Everything from Our Paris Summer

Bonjour friends,

We’ve been home several weeks now after an incredible trip to Paris in July and early August. It’s taken me a minute to get back into my routine, but I wanted to finally sit down and send you a proper note about where we stayed, where we ate, and how we spent our days.

As many of you know, it was just Nathan and me this time. London went off to summer camp for the month, where she had the most wonderful time and made memories and friends she’s still talking about. We missed her, of course, but there was something really special about having this trip be just the two of us.

And I’ll be honest with you. Even without her, it turned out to be one of the most amazing Paris trips we’ve ever had. Maybe it was the late-night dinners, the early evening apéros, or our little escape down to the French Riviera. Whatever it was, it felt like magic from start to finish.

Where we stayed

We stayed on Île Saint-Louis again this year. We stayed here for the first time last summer and completely fell for the charm and the quiet, small-village feeling the island has right in the middle of the city. So this year, we knew we wanted to come back.

The apartment we rented is really only meant for two, which suited us perfectly, and it has the most gorgeous view of the Seine. I could have spent every morning just standing at that window with my coffee.

Now, a quick note on the weather, because I know so many of you are planning summer trips for next year. Paris was incredibly HOT this year. We got lucky and arrived just as a cold front came through, so we had beautiful weather for most of our stay, with only a handful of truly warm days. And I’ll be honest, Paris is not the most comfortable place to be when the heat settles in. We did rent a portable AC unit for the apartment, but if you’re used to American air conditioning, just know it’s never quite the same.

Our secret to staying cool? Plenty of cold rosé and champagne. I’m only half joking.

What we did

Our first week looked a little different than usual, because Nathan worked for most of it. We fell into a lovely rhythm of heading out together in the early morning and again in the mid-afternoon, before he had to sit back down at his laptop. Then I would set off on my own to explore, wander, and discover corners of the city I hadn’t seen before. There’s a particular kind of joy in walking Paris alone, at your own pace, with nowhere you have to be.

I also had a few business meetings with brands that week, and I was busy behind the scenes getting things ready for an upcoming ladies’ retreat.

By the second week, Nathan had much more free time, and we made the most of every minute. We spent lazy afternoons in the Jardin du Luxembourg, stayed out late enough to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at midnight, and lost whole afternoons to slow walks, stopping wherever we pleased for a glass of wine. Those unhurried, unplanned days are always the ones I remember most.

Where we ate

Some of my favorite memories from any trip happen at the table, and this one was no exception. We leaned into long, late dinners and slow evening apéros, the kind that stretch on far longer than you ever planned.

The full list of restaurants and experiences below is saved just for subscribers, who receive exclusive Paris content: the spots I love, the meals worth planning a day around, and the little places I always come back to. If that’s you, keep reading. And if it’s not yet, this is exactly the kind of thing you’ll unlock inside.