Slow travel to Paris – A guide to exploring Paris deliberately and aimlessly.

Is it just a cliché or do macarons really taste better in Paris, the land of couture, romance and a city lusted after worldwide? What does travel to one of the most famous cities in the world feel like? Do you feel overwhelmed with all that is to see and do? Or can you experience this amazing city at a much slower pace with the intention of savoring all the unique things about Paris that makes it so special.

Hanna Amy, an avid traveler and photographer, shares with us an slow traveler’s itenary of exploring Paris – as a way to make the experience more meaningful, deliberate and special – to really experience the essence of Paris!From Hanna,

Paris makes a great Spring time getaway as it is just beginning to bloom and peak for summer. In April, you might still be lucky enough to see the blossoming cherry trees, but this fluctuates with the changing temperatures. Generally, the timeframe is between mid-March and early April and can be spotted in the Trocadero Gardens and Champ de Mars. Nevertheless, Paris has much to offer besides its typical landmarks, which are often crowded with people tending to become rather chaotic and time consuming.If you have a lot of time to spare, it will take you the entire day to visit the Louvre, so I thought I would share a different “Flaneur” type of experience with a more aimless but cultivated approach.

Hidden gems in Paris

Paris has many beautiful hidden gems to capture full of sensuality and charm. Start your mornings early to captivate the beauty of empty squares and sip that coffee in cozy backstreet cafes. Line up for fresh oysters in Saint Germain, eat delicate Parisian pastries under the Eiffel tower at sunset and soak up the history of the old parts of the neighborhood in Le Marais. Walk along the manicured gardens and hidden courtyards for architectural inspiration and after exploring the buzzing city, calm down in the island of Île Saint-Louis, just a few steps away in the 4th arrondissement.As the sun begins to slowly rise, the austin roses let out a subtle hint of sweet myrrh that face upwards toward the warm rays. Pigeons coo in the backdrop and benches are in perfect alignment as you walk through the endless row of trees. The beautiful landscape leads off from the black and white striped courtyard, cour d’honneur, of the Palais Royal. As my eyes wander through the romantic architecture and rows of columns, I walk into someone’s fairytale, a Jewish wedding. Just like the Trocadero steps for the desired Eiffel tower visual, the quirky Palais Royal is most enjoyed at its empty morning glory. Then it is time for some tea.Oozing Eclairs on Rue Cler & Café Crème in hidden gardens of Le Marais

As the workers begin to setup their promenade stalls, morning tea has never tasted better in this Parisian-esq café on Rue Cler, called L’ Éclair. A flower shop worker whizzes by dressed in a vest and an ascot carrying freshly budded bucketed peonies that are a darker hue than his shirt. Locals sit on the terrace, a few with cigarette at hand, others sipping on black coffee and most are picking at creamy pastries. Obvious from its name, this café is famous for its eclairs and the just baked salty caramel treat with a vanilla filling, oozes goodness. Mesmerized by all the piles of peonies on the flower stands, Rue Cler fills with little delicacy shops for picnic goods (cheese and cold cuts, macaroons) and boutiques to admire.

Wandering around Le Marais – Old Paris

Le Marais, the “old Paris” is a fashionable neighbourhood in the 4th arrondissement to get lost in. It is one of the oldest regions in Paris, it holds an artistic presence and charm of a bygone where vine draped houses lead to art galleries, bakeries, vintage shops and cocktail bars. Buildings date back to the 12th century, where the pre-revolutionary houses hold hints of medieval influence. The courtyard garden Jardin des Roseirs or the Place des Vosges calls for a sit-down takeaway Café Crème soaking up all the visual beauty. These are the type of tucked away places were poems and books are written listening to the chirping birds and seeing Spring come alive. Despite Le Marais historic presence, the scene supports sexual equality and is a trendy crowd. Explore the Picasso museum, shop for vintage pieces while stopping for a chilled rosé and a plate of foie gras in a restaurant that spills to the cobbled stone streets. The beaming sun rays are a pleasant to the cheek as they push through the leaves of the trees into the restaurant. Le Marais, also is home to the well-known Jewish quarter, where people que for tasty falafels and pastel doors fill the maze-like streets. Spot the occasional street painter in a quiet corner and taste the prettiest flower shaped ice-cream (Amorino) with nothing other, than a macaron on top.

Fresh oysters in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Just an arrondissement away from the stunning Le Bon Marché, is the charming Saint-Germain-des-Prés nestled in palm of the 6th arrondissement. Not only is it home to café de flore and the Ralph Lauren House, the high-end area makes up of cozy book stores, artisan perfumeries, churches and art galleries. Once popular with Parisian intellectual life, Saint Germain-de-Prés is renowned for its art schools having taught many masters of the art world including, Degas, Renoir and Monet. Stroll by the oldest chocolatier of Paris and see countless boulangeries and fromageries as you walk along the quintessential streets. Down the road from church Abbey of Saint-Germain is Rue de Buci, the street that used to attract the creative writers and musicians who met together over a cup of coffee. The entire road is filled with places to eat, drink and people watch that comes alive as the evening progresses. Indulge in crabs and Moules Marinières in the buzzing street and take in the “perfectly chaotic” calming experience. Speaking of seafood; when midday strikes, be sure to stand in que of Huitrerie Regis for fresh Oysters from the Marenne-Oleron region. The tiny seafood bar takes no reservations and if you are lucky, you are seated outside in the narrow street in the midst of the Parisian atmosphere.

Explore the island of Île Saint-Louis

It is said that the little island of Île Saint-Louis in the Seine river is “romantically frozen in the 17th century”, in comparison to the rest of modern Paris. The quaint oasis is just a few steps away in the 4th arrondissement having a softer southern France feeling to it. It is ideal for a croissant stopover where the 17th century flamboyant architecture will charm you over. Not only do the jammed croissants in Café Saint-Régis hit the spot, but the wrought iron balconies, petrol blue doorways and the views of both the right and left banks are something else. Home to gourmet restaurants, mouthwatering window displays and darling tearooms, the island makes great little tranquil spot for a wind down.

Indulge on decadent macarons from Pierre Herme

Pick up pastel colored macarons from Pierre Hermé and a box of cakes from your nearest patisserie and allow your Paris getaway to end with a hypnotizing sunset in the root of the Eiffel tower.Let the soft April sun do its magic as the city caresses into an unforgettable golden hue. It has proven not to be a cliché; macarons really do taste better in Paris.

Thank you Hanna for sharing this beautiful way of exploring Paris. It is so easy for travelers to get overwhelmed when visiting famous places and cities. FOMO (fear of missing out) is very real and a lot of people end up not enjoying a place as much as they would if they only went at a slower more meaningful pace.

{Photo and Words by Hanna Kirstiina Amy, Website: www.xoamys.com, Instagram: @xoamysnordic }

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