The Paris Postcard: Direct from Paris

Bonjour from Paris! I arrived yesterday afternoon and, from the moment I stepped out of the taxi, the city has felt as magical as ever. The weather is spectacular—clear skies and that unmistakable spring warmth that makes Paris feel like a dream. Here’s a whirlwind look at my first 24 hours—a mix of familiar favorites, new discoveries, and that unmistakable Parisian charm.

After checking into one of my longtime favorite hotels, Le Grand Hôtel Cayré, I slipped away for a little self-care: a brushing and mani/pedi at Biguine Salon, the perfect reset after a travel day. I absolutely love getting my hair done in Paris, where every stylist has mastered the art of a good blowout.

BTW, if you’re looking for an exceptionally good hotel, I highly recommend Le Grand Hôtel Cayré. In fact, it’s always makes my list of top hotels on the left bank—you can see my recently updated post: Five of My Favorite Left Bank Hotels.

Later, I met up with friends at the newly renovated and beautiful Pathé Cinema on Boulevard des Capucines for a live-streamed performance of Salomé from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The production was stunning—intense, sensual, and beautifully sung. There’s something uniquely powerful about watching a Met performance while seated in a Parisian cinema, surrounded by fellow opera lovers.

The evening ended with a light dinner at a friend’s gorgeous apartment on Rue Jean Goujon, in the trés chic 8th arrondissement, followed by a taxi ride home just after midnight—romantic in that quintessentially Parisian way (especially meaningful for someone who recently re-watched Midnight in Paris). Crossing the Seine on the Alexandre III bridge with a view of the warmly lit Eiffel Tower in the background was the perfect ending to an even more perfect day.

Sunday morning began with coffee in my room, then I met friends in the hotel lobby, and we set out for a quick visit to a vide-grenier (garage sale) in the 7th arrondissement. From there, we headed to the Petit Palais for our 10 AM entry to the Worth exhibit, which more than lived up to the advance praise.

Charles Frederick Worth—often regarded as the first true couturier—revolutionized fashion in 19th-century Paris, elevating dressmaking to a form of artistic expression and laying the groundwork for modern haute couture. The exhibition is beautifully curated, featuring lavish gowns, original sketches, and richly detailed archival materials. It’s a striking reminder of how much of today’s fashion vocabulary was born in his atelier. If you’re in Paris while it’s on, don’t miss it.

Afterward, we had brunch on the terrace of a traditional brasserie, then made a quick stop at Galeries Lafayette—where the spring fashion displays were incredibly inspiring. With nearly a month in Italy ahead of me later this summer, I could have walked away with half the sundresses on display. The colors, fabrics, and silhouettes were pure sunshine.

By 2 PM, I was back at the hotel for a brief and welcome nap. Et voilà—my first 24 hours in Paris!

#ICYMI

If you’re curious (or confused) about how tipping works in France, don’t miss this week’s earlier post—Tips for Tipping in France breaks it all down with practical advice and a few personal reflections. You can read it here.

For a bit of French Style nostalgia, see one of destination posts from August 2023 entitled 72 Hours in the Loire Valley—we’re heading back there soon!

More soon—à très vite!

xoxo, Jeannine