For giggles, let’s imagine you’re spending a long weekend in the City of Light. My three-day itinerary is perfect if you love: excellent food, natural wine, bar-none (vintage) shopping without the couture price tag, art history, and mysteriously reading in cafés. Because that’s all kind of my thing.

My husband and I will be in Paris and the South of France for our honeymoon. This is how I plan to spend our three days in Paris. Take notes, friends.

Friday: 

Arrive in Paris, early.

Check in or store your luggage at your hotel or nearest train station.

Caffeinate and eat a sweet treat at Dreamin’ Man while perched on a tiny stool. (Backup coffee shops that are also excellent – because Dreamin’ Man might be full – include: Boot Café and Pontochoux.)

Shop and wander all around the countless small shops dotted throughout the Marais (the neighborhood you’re in).

Aim for an early dinner, as you’re probably pretty jet lagged. I’ve broken dinner options down by cost. Basically how much do you want to splurge?

• Giclette: My favorite local wine bar. Cobble together snacks and wine for ‘girl dinner’ to go easy on your tummy and your wallet.
• Recoin: More of a sit-down restaurant feel. The portions are reasonable, so order the entrée-plat-dessert (three course meal). No substitutions!
• Datil: Splurge splurge splurge on perhaps the best meal of your whole life. You’re welcome. (But fully expect to spend more than $200 per person.) This plant-forward menu is sublime.

Follow up dinner with laid back drinks and chill vibes at Bambino.

Saturday

Brunch at Kubri… because of course! It’s the best brunch spot in Paris! 

Soak in the art at the Picasso Museum.

Snack on pastries and treats from Tapisserie or Maison Aleph. You can see my all time favorite pâtisseries in Paris here.

Shop until you drop at three of my favorites stores in the Marais

1. Sessun (multiple places to choose from)
2. Merci
3. Slow Galerie

Pick up a glass or two of natural wine at Aux Deux Amis before slurping up the best hand-pulled noodles from La Taverne de Zhao near Canal Saint Martin.

Sunday:

Roll out to brunch at Holybelly. Get there when they open at 9 am to avoid waiting for 45 minutes in line. Trust me! Also, 10,000% get the pancakes.

Sip coffee and journal at Café Peleton and then take your musings over to the Seine for a gentle stroll along the river. Bonus points if the sun comes out!

Spend 90 minutes to three hours (if you’re like me… more like three hours) at Musée Carnavalet (free!). To reward yourself for all the thinking you’ve done about art and culture, swing by Boulangerie Utopie for one of their naturally leavened croissants. 

For dinner, wherever you didn’t go for dinner on Friday, go there now! Choose among: Giclette (wine bar), Recoin (bistro), Datil ($$$ but worth it).

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P.S. Do you need to move to Paris or do you just need walkable cities, public transportation and affordable healthcare? Asking for a friend.