France

Clara Holleman
Apr 25, 2020
3 min read

Updated: May 3, 2020

Overall, it’s food, culture, art, music, love...it’s France!

Where I went:

Paris (La Belle Juliette in St. Germain)

Versailles (Waldorf Astoria Trianon Palace)

What I wore:

My Parisian style depends on the weather and my itinerary. If it’s summer, I’ll opt for bright colors and flowing skirts and dresses. Hats, scarves and oversize sunglasses. I’ll mix Anthropologie skirts with Hermes scarves and Dior sunglasses. Romance and youth!

If it’s Fall, I opt for urban chic and classic elegance—fitted skirts, ballet slippers, high boots, trench coats and a designer handbags (borrowed from mom!). Lots of classic lines mixed with trends from Zara. Something to make me feel welcome when I visit the Chanel boutique for window shopping or afternoon tea at the Ritz hotel.

What I did:

Something for every part of my personality. To feed my athletic side, I’ll walk for miles along the Seine and ride bikes through the streets of Paris and the gardens of Versailles.

And although I’m not a foodie, I can’t resist sitting in cafes and indulging in coffee and sweet treats through the City. And I never leave Paris without indulging in Angelina’s famous hot chocolate. It’s usually one of the last stops of my visit because I seem to always leave with a chocolate stain on my sleeve!

And for my creative side, I love to discover new museums and revisit favorite sites. I adore the fashion and design exhibits at Musee des Arts Decoratifs, the views from Sacre Couer, the charm of wandering through Montmartre (full of lovely photo ops), and the eeriness of the catacombs, visiting the specialty boutiques of Ile Saint-Louis, and dreaming my way through the luxury boutiques of the Golden Triangle. I even attended a fashion show at Galeries Lafayette!

And the musician in me has enjoyed attended organized and impromptu outdoor music in parks and festivals. It’s a lovely way to get some Vitamin D on a pretty day. I’m a sucker for a French busker!

Basically, I like to do my research ahead of time, start with a loose plan, and then adapt along the way!

What I ate/drank:

I enjoy snacking more than multicourse meals, so I tend to grab sandwiches, fruit, and sweet treats at local markets and food stalls as I wander. Jambon beurre on a baguette, ice cream, crepes, macarons. But I have enjoyed dining at some iconic French restaurants such as Jules Verne and Tren Bleu. It’s always worth the experience!

Speaking of iconic dining experiences, my mother recently attended a private dinner at Versailles. #goals

The legal drinking age in France is 18, however, France seems to have a liberal attitude about drinking, and there are certainly unorthodox ways to responsibly enjoy a glass of wine or champagne.

Social media musts:

Paris is full of tourists year-round, especially during the summer months. My two best pieces of advice are: Plan your outdoor photos at dawn. Seriously, the professional photographers know what they’re doing. If you arrive at the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower 10-15 minutes before sunrise, it will be you, two brides, and their wedding photographers. And you will all get amazing photos every time. I promise! After you’re finished, grab a cup of coffee and wander the streets as you watch them come alive with people. It’s a lovely way to start a day. Plus, you can always take a nap during the bustle of the midday crowds! Just resist the temptation to hit that snooze button:)

Don’t be afraid to strike a pose. I love natural photography, with crashing waves and multi-hued sunsets. But Paris is not the place for this. Paris has so much iconic imagery, and you should definitely lean into it. Wear the beret, hold a baguette, pose in front of the Eiffel Tower.

These images are iconic for a reason. By the way, this holds true for NYC, except substitute the beret for a beanie, the baguette for a bagel and plant yourself in front of the Statue of Liberty who, coincidentally, is also French!