This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day in France — which we’d ideally all celebrate in Paris! If you’re lucky enough to have had a mother-daughter holiday in the City of Light, you’ll appreciate that it’s not just a city for women, but women of all ages and life stages. For any of you planning a trip to Paris with your mum or mini-me, consider the following itinerary ideas …
Fashion & Food
Spend a morning working up an appetite by shopping your way around the luxurious, fashion-laden floors of Printemps (the beauty section is particularly divine), then head up to Printemps du Goût, the food hall lavished over the top floors of the men’s building. On level seven, drool over the beautifully displayed artisanal French produce, then on the next level, La Place du Marché, sit yourself down for lunch, which is served with a sublime view overlooking Printemps’ fantastical gilt-trimmed domes and beyond.
Afternoon Tea at the Ritz
Afternoon tea might seem a rather English thing to do, but pâtissiers at Parisian hotels have taken the ritual to an exquisite new level. This is especially so at Salon Proust in the Ritz, where it’s a French take on the tradition — think lemon-glazed madeleines, along with a selection of other delicacies inspired by favourite French childhood treats. The atmosphere, too, is second to none: revel in the cosy, carpeted nook that’s lined with wooden bookshelves, fragranced with voluptuous roses, and softly lit with warm, glowing lamps.
Ballet at the Palais Garnier
The gorgeousness of the old opera house must be seen to be believed: it’s an opulence of marble, mosaic and sparkle. If a ballet is on while you’re in town, book yourself a couple of ruby-velvet tufted seats, and get there early enough to snuggle in and admire the whimsical Marc Chagall painting and opulent, overblown chandelier overhead. Alternatively, book yourself a guided visit of the Palais; the English tours occur at 10.30am and 2.30pm every day. Click here for information.