My Paris Favorites - May 11, 2025

Bonjour from Paris!

May in Paris is always the same, a month full of public holidays. It’s the time of year when many French people take a little vacation or bridge the holidays with extra days off.

This Thursday was a public holiday for the 80th anniversary of WWII armistice, and many took Friday off to create a four-day weekend. And I can tell you, Paris felt incredibly quiet!

The WWII armistice holds special meaning for me. All of my grandparents were children during the war, and they shared so many memories of that difficult time. Each year, to honor them, I read a book about WWII.

This year, I started “Par amour” by Valérie Tong Cuong. It’s a beautiful story of love, between parents and children, set against the backdrop of WWII. Unfortunately, it’s not available in English, but for those who read French, it’s on Amazon.

"Now, let me share some new Paris recommendations with you, especially one inspired by my perfect Friday in the city.

 

❤️ My latest favorites in Paris

Fromagerie Beillevaire, several stores Paris.

La Parisienne boulangerie, 48 rue Madame, 75006 Paris.

Yesterday, with the stunning weather, I spontaneously decided to have a picnic in Jardin du Luxembourg.

First stop: Fromagerie Beillevaire, a cheese shop that’s been on my list for ages. Did I overdo it? Absolutely. But all I wanted was a full-on cheese picnic. I picked up camembert, goat cheese, comté, and blue cheese.

Next, I headed to La Parisienne, a bakery just around the corner from the garden. They won the 2025 award for the best baguette, so obviously, it was the perfect choice to go with the cheese, right?

Then, off to the garden. I found a chair, unpacked my goodies, and spent a couple of hours savoring the moment. Cheese, baguette, and my book (the WWII novel I mentioned earlier). Simple but perfect.

What made it even better? People-watching. Locals and tourists mixed together. Some kids were playing with boats in the little pond, a few people were playing tennis, and many like me were just sitting, reading books. It’s always so nice to see so many people still taking time to read.

Now, a bit more about the two addresses:

Beillevaire has multiple locations in Paris and is known for its expert advice. If you’re not sure what to choose, they’ll guide you. I had my ideas, but they suggested some new options, and they were spot on.

La Parisienne Bakery is also a great name to keep in mind. The baguette was fantastic (I asked for it “pas trop cuite”, not too cooked, and it was perfect). The only slight letdown was the pain au chocolat aux amandes. It’s my favorite viennoiserie, so my expectations are high, but it was just average.

 

✨ Discover France: handpicked travel reads

This week, we’re talking cycling in Paris. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. I drive comfortably, but cycling in Paris has always felt intimidating to me. That said, it’s on my list for this summer, to swap some of my walks for bike rides. And since a few of you asked about cycling in Paris, here are some great resources to explore the city on two wheels:

There are many agencies offering bike tours, and I see them everywhere in the streets. If you’re considering one, my advice is to check the most recent reviews to get a sense of their current service quality.

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.