Falling for Paris?

I have a confession to make, last time I paid a visit to Paris I just didn't get it. Sure Paris is absolutely beautiful and full of pinterest worthy photo opportunities but I didn't get the hype. I didn't understand what makes people fall in love with the city and return year after year. It might have been because we stayed in an absolute dive and had no knowledge of the city so were pretty much reliant on what we stumbled on whilst travelling from one tourist attraction to the next. I want to change this. I want to visit Paris and fall head over heels in love with it. I want the whole fairytale god-dammit!

I have been browsing gorgeous hotels on Hotel Direct and looking up prices for the Eurostar with a plan in mind. Gray and I have no more holidays to look forward to after our staycation earlier this year and couldn't decide where we want to spend our third wedding anniversary so why not Paris. It might be a bit clichéd but I am picturing us strolling around Paris hand in hand celebrating our love whilst falling for Paris at the same time. I am also picturing me eating lots of salted caramel macarons at Laudree but that is a totally different story! I want to lose hours sitting drinking coffee in a pretty cafe whilst watching the world go by. I want to be asking everyone what beauty products I need to be buying from the French pharmacies. And cheese. I want to eat all the cheese.

This summer I feel like I have seen another side of Paris living vicariously through Roisin and Christine's instagram feeds. And it looked magical. With a sprinkling of fabric shaped goodness on top. Not that the potential fabric shopping is swaying me, honest. Okay maybe just a little! I really do not need any excuse to add to my fabric stash and I really need to go here. Roisin filled me full of the tales of her cheese eating, rabbit watching and jazz listening honeymoon in Paris and it sounded perfect. Just look at those happy smiling faces.

I really enjoyed going on the Eurostar last time I visited, we drank pink fizz and had a little train picnic whilst watching the French countryside roll past. It was unlike a regular train journey, stress free and totally relaxing. On my last visit we didn't have chance to go in the Moulin Rouge only to stand with the other tourists taking photos of the iconic signage so I would really love to go and experience the show. We did a river cruise by night which was really idyllic so I would love to take this trip again, the Eiffel Tower is especially beautiful at night.

I never seem to find the bits I would really enjoy, the little hidden treasures and that's where you guys come in. I am after your recommendations - where is best to stay, to eat and drink etc etc. The must visit places that you won't find in a guide book or whilst on a tour bus if you have forgotten said guide book! If you have blogged about Paris please link me in the comments especially if the post features your happy face!

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