Paris City Guide
March 2026
A recap of all the good things I got to see, feel, taste, touch and experience
Hi guys, this is Annie. It is time for my Paris City Guide. I am writing this on the Thalys back to Amsterdam, reflecting on the past few days in the French capital.
Paris is a place filled with memories, inspiration and history. There is a certain energy that is hard to describe, but one I felt the moment I hopped on the train. In this guide, I am sharing the things that have made my trip memorable. This is Paris through my eyes.
First Things First
What makes My Guide different?
Countless articles have been written about Paris. This made me want to pause and reflect on what my guide would bring to the table.
I have decided to share the places where I felt best in my body. I wandered through the city with my two best friends... Tasting, smelling, chatting and exploring. Along the way, we asked locals where to go and more than once, we followed their advice. We changed our entire itinerary and honestly, those detours turned out to be the best parts of the trip.
This guide follows the spots where I felt relaxed and walked around with a smile on my face. If you would like to visit the places where the vibes just felt right, then this guide is for you.
Annie's Paris City Guide
2. Skincare Spree
3. Three Days, Three Routes
- Saint-Honoré
- Le Marais
- A Parisian Picnic
4. Where to Eat
5. Where to Shop
“The Paris Energy felt intense around the heart,
yet full of inspiration”
The Drops I bring on a City Trip
Travelling to a big city comes with a rhythm. Wandering through new streets, hopping between cafés, trains and museums. Taking in sounds, smells and impressions. It is inspiring and one of the reasons I love to travel, but it can be a lot.
Have you ever noticed how you can feel completely drained after a full day of exploring and then feel like yourself again, the moment you step back into your hotel room?
That is what I feel like when I come back to my own energy. The contrast reminds me of how intense a city can feel. This is why I prioritise my rituals even more when I travel. Little practices that help me stay anchored while moving through a city that is buzzing.
I always bring my Drops. For this trip, I felt called towards The Walnut Flower Remedy from Dr. Bach. Not because I see this bottle as a solution or a fix, but because it feels like a reminder to pause and ground. The Walnut gives me a sense of energetic protection.
I kept the bottle in my bag and reached for it at times when the day felt full and I wanted to create a moment for self. Bringing drops with me works as a way to support myself energetically, wherever it is that I find myself in the world. Taking a long shower to rinse things off works magic too. This way, I stay present, enjoy the city and move through it at my own pace.
Perfume, Skincare and All Things Natural
One of my favourite discoveries in Paris was Officine Universelle Buly 1803. A big highlight for sure. Inside the boutique, you will find natural perfumes, botanical skincare, a tea bar and customisable brushes. This store felt like a place outside of time. Everything looks thoughtful and timeless, from the formulas to the incredible packaging.
I discovered a wonderful rose scent named 'Eau Triple Damask Rose.' It is a water-based perfume and has its matching soap bar. Both items belong to my favourites now.
This store is one of those places where you want to take your time to explore every shelf. The staff will allow you to try all the products you like. And I have to admit... Their packaging has become a big source of inspiration for our own Flower Drops.
If you love organic groceries and natural beauty as much as I do, Bien Épicerie is one of those places where you could easily spend an hour snooping around. I came here to pick up some simple groceries but my visit quickly turned into a skincare spree. Think shelves filled with pantry staples, supplements, essential oils, mists and natural skincare. This is the place where you keep discovering things you did not know you needed.
Right next door you will find Oh My Cream. A curated boutique with natural and clean skincare brands like Goop Beauty and Agent Nateur. This little corner in Paris is a dream for those who love all things natural and like to splurge a little on wellness goodies.
A small discovery I stumbled upon while wandering through the city. Inside Maison Senteurs de Fée, I met a lovely older woman who creates and sells her own rose products. I ended up buying a fragrant rose elixir which is multi-use and smells wonderful. Their slogan goes: "La beauté magique et naturelle"
I mean...
Three days, Three routes
1. From Le Marais to Saint-Honoré and back
Our first stop is at Copains. A bakery known for its clean ingredients, a very good almond milk matcha and remarkable banana bread. A team that takes pride in what they make. They invited us to enjoy our pastries outside on their bench in the sun.
Continuing our walk towards the Saint-Honoré, we found the Herboristerie du Palais Royal. A traditional herb shop offering Flower Remedies, natural supplements, books and herbal tarot decks. This place is only steps away from Librairie Delamain, a beautiful bookstore with a calm vibe amidst a busy street. This corner might have been my favourite part of our trip.
From the library, we wandered into the chic Saint-Honoré district and stopped by Mad Lords, a jewellery store hidden away in a quiet courtyard. A must-visit if you would like to elevate your ear-party.
Just around the corner sits the Santa Maria Novella concept store, a historic Italian brand I love. This place showcases all of its classic perfume bottles and offers their wonderful scents to sample. These gem spots are all within the same neighbourhood, which makes it easy to visit them in one go.
2. Le Marais
Different day, different route. In Le Marais, I stopped by Parisian Vintage to admire all of their carefully selected designer pieces. You will find The Frankie Shop a little further down the road, with two stores on opposite sides of the street. This place carries most of their latest collection and I personally love their oversized blazers.
For our caffein pick-me-up, we visited Merlo. An aesthetic café with a very kind Parisian barista preparing us a traditional matcha. For sushi, she recommended us to sit down at Nobi-San across the street. Pick a spot at the bar and watch the handrolls being prepared in front of you. We ordered the one with toro, caviar and sea urchin, which was the best bite of our trip. Everything is prepared with such care, even the type of seaweed is thoughtfully chosen. So good!
3. Parisian Picnic
For brunch, we stopped at Aura. A great spot for healthy meals, smoothies and homemade nut milks. We decided to take things to go, pick up some more goodies at Wild and The Moon and walk to Square du Temple to enjoy our brunch on a park bench between locals.
We continued our stroll towards Café Charlot after. The sun-soaked terrace was packed, so we decided to wander through the cozy neighbourhood instead. We were so glad we had not booked our Thalys train until later. We would not have wanted to miss this moment of watching Parisians enjoy their brunch with wine in the sun.
Where to Eat
For shared dining, Jones makes a lovely spot. The atmosphere felt very Parisian. A place for jeans, flats and a chique sweater. With either a kombucha or a good glass of red wine in hand.
For something more classic, we went to Pierrot for their Confit de Canard. We were told this is the place where French celebs meet. The confit did not disappoint. Two other places we got recommended often were L’Oursin and Chez Janou. I will save those for my next visit, but I believe they are worth mentioning.
Where to Shop
Just around the corner from the Copains bakery, you will find Kiliwatch. A never-ending vintage store that is lovely to browse through. There are racks and racks of clothing, making it one of those places where you can easily lose track of time. I was personally spending most of my time people-watching.
A (very) well-known vintage shop in Paris. Inside you will find piles and piles of special pieces, from statement jackets to beautiful coats. I personally loved the oversized baseball jerseys and Bob Marley tees. There are so many items there, but it is worth taking time to find your gem.
A beautiful place for anyone who loves stationary, journals and tarot. You will find yourself whispering for no reason and leave feeling inspired.
These were just few of the gems to be found in Paris. It is a place I will never finish exploring. If you know a spot that I absolutely should not miss next time, please let me know. I hope you feel inspired.
