A Chic Long Weekend in Paris: From Cardiff to the City of Lights
We set off from Cardiff Central around 9am, arriving at London Paddington without a hitch. Ahead of our Eurostar departure, we tackled the bustling St. Pancras—crowded, but smooth sailing overall. A calm métro ride later, we checked into the luxurious Hôtel Paris Bastille Boutet by 7pm.In the heart of the 11th arrondissement and near Bastille, this hotel is located in a historic setting: Maison Boutet. First a lumber factory and later a chocolaterie, the building has kept its old charm. Unusual and unique. Hotel Paris Bastille Boutet is located in the heart of 11th district of Paris, famous for restaurants and bars, few steps from Faubourg St Antoine and its shops, from Opera Bastille et near Le Marais. Close to Gare de Lyon and the Accor Arena. The hotel is just minutes from central Paris, with direct public transport access to the Opera Garnier and department stores. Despite being snug, our room was charming and warm—think plush robe, slippers, coffee machine, and a gorgeous bathroom—perfect for us. That evening, we eased into local life with a beer, a wine, and a fresh mozzarella and tomato starter. A stroll through the Bastille neighbourhood led us to Louie Louie, a cosy pizzeria buzzing with locals. As the name is same as my Nephew's we had to venture inside! We perched on stools, sampled the “Ninja” pizza and salad, and after little persuasion from the waiter we indulged in heavenly homemade profiteroles—so good that we’ll be back!
Saturday: Louvre, Champs-Élysées & Eiffel Tower
A 7:45am wake-up kicked off the day ahead of our 9am Louvre booking. Breakfast at the hotel was a delight—pastries, smoked salmon, eggs, and excellent coffee—just what we needed. We hopped on the métro (lines8,1,2) and reached Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. Inside, the Mona Lisa (naturally packed) was surprisingly tolerable—no queue, just a crowd. We absorbed enough before heading out around 11am, walking through Place de la Concorde, up the Champs-Élysées, and pausing at Galeries Lafayette to dream over designer pieces. Impromptu shopping at Zara followed—because “when in Paris”—then more photos at the Arc before lunch. By 3pm, Café Pirouette called. We savoured a croque-monsieur with house fries, French onion soup, and a sip of wine. Back to the hotel for a rest, then out again at 7pm for the Eiffel Tower. A 60-minute lift queue, but worth every second—Paris at night from the top is breathtaking. We returned for a nightcap and early rest.
Sunday: Bastille, Notre-Dame & Spa Time
Today was all about atmosphere. We walked to Place de la Bastille, explored the monument and fresh-produce market, then headed to Île de la Cité to admire Notre-Dame (still undergoing restoration) and read its history. Next stop: Centre Pompidou in Le Marais, a vibrant, artsy district brimming with boutiques, bars, and a strong LGBTQ+ presence. Lunch of French Onion soup at a charming corner café was deliciously authentic. We even found the famed Little Red Door speakeasy—though daytime closures kept us out. A spa session at our hotel in the afternoon was heavenly, followed by evening crêpes at Café Breizh and a return visit to Louie Louie for our main course. Perfect French Sunday.
Monday: Montmartre & Farewell
We slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, then made our way to Montmartre. Wandering its cobbled streets, browsing artisan shops, and indulging in a hot chocolate and cake at Café Pain Quotidien was the ideal Parisian finale. By 1pm, we were bound for Gare du Nord, boarded the Eurostar, and arrived back in Cardiff around 9pm. Paris: checked off—and we’ll be back before you know it.
Tips & Takeaways • Beat the crowds: Morning Louvre visits reduce wait times. • Local bistro culture: Sit at the bar, chat with staff, try their house specials. • Metro is your friend: Quick, efficient, and easy to navigate—lines1,2,8 were our go tos. • Exploration on foot: Major sights (Concorde, Champs-Élysées, Arc, Bastille, Montmartre) are wonderfully walkable. • Downtime matters: Spa and hotel relax sessions kept the pace relaxed and enjoyable.
Final Thoughts From art-filled mornings to cosy evenings and spa-soothing afternoons, our Paris weekend was a dreamy blend of romance, culture, and indulgence. The Bastille district is a bit further out of the centre but if don't mind Le Metro then it's not so bad. Whether it's the bright lights of the Eiffel Tower or the hidden gems of Le Marais, every moment left us wanting more. Paris completed. We'll definitely be back !
