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The Ultimate Paris Travel Guide: Six Detailed Neighborhood Maps

If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” ― Ernest Hemingway

This Hemingway quote resonates with me, as I lived in Paris during the summer before my senior year of college. The three months I spent working overseas definitely marks the greatest growth in my life. I became much more independent during that summer, and I loved throwing myself into a new culture in a city where I only knew a handful of people. Paris is the most special city in the world to me – the cafe culture, the historical significance around every corner, the chic clothing, the hustle-and-bustle of the metro. Every aspect of this city excites me, and I truly feel so energized every time I go back. I can’t begin to accurately describe the joy I felt as I showed some of our closest friends around my favorite city (none of them had been before!). I want to go with every single one of you, telling you about the experiences I had on that corner, at that cafe, in that museum, etc. I want you to taste the amazing food, drink the delicious wine, speak the gorgeous language. Unfortunately, I know I can’t do that! Therefore, I have created the most detailed travel guide I could dream up. I want it to be as easy as possible for you to experience Paris as a tourist and as a local.

So below you will find six detailed maps of key areas in the city: the Louvre, St. Germain-des-Prés, Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, the Marais and Canal St. Martin. The best restaurants, shops, cafes, and sights are marked on the map, then described below each neighborhood’s section.

Destiny and I are both sharing this guide, with slight personal variations throughout, so make sure to check out hers on TrulyDestiny.com as well (here) – her outfits on the trip were all absolutely incredible, and she linked many of the things she wore!

You can view all of the spots referenced below on an interactive Google Map here.

If you have any questions on something I don’t cover in the guide below, please email me. So, without further ado!


KEY INFORMATION

Culture: Parisians typically don’t love loud Americans who don’t even attempt to speak the language. But you can win over most by endearingly attempting to speak French – even the smallest phrases show you are willing to try!

  • “Je voudrais” (jeh voo dray) is I would like – as in “Je voudrais la salade chevre” – “I would like goat cheese salad.”
  • “L’addition, s’il vous plait” (“lad-ee-see-on, see voo play) is “I would like the bill, please”
  • “Un verre d’eau” (un vehr doh) is “a glass of water”
  • “Merci” (mer-see) is “thank you”
  • “Bonjour” (bon-joor) is “hello” (literally good day, but used as a greeting during the day)
  • “Bonsoir” (bon-swohr) is “good evening”
  • “Bonne journée” (bon-joor-nay) is “have a good day!”
  • “Bonne soirée” (bon-swohr-ay) is “have a good night!”
  • “Au revoir” (aw-reh-vohr) is “goodbye”

French people are in no rush. Don’t expect to stop in at a cafe for a quick 30 minute breakfast. It won’t happen. So instead of impatiently waiting for the waiter to come by with the bill, plan your day accordingly. Also, you are not expected to tip, but a little bit of a tip is always a nice gesture.


Getting around: I am a huge fan of the metro! Uber wasn’t around when I lived there, so it’s easy for me. I recommend going to the ticket counter and asking for a book of 10 tickets (“Dix billets, s’il vous plait” – “deez bee-lay, see voo play”). We also used Uber during the trip, and it was very convenient, just more costly (and sometimes took longer due to traffic).


Where to stay: I always look for places to stay in St. Germain des Pres. I’ve stayed in multiple Airbnbs in the area and also at the Hotel Bel Ami, which is perfectly located near the best restaurants and is a very short walk to the Louvre and Musee D’Orsay. Another good area to look for apartments in is the Marais. Look for apartments located near places on this Google Map. You can also reference Nessy’s (who wrote “Don’t Be a Tourist in Paris”) Airbnb wishlist here: https://www.airbnb.com/wishlists/112104048.


Paris with kids: We traveled to Paris with Isla when she was 11 months old, and despite the hassle of carrying the stroller up and down the metro stairs (few have elevators!), it was a great trip. Restaurants aren’t full of kids in Paris like they are here, but for the most part, they will happily give you a high chair for your kids to sit in. Isla rode around in the stroller while we did most of our sightseeing, but here are a few good ideas of things to do with kids in Paris:

  • Fete des Tuileries: Every June through August, over 80 attractions come to the Jardins des Tuileries – most are family friendly (and it’s free!). Bumper cars, ghost train, etc. – perfect entertainment for kids.
  • La Cite des Enfants: An  interactive science  exhibition space for kids within the La Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie.
  • Jardin du Luxembourg: Isla took some of her first steps in this gorgeous garden. It’s full of kids running around. You can sail toy boats or go on the antique wooden carousel too.
  • Parc Zoologique de Paris: The zoo sits in the Bois de Vincennes in eastern Paris. There are over 1,000 animals inhabiting the zoo.
  • Aire de Jeux Park in Nelson Mandela Park: This colorful park is full of activities for kids old and young. Although it doesn’t appear on the map, it is in the southern park of Nelson Mandela Park, near Les Halles.

