Mimi and Weesse's TOP TIPS for Paris

Last weekend we had the pleasure of travelling to one of our favourite places on the planet for the third time- Paris! Treating our gorgeous mum to a girly weekend for her up and coming 'special' birthday, we aimed to cram as much possible in to the 3 nights and 3 days to ensure mum got to do and see all the highlights. 

As we'd both been before, we had a few ideas of how to get around and make the most of our time effectively. Our plan (hugely orchestrated by Mimi!) worked a treat and so we thought it may be useful to offer up our TOP TIPS to anyone planning a trip to Paris in the near future! 

1. Book an Apartment- As there were 3 of us, it worked out cheaper to book an apartment rather than 2 hotel rooms and we're so glad, as it really added to our quest to be all French-like during our stay.

 We booked with Cobblestone Paris Rentals and stayed in the Marais region in their super cute, very-French Le Classique du Marais apartment. 

 Wooden beams, terracotta tiled floor, spiral staircase leading to bedroom and etoile curtains and furnishings...this small but perfectly formed loft apartment was an ideal base for our weekend adventures and in an ideal spot (Rebublique metro station was two streets away). Free WiFi and calls to UK landlines and cell phones; kitchen equipped with toaster, fridge/freezer, hob, kettle, dishes, washing machine/dryer etc; bathroom stocked with shower gel, shampoo and towels......basically everything you could need. Having an apartment meant we could stock up on goodies from the supermarket round the corner (Monoprix) to rustle -up a yummy petit dejuner  and then sit each morning enjoying our boiled eggs and pain au chocolat planning the day ahead in our PJs. Super!

2. Use the Metro- This is a super EASY, super CHEAP and a QUICK way of seeing all of Paris. You're best to buy a 'book' of 10 tickets at a time (especially if there's a few of you) from the machines within the stations. At only 14.40Euros (£10) the Metro is a sure-fire way of getting around on a budget and as long as you don't leave the station, you can change lines still using only one ticket per person, working out at a £1 a journey per person. Bargain! 

Mimi had downloaded the app RATP on to her phone which she used (with the help of a map of the city) for every journey we wanted to make. The app will navigate you on all forms of public transport. We never got it wrong once using the app. We always ended up where we needed to be and in record time. Ideal for cramming as much in to your days. 

The stations are well signposted and the metros themselves safe (like in any major city just be mindful of potential pickpocketing) and used by EVERYONE in Paris. They're open until 2 am and there's' a station on nearly every major street in the city.  We visited The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dam, Ile Saint Louis, L'arc du Triomphe, the Padlock Bridge, the Louvre, the Moulin Rouge and Disney via the Metro. 

3. See the Eiffel Tower at Night- Of course it's really impressive in the day, but our favourite view of this must-see attraction was at night and ON THE HOUR. The tower is lit at night but on the hour it twinkles and wow, what a sight that is! We got off at the metro station Trocadero (The Trocadero gardens and fountains are beautiful too!) and walked up the stairs only to be taken aback by the awesome sight of the Eiffel Tower right in front of us. Perfect spot for taking photos. 

 We also stumbled across a late-night outdoor Tango session. 20 or so couples gliding around in the dark dimly lit by the glow from the Tour de Eiffel. Outstanding! 

4. Eat in the Street cafes- Don't make a dash for nearest steakhouse, McDonald's or Hard Rock Cafe. Try dining where the locals go and you won't regret it. We had a gorgeous meal of sea bass and green beans at Le Cafe Rebublique just a stone-through's away from our apartment on our last night as we watched the world pass by.

We can also recommend taking the Metro to Pigalle and treating yourself to a salad at Le Relais Gascon. 

5.  Do Disney Cheaper- Book before you go. Attractiontix.com allows you to print off a voucher before you travel, to then easily pick up your tickets on arrival at the park. We made a saving £40 on each ticket.

