Bright Lights Paris

Once I heard about this book by Angie Niles, I knew I had to immediately scoop it up. It's described as a life changing journey with a fashion insider through the neighborhoods of Paris, and become the most glamorous girl in town without even trying. The description couldn't have been more right, and the book drew me in right from the beginning with it's beautifully textured cover. It's the kind of book that brings you to a place where you're sipping on champagne, sampling colorful macarons, and shopping at luxurious boutiques.
Each chapter was broken down to highlight the different Parisian neighborhoods where the author highlighted how the girls in the different neighborhoods dress, where they like to eat and shop, and where the best spots are for picnics or drinks. Below, I'll highlight my favorite parts of each chapter with the spots I'll be sure to hit up on my next trip across the pond. *All descriptions taken right from the book are italicized.*

Trocadero
L'avenue 41, Avenue Montaigne
Inside it's a chic scene of fashion power lunches, and out on the terrace you'll find relaxed Parisians enjoying their meal in the sunshine. 
Louis Vuitton 22, Avenue Montaigne
Parisians skip the tourist-filled flagship on the Champs-Elysees and instead shop at the much quieter gem on Montaigne for their signature handbags and leather goods.
Maison de la Truffle 14, Rue Marbeuf
When it comes to food, there aren't many ingredients more decadent than fresh white or black truffles shaved onto a dish of creamy linguini pasta. Trocadero ladies stop in for lunch or to pick up gourmet truffle gifts for a friend's housewarming party.
La Maison de L'aubrac 37, Rue Marbeuf
Stop by for a late dinner at this nightly gathering place for chefs and night owls. Known for their signature steak dishes, the owner receives high quality beef from his family cattle farm in the countryside region of Aubrac.
Saint James Paris 43, Avenue Bugeaud
When Trocadero ladies need an escape without leaving the city they head to the only chateau hotel in Paris. Whether they're enjoying brunch or a glass of rose champagne in the dreamy garden, tea in the library bar, or a full day of pampering at Le Spa Guerlain, they can always be sure of a decadent day.
Bubbly Day Trip
Trocadero girls love a life of luxury, and there's nothing quite as luxurious as a glass of bubbly champagne. When she wants an escape from Paris, Epernay is her first choice for an afternoon of bubbly and fine dining. They most often visit the famous "coutoure" houses of champagne - Moet and Chandon.

