My Paris Travel Diary
Everything I Did (And Wore) On My Honeymoon
My husband and I got married in the summer of 2023 (we actually said “I do” on the 10 year anniversary of our first date) but we’re only just now, in spring 2025, going on our honeymoon. While we went on a ‘mini moon’ to one of the small islands off the coast of Vancouver just after our nuptials, we weren’t in a rush to make a big trip happen.
When we were considering where to go on our honeymoon, we knew it would be Europe. My request was beaches and pasta which narrowed us in on the Mediterranean and also Italy. But when it came time to buy our plane tickets, because we didn’t have a hard date in mind or a particular entrypoint we were attached to, we saw flights to Paris were priced really well. So we pounced!
That is to say, Paris was never part of our original plans. But oh did we sure fall for the City of Lights. In fact, we’re already planning a future return trip! Let’s just say the song “Paris” really did take on a whole new meaning. Sparkling. Magical. Romantic. Stumbling down alleyways, tipsy off champagne, the glow in one another’s eyes lit by that ethereal tower. This city really is something else.
🇫🇷 Parisians (or lovers of Paris), I know I’d be so grateful if you shared what you’ve loved doing in this city. I received so many DMs from other TSSers who are currently planning trips to Paris and I know they’d appreciate the recommendations! I can’t wait to return!
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Do You Really Want To Know Where I Wish I Was April 29?
My biggest takeaway was that if I could plan this trip again, I would have pushed it out a month or two later to late April or early May. The last time I visited Europe was also during a shoulder season (late September-October) in order to avoid the big summer crowds but still have optimal weather. That worked out beautifully! This go around, I will say that March in Paris was a fair bit colder than I anticipated. That said, it certainly gave us the advantage when it came to booking tickets for popular attractions. Far less competition and people at the major monuments we went to.
Can’t You See That I’m The One Who Understands You
On the subject of language, I didn’t realize just how helpful my rudimentary French was. I say this as we’re now travelling through Italy and I come to the table with zero knowledge of the language (I added Italian to my Duolingo when we got here - better late than never!). A lot of Parisians spoke English, often replying en anglais when I would utter a, “Je voudrais un croissant, s’il vous plait”. But it really was helpful having conversational French down. Between Mr. TSS and I (he was educated at a French immersion school and I opted to extend my French education even after mandatory lessons ceased around 10th grade) we felt quite comfortable reading and navigating around the city. Then beyond that when we took to the French island of Corsica where there were less English speakers, having a basic understanding of the language was so helpful. (The pride I felt at navigating an entire conversation with a local en français for the first time!)
In terms of getting around, we defaulted to traveling by foot (most days we racked up 25K+ steps!) but we found the metro easy to follow and readily available when we needed it for longer distances.
Louvre (reserved in advance): I once had a TSSer tell me you could go to the Louvre every day for a month and still not see it all and oh do I believe them now. To say we barely scratched the surface is an understatement and a disservice. Wow.
We sped through certain sections to find some of the more famous works (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace) to check them off our bucket list before heading to the temporary fashion exhibit titled ‘Louvre Couture’.
Simply breathtaking. Situating stunning couture runway pieces in these exquisite rooms; I was in fashion heaven. The care taken to match up the garment to the room it was placed in gave me the tingles.
Musée D’orsay (reserved in advance): While all three museums we visited offered something different, I think this one might have been my favourite. The building - an old train station - was so unbelievably beautiful. I think I found myself looking around at the venue as much as I did the art itself!
They were also very accommodating with our reservations - they let us in an hour before our allotted time because we happened to be kicking around and tried our luck at getting in early.
Musée Rodin (reserved in advance): A smaller museum that was a breeze to whip through and was organized really well. I’m a big lover of an audio guide (Mr. TSS prefers to amble through museums with a skimmers’ gaze, while I love a languishing history lesson on the side of my art) and thought the sequencing of the museum was really great. Plus the gardens outside were lovely to amble through.
On/Off Bus (reserved in advance): As above, I *love* a guided tour. You could say that I love historical context in all its forms. Typically when I’m new to a city, I’ll book some kind of walking tour not only to orient myself but also to get a guided lesson from an expert on the high points of history from major landmarks. The particular one we booked did get us around the city to all the big monuments (including Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and many of the others expanded upon on this list), but I felt it was lacking when it came to talking through the history. I’d consider a more private / guided tour if you also love a rich deep dive when you travel.
