If I Woke Up In Paris, I Would... Vol 5

When you go somewhere, 

you talk to locals...

but you hit the jackpot when you find

someone back home 

who used to be a local.

When that happens-

you get all the best bits of the city 

culturally edited to your liking.

{Hey, I only have a week here people.}

Which makes me so happy to have 

the charming Carolyn

of Diane James

walk us through a day in Paris...

because not only is she fabulous, 

but she lived in Paris for four years!

If I Woke Up in Paris, I Would...

Since I would be waking up in my Christian Lacroix-decorated room at Le Bellechasse, I'd cross the Seine and start my day at Laduree on Champs-Elysees with a croissant aux amandes and a cafe au lait.

The best way to see Paris is to wander the streets with no true destination in mind.  That way, if you decide to open a garden gate and sit for a while on a parc bench, there's not pressure to be somewhere at a specific time.

From the Champs-Elysees, I'd walk to Avenue Montaigne where all the couture designers have their stores (and I'd hope the commotion around Dior would've died down).  I would then stroll down Rue du Faubourg St. Honore and stop by Colette and Flamant, two of my favorite boutiques for fashion and home decor. 

 I'd end up at Rue de Rivoli where there's the Musee des Arts Decoratifs and I'd definitely take the time to see the exhibit Fashion of the Nineties.

Walking along the Seine, I'd end up on Isle St. Louis and cross over to the left bank, where I'd pick up a jambon beurre at Maison Kayser on rue Monge and then walk Boulevard St. Germain, making my way to the 7th arrondissement by way of rue du Bac (another fashionable street full of fabulous stores).  Dinner at Au Bon Acceuil would top a perfect day - their menu (written in chalk on a blackboard) changes daily based on what's available in the market.  An after dinner, I'd stroll toward the Eiffel Tower (just take a right when you leave the restaurant!) and down the Champs de Mars back to the hotel.  

Ahh, what a lovely day spent in my favorite city on earth!

Have a great time and Bon Voyage!