May in France is filled with holidays, so unless they happen to fall on a weekend the month tends to fly by. May 1st is probably the toughest day in France, even worse than Christmas and New Year’s Day in terms of things being open because it’s Labor Day, which of course the French take very seriously. The best is when you can faire le pont (make a bridge) and link a few holidays together with the weekend. This year our pont allowed us a five night weekend which we spent in Normandy. Read on to discover exactly where I ate and drank, shopped and what I did in the May 2024 recap.
Where I Ate and Drank in May
- Les Antiquaires. Nothing unusual here that I went to Les Antiquaires on the first day of the month, however, May 1st isn’t a normal first day of the month. It’s Labor Day in France and so many places are closed. Les Antiquaires is open every day of the year.
- Blueberry. They were open for lunch on May 1st (we reserved in advance and I usually recommend doing so). My favorite sushi spot in Paris and it’s good enough that I’d recommend going on a trip – especially to break up the French food.
- Noir. People go absolutely nuts over these coffee shops. The coffee honestly isn’t my favorite – I usually get a matcha latte.
- J.K. Place Paris. I met a friend for a coffee and it’s always one of the most pleasant hotel experiences in Paris.
- Le Voltaire. I feel like I don’t need to say any more, you all already know it’s my favorite.
- Le Bonaparte. Truly a picture perfect café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. I’m not particularly wild about the food or drinks, but it’s a nice place to sit and people watch.
- La Crêperie de Josselin. I’ve gotten the same thing every time I’ve been since 2012 – the Bertine. Last year I started asking for an oeuf mirroir (a fried egg) instead of the scrambled one in the middle and it is so good.
- Brasserie Lutetia. Inside Hotel Lutetia. I honestly wasn’t expecting much but the meal was fantastic and I’d put the onion soup in my Paris Top Three.
- Le Jardin de Cheval Blanc. One of my favorite summer pop up restaurants. I had the same thing this year as I did last year – the savory “French toast” and it was just as good as I remembered it. It’s one of my favorite Paris terraces because the views are stunning and it isn’t overcrowded.
- The Ritz for a rehearsal dinner. The weather was perfect and we got to enjoy cocktails in the garden followed by dinner in one of the salons.
- Le Petit Vendôme. It was my first sandwich since the baby was born because you have to sit at the bar which is complicated with a stroller and it always being busy, but we went early and made it work. It was better than I remembered.
- I can’t have a sandwich from Le Petit Vendôme without a madeleine from The Ritz’s Le Comptoir, so off we went. I much prefer the glazed ones to the dipped.
- Yabaï Sando. We were walking around Odeon trying to find a spot to eat when Romain saw Yabaï Sando. It was Romain’s first and my second so we’re not sando experts, but we both thought they were very good.
- Le Doyenné. We literally booked this reservation months in advance and I’m so glad we did. Romain and I had been before in the fall and had a great experience, but spring/summer really seems like the best time to go to let the garden shine in the tasting menu. It’s a bit difficult to get to, so it’s best to either organize a driver or rent a car.
Where I Shopped in May
- Les Fleurs de Sanji. My favorite florist in Paris and I wanted to buy Lily of the Valley on May 1st. It’s tradition in France to gift them as a porte bonheur (good luck charm). I bought a pot with three brims – one for Romain, one for bébé, and one for Boomer.
- Barthélémy. Is it the best cheese shop in Paris? Probably not. But it’s very good, the staff are always helpful and friendly, and it’s gorgeous to boot.
- Le Bon Marché. I love LBM even more after having a baby because it’s so nice having so many things together under one roof. I had some fun shopping to do for a friend’s bridesmaid’s dress and accomplished everything with the baby.
- The Apple Store. My computer broke and I got to wait two weeks for a new one (I needed a US keyboard). There are several Apple locations in Paris. If you ever need something repaired definitely make an appointment online ahead of time to avoid having to make several trips like I did.
- Epic. I don’t even know how to link this but it’s a grocery store in the Marché Saint Germain. It’s owned by Monoprix but it has more of a refined épicerie feel. I found great Mexican products including clean corn tortillas, beans, and enchilada sauce that I can’t wait to try.
- At the pharmacy I saw Lebon Toothpaste and originally took a photo to send to a friend because there was a flavor called “Cap Ferrat Mood.” I then scanned it on Yuka and saw that it had a 100/100 score for clean ingredients so I bought it. Romain and I both love it and I’ll be stuffing my suitcase with it to give to friends and family on my upcoming trip to the US.
- Yoyo x Bonpoint collaboration. We love our Yoyo stroller and have used the bassinet attachment so far. The only issue is it doesn’t fold completely down, so for travel it isn’t super practical. I couldn’t resist the Yoyo x Bonpoint newborn attachment. It’s so chic and the perfect color for summer.
What I Did in May
- Spent an extra long weekend in Normandy. We got so lucky with the weather it was perfect. We spent our time on the beach, visiting the various markets, walking through gorgeous gardens, eating fresh seafood, and taking advantage of having extra hands from grandparents to help with the baby!
- Walked through the Château de Chantore gardens. I had no idea this place existed until now but it was a really lovely walk. There are a few rooms in the château where you can spend the night too – I think it would be fun to do sometime!
- Made our favorite Lobster Quesdaillas from the Bahamas with lobster we brought home from Normandy. We made these for the first time in France during the lockdown and I was expecting Romain to turn his nose up at them but he loved them.
- I wanted to arrive in London early and not wait for Romain to finish work, so I went alone with the baby. I was so nervous for the logistics – there seems to always be massive lines and I was not traveling light. I hired a VIP greeter and now will not be able to take the Eurostar without this service. It was such a breeze – we didn’t wait in a single line anywhere, not even a priority line. He absolutely saved my life and I can’t recommend this service enough. Contact me here to book – it’s also available in airports!
