My Paris Favorites - October 5, 2025
Bonjour!
Welcome to October! 🍂
Autumn has truly arrived in Paris: the trees are turning orange, the air is cooler, and the evening light is simply beautiful. The weather, as always, is unpredictable, but that’s part of Paris’ charm, right?
To launch the month, several Paris landmarks lit up in pink on September 30, including the Eiffel Tower, Pont Neuf, Place de la Concorde. Every year, this marks the start of Pink October, the campaign dedicated to breast cancer awareness.
This time, I didn’t go. I was busy and told myself I’d skip it. Big mistake. I still don’t know why I thought I could miss it. I’ve seen it every year for the past four years, and each time it feels magical. The pink Eiffel Tower against the night sky is always breathtaking.
My grandmother had breast cancer, so this cause is especially close to my heart. I truly regret not going. It’s the only year I missed it, and the last!
Anyway, even if I skipped that evening, I’ve had time for a few lovely visits I’m excited to share with you.
❤️ Paris insider guide: my favorite addresses
John Singer Sargent exhibition at Orsay Museum
One of the perks of having a membership at Orsay is being able to visit whenever I want, even just for an hour. And that’s exactly what I did last week when I heard about the new exhibition dedicated to John Singer Sargent.
The exhibition focuses on how Sargent reinvented portraiture, blending realism and elegance. I found it beautiful and inspiring. His portraits of women in flowing gowns, full of light and movement, are stunning. And I was surprised to discover his travel paintings too.
My only advice: go early or late in the day, as it’s quite packed already. But if you can, don’t miss it!
Le Chai Saint-Germain – 26 rue de Buci, 75006 Paris
Last week, I had a late meeting in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and suggested this little brasserie. I love it because it’s everything you’d expect from a classic Parisian spot, simple, welcoming, with good traditional French food and fair prices.
The decor has a charming Art Deco touch, and it’s perfect for a relaxed lunch, dinner, or even just a drink. I was surprised to see it has only a 4.2 rating on Google; some mention service issues, but I’ve always had good experiences there (even the time I stayed two hours with just a Coke Zero!).
Rue de Buci is full of restaurants, but this one feels truly local. Nothing fancy, just good food, a lively atmosphere, and that everyday Parisian charm.
✨ Discover France: handpicked travel reads
This week, I spent a couple of hours in a Paris bookstore, and as always, I left inspired. So I thought I’d share with you a few wonderful reads about the city’s most charming bookstores. Some are grand and historic, others small and full of soul, all worth a visit.
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.