Hidden Gems Of Paris

This Spring, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel to France as part of the Queen’s-Blyth Worldwide program. For three weeks in May, 26 of us travelled between Paris and The Côte D’Azur with a weekend stop in Provence, and I was completely enamoured by the City of Light. We saw many famous landmarks but also discovered some local haunts that gave us a taste of Parisian life.

After a full day of walking, we were on the hunt for a good meal. Although incredible restaurants were on every corner in Paris, Le Procope stood out as it boasted a sign revealing its status as the oldest restaurant in the world. Located in the beautiful 6th arrondissement in the area of Saint-Germain-des-Près, we stumbled across it while touring this amazing area founded in 1686. It offered an impressive prix fixe menu and the prices were pretty affordable. The décor and atmosphere alone made it a worthwhile stop!

Just a short walk away was the Jardin du Luxembourg. It was a vastly green space with seating around a spurting fountain. A cute café and an abundance of gardens dotted the periphery. We frequented this spot a lot as we enjoyed our daily lunch of fromage and pain au chocolat. It was also a place for some serious people watching, as the most stylish locals seemed to congregate there.

We explored the Marais District in the 4th arrondissement, which offered a fantastic shopping experience. It was extremely trendy and full of boutiques such as Comme des Garçons and Longchamp. Since they were quite expensive, I reluctantly did a lot more window-shopping than buying. France seems to shut down on Sunday (a testament to the slower pace of French life), but the Marais District is one of the few areas that still seemed to be bustling.

I was lucky enough to travel to Provence for a weekend, which we traveled to by train. Though we stayed in Avignon and toured the city, we had an incredible tour guide who showed us the must see areas. We visited two famous and beautiful villages, Gordes and Rousillon. Rousillon boasted a beautiful view and gorgeous ochre buildings, and Gordes was the picturesque village featured in the movie A Good Year. These villages were one of the highlights of my entire trip.

Finally, we travelled to the established wine making area of Provence called Châteauneuf du Pape. We learned the proper method of tasting both red and white wines and received an earful from our guide on the problems with North American culture. We left a little tipsy and a lot more educated.

I was very sad to leave this amazing place and I know that my experience in France has only encouraged me to continue with my travels. Whether it’s French cuisine, shopping or people-watching you’re after, the City of Light offers up a wide array of hidden gems.

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