My Paris Favorites - September 21, 2025

Bonjour!

Look at the photo, can you guess where it was taken from?

Take another look. What’s your guess?

Need a hint? It’s a place that’s been closed for years.

Another hint: it’s been under restoration for five years after a terrible fire.

It’s the view from the top of Notre-Dame Cathedral!

This weekend was European Heritage Days, and the Notre-Dame towers reopened for the occasion. You can imagine how excited I was, I did everything I could to get a ticket.

And it was spectacular. The day was rainy, but just as I reached the top, the sun broke through. The light was magical.

The towers will reopen officially very soon, but the booking link isn’t available yet. As soon as it is, I’ll share it in this newsletter along with a full recap of my visit, I have so much to tell you!

For now, here are some of the places and little discoveries I enjoyed these last two weeks. 

 

❤️ Paris insider guide: my favorite addresses

Louvre museum... bakery

Work has been intense lately, so last Friday I gave myself a “me day” to wander and enjoy art. I went to the Louvre, with no plan, just to disconnect and get inspired.

While preparing my visit, I discovered something new: the Louvre now has its own bakery! The first of its kind in a major museum. Bread is baked right there.

I tried a jambon-beurre for 7€, the most classic French sandwich, simple but perfect when done well. The ham was excellent, but the salted butter was the star. So good! They also make a signature bread, which I bought to take home. My tip: pick it up when you exit the museum, it’s heavy! Perfect to enjoy in the Tuileries Garden, or later at your hotel/Airbnb with a bit of butter.

I also updated my blog post with fresh Louvre tips, link here if you’re preparing a visit.

Modern bakeries: Copains vs the French Bastards

Paris has seen a rise of modern bakeries in recent years, with bold décor and reinvented pastries. Two names stand out: Copains and The French Bastards.

My heart? 100% with The French Bastards. Last weekend I tried their new ice cream bar, OMG. Will I resist going again today? I doubt it.

Copains is different. Their products are good, and I appreciate that they use alternative flours, amazing for those with gluten intolerance. They’re trendy and keep opening new shops. But… I can’t get over one thing: they brush sugar syrup on some of their viennoiseries. Too modern for me, I’m too traditional for that 😅. Still, if you’re gluten-free, they’re a great option.

 

✨ Discover France: handpicked travel reads

Since this weekend was all about European Heritage Days, I’ve selected some helpful links.

Every year, on the third weekend of September, monuments and institutions open their doors, many for free, some for the first time. Exclusive visits can be hard to get (I refreshed pages for hours to finally grab Notre-Dame tickets!), but plenty of places are accessible without booking. Just be ready to wake up early and queue, it’s worth it.

Here are some useful resources:

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.