A Week in Paris: Picnics, Patios, and a Big Surprise

For a trip I’ll never forget, a few of my favorite people and I decided to spend a week in Paris. It was a long-overdue girls’ trip with the bonus that a few of the boys would meet us later — although I didn’t know yet just how special their arrival would be.

Our week was packed with pastries, spritzes, iconic landmarks, and one unforgettable surprise under the Eiffel Tower. Here's how it all went down:

Day One

We hit the ground running.

After checking into our Airbnb — which had the most incredible view of the Eiffel Tower (more on that later) — we wandered through Paris’s famous landmarks. Notre Dame, charming side streets, and all the dreamy spots you see in postcards. We made sure to fuel our walk with eclairs from Au Petit Versailles du Marais, and let me just say: worth every single crumb.

That afternoon, we fully embraced the Parisian way of life with a couple of Aperol Spritzes on sunny patios — and squeezed in a quick Zara stop because, obviously. After freshening up, we enjoyed our first Eiffel Tower sparkle show from the balcony of our apartment before heading out to see it up close.

We capped off our first night with dinner at Bambini, where the lively atmosphere and pasta made the perfect welcome to Paris.

Day Two

The second day started slow and sweet. We grabbed pastries from a local spot and spent a relaxed morning getting ready — our third couple arriving just in time to join the fun.

The girls snuck away for an afternoon drink and snacks at Jardin d’Hiver inside Hotel de Crillon, and honestly, it felt like we were in a movie. The most darling spot.

Then came the moment I’ll never forget: we met the boys under the Eiffel Tower, where I got the surprise of a lifetime — an engagement!

Kevin did amazing and had a photographer there and everything. We got incredible engagement pictures taken around Paris, while what happened still hadn’t kicked in.

After we reconvened with everyone else and celebrated.

We got amazing cocktails at Bar 228 and an unforgettable dinner at Victoria Paris, where we toasted with views of the Arc de Triomphe. Absolute magic.

Day Three

We kicked off day three with breakfast at Clint, then made our way to the Louvre. We spent a few hours soaking in the art and, of course, making a pitstop at the Mona Lisa. (Tip: Go early if you want a photo without 400 strangers in it.)

Afterward, we headed to L’as du Fallafel for lunch — they were messy and perfect — and then wandered around the area, popping into shops and patios for more spritzes.

We ended the night with dinner and live music at Noto, where the energy was high and the food was just as good as the atmosphere.

Day Four

We made the early trek to Versailles for breakfast at Ore before heading into the palace. Ore had a breakfast option that included entry into the palace. We all got that and were able to sneak past the very long line out front. Walking through those gilded halls feels like stepping back in time. After our tour, we grabbed a glass of wine and roamed the gardens, soaking in the sunshine.

In the afternoon, we Ubered (smart move) to Sacré-Cœur, skipping the hundreds of stairs and saving our energy for crepes at Comptoir Breizh Crêperie in Montmartre.

Dinner that night was a casual walk to Uno, with a few spontaneous patio spritz stops along the way. Maybe my favorite night — no plans, just vibes.

Day Five

Champagne day!

We hopped on an early train to Épernay for a tour of Moët & Chandon. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Two glasses of champagne were included with the tour, and we couldn't resist splitting another bottle in their gorgeous lounge afterward.

After a cozy lunch nearby (thanks to a local recommendation), we grabbed another bottle for the ride back to Paris. Because, why not?

Back in the city, we climbed up into the Arc de Triomphe for panoramic views of Paris, then strolled along the Champs-Élysées before dinner — finished with dreamy macarons from Ladurée.

Day Six

We savored our last full day, starting with croissants and espresso at a bistro. Along the way to the Eiffel Tower, we picked up wine, cheese, and snacks for a picnic.

Spending the afternoon lounging under the Eiffel Tower, wine in hand, was pure perfection. It felt like the best possible way to say goodbye to Paris.

Later, we grabbed one final spritz at a neighborhood patio and soaked up every second of sunshine.

Dinner that night was at Carette (get the French Onion Soup), joined by a few of the boys’ school friends who had just arrived in Paris.

We ended the night with one last glass of wine at our Airbnb, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle one final time.

Day Seven

Sadly, day seven was the day we packed up and headed to the airport for a long trip home. It was such an amazing trip we could’ve stayed another week. The Airbnb we stayed in was incredible, and we all said we would rent it again.

Click through my full itinerary below and follow on Instagram for more travel highlights!