Favourite memories of time in Paris involve mornings meandering the ancient flea markets of St-Ouen or Vanves; or hours spent wandering the Jardin du Luxembourg watching families sailing miniature boats on the lake (probably whilst wondering how long until dinner time. You can’t help but endlessly think of food there can you?). The never ending floors of Galerie Lafeyette feature a lot, as do memories of sitting amongst effortlessly cool Parisians (sticking out like a sore thumb) outside some cafe, just watching the world go by over a glass of red. I recall not much time was spent at the various hotels we stayed at, probably because they were mostly awful…
But, despite lots of depressing things about getting older (like mountains of responsibility, bills, and wrinkles), one definite upside is having a little more money to spend on nicer travel accommodation, and not just settling on any old broom cupboard in Montmartre just because “we were not likely to be spending much time there anyway”…
Times change, as do requirements – especially when travelling with children, and browsing through these beautiful Parisian luxury retreats has me wanting to spend a night at each and every single place they have in their listings. They have an amazing concierge service, that I am sure would gladly organise such a thing for you, and apartments are just so much more family friendly aren’t they? Most of these places are just jaw droppingly gorgeous, admittedly with a few that have price tags to match, but if you got a good few of you together to share the bigger spaces?? If money were no option I would happily splash out to pretend we were Parisian residents, which would hopefully cancel out the memories of the more hostel than hotel places we accidentally booked in the past. I have places with questionable bedspreads and showers in cupboards etched on my brain and something needs to be done about that!
Luxury Retreats don’t just deal with Paris either, they have rentals across the globe (if for some odd reason we were to plan a second honeymoon, this company would be my first stop for sure!). I have just spent the past half hour drooling over their Austrian options. Some of the chalets I thought existed only in my wildest lottery winning dreams are actually real!! When they say luxury, they aren’t just talking about a chucked in bottle of wine and the use of a fluffy dressing gown you know. I want to round up a group of my closest friends and bully them in to booking a chalet right this very minute… But then their South African options are just out of this world so that might be a good option instead, and the Morrocan Riads they have listed are exquisite, and the Caribbean island accommodation on there… I could spend all day dreaming! But, back to Paris…
They might have travelled reasonably extensively for those of tender years, but we have yet to take our offspring to this beautiful capital. The closest they have been was last year when we had a long wait at Paris Orly airport after our Corsican trip. France for them so far has only consisted of trips to Alsace (the closest French border to Bavaria), with various visits to Colmar and Strasbourg (not to mention the brilliant Monkey Mountain), and the odd trip much further South to visit my inlaws in Agen. A few years back we also called in to beautiful old Arras where we had an unforgettable journey deep underground (and ended exploring something we weren’t quite expecting, we need to go back to see if we can get it right next time!!), but it broke up the lonnnng drive back down to Bavaria after a trip back home to England, and sated our France fix for a while…
But sadly, through no fault of it’s own, Paris has been neglected by us for a good few years. How nice it would be to have some magical rewind button to go back to the slightly less complicated days of booking a last minute trip on the (then) relatively new Eurostar… Gone are the days when we would chuck stuff in a bag before work on a Friday, to meet later in the day to embark on our train journey, smug in the knowledge that we had many hours of picturesque wandering, and plenty of glorious stinky cheese eating ahead (we will ignore the smelly hotel part!) as the countryside flashed past…
Now of course we have three small intrepid stinky cheese lovers who would adore everything about Paris (none of them will touch any blue cheese, but will happily eat the stuff I can’t even stomach!?), from the amazing food, iconic landmarks and amazing museums (incidentally, you should definitely check out this brilliant Paris with Kids guide from Globalmouse Travels, I will be referring back to it soon enough!) and actually thinking about it, I am pretty certain we would love introducing them to this magical city, and rediscovering a few of our old haunts too…
I’m off to look at some less hastily booked and probably more stressful travel options (with kids the getting there usually is!), but Paris in the Springtime should definitely make up for it right? I am leaving the Luxury Retreats page open in the hope that Mr R spots it and impulsively books something…
(*collaborative post. All words and content are my own, apart from the wonderful photographs taken by members of the Unsplash community. I have no digital images of Paris of my own which should tell you something about how long ago we last went!!)
Trish says
I’ve only been to Paris once, 10 years ago this month. I’d forgotten it was 10 years ago – I had to hunt out some photos to check. We were lucky that the weather was warm and I remember Rory loved it, taking photos everywhere. He was just coming up to 12 at the time. We had a nice apartment but it wasn’t very special. Just looking at the rentals from Luxury Retreats – wow, that’s the way to visit Paris for my second trip, I think. *starts planning*.
Emma says
Let’s book a really big apartment and all go together!! :) x
Kaz | Ickle Pickles Life and Travels says
I have visited near Paris a few times now, but never actually visited. It looks a fantastic place. Kaz
Emma says
Thanks Kaz! (:
Mudpie Fridays says
We are stopping in Paris on our way down to the Riveria in the Summer. I don’t think we will have much exploring time unfortunately. I would love to take our two as well they also love cheese! The bluer the better x
Emma says
Not much time exploring is better than none at all! :) Enjoy, and thank you!
