I had another fabulous weekend in another fabulous European city: Paris.

And, just like London, Paris is magical at Christmas.

I went for my friend Jo’s birthday–he’s from Paris and his friends offered to host a party in their flat. A house party in Paris? I’m in.

We took the train on Friday after work and passed the time bringing cheer to the bar car by jamming out to Christmas pop hits.

I stayed in the Marais again; it’s my favorite spot in Paris because of all the boutiques and restaurants. And eating and shopping took up the majority of the time.

We frequented Marche des Enfants Rouges, one of my favorite markets in Europe.

There was the wine.

The meals.

The cakes and coffee.

Ode to a carrot cake under a heat lamp.

The cheese.

The sandwiches (accurately described by the chef as “the best sandwich of your life”. Not pictured: the maple syrup crepe, also accurately described as “the best crepe in the universe”.)

 

And we shopped til we dropped. Highlights included:

Finding an Atelier Cologne store.  It’s my favorite perfume at the moment, and this little store and the man who worked there made me want to buy all the fragrances. Outside the store, they have samplers welded to a metal table. Inside, you’re whisked off on journeys to all the areas that inspired the scents.

 

In another charming neighborhood, Montorgrueil, we stumbled upon La Garconneire. This store is the most amazing men’s store I’ve ever been in. Complete with its own barber chair (and a man giving cuts), a fuzbol table, DJ, and fragrance expert, the store offers high-end products for men. It was such a fun store to shop in.

 

And, finally, there was the party.

Jo’s friends, who work for Hermes and Chanel, own a 5th floor apartment overlooking the Pompidou.

The murmur of cocktail party small talk quickly turned into a dance party until the morning.

I’m used to traveling on my own, but this trip was so much more meaningful because I was able to spend quality time with my Frankfurt friends, and got to know new friends, in one of the coolest cities in Europe.

The experience enriched my low-stress holiday season even more.

After all, isn’t this time of year all about enjoying your friends and family?

The family part comes on Wednesday as I fly back to the US, ready for more laughs, drinks and fun.