Tuileries
Place de la Concorde
One of the most grand and beautiful squares in Europe. You may recognize the fountains of gold dolphins and mermen where Anne Hathway tossed her cell phone in the water in The Devil Wears Prada.
Laduree 16-18, Rue Royale
You'll have pastel dreams in pastry heaven at one of Paris' most special tea salons. Leave with beautiful candles, specialty macaron items, and a variety of sweet and decadent pastries.
Chanel 31, Rue Cambon
The flagship boutique, the couture atelier, and the space of Coco Chanel's apartment. Even if you aren't able to purchase a handbag, go in to purchase a fragrance just so you can walk out with the signature black and white shopping bag.
La Corte 320, Rue Saint-Honore
Tucked in a courtyard down a cobblestone alley, you'll find Tuileries girls enjoying a homemade Italian meal. 
Opera
Printemps 64, Boulevard Haussman
This impressive shop boasts a 7,500 sq. ft. shoe department with the best selection of designer, contemporary, and less expensive brands. Top by L'Atelier Repetto to design your own custom pair with choice of 252 colors in lambskin leather, a selection of border and lace colors, and the option of having your initials printed on the inside. 
Montorgrueil
Frenchies
In the northwestern section of Montorgueil is some of the best shopping Paris has to offer, with multi-brand boutiques you'll never find in the U.S. and a block full of "Frenchies" (cafe, wine bar, and restaurant). 
Le Garde Robe 41, Rue De I'Arbre Sec
Neighborhood bar a vin includes mostly natural wines available by the glass or bottle. You can order a plate of charcuterie and cheese or a fresh vegetable platter. If you don't finish your bottle, they'll let you take it with you so nothing goes to waste.
Christian Louboutin 19, Rue Jean-Jacques Rouseeau
No explanation necessary - the flagship of our favorite Parisian red-soled shoe.
Fifi Chachnil 68, Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Walk through a tiny courtyard to this retro lingerie boutique and behold glamorous styles inspired by 1950's pinup girls. You'll feel girly and feminine, and won't leave without at least one matching set.
Lower Marais
Bazaar de I'Hotel de Ville (BHV) 52, Rue de Rivoli
This department store is your resource for just about anything you could ever possibly need in Paris. Think of it as a Bloomingdales, Target, Duane Reade, and Home Depot all in one. 
Papier + 9, Rue du Pont Louis-Phillippe
The French still have a strong appreciation and love for letter writing. Lower Marais girls stop by Papier + for handmade notebooks, paper, and note cards to carry on the tradition. 
Upper Marais
Lily of the Valley 12, Rue Dupetit Thouars
Parisian girls can't stay away from this lovely and tiny tea salon. As you enter Lily's secret garden, you'll be surrounded by flowers from the tapestry, wallpaper accents, and even flowers hanging from the ceiling. Enjoy her selection of fine teas and homemade breads.
Breizh Cafe 109, Rue Vieille du Temple
The Upper Marais girl's go-to for the best crepes in Paris. You're in for a treat with their homemade salted caramel sauce and melted Valrhona chocolate. Savory ingredients such as artisanal hams, herring roe, creme fraiche, and scallops create the perfect light and savory lunch.
Montmartre
Belle de Jour 7, Rue Tardieu
Step into this beautiful art nouveau boutique where they sell and restore vintage perfume bottles, powder boxes, and other scent-related accessories.
Cinema Studio 28 10, Rue Tholoze
Montmartre's vintage cinema, where Cocteau films premiered in the 1940's, now shows current and vintage films. Ladies of Montmartre go early to have tea in the secret terrace cafe.
Canal Saint-Martin
Gare Du Nord 18, Rue de Dunkerque
When Parisians want to head out to Northern France or London, they head to Gare Du Nord. This stunning train station with a glass roof was the location where Blair Waldorf said goodbye to Chuck Bass in an episode of Gossip Girl. xoxo
Bastille
A Bastille Day Picnic
Host a picnic with friends, drink (a lot) of French wine, and play a few games of petanque which is a game similar to bocce.
Latin Quarter
Franc Pinot de I'lle Saint-Louis 1, Quai de Bourbon
As this favorite jazz bar of Parisians who like keeping away from the crowds, there is a restaurant upstairs and a jazz bar and lounge in the basement. Right on the water and away from the busy city streets, it boasts interesting decor with mannequin heads and feet poking out from the walls and ceilings.
Kilometre Zero
Search the ground just in front of the entrance of the Notre Dame. When you see someone taking a photo of a bronze star, you've found it. It marks the official center of the city and the point where all distances in France are measured from.
Marche aux Fleurs Place Louis-Lepine
One of Latin Quarter girl's favorite places to wander through in Paris - a daily flower market that has been open since 1830. A fragrant and colorful collection of orchids, seasonal flowers, and plants has an even better surprise on Sunday when it's flooded with birds chirping the day away.
Saint-Germain
Bar du Marche 75, Rue de Seine
Their signature red and white striped awning welcomes Parisians to this fun pedestrian street full of cafes and bars. By far the standout spot on the block, this bar is a favorite meeting point to start a night with drinks and a tasty side of French fries before dinner.
The French Macaron Challenge 
Currently, one of the most talked about food competitions is definitely Laduree vs. Pierre Herme macarons. Laduree has more classic flavors like raspberry, vanilla, and chocolate while Pierre Hereme flavors walk a bit on the wild side like olive oil with mandarin, chocolate and foie gras. 
Eggs & Co 11, Rue Bernard Palissy
Serving eggs all day, seven days a week, they offer your choice of fluffy omelettes or perfectly poached, scrambled, or fried eggs with many meat and veggie options mixed in or on the side. It's a small cafe, so with brunch this delicious, you need a reservation on the weekends. 
Champ De Mars
Coutume Cafe 47, Rue de Babylone
One of Paris' first of now many high-quality coffee shops, this is where Champ de Mars women stop in for coffee and to read the morning paper. It's a crowded spot for brunch on the weekends, and they're known for their delectable breakfast burrito. 
Cyrillus 11/13, Avenue Duquesne
Imagine if there were a French version of J Crew. Imagine no longer - here it is. This casual and versatile collection is French fashion for the entire family.
The French Cheese Plate 
In traditional French restaurants, they bring out an entire cheese plate and leave it with your table. Cheeses are arranged clockwise from mildest to strongest and most often begin with chevre and end with blue cheese. Choose 3-4 cheeses to cut from and cut them presentably so you don't leave the plate in a mess for the next person. 

