Unless you are fabulously flush and frequent the rue St. Honore or Avenue Montaigne, the Marais, St. Germain des Prés or the Palais Royal and nearby Galleries Vivienne are prime romantic strolling/shopping venues. Art galleries galore, French Chic, gorgeous accessories, one of a kind shops, its all here in abundance. For utterly personal jewelry, stop in at Les Ateliers du Palais in the Palais Royal to consider an original creation or a reworking of beloved older jewelry. www.ateliersdupalais.com Who hasn’t dreamed about having their own uniquely irresistible fragrance? Parfum Sur Measure’s Stephanie de Brujin will create a perfume for you after an initial meeting to specify your tastes. www.parfumsurmesure.com
If you love exquisite silk scarves and shawls be sure to visit Wolff et Descourths in the Galleries Vivienne. The designs and colors are unique and superb. Elsewhere in the Galleries Vivienne, stop in at the venerable Lucien Legrand Filles et Fils for a special bottle of wine or spirits. You can also enjoy a light lunch at their wine bar.
For your mid-afternoon chocolate break, head to Jean Paul Hevin, 231 rue Faubourg St. Honoré. In the second floor salon of this master chocolatier’s shop you can relax over decadent chocolate patisserie and the chocolat chaud of your dreams. If chocolate isn’t as special for you, consider an hour for the finest teas and good conversation at either of Mariage Frères salons in the Marais or in St. Germain des Prés. Over 100 teas are perfectly brewed and there are delicious tarts, madeleines and such to enjoy with your tea.After a walk along the Seine enjoying the classic Parisian ambience and architecture, head over to the Eiffel Tower area to enjoy the Champagne tasting-Seine Cruise offered by O’Chateau. For 45 E per person you can celebrate with a one-hour cruise during which you taste three Champagnes. www.o-chateau.com/paris-wine-tasting/paris-packages/seine-river-cruise-paris/
You will return to the pier around 17.15 pm, just in time to pause and enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower, then, stroll, metro or cab on to your chosen bistro. My choices in the 7th would be La Fontaine de Mars, L’Ami Jean or Le Violon d’Ingres. In the 6th I would choose La Ferrandaise, Ze Kitchen Gallerie or Les Bookinistes. In the upper Marais, Le Phamplet is lovely for southwestern French cuisine. Or, a festive brasserie like Le Grand Colbert near the Palais Royal has that ineffable Parisian charm.
