I was writing this while watching the finals of Champions League between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain. I have a soft spot for Paris Saint Germain since not only are they the underdog but I also love the neighborhood of St. Germain. I can imagine how the whole of Paris is watching this game right now. It reminds me of the wonderful times we have visited Saint Germain.
“In Saint-Germain the free-spirited past is still very, very present, shaped by artist like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Sartre, Monet and Picasso.” – FAVOURHOODS
In Saint Germain you will get:
- charming streets
instead of boulevards - small boutiques
instead of flagship stores - bars and cáfes
- a flair of literature and art
- a headache from absinthe
DAY 1
BRUNCH AT CLAUS PARIS
Leave luggage at hotel and head off for brunch. At Claus Paris, a meal manages to be both a simple and sophisticated affair. Not easy to pull off. I like to imagine we live there and Claus would be our Sunday brunch spot. According to the newspaper Le Monde, Claus Paris has become “the Parisian institution of breakfast”.
SHOPPING AT MAISON STANDARD
At Maison Standard the ethos is to “buy good things and own them a long time.” This aesthetic is basic and minimal and so very modern. On a trip to Paris, I don’t need to come back with luggage brimming with a multitude of bargains but I must find a special something from Maison Standard.
26 Rue Saint-Sulpice, Paris 6ème
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAISON STANDARD
For the rest of the morning, I would walk around the 6th arrondissement of Paris while waiting to check into our room.
I would make sure to visit Cafe de Flore, Charcuterie Saint Germain Traiteur and fromager Laurent Dubois to pickup goodies before returning to the hotel.
Cafe de Flore 
Charcuterie 
Laurent Dubois
DINNER AT LE COMPTOIR DU RELAIS SAINT GERMAIN
WHERE TO STAY:
LE RELAIS SAINT GERMAIN
Staying at this boutique hotel by Yves Camdeborde brings the convenience of his 4 different eateries right next door: a typically Parisian brasserie which, in the evenings, turns into a real restaurant, and also the three Avant-Comptoirs (La Terre, La Mer and Le Marché). Choose from a dozen small plates to share in the Avant-Comptoirs, traditional French dishes updated by the chef in the brasserie or more creative menus in the restaurant.
A 4 night trip to Paris would be perfect at this hotel since we could have breakfast at the brasserie before heading out for the day and relax by dining at a different Camdeborde restaurant right by the hotel.
DAY 2
MONTMARTE AND THE EIFFEL TOWER
Take the Little Train around the Montmarte neighborhood and visit the locations of the movie Amelie in real life.
DAY 3
VERSAILLES & ONE NATION PARIS
A thirty minute drive outside of Paris, will take you to Versailles. Spend 2 hours walking around the grounds and palace.
Then head over to nearby One Nation Paris for bargain shopping the rest of the day.
DAY 4:
Visit any museums or shops you are interested in. If you still have shopping in you, Le Marais is the fashion center and also offers vintage shops.
On a trip to Paris, you should have at least one big ticket item; a signature bag, sunglasses or a swimsuit/lingerie from Eres.
AND OF COURSE DESSERT
