My Paris Favorites - October 18, 2025

Bonjour!

I just came back from an early morning walk at the Luxembourg Garden. The forecast said it’s the last sunny day before a full week of rain, so I wanted to make the most of it.

And what a morning! The garden was full of life: people running, doing tai chi, boxing, training with coaches. I even stopped by the famous chess tables, two teenagers were playing, completely absorbed in their game. I ended my walk at the Médicis Fountain, sitting on one of those classic green chairs, listening to a podcast under the sun. Pure Parisian joy.

I also had a small mission in mind. Many of you ask me for the best cafés for people watching! So I started exploring the area around Luxembourg Garden to find the perfect spots. I’ll continue my little research in other neighborhoods in the next few weeks and hope to publish my list of the best cafés for people watching by the end of November.

Now, let’s move to my latest Paris favorites.

❤️ Paris insider guide: my favorite addresses

Librairie Gourmande – 50 rue Vavin, Paris 6th

A true hidden gem! This charming bookstore is entirely dedicated to gastronomy. Even for someone like me who’s not much of a cook, it’s paradise. You’ll find everything: cookbooks, culinary novels, guides to the best restaurants, and beautiful books on the history of gastronomy. There’s even a small section in English, but honestly, French cookbooks make such unique souvenirs! With a translation app, you can easily translate a page on your phone, and it’s a beautiful way to bring a bit of French culture home.

Metro line 6

It may sound like a strange recommendation, but I promise it’s worth it! This week I had two meetings on opposite sides of Paris and took metro line 6. I had forgotten how beautiful it is, part of the line runs above ground, offering stunning views over the city. There are actually two aerial sections: one between Quai de la Gare and Saint-Jacques, and another between Cambronne and Passy. The best section is between Bir-Hakeim and Passy, where you cross the Seine with the Eiffel Tower right in front of you. Try it at night when the Tower sparkles, it’s magical. So next time you’re traveling between the 15th and the 13th arrondissements, take line 6 instead of the RER or bus. It turns an ordinary metro ride into a little sightseeing tour.

✨ Discover France: handpicked travel reads

After visiting Librairie Gourmande, I couldn’t resist sharing a few "delicious" books:

• 📗 Ready for Dessert by David Lebovitz, an English book for all dessert lovers. See book
• 📕 99 choses à goûter à Paris by Ezéchiel Zérah, “99 things to eat in Paris”, this one goes straight on my Christmas wishlist! See book
• 📙 Petites, Moyennes et Grandes Tablées by Camille Chamignon, a wonderful cookbook full of recipes for hosting, whether it’s a big dinner or an unexpected visit. See book
• 📒 Fait maison by Cyril Lignac, my brother-in-law’s go-to cookbook, and every recipe is a hit. See book
• 📘 Le Noël Gourmand de Philippe Conticini, Christmas recipes from the famous French pastry chef. See book