It’s been a while since sharing a personal post, much less one from a trip!

I still take my “big camera” on most trips we venture out on, but rarely do I share the photos anymore.

Until now!  This trip was in October of 2023 when we took some friends (who graciously modeled for an elopement styled shoot while we were there!).

What’s been hard about sharing these photos is knowing where to start – Do I just take you through the city? Do I share the places we ate?  Or what about the cooking class we did at La Cuisine Paris?  (We’ve done a few classes there now and I’m officially a fan for life.  You can see photos of our first one here.). Would you prefer to hear about the day trips to Normandy and Versailles?

I was getting overwhelmed with how to break down this trip that I continued to not post anything… So I’m posting.  And I’m  starting simple.

This was mine and Ben’s 4th trip to Paris together and it was so incredibly sweet for many reasons.  Sharing the city we adore with friends was a treat!  And having someone else there with us to take our photo occasionally was such a gift.

We went to several familiar places, while also trying to see Paris in some slightly different ways.

Haussmann architecture is so Paris and is one of my favorite things about the city.

Also, the cafés and Metro…

Sometimes we visit the Louvre.  Sometimes we don’t.  But when you’re touring the city with friends who have not been before, it’s a must!  It was also a good bit of the backdrop for our styled shoot.

Bookstores are forever one of my most favorite places to wander – no matter the country or language.

We spent an evening in Montmartre, enjoyed dinner at Le Poulbot, and watched as cafés closed down for the night.

Another spot I’d been excited to visit was Les Puces.  It’s such an extensive flea market that it’s divided into “neighborhoods”.  There are even guides available to help you navigate the vast market.

Another spot on my “I want to wander here” list was Rue des Martyrs.  It was delightful and did not disappoint.

I also wanted to go by the I Love You wall while we were in Montmartre.  It’s a very popular location so if you go, just know it will more than likely be full of others wanting to see and experience the wall too!

Empty spots and the stairways in Montmartre are a gem.  For these locations, venture BEHIND the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur.  You’ll get a different view and also have plenty of secluded spots, in complete contrast to the vast crowds in front of the church.

One morning, we ventured out just before sunrise.  At Trocadero, the Eiffel Tower at that time of day is almost empty.  However, when we arrived, a huge production was being filmed so we wandered some side streets instead.

She was still beautiful… as she is from any angle.

Many who visit the city want to ascend the Eiffel Tower.  However, I think I’d recommend visiting the top of the Arc de Triomphe.  You still get an incredible view of the city AND a unique view of the Eiffel Tower.

One trip, several years ago, Ben and I spent sunset up here and took some of my most favorite photos of the city!
(You can view and purchase them for your own home in the Paris Prints gallery!)

A favorite kitchen store of ours is E. Dehillerin, 18-20 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris.  I’m pretty sure we’ve been there at least 4 or 5 times since we discovered it.

And this restaurant?  Chez Georges?  It’s our favorite.

We made reservations here for our “one week anniversary” while we were on our honeymoon.  But back in 2011, we looked up directions before leaving the apartment and then walked.  And walked.  And walked some more.  After finally asking for directions, we discovered we weren’t even close.  But we made it… and the staff at Chez Georges still welcomed us, sat us, and we had an incredible evening.  And we return each time we’re in Paris!

On our 5th anniversary trip, our AirBnB was actually one of the apartments directly above the restaurant!  When we took our daughters in 2021, we enjoyed sharing lunch with them here one day. And for this trip in 2023, we introduced the experience to our friends.

Each time it’s been a delight and we will forever sing their praises and enjoy dining there whenever we can!

In 2019, I stood on a bridge watching Notre Dame in flames.  In 2023, it was still under construction.  I’m excited to go back one day and walk through it again.

One of the other places on my bucket list for this trip was to have dinner at Le Train Bleu.  It is beautiful, elegant and closing down the restaurant allowed me to not only capture some photos without guests, but with everything already reset for the next day!

I’d love to hear what else you’d like to see and know about Paris!
For previous Paris posts, click HERE.
You can also see some of my Paris adventures on Instagram with #SabrinaFieldsInParis.