Day 1: Exploring everything there is to see in the Bois de Boulogne.

This is one of the most beautiful and under-explored parks in Paris and there is so much to do!

The Bois de Bloulogne is a perfect escape of the rush of the city! It is located along the western edge of the 16th arrondissement in Paris and is the 2nd largest park in Paris. There are so many things to do and so plan to spend the whole day here.

Kick off Your Morning with some culture by visiting the Foundation Louis Vuitton

At this point you are likely hungry and you’ve made a reservation at an absolutely instagramable restaurant called “Chalet Del Iles” where you take a little boat to get to the restaurant on the man-made island. If you want, you can also rent little rowing boats and spend some time directly on the lake!

Finally, if you are feeling up for it and want to walk off the great lunch you just had, head on over to “ Bagatelle Park” which is still in the Bois De Boulogne and go see the Rose Garden & Orangerie. There are tens of thousands of beautiful roses and the serenity is unbeatable, you will be so glad you came!

Day 2: Le Marais (but not like a tourist :-)

From visiting the Picasso Museum to a Picnic on the Seine & Ice Cream

The Picasso Museum in Paris truly is a treat. One of the biggest assets is the building, The Hôtel Salé which is spectacualar . I read an article that described it as “The Hôtel Salé is probably, the grandest, most extraordinary, if not the most extravagant, of the grand Parisian houses of the 17th century” - Bruno Foucart.

Also, walking around this area gives you a true sense of a charming area of Paris.

After the museum, you are a 20 minute walk to Notre Dame (a must visit!). Even after the fire, it is still as beutiful as ever.

On your way to Notre Dame, stop at “Paul Bakery” and pick up some sandwiches and a sweet treats to go for the Picnic. Then pick up a bottle of wine at any store (screw top of coure) (here is one close to Paul, Les Caves Du Marais” but any supermarket it will have!)

After you’ve seen Notre Dame, it’s time to picnic on the Seine! This is truly ever french person’s favourite thing to do! Head over to “Île Saint-Louis” and grab a seat (on the floor) anywhere near the seine. This is NOT a grass picnic, but it is a great picnic none the less.

You’ll likely be at your picnic for a bunch of hours and enjoy! Once you are ready to head out in the afternoon, you must stop for ice cream at the famous “Berthillon Glacier”, which is on the same island as you woohoo!

There likely will be a line, but you don’t care, you are on vacation.

Day 3: One day, Two Museums

You will very likely go to the Louvre while you are in Paris. But our two favourite museums are much smaller and a little less crowded usually. Here is a day you could spend seeing two museums but also enjoying the outdoors too.

Kick off your visit with the “Musée d'Orsay” . This museum used to be an old train station the “Gare d’Orsay” which was built 1989-1900. So just the building you are in is impressive.

After this, it’s time to walk a bit through a beautiful garden and go have lunch! Head on over to “Jardins du Palais Royal” (about 20 mins walk). When you are done walking around head over the “Ellsworth” for lunch! (Make a reservation ahead of time if you can! it is quite popular for lunch!

After lunch, it’s time to walk through jardin number 2 and museum number 2! You’ll walk over to Jardin des Tuileries which is stunning and at the end, you’ll find the museum “l’Orangerie”. This museum focuses on impressionist and post-impressionist paintings from Cézanne, Renoir, Modigliani and Soutinewas but the showstopper, and what the muesum is particularly famous for is the display of Monet's great Waterlilies murals.

At this point, you are done with visits and probably museums for the remainder of the trip! BUT if you feel like going somewhere not too far & splurging a little in Paris in a unique place, we suggest high tea at the Ritz (Salon Proust)! It is very fancy and a beautiful experience (reservation required). You experience afternoon tea (and probably Champagne let’s be real) in a newly renovated, absolutely stunning place. Highly recommended, but a bit of a splurge!

 Day 4: Spend the Day in Champagne

If you have more than 3 days in Paris, this is a must do!

You can take the train 1 hour to Reims and from there walk/taxi where you need to go. Take a morning train which gets you in around 11/11.30ish, go champagne tasting, have lunch, walk around Reims and then take a train back that afternoon.

Domain Pommery is the Chateau that we visited, but there are many Chateau’s that you can choose from (Mumm, Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin, Tattinger and Ruinart). They all will do a tour of their caves and educate you on the making of Champagne and why it is so special. Personally we loved Pommery’s tour & tasting! Also, there is usually an art exhibition throughout the chateau & the caves which is an added bonus!

If you are open to splurging a bit on this day, it is highly recommended that you make a reservation for the restaurant “Les Crayères”. It is a beautiful domain which is also a boutique hotel. Their restaurant is a 2 star Michelin star restaurant but a beautiful dining experience for lunch.

After this, it’s time to walk around the charming town of Reims before you take your train back. Here are some of the things which you can go explore:

• Visit the Cathedral Notre Dame : it is a UNESCO World Heritage site where many French kings were crowned at.

• Walk around the pedestrian only main square “Place Drouet D’erlon”

• Saint Remi Basilica: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site!

• Walk around “Place Royal”

Take the train back to Paris!

Day 5: Shop Till You Drop

My absolute favourite street to shop on with ALL the stores you can dream of

You can basically shop on every street in Paris if you wanted to. But, if you want a great half day of shopping, in an adorable street, with all stores one door from each other (without the crazy price tags) head to “Rue du Commerce”. Kick it off from the metro “La Motte-Picquet – Grenelle” and walk your way down shopping to your hearts content.

Stop for a light lunch and some cider at a Crêperie. We recommend “Crêperie Ty Fanch” which is always simple and delicious

Then go home and rest for a bit, your feet (and likely arms) will thank you.