A big merci for being a member! If there’s ever anything you’d like to see more of, don’t hesitate to let me know!
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Where I Ate and Drank in May
- Les Antiquaires. Nothing unusual here that I went to Les Antiquaires on the first day of the month, however, May 1st isn’t a normal first day of the month. It’s Labor Day in France and so many places are closed. Les Antiquaires is open every day of the year.
- Blueberry. They were open for lunch on May 1st (we reserved in advance and I usually recommend doing so). My favorite sushi spot in Paris and it’s good enough that I’d recommend going on a trip – especially to break up the French food.
- Noir. People go absolutely nuts over these coffee shops. The coffee honestly isn’t my favorite – I usually get a matcha latte.
- J.K. Place Paris. I met a friend for a coffee and it’s always one of the most pleasant hotel experiences in Paris.
- Le Voltaire. I feel like I don’t need to say any more, you all already know it’s my favorite.
- Le Bonaparte. Truly a picture perfect café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. I’m not particularly wild about the food or drinks, but it’s a nice place to sit and people watch.
- La Crêperie de Josselin. I’ve gotten the same thing every time I’ve been since 2012 – the Bertine. Last year I started asking for an oeuf mirroir (a fried egg) instead of the scrambled one in the middle and it is so good.
- Brasserie Lutetia. Inside Hotel Lutetia. I honestly wasn’t expecting much but the meal was fantastic and I’d put the onion soup in my Paris Top Three.
- Le Jardin de Cheval Blanc. One of my favorite summer pop up restaurants. I had the same thing this year as I did last year – the savory “French toast” and it was just as good as I remembered it. It’s one of my favorite Paris terraces because the views are stunning and it isn’t overcrowded.
- The Ritz for a rehearsal dinner. The weather was perfect and we got to enjoy cocktails in the garden followed by dinner in one of the salons.
- Le Petit Vendôme. It was my first sandwich since the baby was born because you have to sit at the bar which is complicated with a stroller and it always being busy, but we went early and made it work. It was better than I remembered.
- I can’t have a sandwich from Le Petit Vendôme without a madeleine from The Ritz’s Le Comptoir, so off we went. I much prefer the glazed ones to the dipped.
- Yabaï Sando. We were walking around Odeon trying to find a spot to eat when Romain saw Yabaï Sando. It was Romain’s first and my second so we’re not sando experts, but we both thought they were very good.
- Le Doyenné. We literally booked this reservation months in advance and I’m so glad we did. Romain and I had been before in the fall and had a great experience, but spring/summer really seems like the best time to go to let the garden shine in the tasting menu. It’s a bit difficult to get to, so it’s best to either organize a driver or rent a car.
Where I Shopped in May
- Les Fleurs de Sanji. My favorite florist in Paris and I wanted to buy Lily of the Valley on May 1st. It’s tradition in France to gift them as a porte bonheur (good luck charm). I bought a pot with three brims – one for Romain, one for bébé, and one for Boomer.
- Barthélémy. Is it the best cheese shop in Paris? Probably not. But it’s very good, the staff are always helpful and friendly, and it’s gorgeous to boot.
- Le Bon Marché. I love LBM even more after having a baby because it’s so nice having so many things together under one roof. I had some fun shopping to do for a friend’s bridesmaid’s dress and accomplished everything with the baby.
- The Apple Store. My computer broke and I got to wait two weeks for a new one (I needed a US keyboard). There are several Apple locations in Paris. If you ever need something repaired definitely make an appointment online ahead of time to avoid having to make several trips like I did.
- Epic. I don’t even know how to link this but it’s a grocery store in the Marché Saint Germain. It’s owned by Monoprix but it has more of a refined épicerie feel. I found great Mexican products including clean corn tortillas, beans, and enchilada sauce that I can’t wait to try.
- At the pharmacy I saw Lebon Toothpaste and originally took a photo to send to a friend because there was a flavor called “Cap Ferrat Mood.” I then scanned it on Yuka and saw that it had a 100/100 score for clean ingredients so I bought it. Romain and I both love it and I’ll be stuffing my suitcase with it to give to friends and family on my upcoming trip to the US.
- Yoyo x Bonpoint collaboration. We love our Yoyo stroller and have used the bassinet attachment so far. The only issue is it doesn’t fold completely down, so for travel it isn’t super practical. I couldn’t resist the Yoyo x Bonpoint newborn attachment. It’s so chic and the perfect color for summer.
What I Did in May
- Spent an extra long weekend in Normandy. We got so lucky with the weather it was perfect. We spent our time on the beach, visiting the various markets, walking through gorgeous gardens, eating fresh seafood, and taking advantage of having extra hands from grandparents to help with the baby!
- Walked through the Château de Chantore gardens. I had no idea this place existed until now but it was a really lovely walk. There are a few rooms in the château where you can spend the night too – I think it would be fun to do sometime!
- Made our favorite Lobster Quesdaillas from the Bahamas with lobster we brought home from Normandy. We made these for the first time in France during the lockdown and I was expecting Romain to turn his nose up at them but he loved them.
- I wanted to arrive in London early and not wait for Romain to finish work, so I went alone with the baby. I was so nervous for the logistics – there seems to always be massive lines and I was not traveling light. I hired a VIP greeter and now will not be able to take the Eurostar without this service. It was such a breeze – we didn’t wait in a single line anywhere, not even a priority line. He absolutely saved my life and I can’t recommend this service enough. Contact me here to book – it’s also available in airports!
A big merci for being a member! If there’s ever anything you’d like to see more of, don’t hesitate to let me know!