6. See Paris from Above- Grab a coffee-to-go then head for the department store Galleries la Fayette and take the escalators to the roof top for the most stunning view of Paris! You'll find tourists and locals alike taking their lunch break as they soak up the sights, chilling on the sofas dotted across this artificial grass covered rooftop. The department store itself is stunning inside and adorned with floor upon floor of designer brands to drool over. 

Et voila! Our tops tips for now. We could give you some more but we feel these 6 are the BEST advice for getting the most out of your trip. 

Aside from the above, my personal advice to you would be to get yourself a Mimi. She organises and orchestrates everything. You just need to turn up and enjoy! Thanks Mimi! 

A' bientot! 

W x

Un beau mariage à Bordeaux avec les Cupcakes

Bonjour,

Weesse here! Mimi and myself have just returned from a magical few days in France with our fellow dancer friends Julieann and Kelly, where we celebrated (in serious style!) the wedding of Cupcake Evette and Gerry. 

    Mimi was official travel supervisor for des bonnes vacances and had booked accommodation in a neighbouring town to the wedding venue, Aubeterre. We stayed at the uber quaint, suitably French, cottage-style apartments, Chambres d'hotes Gaillardon run by the most loveliest of couples, Nina & Hanjo, accompanied by their 2 beloved dogs (a father & son duo named after two cheeses) and a daredevil kitten.  Our garden-view apartment was simply divine, with wooden shutters on the windows, vintage touches throughout, a thoroughly modern bathroom with waterfall shower, free WiFi, a bottle of wine in the fridge and a Nespresso machine. Result! 

    The garden bursting with luscious greenery and pretty flowers was postcard picturesque, surrounded by the neighbouring stone walled buildings of the tranquil town. A 3 minute downhill walk  found us in the square where we enjoyed an afternoon of omelettes, cafe noir and crepes as the sun smiled down on us. La boulangerie, le patisserrie and le tabac made for your typical french town, with a few jewellery and clothing boutiques and pottery shops dotted around to satisfy our interest. 

   

   Prior to the visit I'd chosen not to educate myself too greatly on where we would be staying, nor where Evette and Gerry had selected to host their wedding. I really wanted it all to be a surprise and in the weeks leading up to the trip I found myself day dreaming of what it would be like. I'd had a sneak peek on the website but deliberately didn't delve too deep..... and I'm so glad I'd waited to see it for myself as no photograph could do this enchanted place justice. A palace dating back over two thousand years, set in the idealic surroundings of 130 acres of rolling parkland, the chateau boosts 10 bedrooms and various reception rooms, all decadently adorned with antique furniture, paintings and artefacts. Four poster beds, lavishly tiled bathrooms, ever-flowing window drapes and tassels galore...each room was more awe-inspiring than the next. A venue like no other & a magical setting for what was to be the most perfect of wedding days.  

   We enjoyed a lazy, boozy barbecue on the lawn, pool-side on the first evening as the sun sizzled. Eva and Gerry's 50 or so guests mingled & familiarised themselves with their new weekend abode. The Bride-to-Be wore a floaty lime green maxi dress, which accented her beautifully bronzed bod from her sunny pre-wedding week in Nice with her 5 Bridesmaids. There was an abundance of brie, french bread, wine, beer and excitement, as we all geared up the next day's events. We dipped our toes in the pool, strolled around the gardens, took some poised photographs (you'll see below), played on the tree-swing and visited the horses in the field and as the sun set on Dordogne we played a few games of switch (with a pack of cards found in the games room) underneath a gazebo awash with fairy-lights on a pastel green wrought-iron garden table drinking coffee. Bliss!

  

   On the morning of the wedding we were treated to a monster breakfast courtesy of Nina and Hanjo who had kindly thought of everything you could ever want from a morning in France. Assuming we'd had a tipsy night (actually we'd drank mostly orange juice and coffee), they'd blended up a fruity smoothy to give us a vitamin boost, to go with the array of french breads, ham, cheeses and the smoked salmon and poached egg on cream cheese toast they prepared and so beautifully presented. We tucked in to the feast and enjoyed mint tea and coffee as we listened to music in the charming setting of their dining room, drenched in candlelight and interesting art and antiques.

