A long weekend escape to Paris
- Matias
- 45 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Winter, the perfect weekend escape to Paris (again and again)
I’ve just come back from Paris after spending a week there, part work, part long weekend with my partner, the kind of trip that starts with meetings and somehow ends with late dinners and slow mornings. And honestly, winter, or any season really, is always a good excuse for a long-weekend escape to the French capital. Which, funnily enough, is exactly what another couple of friends were doing too, something we only realised halfway through the weekend thanks to Instagram, before meeting for drinks and then heading off to our respective dinner plans.
I say the above as someone who’s been coming here for years, in all seasons, and now thanks to my job, on a monthly basis. A London to Paris rhythm that’s quietly turned into a gift, the perfect reason to stretch a work trip, stay an extra night, and turn something functional into something indulgent. Because in this new reality, and only a train away, Paris feels familiar enough to be effortless, yet exciting enough to never feel routine. And that’s the thing about this city, it rewards repetition, especially when you stop trying to “do” it.
I’ve done my fair share of the must-sees, the museums, the landmarks, the box-ticking that comes with first visits. These days, that’s no longer the focus. What keeps pulling me back is the mundane beauty of ordinary Parisian life, walking with no destination in mind, entering a bakery because it smells too good not to, sitting at a wine bar simply because the table looks inviting or spending an hour in a neighbourhood I’ve already walked a few times and enjoying it without needing more than that.
And winter sharpens that feeling because the city slows just enough. Not everything happens outdoors like it does in summer, and the cosy side of Paris comes into play. Flavours turn richer and more comforting, think of butter, chocolate, wine, and coffee. Now add to that the beauty of each Parisian corner and suddenly you’re walking, pausing, repeating... all of that fully immersed in the rhythm of the city.
On the first Paris trip of the year and with my wife along, we did what we rarely do and planned almost nothing. A couple of bakeries and patisseries we didn’t want to miss, a handful of wine bars and restaurants saved more as references than a schedule, everything else left to wandering. Getting lost in streets we already “know”, following aromas rather than maps, and mixing it all.
So as you can tell, this isn’t a guide for first-timers. It’s for those who’ve been before and want to have a long weekend escape to something quieter, a little different, but still deeply delicious and beautiful. Forget the obvious, this is Paris seen from the mundane, and honestly, that’s where it’s at its best.
Parisian neighbourhoods that feel like real life
11th Arrondissement
Unpretentious, exciting and deeply satisfying. If food is your priority (as it is mine), the 11th is non-negotiable. This is where Paris feels most natural to me, less polished, more instinctive, and full of places that care deeply about flavour rather than formality. You can’t really go wrong here, but a few favourites worth visiting. Bistrot Paul Bert is a reference point for a reason, Septime La Cave is casual and if you fancy a high-end dinner, then dine at their restaurant. Au Passage delivers small plates that punch well above their size, and Aux Bons Crus keeps things simple, classic and full of soul.
This is the part of Paris where dinners very easily turn into late nights.
9th Arrondissement, Pigalle
Pigalle is lively and packed with bakeries, wine bars and relaxed bistros that feel genuinely authentic and very lived in. This is the kind of neighbourhood where mornings start slowly and plans change quickly. You can grab something sweet at Mamiche, busy, hip and doing a few classics with a more modern touch, or visit KB Coffee Roasters for coffee done properly and without the fuss. If you’re sticking around for dinner, Colère is a solid option, a modern bistro that really delivers on flavour.
3rd and 4th Arrondissements, Le Marais
Classic Paris. Popular, yes, but still very good. On this last trip we spent time doing what Le Marais does best, wandering its busy streets, visiting boutique shops and just taking it all in.
It’s more touristy than other parts of the city, sure, but if you take it as it comes, it’s still full of charm. You can eat and drink particularly well at Parcelles, with its impressive wine list and consistently great food, and Les Enfants du Marché, a seafood-themed spot that presents something newish. Brasserie Dubillot, newly refurbished is an unmissable stop for classics done right. And at last, the Experimental Cocktail Club needs very little explanation.
2nd Arrondissement, Palais Royal and the covered passages
This is something I learned on this trip and it turned out to be an absolute win. Start near the Palais Royal, then walk north through the old covered galleries. Glass roofs, quiet corners, quaint shops, plenty of Asian restaurants and great little bistros tucked away between them.
It’s one of the most underrated walks in the city, and honestly, the best advice here is simple: just pick one spot after the other as you move through the passages and let the afternoon unfold on its own.
A collection of great French classics
A soft spot for French patisserie
Truth is, in Paris you’re unlikely to go wrong with a boulangerie or a patisserie. You could walk into almost any of them and walk out happy. That said, there are a few places that feel like a must, the kind you need to try at least once, even if that means spending more money than usual.
Cédric Grolet Opéra in the 2nd is the obvious place to start. Precision, beauty and flavour all rolled into one. Yes, it’s famous, and yes, it’s stupidly pricey, but it’s worth it. I’ve done it twice and I’d do it again without thinking too much about it.
Then there’s Pierre Hermé, my preffered choice when it comes to macarons. I usually grab one box at the station on my way back every month, but honestly, any of their branches will do you right.
And finally, Du Pain et des Idées in the 10th, the classic of classics. The kind of place you remember long after you’ve left Paris, and the perfect reminder that sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to beat.
Why Paris keeps pulling me back beyond the obvious
Working for a French company is something I don’t take lightly. It’s a quiet privilege that lets me step into Parisian life for a few days every month, not as someone passing through, but just enough to feel part of its rhythm. Morning walks to the office, familiar bakeries, beautiful streets, routines that slowly start to feel like your own.
Paris works like that. The more often you come, the less you feel like you’ve “done” it. You stop ticking boxes and start slipping into its flow. And no matter how many times I cross the Channel, it still feels like a city I’m quietly and constantly falling in love with.
If you’ve been a few times and want a different angle, skip the checklist, walk more, eat well and drink slowly! Let Paris do what it does best, make ordinary life feel quietly extraordinary.
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