Paris on a Whim: A No-Plan Adventure (and How to Pull It Off)
There’s something fabulous about booking a last-minute ticket, throwing a few essentials into a bag and stepping onto a plane with no set itinerary. That’s exactly how I found myself in Paris… with my 12-year-old daughter by my side… for one unforgettable week.
It all started when my ex-husband planned a ski trip for our twin sons. I then thought (and it took some time to do so as many things in divorce often do) why not take a few vacation days and escape to a city I’d always wanted to visit, one that my daughter would fall in love with just as much as I would? Quite a pivot from how I thought I would visit Paris for the first time, but a fabulous bucket-trip opportunity nonetheless.
And just like that, our spontaneous Parisian adventure began.
Traveling without a plan allows for unexpected discoveries, like stumbling upon a charming cafe on a bustling side street or stepping out of a Metro station to the breathtaking sight of the Arc de Triomphe or choosing a small business croissant-making class over a big-name bakery and unexpectedly ending up with a private lesson in a cozy Parisian flat.
We both learned new things, experienced new sights and walked and shopped and ate our hearts out. Let me take you through some of the specific things we did, the places we stumbled upon, where we stayed and the experiences I’d recommend for anyone considering a spontaneous - or planned - Parisian escape:
Where to Stay
The iconic Ritz Paris is a must if the budget allows. Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway, Marcel Proust and Lady Di loved it and you will too. It has a rich and legendary heritage, Michelin-starred restaurant, cafes, bars (don’t miss the hidden and intimate Bar Hemingway), Ritz Paris Club & Spa, indoor pool, boutiques, champagne and tea experiences and exceptional service. Paris is packed with many other luxury hotels (Saint James Paris, Crillon, Mandarin Oriental) beautiful affordably-priced boutique hotels (Le Roch Hotel, Hotel Vernet) and vacation home rentals to fit all budgets.
Ritz Paris | 15 Place Vendome
What to Do
This list is endless but here are the ones we squeezed in and I would highly recommend: Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris, Eiffel Tower (hike the stairs to the second floor or take the lift to the second floor or the top; others simply enjoy grabbing a bottle of wine and sitting on the lawn outside the Eiffel Tower to avoid the crowds), the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, La Galerie Dior (book in advance), enjoy a dinner cruise at sunset along the Seine, Jardin du Luxembourg and Jardin des Tuileries, Sacre-Coeur in the historic Montmartre neighborhood, shop/eat/wander Le Marais, shop the city’s luxury hub in the 8th arrondissement, get lost in Parisian department stores (Galeries Lafayette Haussman, Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysees, Printemps Hausmann, Merci and Le Bon Marche) and with kids - book a croissant, macaroon or perfume making class.
Where to Dine
Every little corner….but we enjoyed Bar Vendome, Salon Proust (Parisian tea room), Mimosa, the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise and the single course menu at Le Relais de l’Entrecote. I don’t feel like I’m doing this paragraph justice, but with a spontaneous-style trip, we just popped in and out of marvelous cafes and loved every minute. There wasn’t a cappuccino I didn't enjoy. My daughter made sure we found Carette Trocadero, the viral cafe that serves up delicious hot chocolate with whipped cream (I loved the shortbread). Making this trip in the off-season helped here and at many other stops as we were seated right away.
Transportation & Reservations Made Easy
I suggest Ubers or car services to and from the airport and late at night. Otherwise, the Metro system is extremely easy to navigate and Google Maps directed us from train to train and from street to street around the entire city all week. Bring a portable phone charger and comfy sneaks!
American Express Travel and Fine Hotels & Resorts made our flight/hotel reservations quick and easy. The cancellation policies are generous, flight options are made simple and benefits like daily breakfast for two, room upgrades and late check-outs are included. Choosing luxury hotels allows for top-notch concierge services which are not only appreciated but very helpful when it comes to last-minute travel (they have tickets to museums and sites otherwise sold out and can assist with reservations from restaurants to activities).
Overall….Paris, with its endless charm and serendipitous moments, proved to be the perfect city for a whim-driven journey. I hope my daughter never forgets this one, always has a sense of wonder and adventure and realizes girl trips are often the best way to go!
Hop on a plane or that afternoon train and make the trip. C’est la vie!
