from Asia, I took the Eurostar to Paris from London for a short but sweet 48 hours. As cliched as it may sound, I think Paris is the best place to gain inspiration. So today, I wanted to share with you my 48 hour guide to Paris.

Where to stay
Paris is split up into two parts: the left bank and the right bank. The two banks have very different characters. The left bank is smaller, and is known as being more artistic as this is historically where the biggest artists used to reside. The right bank is where you can find most of the tourist attractions. While in the past, I’ve almost always stayed on the right bank, both the hotels I stayed in during this trip were on the left bank.

Le Narcisse Blanc
The best way to describe Le Narcisse Blanc is timeless and elegant. This boutique hotel is beyond photogenic with it’s plush decor and beautiful colour palette. Aside from the design sensibility, what made Le Narcisse Blanc stand out the most was its service. To give you a tiny example, I asked for a pair of scissors and within a minute (no joke) a staff member showed up at my door with a pair! I’ve never experienced such efficient service in a hotel in Europe. The hotel was incredibly accommodating of my every request and everyone was so warm and friendly.

If you’re looking to experience the left bank while still being very central, Le Narcisse Blanc is an amazing option. It took me 15 minutes to walk to the Eiffel Tower. The metro is a 2 minute walk from the hotel, which made it incredibly easy to get to wherever I wanted to go. What I loved most about living here was the fact that the neighbourhood was quiet, while still being so accessible.

Le Cinq Codet
If you’re into art deco, this is the hotel for you. Everything from the art pieces to the high ceilings at Le Cinq Codet screamed chic. This hotel is also located on the left bank and is a stone throw away from the metro. It’s located on a street which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and feels very private. Oh and did I mention it has a beautiful courtyard?

The service here was phenomenal as well. Before catching my train back to London, I was working on my laptop at the hotel bar. Within the first 10 seconds of me sitting down, a server showed up with bar snacks and asked if I wanted a drink. Also, the breakfast here is absolutely delicious.

Where to eat
Needless to say, there is no shortage of amazing restaurants and cafes in Paris. It is, after all, one of the food capitals of the world. In fact, if you’re spending 48 hours in Paris, your biggest problem may actually be picking a handful of restaurants amongst the hundreds that the city has to offer. Nevertheless, here are some of my favourites:

La Cevicheria
In the last little while, there have been so many amazing little concept cafe/restaurant openings in Paris. La Cevicheria was one of my favourite finds. As the name suggests, it is a ceviche restaurant, and it certainly does not disappoint.

Wild & The Moon
Who knew Paris would be the place for vegan food? I discovered Wild & The Moon when I spent a month in Paris last year, and loved it so much that I ate there every single day. It has a few locations, but my favourite is the one located on Rue de Charlotte in Le Marais. You can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu, but some of my favourites are the acai bowl and the banana bread. Their soups are also really delicious.

Senoble
Just as good as Angelina at a fraction of the price. THERE, I SAID IT. Their choux pastries are to die for.

Fragments
This Le Marais brunch spot is an absolute must. You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.

Pink Mamma
Before you judge me for recommending an Italian restaurant in Paris, allow me to make my case. Everything from the food to the decor here makes it an absolute must-visit. The pizza is absolutely phenomenal, and the tiramisu will blow you away. Also, there is a very cool speakeasy located at the basement. I promise you, you won’t regret going here.

Season
Another great little cafe. They have a ton of healthy options, but my favourite is the pancakes.

Carette
The desserts here are pricey but delicious. It’s one of those experiences that you just have to have in Paris.

L’Eclair de Genie
This eclair boutique has blown up over the last few years – it now has several locations around the city. I recommend you get a box with several flavours so you can try them all!

What to do
There’s so much to see and do in Paris, but if you’re new to the city, these are my recommendations for what you must do in 48 hours:

• Visit Trocadero (preferably in the morning) for the best view of the Eiffel tower
• Cafe/restaurant hop around Le Marais in the evening
• Go see the Louvre as early in the morning as you possible, and afterwards, get coffee and a croissant at Le Nemours
• Explore Montmartre
• For a great view of the city, head to the rooftop of Galleries Lafayette or to the top of Arc de Triomph
• Head over to Saint Germain for a little bit of luxury shopping (or to people watch)