GERMAIN-DES-PRES

Neighborhood summary: My favorite place in Paris to stay is St. Germain des Pres, due to its proximity to everything! I am also a big Hemingway buff, so I love that all of the artists in the 1930s hung out in this area (you’ll find me a Les Deux Magots – their favorite coffee shop – multiple times during a view to Paris). The Latin Quarter (slightly to the east) is historically where all of the universities were in Paris – less so now, but still houses the Sorbonne.

Emilia’s Sweet Shop: A Dylan’s Candy Bar Themed First Birthday Party

I had a “What a One-derful World!” themed first birthday party fully planned out for sweet Emi, but when Meredith muttered the words, “What about a candy party?” then texted a photo of what she had in mind, I was sold. Alas, a Dylan’s Candy Bar-themed party sprouted out of my crazy brain – it involved 193,249 texts between Meredith and Monica, both of whom Sasha thinks have a bad influence on me! Ha.

I sent Monica a very rough draft of an invitation design, which she, of course, ran with and instantly delivered a paper mock-up, which looked way better than I could have imagined. From there, vinyl backdrops were designed, custom fabrics and wallpaper was printed, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

The real MVPs of this party were Monica, for making lots of designs (signs, vinyls, invitations – you name it) and obviously THAT CAKE. It is so amazing! I was so sad that people had to eat it. Even Emi’s egg-free smash cake (love/hate her for that!) was gorgeous and delicious too. And of course, my mom, who baked and iced 60 cupcakes, sewed bunting for Emi’s high chair, made a table runner, and sewed 45 favor bags for people to take candy home in. What would I do without these two?

Overall, the party was so much fun. Emi was uncertain how to deal with all of the attention at first, but she was really feeling the cake smash, which I was most worried about. We definitely were left with lots of candy afterwards, but I bagged it up and gave it to my sister to take to her office! After the sugar high wore off, sweet Emilia slept well that night and woke up in the best mood for her actual birthday yesterday. I want the birthday festivities to live on, but am so ready for a break in party planning! Ha. I sourced all of the items in the party below, except some DIYs, like the ‘Watch Emi Grow’ planter, which was something I had in my mind then went to Home Depot and made it work (with Sasha’s help). Email me if you have any questions! And now, for 100-or-something party pics!


Sources: Vinyl backdrops from Signs.com, designed by Monica of Paper Flour Ink // Invitations created by Monica of Paper Flour Ink // Calligraphy by Nancy of nancyb. creative // Cake by Monica of Paper Flour Ink // Balloon arch by Lili of Lili’s Balloon Decorations // Cookies by Jessie of Miss J’s Bakeshop // Florals by Flower Vibes // Candy containers from  Shindigz // Custom water bottle labels from Amazon // Pink Chivari chairs, blue tablecloth, kids table from Aztec Party Rentals // Custom caricature coloring sheets by Juan on Fiverr.com // Cupcakes by my mom (with toppers from Party City, cupcake liners from Amazon) // Cupcake stands from Amazon // Pink sequined tablecloth on Amazon // Favor bags, bunting, and table runner by my mom // Instax polaroid camera on Amazon // Custom Shutterfly photo book // BabyBjorn highchair on Amazon // Custom stamps from Minted // Candy stand DIYed, but storage unit from IKEA with customized removable wallpaper from Spoonflower // Custom jigsaw puzzle from CreateJigsawPuzzles.com // White frames for signs from Target // White serving platter for cookies from Target // Moonwalk from Sky High Party Rentals // Front door sign printed from VistaPrint.com // My red dress from Nordstrom // Clear kids ghost chairs from Amazon // White kids Eames chairs from Amazon

The Ultimate Photo Book Guide

The two topics that I receive most questions about (via Instagram’s Direct Message or email) are printing photo books and managing photo storage. Alas, a post that covers both in great detail is very overdue, but actually very timely, given that most people start to think about printing photo books at the end of every year. Plus, most photo sites have great discounts right now (50% off everything at Mixbook until 1/1/18 at midnight, 50% off everything at Shutterfly until 12/28/17 at midnight, etc.).

If you’re new to Snapshots & My Thoughts, then you may not know about my love obsession with photo books. I started printing them in 2006, during my first year in college, and have printed many ever since. Beginning in 2010 (the year I graduated), I began to make an annual photo book in Shutterfly. I would pick a theme, but customize almost every page to my liking. Looking back at the early books, the designs are cringe-worthy but I absolutely love them. I would also print books for vacations and other special events. In 2013, I decided to do a photo-a-day book for Isla, which was quite the undertaking. I am so glad that I documented every day, because it’s amazing to watch her grow page by page, but with sweet Emilia, I am doing a photo-a-week, and you can see the transformation just the same (with much less work involved!). I will share these layouts below!