After an early afternoon visit to the Subterranean Church of St Jean which is the largest in Europe (well worth a visit and only 5 Euros!), we lunched in the sun, purchased some little pieces of jewellery and headed back to the apartment to start the pre-wedding beauty preparations.

Kelly's R & B hits of the 90's were a perfect soundtrack to our getting-ready frenzy as the 4 of us bustled around, sharing the bathroom mirror and the electric fan that kept us from melting in to oblivion. A fave had to be 'I love your Smile' by Shanice. Chooooon! As a colleague of the Bride arrived to accompany to the wedding we made the final touches to make-up, buckled, laced and zipped up our dresses and heels and headed outside (hand-held fans tightly gripped), where Nina insisted on taking a few shots of us in our wedding attire which she subsequently printed, laminated and left 4 copies for us as a keepsake! Love her!), before whisking us off to the chateau in time for the 4.30pm ceremony. Yes, they kindly offered to drive us there and yes, we'd like to move in with these guys permanently! 

 Having already spent a glorious evening at the chateau, I can confirm that the sight of this palatial backdrop once again as we drove up to the main entrance had not wavered in it's ability to stun and excite. It has some serious wow factor that you'd never grow tired of absorbing. 

  Drinks on the lawn, poolside (yup, this is how we do) and before long we were seated at the front of the chateau looking on to the vast expanse of parkland watching a very handsome Gerry await his Bride. The two saxophonists started to play 'Oh When the Saints Go Marching in' as the 5 stunning bridesmaids (all dressed in differing long floating black gowns, carrying white rose bouquets)and Evette's niece and nephew paraded down the aisle scattering petals, closely followed by what can only be described as a vision. Evette was breathtakingly beautiful in a gown that can only be described as made for her. I can't imagine anyone looking as stunning in this dress as she did and we all gasped as we caught sight of her gliding down the aisle arm-in-arm with her wee dad.  

  A gorgeous ceremony ensued with Gerry's uncle acting as celebrant. I was honoured to deliver a  funny little reading, titled 'He Never Leaves the Seat Up' which I could have sworn had been especially written for the happy couple. They then exchanged personally written vows, smooched and sashayed down the aisle as we all applauded and congratulated them. Then it was party time!

  Canapes, lashings of champagne, an alfresco 4 course haute cuisine meal in the beautiful surroundings of the chateau gardens, an array of hilarious and heart-warming speeeches from the Father of the Bride, the groom, the Bride, the best Man and Head Bridesmaid and the pleasure of great company made for the most memorable of evenings. We laughed, we chatted, we cried (tears of joy)and we celebrated as hard we could with the two wonderful people that had brought us all together in this magical place.

  As we ate our petit fours by candlelight (still not sure what they were but can confirm they were delicious) enjoying the remaining speeches, it was soon time to get on the dance floor. Evette had promised (or warned) us that she'd booked a DJ to play until 6am so we hit the dance floor straight after the first waltz and to strut our funky stuff with the Bridesmaids and the Bride. We hadn't seen the girls since the Glasgow Hen weekend where we'd boogied real hard so it was time to ignite and perfect some those moves once again. 

  Before long we were saying our goodbyes to Eva and Gerry, thanking them profusely for the most special of weekends. We arrived back at apartment, hot the sack and 4 hours later we were saying more goodbyes, this time to Nina and Hanjo (who had prepared pain au chocolat and a quiche for our airport bus journey. Honestly, these guys ROCK!) and it was on to the bus (where I subsequently left my iPhone! Another story!) for another 1 hour snooze before the plane home.

  I think you can tell we had a blast. Firstly we visited her in Paris, then Bordeaux. 

 Here's to the next trip Eva.....where to next???

Wedding Day- What We Wore

Mimi- Gold and orange orb earrings & black and nude bones dress, both H&M. 

Weesse- White broderie anglaise dress from Uttam Boutique at House of Fraser. Rose gold watch by Michael Kors