Eiffel Tower (free): To be honest, we were going to skip it and just look at it from afar lit up at night time. But on a whim we decided to head out to see the tower up close at night. I have to say … so worth it. Magical. Truly truly magical. If you plan to be there in the evening to see it lit up at night, make sure to time your visit to the hour (:00) as that’s when the tower “sparkles” for a five minute interval.
Notre Dame / Sainte-Chapelle (free / reserved in advance): These two beautiful churches are located right next to one another and were easy to tick off back to back. For Notre Dame, we headed there early in the morning as soon as it opened and were able to just walk right in with no line. Sainte-Chapelle, on the other hand, absolutely requires a ticketed reservation. The stained glass inside (above) was unreal.
Luxembourg Gardens (free): This was a lovely little spot. The move? Go to La Maison D’Isabelle for pastries and sandwiches then walk the 10 minutes over to the gardens for people watching with a side of lunch.
Place des Vosges Park (free): Another lovely little spot we hung out at while people watching and pastry eating from the nearby Brigat’.
Sacre Coeur (free): I can’t say more than simply how moving it was just being in this space. You also can’t beat the panoramic view of the city from above just outside.
Sézane: While not a “monument” per se, it felt momentous to get to shop these wares in person. As per my Three Style Words (minimalist, edgy, classic), I’ve been looking to add more “edge” to my closet as well as expand upon my bag collection.
📚 Three Style Words: In case you missed my personal style journey quest!
There were two bags in particular I had my eye on: a patent red tote and a structured snakeskin bucket. Both bold and “edgy”, in two different ways. I ended up walking away with just one … but which? ;)
Champs-Élysées: The shopping in Paris is, of course, some of the best in the world. One of the most notable streets (culminating in the Arc de Triomphe) is the Champs-Élysées. Along this street you’ll find tons of stores to pop into or eye from the street. One that I couldn’t resist popping into just to see if they had it? Chanel! Where they just so happened to have Taylor’s jacket that she wore to the Chiefs vs Texans game in store. Needless to say I swooned!
What I Didn’t Do
There were, of course, things on my list that we didn’t get around to doing. Hence the need for a return trip! With the major art museums under our belt that we felt were Parisian requisites, I know that upon my return I want to dedicate time to go to the museums more catered to my interests. I am, of course, speaking about fashion museums! Paris has tons of them. And I know I’m just salivating to go in.
Palais Galliera, first and foremost. La Galerie Dior, the Museo Yves Saint Laurent, and the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, naturally. And, of course, carving out time to go to the Palace of Versailles. This was a day trip we just couldn’t make work but I know we will for our next trip. The interiors inspiration! Unmatched.
Dinners
Chez Janou: I had heard about this place through Joanna Goddard (I’m a longtime COJ devotee) and made sure to make a reservation. It’s rare that a place lives up to its hype, but this spot honestly did. We had the loveliest time. It was so romantic, cozy, and memorable. When we travel, we like ordering entrées we’re both interested in so we can swap halfway to maximize our menu exposure. The tagliatelle (avec escargot) and the duck were delightful. But nothing was as satisfying as the slap of rich chocolate mousse our server plopped in front of us, scooped from a gigantic urn. Yum!
L’as du Falafel: As we were staying in the Marais, this unassuming falafel joint was closeby. We’d heard a lot about it and had to stop in. So flavourful and delicious. A great stop for a satisfying lunch. In my research, I also saw that many prefer Miznon just down the road but we didn’t have time to test that in person. Next time!
Back In Black: One thing I’ve noticed is Parisians’ preference for a light breakfast. A pastry and an espresso. A piece of toast. Cereal. Granola. Light fare. Far from the larger, savoury options I’m used to. We did manage to find this place that offered a more expansive and filling breakfast menu and it was delicious.
Coffee Shops
Kawa: This was in our neighbourhood in the Marais. A pretty little space with very good coffee (and a kind barista who gave us even more café recommendations). We actually went twice!
Clove: A lovely little shop (with pretty ceramics and pastries) just a few steps off from Sacré-Cœur. Take in the basilica and its panoramic view then walk down the hill a bit for a pick-me-up.
Substance: Mr. TSS is a coffee snob and through his interest in fancy coffee learned about this spot in Paris, widely held as one of the best coffee shops in the world by those “in the know”, that is reservation only. There are no substitutions and no sugar. Just beautifully brewed coffee by one (very enthusiastic and experienced) barista. It’s really more of an experience than a coffee shop. But if you or someone you are traveling with claims to be into the world of coffee it’s a fun way to spend a few hours.