39 comments:

  1. Loving the new look, lady! So fancy! What a perfect post to share, PARIS! I can't WAIT to see it for myself.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, how gorgeous is this!! Ahhh Paris, what a dream and these illustrations are phenomenal!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Paris is gorgeous! So many pretty, fun and tasty things to experience! Sounds like the book was a great find and read!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This book sounds awesome! Definitely going to check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That book looks dreamy and fun to read! I love reading books about Paris, such a glamorous city :)

    xoxo Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet

    ReplyDelete
  6. This looks like a fun read. I'd want to rip the pages out tho - what lovely prints /artwork!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fabulous book, though it's giving me serious wanderlust! Definitely need to check this one out!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I wish I read this book before we went to Paris lol - it sounds so informative and pretty to look at too :) xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a fun book! Love Paris!! I will have to get this book!

    Xoxo,

    Whitney & Blaire

    Peaches In A Pod

    ReplyDelete
  10. I got this book for Christmas and love it! I love that it's broken up into the neighborhoods and there are tons of great little locals tips in there!

    ReplyDelete
  11. consider me sold on this book! i need it. love anything parisian!

    ReplyDelete
  12. So fab! Parisian chic is my favorite style ever! I would kill for some custom Repetto flats! That's the dream!

    ReplyDelete
  13. ugh all of this yes. i need to get over there already. and get this book clearly. you should read the one i talked about on snapchat the other week!

    xoxo cheshire kat

    ReplyDelete
  14. YES! Now I need to go back to Paris--especially now that I'm older and I have more money to spend ;) A friend also told me that it's better to buy designer handbags like Louis Vuitton in Paris--the price is actually cheaper than it is over here, plus you get the taxes back when you leave the country.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yup, now I totally want to go back to Paris! I went to that Laduree and the line was FOREVER long so I didn't get anything :( And the Gare du Norde is crazy! We took the train from London to Paris so we came in there and it was WAY busier than I expected but SO pretty! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

    ReplyDelete
  16. This sounds like such a cool book! And is really fueling my wish for a Paris trip!!! One day!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This was such a good review I definitely need to pick up this book!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ugh Paris is high on my go to list! I need to read that book!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

    ReplyDelete
  19. How fun does that book sound and perfect match for your love of fashion! That might be a book I could open...possibly. lol

    ReplyDelete
  20. This book looks like a great read, I may need to scoop it up and experience Paris...through the book :)!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh I definitely need to check out this book! It sounds so good!

    Xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

    ReplyDelete
  22. You are making me want to jump on a plane right now!! How fabulous does this all sound?! Girls trip??

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a fun and pretty book!! I would love to visit Paris one day...
    xo, Lily
    beautywithlily.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. We are headed to Paris in a few weeks so this is just perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love this post!! We went to Paris for our honeymoon and it is so beautiful. I loved La Marais, St. Germain, and the Latin Quarter. I definitely hope to go back some day too!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  26. this book is seriously gorgeous. i feel like this would be super informative if you were planning a trip, but if not - it's still pretty to look at. i love how it's split up into the different neighbourhoods, so interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a fun book!!! I would love to go to Paris one day and get to experience all the shopping!! I love how the book is broken down.

    ReplyDelete
  28. ooooh, what a beautiful book and it sounds so dreamy. I can't wait to visit there someday!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Paris is definitely one on the dream list... this books sounds like it makes you feel like you're really there!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Okay, well I definitely need to pick up this book! Those illustrations alone have me swooning!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love the illustrations! I need to pick this up!

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a pretty travel book! I love the illustrations in it. And of course it totally makes me want to go to Paris now. Macarons and bubbly? Yes, please!

    ReplyDelete
  33. The illustrations are so pretty, love them!

    God bless,

    XO, Claire

    Http://www.littlemissfashionqueen.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. J'adore! :)
    XX

    Mónica Sors

    MES VOYAGES À PARIS

    NEW POST: TRAVEL OUTFIT, AMSTERDAM

    ReplyDelete
  35. That sounds like such an amazing book! I love that it gives you ideas for what to do in all the different neighborhoods in Paris!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Woww!! Someone got a blog makeover. Love it!!! Such a fun post.

    xo,
    Sara Kate Styling

    ReplyDelete
  37. Pretty much sounds amazing and looks that way too. So, so pretty!!! I love fashion books (and cookbooks) for the feast of your eyes. Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete