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Shopping Paris in 8 hours

Some people still don’t know that my awesome big sister is also Design Mom. When I was younger I used to steal her clothes (she aways had the best clothes.) And she was the one who taught me even when I was in middle school to care about design. I remember her telling me “Never buy anything ugly. If you have to buy a trash can, make sure it is the most beautiful trash can you can find.” Here are three things you might not know about Gabrielle. 1. She is one of the best stylists I know. Every shelf in her house is casually and beautifully arranged. She doesn’t show it off very much but her house looks like a photoshoot in real life. She doesn’t even have to try hard and things look beautiful. 2. Her and Ben are really the best parents. Their kids are happy and passionate about lots of things (because they are encouraged by their parents.) You really have to see it to believe it. 3. She is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and she means it. I’m super lucky to have her as an older sister! It has been so fun to move here to France at the same time. We can go up and visit them in Normandy and they can come visit us in Paris. Last Friday she took the train to Paris so we could spend the day together without kids. I thought it might be fun to list our itinerary here. Here is how to spend 8 hours in Paris. This is perfect if you don’t really want to site see and just want to get some good shopping and exploring in.

8 HOURS IN PARIS
11:00 am We meet for an early lunch at the trendy Pause Cafe, 41 Rue Charonne, in the Bastille (we got the poached eggs.)
11:45 am Finally flag the waiter down and pay our bill. Walk around and explore the shops in the Bastille.
12:15 pm Try on lots of awesome clothes at a vintage store Adom, 56 Rue de la Roquette. They have the cutest boots there!
12:30 pm Rent some Velib bikes and ride to BHV
12:40 pm Explore BHV, 55 rue de la Glassware, the famous French department store. We check out every floor and make sure to stop at the craft and stationery sections, the lighting department, and the toy department.
1:45 pm We get on bikes and head up to the famous market street Rue Montorgueil and Les Halles.
2:00 pm We park and start in at E. Dellherin, 20 Rue Coquillière, an industrial cooking supply store and G. Detou,  58 Rue Tiquetonne, a specialty cooking store. We stop at Stohler, 51 Rue de Montorgueil, one of Paris’ oldest bakeries to try one of their famous pastry: Puit d’Amour. SO GOOD! We walk down Rue Montorgueil and check out bakeries and stores. (If you want to spend more time on Rue Montorgueil follow David Liebowitz’s guide.)
3:00 pm We head to COS, 68 Rue Monmartre, an awesome Swedish brand. They make beautiful quality clothing with really interesting designs. We try on clothes for a long time! G buys me a fluorescent bracelet I was admiring (thanks sister!) We also stop by La Drogerie, 11 Rue du Jour, an amazing ribbon and trimmings shop and a quick stop at HEMA, 118 Rue Rambuteau, a great Dutch brand that has cheap knick knacks.
4:30 pm We jump on bikes and head to the Marais.
4:45 pm We stop at Merci and Bonton. And afterwards head down to Rue des Rossiers to check the famous Falefel.
6:00 pm We head to the park Place des Vosges and get some macarons and a lemon tart at Carette Cafe, 25 Place des Vosges, before we hail a cab and Gabrielle goes to the train station to catch her train.
7:00 pm I get on my bike and meet my friend Valerie before I ride along the Seine back to my home in the 7th.

  1. Igor

    April 4, 2012

    Whenever I am in Paris, one of the days is always reserved for a shopping spree:-) Love Merci! Cheers from Munich.

  2. Nancy

    April 4, 2012

    A list to copy for the future. I have been to 12:40, 1:45, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:45 but now have the others to see. Did the stripeys come from the thrift at 1215? Awesome.

  3. Karissa Ferguson

    April 4, 2012

    I also went shopping with my older sister this weekend and she bought me a bracelet too. How funny! We were hitting up some outlets but maybe a shopping trip in Paris should be in our future 🙂 I would love that!

  4. Catarina Pereira

    April 4, 2012

    Thks. Love it!

  5. Catarina Pereira

    April 4, 2012

    Tks.
    Love it.

  6. The New Diplomats Wife

    April 4, 2012

    love BHV – i spent many hours on the stationary floor as a student. for beautiful “department stores”, also be sure to check Au Bon Marche. Expensive but for window shopping it can’t be beat and the grocery store down below is gorgeous – it could provide Gabrielle with a whole book full of material for #prettygroceries.

  7. Haydee

    April 4, 2012

    I love this! I happened to be in Paris that day as well, but I explored Rue de Commerce which was neat to be amongst all the local hustle and bustle. I loved Paris so much. I cannot wait to go back. Glad you had such a great time with your sister:)

  8. Rose

    April 4, 2012

    OH! I am going to Paris in 31 days and I am going to go buy every single one of those striped shirts. Thanks Jordan!

  9. se7en

    April 4, 2012

    It really is living a dream – just gorgeous!!!

  10. Quiqui

    April 4, 2012

    It was so nice to be with your sister and do so many nice things! I was in Paris with my little sister 7 years ago and I had a great time too! She was pregnant then. Well, can ‘t wait to be back there with her and I’ll keep in mind your 8hs tour!
    http://www.notasinfashion.blogspot.com

  11. Alicia

    April 4, 2012

    Give me that Pendleton jacket!! Seriously! Amazing. This post hurts me, deeply 🙂

  12. Alessia

    April 4, 2012

    This sounds like th perfect day! I would have to agree that Adom has some great boots.

  13. fig

    April 4, 2012

    between the two of you there’s so much sparkle and creativity I think I may burst like a bubble from happiness if I spend anytime with you both! found both your blogs at the same time and I’m an instant swooning fan! [ and gotta add that & as a die-hard francophile I’m also jealous! you guys are living the dream) 🙂

  14. Amanda | Little Door On The Sound

    April 4, 2012

    You and your sister are both SO talented and such an inspiration!!! Espesh to a new blogger like me. Thanks so much for your awesome posts. And P.S. – I’m so jealous you get to shop in Paris…

    Xo, Amanda

    http://www.littledooronthesound.com

  15. Olya

    April 4, 2012

    Jordan, I’m dying here over those striped shirts – what a thrift store! how come we have nothing like that in US?! Second, I miss my Europe… It’s been 10 years since I’ve been back, and my heart is bleeding to walk the streets I grew up on… Third – Gabrielle is so right! My Grandmother and Grandfather ( and mom , then of course too ) always said ” I’m not rich enough to buy cheap clothes. And my house is not big enough to store things that are not gorgeous”. By “cheap” it was not the price, but the quality, of course. But I think it’s best advice ever. I’m so happy you got to be in Europe for over a year. It will reflect on your life in more ways then you already see 🙂

    Olya

    http://livingnotesfromnyc.com

  16. tammy

    April 4, 2012

    thanks! saving this for my next trip to paris. i wanted to tell you what a lovely tribute your post was to your sister. i agree. one can see how happy her family is when you read her blog.
    you are both blessed!

  17. Bev

    April 4, 2012

    I’ll be traveling back to Paris again next year so I’m saving this list…. Thanks for sharing!

  18. Kory Woodard

    April 4, 2012

    I love the striped shirts! They’re so cute!

  19. Hannah

    April 4, 2012

    What a fun post! If I’m ever in Paris, I’ll be sure to at least plan for 8hrs of shopping! 🙂

  20. Margie

    April 4, 2012

    Sounds like a perfect day. Hope my sister and I can do that one day.

  21. Gabrielle - Design Mom

    April 4, 2012

    Wasn’t expecting to open your blog and find a little tribute. You made my day, Jo! Thank you.

  22. Erin | Holtwood Hipster

    April 4, 2012

    Oh how I would love spend a similar day shopping Paris with my sisters. You’ll remember that day forever.

  23. Dawn

    April 4, 2012

    Sounds wonderful to me, I’d love to shop Paris with my sister! One day! I LOVE that striped pendelton coat. LOVE!

  24. Anja

    April 4, 2012

    I love Paris… and your 8 hours sounds fun.
    Would you be so kind and tell me, where thrift store is. I was trying to find some secondhand/thrift stores in Paris, with no luck.
    Thank you,

    Anja

  25. maja | machensupply

    April 4, 2012

    Sisters are awesome.

  26. Christina

    April 4, 2012

    Thanks for the 8-hour Paris daytrip! I visited last summer for the first time and fell in love, despite the fact my French skills have declined dramatically since high school. My husband and I are coming for New Years which we’ve heard is amazing there. Do you have any tips for NYE and/or winter in Paris?

  27. Deepa

    April 4, 2012

    What a fantastic itinerary! Those striped thrift store tees are making me drool, and I know my hubby would go wild inside E. Dellherin. Saving this for our next trip to Paris!

  28. Catherine

    April 4, 2012

    Ah, this was such nice escapism. I think your sister is pretty awesome too!