Every year, I would update the annual book at the end of every month, occasionally falling a month behind but always staying rather up-to-date. Well 2017 happened – a second baby, a busy work schedule and a husband who travels every week for week and alas, my fancy, customized-per-page Shutterfly book didn’t happen. Which I’m still coming to terms with, since I’m one for consistency and routine! I did, however, fall in love with another company in the transition.

I was introduced to Artifact Uprising a few years ago, as I used them to make our Christmas card in 2015. Last year, I decided to invest in one of their layflat books (which are pricier than Shutterfly, beginning at $179 for the 8.25×11 size that I love) for our family photos. Then in February, I chose to print Emi’s newborn photos in another layflat book and seeing the quality of these two ultra-thick, fabric bound books, I was hooked. I printed five layflat books total in 2017!

Fast forward to November 1st, I had this huge cloud hanging over my head: our annual photo book, which had two months of content in it, needed lots and lots of work (and time!). October through December are my busiest months, and I knew I couldn’t spend the time I needed to make the Shutterfly book I wanted. The obvious alternative was Artifact Uprising, as I knew if I couldn’t have ultra-designed, I wanted ultra-simple and white. I couldn’t wrap my head around spending $250+ on each book (I knew I’d need multiple books for how many photos I took this year). I decided to try their hardcover books, which begin at $79 for an 8.5×11 book. I chose the 50 page option, which allows you to fill 99 pages, and managed to get January through March photos included. Filling the pages went so quickly, and you can even chose auto-fill. I’ll go into detail on the uploading process below. I ended up having five books total, but could have done less if I had chosen to do the 150 page option for each instead (allowing you 199 pages) of 50 (allowing 99).

All in all, I am so in love with our 2017 annual photo books. It was not the cheapest option, but I used two Artifact Uprising coupons to bring down the cost (more on coupons in the FAQ section below!). I know that the interest in printing photo books is out there, as people always reply to my Instagram posts or stories saying that much. So, I pray that this post helps move you to action! Print those photos – whether that be prints or books. I love Artifact Uprising’s motto: Inspired by the disappearing beauty of the tangible. I stand behind that – if photos stay on digital devices, we are slowly losing the beauty of the tangible printed photos, which tell stories that generations beyond us can cherish.

There is a lot of content in this blog post. First, I’ll cover details on the books I’ve printed before: annual Shutterfly photo books, photo-a-day/week Shutterfly photo books,annual photo books using Artifact Uprising hardcover photo books and special occasion Artifact Uprising layflat photo books. This is probably my most personal post ever, as I’m actually sharing links to many of our family’s books. Let me tell you: when I made them, I had no intention of them ever being viewed by anyone outside of close family or friends, so they include very personal photos and details, but I really do want to help inspire people to make books, so I feel like it’s important to do this.

So, let’s begin!

100 Random Facts About Me

I have always struggled with the ‘About’ page of my blog and website or with even writing a short blurb describing myself. I remember when I was interviewing for a job at Accenture in college, and I’d cringe overtime the standard question was asked: “Tell me about yourself.” I mean, where does one start?! Of course, I had my canned answer, but it would seem disingenuous to share something similar here. Although I post lots of details about our lives here on the blog, I don’t really get too, too personal. I always love reading people’s ‘fun/random fact’ posts, so I set off to come up with some things about me that you might not know (hopefully a few that even my closest friends are surprised by!). I kept going, and going, and going (this has been a note in my iPhone for ages!) – I finally made it to 100 with the help of my sister-in-law, who suggested the final fact (thanks, Ivana).

So, here’s a little light reading for you! Ha. And then a request from me. If you’ve been reading for awhile but we’ve never been in contact, I would love to hear from you (truly). Even just an email with a ‘Hi’ – I love connecting with people. Some of my sweetest friendships have started as online ones, but blossomed into much more.

Baby Registry Guide: Newborn to 5 Month Essentials

I published a baby registry guide post (here) almost two-and-a-half years ago, and I’ve been sharing it with friends ever since. I recently read through it again and realized a lot of links were broken, and that I needed to add new ‘Emi favorites.’

When I first compiled this list, I thought to myself, ‘I need to make a concise list of all essential items for a baby’s first five months.’ Then I listed all of the products we use on a day-to-day basis, and oh-my-gosh – it is quite the opposite of concise. Babies require lots and lots of stuff.