Croissants
I made it my personal mission to chain eat croissants while in Paris. And oh did I. I had a list of boulangeries / patisseries that I wanted to go to and was happy to have hit them all and then some. But I know there’s more that awaits - just another reason to go back!
Du Pains et Des Idées: Entering this tiny shop (above) was like a warm embrace. The air was thick with the smell of butter. Sweet and heady. Just lovely.
Brigat’: While I’m sure it’s not, given the five digit followers they have on Instagram, let’s call this place a “hidden” TSS gem. This patisserie popped up on no lists that I saw but I happened to come across it while we were wandering back to our apartment from brunch. The croissants looked delicious, so I popped in. We enjoyed them at the nearby Place des Vosges park and it was pure bliss. The best croissant I had the entire time we were in Paris. And it felt so special to have found it on my own. I’m an on-record Type A over-planner, but I also love to eat. I’m the type who looks at a restaurant’s menu before going there for dinner with friends. Somehow, knowing I came across this one without a plan felt special in its own way.
La Maison d'Isabelle: In addition to a very good croissant, they also offered delicious grab-and-go options like sandwiches, tartines, and other pastries. My recommendation to hit up multiple must-do’s in one convenient swoop? Take a morning walk through the Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle cathedrals to see the light filter through those stunning stained glass windows (and with less crowds). Then, get a caffeinated pick-me-up at Shakespeare & Co (a well-known English-language bookstore) - the café right next door to the shop. Pro Tip: If you’re in it just for the merch, you can purchase their famous totes (I saw them all over the city) in the café and avoid the lineup that often queues outside the bookstore. Head to La Maison d’Isabelle to complete your haul then enjoy your acquired spread at the Luxembourg Gardens.
Moon: This was actually a last minute suggestion from a TSSer! And what a happy surprise it was. One of the better croissants of the trip.
As I’m traveling for four weeks through a few different climates, I created a capsule wardrobe in my carry-on. For Paris, I knew that I’d be relying on my heavier and longer sleeved pieces I packed to mix/match. Like any capsule, I relied on a slimmed down colour palette and a lot of separates to maximize the possible outfit combinations I can create. Unlike when I was, say, planning my Book Tour Wardrobe (See: Part I, Part II), my approach to honeymoon outfits was less about creating intentional, isolated ensembles, and more about packing a collection as a whole.
📕 Book Tourdrobe: I went on a 20 city book tour in the fall and winter of 2024 in support of my book Taylor Swift Style. Planning the outfits was almost as much fun as meeting so many of you in bookstores across the country. A breakdown of those outfits, in two parts, is below!
Put in the work before you leave in order to take the guesswork out of outfit building while on the road. A part of that strategy went into picking items I could wear multiple ways. Like lady jacket cardigans I could wear open over a tee or buttoned up completely as a top of its own. A cashmere sweater also came in clutch, not only because of the chilly temps but because it could double as a “scarf” in a pinch.
🛍️ You can shop my Paris capsule in full here.
The Pieces
Outerwear (4)
Trench: I only brought one jacket with me this entire trip so I had to make it count. In my eyes, a trench is a classic and chic staple that goes with everything. If I had the chance to bring two? I would have made my Paris outerwear a long wool coat, based purely on temps.
Lady Jacket: An “if I like it, I’ll just grab it in a different colour” moment - from my closet! I’m definitely guilty of buying an item in multiples if I like it enough. And if there’s one thing I’ll always love? A classic stripe. And naturally I was going to wear stripes in Paris! I couldn’t decide which colourway to bring - black or white. And then decided … both. Both is good! I’m glad I did. This jacket always makes me feel pulled together and polished. I loved wearing it both open over a tee and buttoned all the way up. Later in my trip, worn preppy style over my shoulders for a pop of pattern was also a great styling tip. (For any completionists - I wore the white striped jacket fully buttoned with white trousers on the boat ride over to Italy. It felt very nautical indeed.)
Blazer: Could I ever think of going anywhere without packing at least one blazer? Non!
Tops (3)
Tee: Another multiple from my closet. I own this tee in black, white, and a stripe. Tees can be tricky and this one is so good (although I’m very tempted by this luxe version). It’s a great length to be worn tucked or not. I’ve had mine for years!
Sweater: I actually wore this cashmere sweater more often as a scarf or tied around my shoulders than as an actual sweater. Even as I hit warmer temps, it felt nice to throw on for visual, preppy interest around my shoulders on top of a tee.
