In today’s Reader Mail:
Dear Bunny,
I see that you were recently in Paris – le sigh! I leave for Paris this weekend; it’s my first time there. Since you manage to be sassy and fashion-y while being totally reasonable, I want to know: what are the must-pack items for gallery hopping, landmark visiting, marathon meals and general wandering about?
Lots of love,
C
Toronto
Oh, we just love the travel-y questions! First, we must say, our top top top recommendation for Paris will always be: Caves Saint-Gilles, a tapas restaurant in the Marais (our favorite neighborhood, btw.) It is amazing. It is so great we spent a birthday there, and our friend K. spoke Spanish to all the waiters, and it was amazing. We don’t even mind using that word twice, it was that great.
We spent our time in Paris on the border of the 4th and the 11th, and we prefer this part of the city to any other. Maybe it’s not the Louvre, but we love love love the Promenade Plantee, an elevated park tres pres de la Bastille—it’s the prettiest thing in Paris, especially at this time of year. We were there a week and a half ago, and it was fucking snowing. But we’ve been there this time of year in years previous, and it’s been perfect.
If you have any interest in contemporary art, we beg you not to miss the Sophie Calle show at the National Library.
Shopping wise, you have to hit Colette, Spree, and basically everywhere in the Marais—we are paper freaks so we adore Papier Plus, also in the Marais.
Anyway, this is clearly supposed to be about clothing. Three things hit us on this most recent trip:
1: We saw a million girls in swing jackets. Anthro swing set jacket, $118
2: High-waisted, wide-leg jeans. We didn’t think anyone actually wore these, but we saw them all over the place and were totally jealous. 18th Amendment Colbert jeans, $218
3: Scarves. We could practice for a thousand million years and we will never be able to wrap a scarf like a French woman can. Topshop scarf, $30
No sneakers/track shoes/trainers, no polar fleece, no baseball caps.
Otherwise I agree with the dos.
I was in France recently, and it seemed every girl was going for the mall-punk look: Chuck Taylors, skinny jeans, black peacoat, black-and-white-checked scarf, and an eastpack.
I will be going to Paris on May 18, and aside from worrying about where to stay, my main concern is footwear! I plan to do a fair bit of walking, but I’m short so flats make me look stumpy…any cute shoe recommendations that are comfy and not flat?? I will be forever grateful! Also, I love your blog although this is my first post.
Did you take that photo? It is so pretty…
I highly, highly recommend the restaurant Les Papilles — it’s a bit south of Notre Dame; not sure what arrondisemont it is. They have one menu of 3 courses, daily — you either like it or you don’t. Most amazing meal I’ve ever had.
Also, when I was in Paris in 2/08 and 5/06 I noticed tons of French women wearing plain white Converse sneakers. Add some inserts and you’re good to walk around a lot. Also, low boots (non-heeled) were very popular when I was there in Feb — the younger the woman was, the lower her heel; only the older chicks were wearing stillettos. Nice.
Oh, and agreed — scarf it up. And maybe a fitted blazer in case it’s in-between weather.
Kat’s right, the weather’s been wacky here lately. Warm, cold, warm, cold. People do wear mostly dark clothes, but I got this strange feeling when it started to get a little warmer that suddenly EVERYONE had brown boots on. It might be just me though. You can also never ever go wrong with a pair of black ballerinas, or if you don’t want 100% flat, the same style with a little heel (so you can still walk!)
I love the Musée du Quai Branly, for visiting. The building itself is incredible, but the collections are too. It’s classic “non-Western” art and artifacts, but presented in a way where you can see the object in use via videos or photos, so you not only get the artistic value but the cultural/ceremonial understanding as well.
Please splurge on something from Pierre Hermé- even though it seems expensive it is worth every single centime. Scout’s honor.
Thanks so much for all the helpful advice! You guys are the best! One more question…I’m in the midst of booking hotels…where would be a good area to stay in? I was told anywhere in 5-6-7, but I trust you guys more! We’re only spending about 4 days in Paris before heading off to Venice.