Jumble Tree says
Love the sound of Parisian luxury retreats, definitely the route I’d like to take if we ever go again! Need to work on my other half.. Do go to France though every summer. Not far from Agen actually :) xx
Emma says
Always lovely to visit isn’t it? Thank you T! :) xx
Laura's Lovely Blog says
We went to West France on holiday last year and Nice the year before, I so absolutely love it. I’ve never been to Paris though and would love to. I dream of a romantic escape there with my husband!
Emma says
I love Nice too… Been too long since I have been there as well! :D Thanks Laura!
Eva Katona says
Oh Paris is always a good idea, but I agree: spring time is just magical in Paris!
Emma says
I can’t wait to visit again! Thanks Eva! :)
Laura says
I really want to go back to Paris, like you I haven’t been for years. Will check out Luxury Retreats when I do.
Emma says
You really must! Thanks Laura! (:
Sonia says
I’ve never been to Paris but would really love to go. My other half goes regular on business trips and I often wish I could sneak in his suitcase. I’d love to take the kids.
Emma says
You should definitely try and sneak along! Thanks Sonia! (:
Lisa (Travel Loving Family) says
Ooh fingers crossed that your hubby gets your huge hints and books you a luxury retreat!
Emma says
I hope so too! :D
Emma says
I adore Paris, it is one of my favourite cities in the world. I went in Spring while I was pregnant with my eldest and it was so wonderful meandering the streets, taking in the art being sold by street artists and stopping in a quirky and cosy cafes.
Emma says
That sounds so lovely… I need to go again very soon! :)
Laura Dove says
I LOVE Paris and have been at various points throughout the year. Paris in spring is any absolute favourite time though and I really want to get back there this year and take the children!
Emma says
I can’t believe we haven’t made it with our tribe yet! Thanks Laura! (:
Hannah says
Paris is a great place to take your camera. I havent been there in years
Emma says
I think my camera would love it too! :D Thanks Hannah! (:
Melanie Moore says
I am going to file this away! We just spent 24 hours in Paris this past December and I am sure it would be an entirely different Paris in the spring. My post can be found at mywanderlustblog.me I would love to hear your thoughts!
Emma says
I will have a look! Thanks Melanie! (:
MrsS says
We have only ever been to Disneyland Paris, but I would love to return with the kids again someday, and take time to explore. I have just popped over to luxury retreats.. one word wow!
Emma says
Amazing places aren’t they? Thanks MrsS! I know my youngest especially would enjoy Disneyland Paris! :)
Joanna Bayford says
I’d love to visit Paris and a luxury retreat sounds ideal. Hopefully the hubby will treat me to a childfree break soon.
Emma says
I hope he does too! :D
scots2travel says
I love Paris at this time of year. I got a beautiful photograph of the golden statues in the mist. It’s one city that works wonderfully at any time of year.
Emma says
I bet it’s beautiful. You are right, it really does work at any time of year doesn’t it? Thank you! (:
Su Chanprasong says
I think Paris is such a beautiful city to visit anytime of year – it is a photographers dream with all the little streets and parks.
Emma says
It really is. I didn’t do much Photography when visited frequently, I know my husband would find me super annoying there now! :D
Kacie says
I’ve never been to Paris before but I would love to make my first trip there in 2018!
Emma says
I hope you get there Kacie! I know you would love the food! (:
Rachael says
That sort of accommodation sounds a lot easier than hostels and low star hotels. Even though you think you’re not going to spend much time there, it’s still nice to be comfortable when you are there. I have been to Paris is the spring and found that, although blooming cold still, it’s rather pretty. I’ve never taken the kiddo though!
Emma says
Thanks Rachael! I think with that sort of accommodation I would definitely be happy about spending a little more time indoors! :D
Bethany says
IT sounds so idyllic, definitely tempted me to want to go.
Emma says
Thank you! (:
Claire at Tin Box Traveller says
Oh my! Fingers crossed for that spontaneous trip. Those luxury apartments in Paris look amazing. I can see myself spending a week enjoying living like a Parisian too!
Emma says
Thanks Claire! Definitely getting there at some point, it might not just be Spring! :D x
Lily says
It’s my dream to visit Paris in the Spring!! It’s just the whole idea of visiting Paris with the beautifulness of spring clinging to it… I fall in love with the idea every time I think of it! And your post has definitely made me fall in love with it all over again!!
Emma says
Thanks so much Lily! (:
Alan Moore says
I have a lot of love for France and French culture an intend on moving there permanently this year after working in France for a while. Not Paris though, I love the city, in medium doses, like London I suppose.
But, France is so huge and has loads and loads to offer.
Emma says
France is just massive isn’t it? They really do have everything! Good luck with your expatriation! :)