The ultimate citytrip: Paris

Recently we visited our most favourite city in the world: Paris. The first time went, we were just baffled at its beauty and refinement. From then on, we've been going back once in a while.

We don't consider ourselves "Paris experts", but we'd like to share some of our favourite addresses and hotspots with you guys. Here we go!

We always take the Thalys train. It's without a doubt the quickest and most comfortable way of travelling to Paris for a reasonable price (tickets are available from € 29 in Comfort 2 and from € 65 in Comfort 1). There are 25 daily connections between Brussels and Paris and it only takes 1 hour and 20 minutes to get there. Furthermore, you can also take a direct connection from Antwerp to Paris (9 connections a day), which only takes 2 hours!

We strongly recommend you to travel in Comfort 1! There's free WI-FI and the on-board personnel is so friendly and attentive. They even provide catering, served at your seat. It doesn't get any better than that! 

You can find more information about Thalys International on their website www.thalys.com.

When we hear the word "Paris", we instantly say... FASHION! The capital of France is most definitely a Mecca for lovers of designer labels and shopping.

We never skip a visit to the famous Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, both departement stores (grands magasins) on the Boulevard Haussmann. These ginormous stores have absolutely everything you can ever dream of!

We also visit the lesser-known "Le Bon Marché", just because this store is super chique and has a great menswear department. Go check it out!

Galeries Lafayette

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

Shop 'till you drop is really an understatement when you plan out your days full of shopping madness in the streets of Paris. Here is a selection of our most favourite shopping streets and boutiques:

- Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré: this street is an absolute catwalk for the nouveau riche and socialites. The easiest way to power through Rue du Faubourg is to start at the Royal Palace and gradually make your way to the other end of the street. Brands like Lanvin, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Laurent, Goyard, Burberry, Bottega Veneta and John Galliano can be found on either sides of this fashion-walhalla. The celebrated concept store "Colette" can also be found here. However, we much more prefer the less crowded and more spectacular "L'eclaireur", down on the Rue Boissy-d'Anglas. Prepare for some hassle, because this shopping street can be quite overrun by eager shoppers. Don't forget to pay a visit to the beautiful Place Vendôme and the church La Madeleine.

- "Le Triangle d'Or": in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, located on the right bank, Avenue Montaigne, Avenue George V and Avenue des Champs-Élysées are the 3 streets that create a perfect triangle, which is called gold for a very good reason. Unlike Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, shopping here is a much more calm and relaxing experience. That's why these stores like Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Céline,... are more visited by the beau monde and the Parisian bourgeoisie. We're on the right bank after all... Inside the heart of the golden triangle, you can find Rue Francois-Ier. Number 44 houses the wonderful French brand Balmain. Visiting this store is like visiting a museum: you'll be in awe with the art.

- Saint-Germain-des-Prés: this is an area located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, situated around the church of the former Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. If you enjoy shopping all your favourite brands like Emporio Armani, Etro, Moncler, Paul Smith, Carven, Christian Louboutin,... in a more historic setting, this is the place for you. Enjoy a cup of coffee on the terras of Les Deux Magots (like Jean-Paul Sartre did) and head on over to Boulevard Saint-Germain, Rue de Grenelle, Rue Saint Sulpice and all the small streets in between. Also, pay a visit to the gorgeous Jardin du Luxembourg or the Musée d'Orsay.

The Christian Louboutin boutique at Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Curious? ;-)

Amar'e Stoudemire and Alexis Welch exiting the Balmain menswear show

Rue Des Barres

Unless you're a supermodel who lives on green juices and cigarettes, you're probably starving after a long day of maxing out your creditcard.

We suggest you to have dinner at the Italian restaurant "Le Den" on the Rue De Grenelle. It's a cute, little and no-nonsense place located within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower. All their antipasti, pasta and pizzas are homemade and taste delicious.

If you're a fan of the Southeast Asian cuisine, like us, you might want eat at "Thai Spices", 7 Rue de l'Ave Maria. They serve the best Thai food we've ever had in Paris (at normal prices). Men Trend approved!

Le Den - 167 Rue De Grenelle

Bon appetit!

Although our trip has come to an end, we can go on and on about Paris. So this probably won't be our last post about our beloved city. To quote Humphrey Bogart:

"We'll always have Paris."

Thank you very much Thalys International for your hospitality. Bon voyage et au revoir!

All images are courtesy of mentrend.net

Thank you for reading! Love,

Christophe & Nino

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