Paris, France: ChichiChic Top 10 Highlights

Paris, nick named the City of Light, is the capital and the most popular city of France. The city is a major rail, highway, and air-transport hub served by two international airports: Paris-Charles de Gaulle (according to Wikipedia, the second busiest airport in Europe after London Heathrow Airport with 63.8 million passengers in 2014) and Paris-Orly. Of note, Charles De Gaulle airport is one of the worst airports in which to transit or travel because it is quite disorganized given the heavy traffic it gets–you have to be armed with patience and great time management because the sights and sounds of Paris are well worth the airport trials.

Paris is especially known for its museums and architectural landmarks: for example, according to Wikipedia, the Louvre was the most visited art museum in the world in 2016, with 7.4 million visitors. My husband and I came to Paris in August 2008 as part of our Honeymoon Trip and we had a ball. For this trip, 9 years later, I came by myself for a conference and some parisian exploits.

So here they are, the top 10 highlights of my trip to Paris, France.

1. The Eiffel Tower: The Eiffel Tower is always such a beauty to behold–it never gets old.  The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. According to Wikipedia, constructed from 1887–89 as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, it was initially criticized by some of France’s leading artists and intellectuals for its design, but it has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world; 6.91 million people ascended it in 2015. Click here for information on touring the Eiffel Tower.

View of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero

2. Traveling by Rail: Though traveling by Taxi or Uber was quite convenient, learning to navigate the Rail system in Paris was quite fun (and greatly economical). My friend, Marjorie was very instrumental in helping me learn the rail system. For more information on using the Paris rail, click here.

My friend Marjorie and I at the Jourdain station on line 11 of the Paris Métro in the 19th and 20th arrondissements

3. African Fusion food in Paris: I was so pleased to enjoy french West African food with friends. I am from Nigeria, a West African nation that was colonized by Britain. Whether French, British, or Portuguese-influenced, we West African nations have so much in common when it comes to culture and food (though, Naija Jollof is #1, no matter what…LOL!) Check out Afrik ‘N’ Fusion located at 330 Rue des Pyrénées, 75020 Paris, France by clicking here.

Me in front of Afrik ‘N’ Fusion

4. Parisian outdoor Cafes: Paris is rightfully known for its outdoor cafes where Parisians can enjoy an appetizer while watching all kinds of people go by. Because Paris is so gilded and stylish at baseline, it is easy to escape into a fantasy land of sorts in one of these cafes as a vacationer in Paris. Check out this July 2017 Vogue Magazine article for the best new spots for an Outdoor Aperitif in Paris.

Me at Cafe Blanc near Palais Royal 10 rue Croix des Petits Champs Photography by Carolina Evanno

5. Arc de Triomphe: There are so many monuments, museums and beautiful structures to behold in Paris. One of my favorites is Arc de Triomphe. It was built between 1806 and 1836 and it stands at the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as the “Place de l’Étoile”. It’s located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. The arches whole decorative style is entirely of the tradition of sculpture from the first half of the nineteenth century. The triumphal arch is in honor of those who fought for France, in particular, those who fought during the Napoleonic Wars and the arches symbolize a unified ensemble. To me they memorialize the french motto of Liberté, égalité, fraternité (liberty, equality, and fraternity)–I may be romanticizing it just a little bit (LOL!) For information about visiting the Arc de Triomphe, click here.

Arc de Triomphe during a parade for the Fire Brigade on October 7th, 2017

6. Parisian Nights with old and new friends: From dinners at both “hole-in-the-wall” and fancy Paris spots to chilling at Paris’ chicest lounges with some old and new friends of varying nationalities, professions and personalities, this really came together as a fantastic trip. We developed a lingua franca of joie de vivre spurred on by the background of Paris Fashion Week and its many celebrity sightings. This was definitely one for the books.

With my pal Leona Sayson At Fuxia Cantina 51 rue des Martyrs 75009 Paris, France: the best beef Lasagna on earth

Molten Lava Chocolate Cake with Creme Fraiche and the most delicious Strawberry Ice Cream from Fuxia Cantina in Paris

Enjoying a Virgin Pina Colada with the crew at Mandarin Oriental Paris (251 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris, France) Bar 8.

Mandarin Oriental Paris Bar 8 (Photo Credit: Mandarin Oriental Paris)

7. Rue Cambon Chanel: For fashion fans, a visit to the Rue Cambon Chanel boutique, the flagship store, is a must. Gabriel Chanel launched the brand on Rue Cambon, so there is plenty fashion history to behold here. This store is also known for delivering fantastic service despite being regularly inundated with many shoppers (with the amount you will likely spend here, makes perfect sense to me…LOL!) For information on the Chanel Flagship Boutique, click here.

Chanel occupies 5 buildings on Rue Cambon extending from Number 23 to 31

Some of my Paris purchases including my new Chanel quilted card holder in Caviar Leather from the Rue Cambon Chanel

8. Paris shopping en général: Shopping in Paris is a little less painful this time around than during my first trip in 2008 for many reasons–first, the Euro power dropped, so now the dollar goes further (1.2 dollars to 1 Euro, as opposed to 1.8-2 dollars to 1 Euro), second I am in a better financial standing now than 9 years ago when I was still a resident physician, and finally, duty free shopping as an expat (you can save upwards of 100s to 1000s of dollars depending on your purchases). 

Galeries Lafayette marked the 70th anniversary of Christian Dior with  special events that coincided with Paris Fashion Week. From Sept. 20 to Oct. 10, Dior took over 11 window displays at the retailer’s Paris flagship on Boulevard Haussmann. In celebration of creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri’s blue-themed fall collection for Dior, Galeries Lafayette offered 23 exclusive products.

Le Galeries Lafayette Paris celebrating Christian Dior’s 70th Anniversary

Dior Handbags and SLGs at Galeries Lafayette Paris

Dior is my birthstone (LOL!): Trying on the merchandise at Galeries Lafayette Dior

Checking out the Dior Women’s Diorama Mini 54MM Mirrored Cat Eye Sunglasses in Gold/Silver at Charles de Gaulle Airport Dior

Gorgeous Diorama Handbags at CDG Airport Dior

9. Tea at the Four Seasons Paris George V Hotel: From the best tasting hot chocolate on earth (complete with the creamiest and tastiest whipped cream and heavenly crunchy tiny chocolate malt balls), delicious finger sandwiches and an appetite-whetting showstopping display of colorful and scrumptious pastries, tea at the La Galerie Lounge at the Four Seasons Paris is literally out of this world.

The Pastry Carte at La Galerie Four Seasons Paris George V Hotel

Tea is served at Four Seasons Paris #ChichiChic

Fun times #FourSeasonsParis #ChichiChic

La Galerie’s Courtyard Four Seasons Paris

10. Vive la France: Despite all the recent hideous terrorist attacks that Paris and other parts of France have had to endure, the french are still so focused on living life and upholding their motto of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Though I had a heightened awareness of my surrounding at all times and was more cautious this time around, the splendor of Paris and its enduring light were never lost on me. Now that is the true Parisian Chic!

Photo Credit: Four Seasons Paris George V Hotel

Please share your thoughts and other Paris Faves in the comment section below.

Love,

Chichi