In February, I spent four days in Paris solo and I had the best time. Paris is under four hours by train directly from Frankfurt. After arriving, I checked into my Air B&B which was not only adorable and well-equipped but also directly across the river from the Louvre and super close to the Musee D’ Orsay. There was also a Monoprix grocery store just down the street where I stocked up on breakfast supplies, snacks, wine, and ingredients for dinner the first night which I cooked while listening to a fun French playlist on Spotify. The flat was located in the Saint Germain area and I felt very safe walking around the whole time I was there.

Below are just a few highlights of my trip and by no means exhaustive of the depth and breadth of what you can see and eat in Paris. I received countless suggestions from friends and feel like I barely scratched the surface so needless to say, I will be back! If anyone is interested in more thorough suggestions, happy to share those I was sent.

Eats

First, there a million choices of places to eat and drink in Paris and it is completely overwhelming.

Second, if you are gluten-free or celiac, you need to know that there are SO MANY gluten-free bakeries and options in Paris – just check out this list for a few ideas. I only visited one bakery as I didn’t want to overstuff myself with treats but Helmut Newcake was amazing. I had a pain au chocolate and coffee in the bakery and got two small loaves of crusty bread and an eclair to take back to my apartment. I enjoyed the bread toasted for breakfast and in the evening with salami and cheese with my wine.

Another notable food experience was going to Polidor, a French brassiere with Miriam, a friend I made on my walking tour earlier in the day. We enjoyed several glasses of Bordeaux during our three-course meal. I had pumpkin soup, beef bourguignon, and red currant sorbet for dessert. It was an unfussy but delicious meal and we enjoyed sitting a long family-style table and making conversation with some friendly locals.

Shopping

Cooking supply heaven!

Petit Pan – colors and patterns everywhere

The view from Printemps

• E. Dehillerin kitchen supply store – recommended by my friend Amy. This place is so French and so fun. Rows and rows of kitchen supplies. After pacing around for a while, I selected three tiny metal bowls for recipe prep as well as a small paring knife. They carefully wrapped each item in brown paper so I safely stow them in my backpack. It was just a very cute experience.
• Les Printemps!! A very fancy department store. Go all the way to the top for a beautiful panorama of the city (64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France). There is also a lovely cafe for lunch or a coffee.
• Petit Pan – I stumbled upon this adorable store walking back to the river from  Montmartre. Most of the store is baby stuff but the fabric patterns and colors are darling. I bought a little coin purse and a few yards of colorful ribbon – not sure what I’m going to do with them yet but I like looking at them!
• City Pharma – the place is a Mecca for French skincare products at awesome prices. It was complete chaos and packed so I honestly grabbed the first things on my list that I saw but it’s worth a visit to try some French products, all of which I’m loving. 

Sights & Misc

• Free walking tour – I went with Sandeman’s this time. They are consistently good and my guide, Bruce, was both hilarious and knowledgable.
• Musée d’Orsay – in the end, I opted out of a visit to the Louvre this trip. I had an exhausting few days and decided I just didn’t have the energy. I am so glad I went to the Musee d’Orsay – it was much more accessible in size and I actually downloaded a Rick Steve’s audio guide podcast which hit the highlights. I loved every minute of the two hours or so that I spent there.
  

  

  
• Instead of going up the Eiffel Tower, I opted for a river cruise at sunset which was only 12 Euro and just gorgeous. I went with my walking tour friend and we picked up champagne and snacks to bring on the boat – it was quite magical.
  

  
• I had no idea the Arc du Triomphe was so enormous until I walked right up to it. It really is so beautiful, especially on a clear day and I was moved by the memorial to the Unknown Soldier
  

  
• I took the train to Montmartre and loved walking around the area and seeing the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
  

  

My complete Google list of Paris stuff, some I went to, some I didn’t.

À la prochaine Paris (until next time)!