Pants (3)
Black Cotton: I’ve had these for years. An easy, stretchy, no-nonsense pair of pants. Not too wide or too straight and perfectly black.
White Denim: I’m still on the hunt for the perfect pair of white denim. These were incredibly stretchy so they’ve been great for travel but I’ll admit that for my fellow pear shapes that the waist gaping is perhaps the most I’ve ever seen in a pair of pants. In the very least, I’d recommend sizing down!
White Trousers: A favourite purchase of 2024 and an MVP continuing into 2025. Every time I pulled these on I felt so chic. A note for any fellow petites (<5’4”) that these wash and dry great to wear even with flat shoes to be full length.
🏆 Best Of: My favourite purchases of 2024 list! You guys agreed with me on the above white trousers - they were the most popular click from the below post!
Shoes (3)
White Sneakers: Go with everything and sleek and slim. A must! Obviously I opted for the pair with the kick of greeeeeeeeeeeen at the back.
Black Flats*: New to my closet. These flats were kindly gifted by Poppy Barley - a brand I’ve loved and worked with for years. (Take $25 off your first order here!) I’ve been hesitant to join the mary jane trend, mostly because they typically seem too “sweet” for my taste. But the grommet details on these straps were what I needed to give this style a try. Of my Three Style Words (minimalist, edgy, classic), the grommets felt like they gave things a bit of an edge. Given there were many days where we walked 25-30K steps around the city, having shoes that could keep up (or not slow me down) was vital. These were shockingly so comfortable and required zero break in. The leather is buttery soft and immediately formed to the foot. I couldn’t believe the ease and the delight they were to walk in. A note that I don’t think I’d recommend even a ballet flat for walking this extensively - the mary jane strap I think worked wonders at making the shoe feel secure and comfortable for that amount of steps. Can’t recommend these enough.
Red Flats*: Such a fun pop of colour that felt as fun to wear in Paris as stripes. The little heart detail on the buckle also felt like a thoughtful nod to the fact that I was on my honeymoon. Many thanks to Larroudé for kindly gifting these!
Bags (2)
Clare V: The only bag I packed on the trip. I had ordered this off the Clare V resale site (at 50% off retail - it felt like fate!) and it quite literally arrived hours before our flight to Paris. Truly meant to be! It’s been everything I hoped it would be.
Sézane: A spoiler from the above question. Of course, the snakeskin felt appropriately ‘edgy’ but I also liked that the overall palette was warm and neutral enough to feel like it would be easy to style with my wardrobe.
What I Saw Others Wear In Paris
Naturally, while seated at cafés or walking around I indulged in a favourite vacation past time: people watching! And with it, the fashion - natch. It’s Paris, of course. A few trends I noticed?
Parisian Tuxedos: Everywhere I looked I saw tailored iterations of denim on denim, a Parisian take on the Canadian Tuxedo. These weren’t worn chambray shirts or boxy Levi trucker jackets. Instead, I saw sharply fitted outerwear with pleated trouser-like jeans and pointed boots or laid back sneakers. Très chic!
Trenches: I consider a trench a classic wardrobe staple and I saw them everywhere in Paris of all lengths and colours, but mostly in the typical taupe. Paired with jeans or trousers or dresses or skirts. It looked perfect and polished in every form and on every person I saw. I was pleased to see so many because a trench is the only jacket I packed for this trip! I’ve had mine for years and even recently added an olive green one into the mix that’s a great neutral-that’s-not-neutral.
Leopard: As a TSSer pointed out on my recent Note Pad, leopard really was everywhere in Paris! I saw this print on bags of all sizes — slouchy crescents, small belt bags worn crossbody, east/west totes, clutches. But! I also saw so many leopard pants. Which reminded me I’ve had my eye on these two pairs in a wide leg and a true straight leg.
Blotted Lips: Not to let fashion take the entire spotlight, I also couldn’t help but notice the beauty around me, too. When I observed people while walking the streets or seated across from me on the metro, I saw naturally flushed cheeks and just-blotted lips. The kind achieved with a kiss from a popsicle in summertime or by tissueing away at a liquid lip a few seconds into its application. Stained, just-bitten. Fresh.
Have you ever been to Paris?
If so, would just love your recommendations below!
Loved this post!!! Also, the Le Set Margo tee is worth every penny. They have sales every now and then, so I usually wait to snag one until then.
A master class in a travel capsule! 😎