My Paris Favorites - April 12, 2025

Bonjour from Paris!

I’m back in your inbox after a little one-month pause, but trust me, it wasn’t a restful one! I moved into my new home (yay!), and after three months of full renovation (it dates back to the 1970s and had never been touched), I’m finally settling in. The cardboards are almost all gone, and now the best part begins: decorating! The next few weekends are going to be all about adding those cozy,
personal touches, and hopefully, relaxing a little too.

Between the renovation, the move, and work in full swing, I’m definitely feeling a bit tired. But thankfully, spring is in full bloom in Paris, and it brings me so much energy. The cherry trees are blooming, the terraces are full again, and sunset is now after 8 pm, how amazing is that?

Now back to our usual rendezvous, sharing the best of Paris with you.

 

❤️ My latest favorites in Paris

Orsay Museum, Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris.

Yesterday morning, I managed to carve out a little time to visit one of my favorite museums in Paris: Musée d'Orsay. I go there quite often because I have a membership, and it’s such a treat! Members can enter 30 minutes before the official opening, which makes a huge difference. By the time the museum fills up, you’ve already had over an hour to enjoy the art in peace. For the first time, I noticed several tourists with memberships too! I asked them about it, and they said they were just in Paris for a few days but had purchased the pass for the quiet access in the morning. Brilliant idea, right? Membership is 52€ for one person, or 79€ for two, valid for unlimited visits during the year. When you compare it to the 16€ single-entry ticket, it’s definitely worth it if you plan to visit more than once. And if you’re on a tighter budget, just aim for the first time slot at 9:30 a.m., or join a guided visit at 10 a.m. to beat the crowd.

Square Gabriel Pierné, 5 rue de Seine, 75006 Paris.

April is such a beautiful time in Paris, and the cherry blossoms are putting on their show! One of my favorite spots to enjoy them is this small square tucked away near the Seine. It’s not exactly a hidden gem anymore, many tourists have discovered it, but it’s still a place where locals go, especially on weekdays. I was there yesterday morning around 11:30 and was surprised to find it still peaceful. There were two Italian guys enjoying croissants, a Chinese couple in wedding attire taking photos, a Parisian woman soaking up the sun, and a local man stretching after his run. Even outside of cherry blossom season, it’s a perfect little spot to sit on a bench and read a book. A quiet, everyday kind of magic, the kind that makes you feel like a real Parisian.

 

✨ Discover France: handpicked travel reads

Since I mentioned Square Gabriel Pierné above, I thought it would be the perfect time to share some of my favorite resources to help you spot the blooming trees around Paris if you're visiting in March or April.

Merci beaucoup for reading and for being part of this lovely community! I’m so glad to share a bit of Paris life with you every time.
Wishing you beautiful days, from Paris,

Mathilde V.