Paris, Tout Suite!
Paris is almost always a good idea, but this winter's treats are so tempting you really should visit immediately...
So close geographically, so majestically French, it’s no wonder Paris is a leading city break destination for Brits.
But the wonder of Paris extends far beyond climbing the Eiffel Tower and queuing to see the Mona Lisa. And while its cultural and culinary merits have never been in doubt, I’d argue that the city of light is currently shining brighter than ever.
Here’s just a few reasons why I think you should be heading to Paris this winter…
Hot Chocolate at Carette
Suddenly the temperature has dropped and all I want is a hot chocolate. But what I really want is a hot chocolate served with a big bowl of Chantilly cream on the side at Carette. Yes, there are other things on the menu and yes, the hot chocolate is available all year. But trust me, you need it now.
Surréalisme Exhibition at Centre Pompidou
Until 13th January
You’ll have to be quick to catch this one, but boy do I think it’s worth the rushed visit. This limited time touring exhibition marking a century since the start of Surrealism invites you to enter an immersive labyrinth of artworks accessed through the mouth of a monster.
Modelled on the classic surrealist exhibitions created by Marcel Duchamp, there are the most incredible pieces from the likes of Salavdor Dali, Max Ernst, Dorothea Tanning and many more.
Given that I would buy a ticket to the Pompidou just to ride on the cool external escalators, this exhibition ticket, which also includes access to all of the permanent exhibitions, felt like great value at €18 per adult (free for under 18s).
The Eurostar is currently quick & cheap (if you time it right)
There’s some seriously good fares on the Eurostar website at the moment, starting from £39 each way, making it cheaper to travel from London to Paris than it is for me to get to get from Kent to London on a weekday morning.
Bargain fares aside, the planned new additional biometric checks coming in and out of the EU are set to launch any time and likely to cause delays, which sounds like a great excuse to squeeze in a cheeky trip before they come into play.
In conclusion, by going now you are basically saving time AND money.
Made in France at the National Archives
Until January 27th
If you are pottering about the Marais (which you MUST) it’s well worth a peek inside this free winter exhibition at France’s National Archives.
The grand, gated gardens are pretty even off season and just getting inside this glorious building gratuit feels like winning. Made in France takes over some of the building’s most opulent rooms to tell the story of the history of textiles in France.
It opens until 5.30pm every day and this building which in parts dates back to the 14th century arguably looks even more enchanting lit up after dark.
www.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr
Jellycat Patisserie Experience at FAO Schwarz in Galeries Lafayette
OK, it’s only for kids or big kids who love Jellycat, but the Jellycat Pattisserie is a phenomenon that cannot be ignored if you or anyone you travel with falls into one of these categories.
Hidden in one of Paris’s many massive department stores, Galeries Lafayette, for a pop-up duration TBC, is a corner that presents itself as a full scale patisserie counter, where all the food is actually purchasable Jellycat cuddly toys.
I have seen better department stores, so if Jellycat is not your thing I’d pick Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, La Samaitine or even BHV Marais over this place anytime. But if you do love Jellycat, the chance to select your treat from the patisserie menu (think macaroon, lemon tarts etc) and then see it *topped with cream, *brushed with butter and boxed is almost definitely worth the €40 per item price tag.
The good news is my child INSISTS they are all worth over £100 each on ebay, so essentially they are making an investment.
* they don’t really do this as they are toys, they just do some pretending
The Viral Food Queues are Shorter in Winter
What social media gives us with one hand it takes away with the other. Thanks to TikTok and Insta we know we need to eat Chocolate Mousse at Chez Janou, a buttery brioche Lobster Roll at Homer and a Pistache pastry at Du Pain Et Des Idees, unfortunately, it means literally everyone else knows that too and the queues can get a little out of hand.
The good news is that Paris is less packed during the winter months, meaning the queues are often a little shorter.
Of course you could just opt for the many delicious places that don’t have a queue, but somehow that just doesn’t seem very 2024 or very British.
Have I pushed you over the Paris line? Bonne Vacances if so.
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