Learning to savour both the elegant and simple things.
It might be an unrealistic expectation, but I would love to visit Paris at least once every year. It is a city that I have fallen head over heels for since studying there in 2021. That belief didn’t falter on this trip.
I have previously written about Paris in two of my blog posts: one about embracing the bourgeois lifestyle and the other about last year’s experience running the Paris semi. This trip’s theme was built upon embracing the bourgeois lifestyle – enjoying things I don’t ever want to take for granted. Additionally, the trip made me feel confident in myself and my style, feelings I want to take into the year ahead.
What city or place makes you feel your most confident?
I arrived in Paris after spending a few days in Madrid for work. I stayed in a hotel in the 7th arrondissement, Hotel Muguet near the Eiffel Tower. This was a good location on the left bank of the river with some nice restaurants and cafes within walking distance.
When in Paris, I have some non-negotiables I feel I need to do. If I don’t get the chance to do them, then of course it is still a worthwhile trip, but doing these things makes me feel more connected to the city itself. Those are:
- Attending a run with KIIN – I love how it reconnects me to the city and the people who live there.
- Picking up some goodies from La Grande Épicerie – being able to bring local produce home extends the enjoyment and exploration I feel when I travel.
- Eating good pastries – a very obvious one and purely about spoiling myself with good food.
I ticked off all three things on this trip – meaning I returned home very content. Also managing to try cafes new to me, Good News (where I spilt my matcha all over myself – clever I know) and Motors Coffee (highly recommend this spot and their banana bread!).
The three things that I don’t get to do on every trip to Paris, which admittedly did help me lean into the more indulgent side of Parisian life, were: a dinner cruise along the Seine; a night at the Moulin Rouge; and trying one of Yannick Alléno’s restaurants. I have now just realised all three of these experiences revolve around food… this is why I class myself as a big foodie.
A Dinner Cruise along the Seine
Lately, I have been doing quite a few river cruises as a way to explore cities. I love the way it showcases how one part of a place can so seamlessly transform into a completely different environment. I chose Bateaux Parisiens for this excursion as they offered a good price compared to competitors and guaranteed window seating for a three-course meal whilst floating along the Seine.
With a dinner cruise, sometimes the food can be a hit or a miss, as it isn’t made the main priority of the experience. However, the food enjoyed onboard was lovely, and you could have as much wine, red or white, as you wanted. The cruise also had live music to enjoy and photographers on board to document memories of the experience.
Seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle from the perspective of the riverbank was magical. I would say opt for an evening cruise over a daytime one, as the sights look all the more beautiful lit up.
An evening at the Moulin Rouge
What is an undeniable symbol of Pigalle in Paris…? The Moulin Rouge! A history which began during the Belle Époque, The Moulin Rouge still thrives today and represents the birthplace of the can-can dance and is a cabaret icon.
I had experienced a show at the Moulin Rouge once before, so I knew what to expect. Nevertheless, I was blown away by the performances. The costumes are breathtakingly beautiful, the dancers are flawless, and the talent on stage is undeniable. It is an elegant example of Paris’ refined sensuality.
This time around, I enjoyed the show as well as dinner. Thus, being able to spend more time lingering in the architecture of the ‘Red Mill’ (what Moulin Rouge directly translates to). The dinner wasn’t my favourite meal of the trip, but to fully immerse yourself in the experience and time you have there, it is a good option. If you would rather attend simply for the show, then tickets are cheaper, and you can choose between two show times. Whatever you opt for, it is an unforgettable experience!
Pavyllon Paris by Yannick Alléno
My newfound appreciation for good food is making me more and more curious about trying different restaurants, learning about the chefs creating the dishes, and the ingredients that go into making a good recipe.
Yanneck Alléno is a French chef whom I discovered when watching one of TopJaws videos on YouTube. Alléno holds 17 Michelin stars across his 21 restaurants globally. I feel very lucky to have been able to try one of those restaurants on my latest trip to Paris.
Nestled between the Petit Palace and the Jardin Charles Aznavour, Pavyllon Paris is the third Pavyllon restaurant by Alléno. The other two are located in London and Monte Carlo. It is a beautiful restaurant with an open kitchen where you can sit at the bar or an outdoor covered terrace.
The food was spectacular with great service. My favourite dish was my starter of scraped tuna tartare with eggs. It was a simple dish, but I have never had tuna so soft, and it melted in my mouth. A close second was the mille-feuille for dessert – the Madagascan vanilla in this dish was delicious. Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience and has now made me curious about trying Alléno’s London restaurant.
Paris, for good or bad (bad for the bank), makes me want to explore the finer things in life. However, on the flip side, it makes me appreciate the simple things, such as slowly enjoying an espresso whilst people watching. It reflects the Parisian juxtaposition of life’s finest luxuries with its simplest pleasures.
That juxtaposition reflects how I aspire to live: enjoying life’s finer experiences while never losing appreciation for its simple pleasures. I never want to become expectant of luxury or numb to the ordinary, because I am fearful that would lead to selfishness and ignorance. I suppose in many ways, Paris embodies that balance. It is a city with beautiful historical structure, incredible food and great entertainment, yet also of quiet cafés with yummy pastries, run clubs built on community, and effortless moments that linger just as strongly in memory. This is what makes Paris so captivating and why I have fallen so hard for the city: it reminds me that a life well lived is learning to savour both the elegant and simple things.
Lots of love,
Laura-Jane x
Laura-Jane Adventures 
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