  29. Gina

    April 4, 2012

    Adorable!! I love the photos, the story and the imagined conversation! Paris through both of your eyes is wonderful! Two women I admire. Well done!

    Personal note: My oldest friend from collage lives right around the corner from place vosage and I feel like you are transcribing our stomping grounds!! Oh the marais!…. Paris in the Springtime, too! (we have had snow in Stockholm this past week!)

    8 hours for mothers is like 8 years! I can imagine all of the conversation and inspiration you filled the time with. Good for you and what fun!

  30. Robin k

    April 4, 2012

    What a wonderful day for you two wonderful nieces. And such a beautiful description of your sister, Jordan. Love you guys.

  31. tn

    April 4, 2012

    Glad you featured rive droite my home 😉

  32. tn

    April 4, 2012

    And Gabrielle is a sweet lady…love her!

  33. Emily

    April 4, 2012

    What a wonderful day! I’ll be in Paris this summer, but only for a day or two. This was such an inspiration to do as much as possible in just a short amount of time. I eat up all your tips about the city like a delicious macaron!

  34. Amanda

    April 4, 2012

    So funny enough.. I was at lunch with my friend Lindsay Shaw last week and she told me to check out your website sometime. I happened to do so today and am actually in Paris for a little over a week! I was looking for something to do tomorrow and it looks like I’ll be checking out some of stores you mentioned:) Merci!

  35. The slow pace

    April 4, 2012

    What a nice day and what a marvellous guide to spend a wonderful day in Paris!

  36. Trude

    April 4, 2012

    Wow, that looks like a pretty damn perfect day! So awesome you guys could have a day to yourselves. 🙂

  37. Becca

    April 4, 2012

    Jordan, this is exactly the thing I was looking for! I will be getting married in Italy in September, and ahead of that escapade, my fiancé and I will be doing a reconnaissance trip to Paris to see the beautiful city and pick up all kinds of excellent items. Thank you for sharing this times 1000. I am super looking forward to La Drogerie.
    Merci beaucoup!

  38. Kate

    April 4, 2012

    Keep the Paris recommendations coming, Jordan! Alden and I are headed there in June. So happy to be going; bummed we won’t get to see you there in all your Parisian glory.

  39. ays

    April 4, 2012

    someday, i’ll visit paris and i’ll take some tips from your blog 🙂 wonderful pictures, by the way 🙂

  40. Heidi

    April 4, 2012

    You are def living my dream life. My husband and I rented an part in the Marais area in 2009 and I can’t wait to go back. We now have a little one and I can’t wait for her to visit Paris. We are all about her listening to French music and all things French.
    Have you been to Miss Manons? Really good, than again what is not is not delicious in France?

  41. Gina

    April 5, 2012

    … seeing Bon Marche mentioned above. I’ seriously over loaded my hand luggage with sugar from Bon Marche one year! The selections of shaped sugars for your espresso to decorating colors and flavors was like being in a cotton candy dream! (and much more affordable than the boots I was coveting!)

  42. Michelle

    April 5, 2012

    I will be in Paris next month, I can’t wait checking your recommendations.

  43. Maria @ Busy as a Bee in Paris

    April 5, 2012

    I loved all the wonderful things you said about your sister! And what lucky gals getting to hang out in Paris, France on a sister date! Just loved this post, the fun and colorful photos and the great ideas! Bisous xoxo

  44. Kristen

    April 5, 2012

    You have added a few things to my bucket list!

  45. Caroline

    April 5, 2012

    Once when I first started blogging, I commented on a post of Gabrielle’s on her blog. She, almost immediately, replied to my comment in such a kind and genuine way. I, #1. never expected to have an emailed response to my comment from someone who had just been named by Time Mag as one of the most powerful websites on the internet and #2. couldn’t get over how cool she was.

    I decided in that moment I would continue blogging if I was going to be in that kind of company.

    True story.

  46. Amanda // Paper & Crush

    April 5, 2012

    My husband and I are planning our trip to Europe to visit my mom in Germany and we are going to have literally 24hours to spend in Paris sans kids so this post was just what I needed. I want to explore the city as if I lived there and check out local spots vs. just the touristy places. ~thank you!

  47. Cathie

    April 5, 2012

    I stumbled upon Pause Cafe after going to Les Fleurs. I had a great lunch there, went back again that weekend.

  48. Zsa Zsa

    April 6, 2012

    Beautiful pictures. I’m sure the time day with your sister is even better.

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