Paris is every bit the unforgettable romantic adventure that you imagine it is, and a much easier place to navigate and enjoy yourselves in than rumors may tell. To wow your new wife with a truly incomparable Parisian honeymoon, all you have to do is arrive with these 15 memorized phrases of French, your Paris museum pass and Paris Visite transit pass, a curious attitude, and an itinerary that guarantees romance from Day 1.

Day 1: Walk, and fall in love with Paris!
Start your morning with espresso and croissants from a nearby boulangerie, then head to the Luxembourg Gardens where you’ll feel right at home next to all the other couples in love. Take your time strolling through the Latin Quarter, down Rue St Michel and across the bridge to the cathedrals of Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle. You’ll want to catch the evening concert at Sainte Chapelle, so call ahead for details. Finish off your first day in Paris with a cruise down the River Seine, an ultra romantic way to see the city of lights, or head to the oh so Parisian jazz bar La Bilboquet. First drink prices at no cover jazz clubs are stunningly priced, so be ready to splurge.

Day 2: The Louvre
Nothing can prepare you for the majesty of the Louvre. Even if you’re not that into museums you’ll be absolutely blown away. With so much to see it can be overwhelming, so choose just a few things you would both like to see before going to lunch. We suggest the sculptures in the Richlieu wing and the large wall sized paintings in the Denon Wing as good places to start. Take an afternoon break and pick up a fabulous picnic at Les Délices de Verneuil, 42 rue de Verneuil, 01/42-61-24-12, to eat on the nearby pedestrian bridge, Pont des Artes. Return to the Louvre to see the next few things on your list. Don’t try to see it all, just savor every moment. If you still have energy, go for dinner at the trendy Restaurant Georges in the Pompidou Center (call ahead for reservations) and enjoy a gorgeous view of the city. Do be aware that the art of the pickpocket is also thriving in European tourist centers.

Day 3: Versailles
Take the RER-C train to Versailles Rive Gauche, not Versailles C.H. to this utterly decadent, luxurious, and grand palace. Versailles was the envy of kings when it was built and remains the epitome of royal indulgence to this day. Only 45 minutes from Paris, it is well worth the excursion. Do visit on a weekday, take your museum pass and be sure to see the Hall of Mirrors. Don’t forget to get outside the palace to enjoy the magnificent gardens, which are as impressive as the lavish interiors.

Day 4: Musee d'Orsay, Montmartre and Sacré Coeur
After a light breakfast head to the Orsay Museum, this is truly one of the most memorable museums in the world. Housed in a beautifully restored train station, the architecture alone is worth the trip, but it’s the stunning collection of impressionist art that makes the Orsay world-renowned. Leave the Orsay around 2pm, (14:00) for the Montmartre area and Sacré Coeur cathedral. You’ll want to go up into the dome of the cathedral before it closes to see a view of the city, unrivaled even by the Eiffel Tower. For dinner, you’re off to nearby Le Basilic Montmartre where you’ll dine on delicious French country fare. End your evening sipping wine at an open-air café on the square at Place du Tertre. Here you’ll find a vibrant art scene that has been a cornerstone of Parisian life for centuries.

Day 5: The Marais
Begin at Hotel deVille and make your way on foot to one of the most picturesque squares in Europe, the Place des Vosges. On the way you’ll find yourself surrounded by stunning medieval architecture and a million irresistible places to shop. It is easy to spend the whole day and night in the Marais, and we suggest that you do. For a beautiful musical treat you’ll want to stop in at St. Gervais Cathedral, just kiddy corner from the Hotel de Ville and find out when their music program begins. When day turns into evening, get a table for dinner at Ma Bourgogne, très romantique!

 

•      PRINT THIS ARTICLE AND YOUR 15 PHRASES AND TAKE THEM WITH YOU TO PARIS! Or hang onto the link so you can reference them at an internet cafe (ask your hotel concierge where to find one.)

•      Pick up the latest copy of Rick Steves’ Paris. His travel store is in Edmonds, WA and it has all the info you need to travel in France.

•      Use Google Maps: http://maps.google.com. The directions given are not always the most efficient, but the maps are great and allow you to clearly see where you are and where you want to go.

•      Visit the Paris Regional Transit site: http://www.rapt.fr  for great transportation information.

Junebug loves these places to stay:
$$$ The Grand and Apartment Rooms at L’Hotel
$$ Hotel de la Bretonnerie near the Marais
$ Rue Nobel Montmartre just minutes from Sacré Coeur

 

 

France is for lovers and all of us here at Junebug Weddings are simply in love with France! We love the food, the clothes, the architecture, and the feeling of romance that infuses every inch of the landscape. In fact, we’re so in love with it that our Art Director Kim Bamberg and her husband Adam got married there and our whole team returns to our favorite haunt, the perfectly located French chateau of Saint Julien l'Ars to mark the major celebrations in our lives.

Every time we visit, we set off in a different direction from the chateau and we’re always amazed and delighted by what we find. This November, Kim and Adam shot our Fabulous French Fashion Report in Paris and at St. Julien l'Ars, and then sped off to explore the enchanting villages along the Dordogne and Vézère Rivers, southeast of the chateau.  What they found was some of the most charming locations on earth to spend your honeymoon.

Just 5 hours from Paris and 2 hours from St. Julien l'Ars, lies the idyllic Dordogne Valley in the world renowned Perigord Noir, famous for its fabulous food and wine, medieval villages, prehistoric caves, and breath-taking natural beauty. We’re positive you’re going to love steering your European car along the winding ancient roads and discovering new delights around every bend. We suggest you put your bags down in the beautiful village of Beynac, once the beloved home of Richard the Lionheart. The Auberge de la Rivière is our favorite place to stay in Beynac with its riverside views of the Dordogne and delicious fare, but it is just one of the many romantic choices available to you in the Perigord Noir. Once you’ve settled in you’ll want to visit the magnificent Chateau de Beynac that looms above the village, then drive, bike, canoe, and hike your way to all the amazing attractions this area has to offer. Here are the sights on our must-see list.

Medieval towns:
Sarlat: Dating back to the 9th century, Sarlat with its gorgeous yellow sandstone buildings, stone roofs, and narrow winding streets, is one of the most visited towns in France and a featured locale in the movies "Chocolat" and "The Messenger – The History of Joan of Arc." The attraction is the town itself, where you can spend days wandering in and out of the many churches, restaurants, and artisan shops. The Saturday market here is renowned in France, and during summer months the city is alive with art and music festivals.
La Rogue Gageac: This picture-perfect postcard village features stunning medieval architecture and a troglodyte fort built 40 feet above the town in its sandstone cliffs. Southern exposure and a wind-resistant location make it a flourishing garden almost year round.
Monpazier: Considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in France, this perfectly intact 14th century town is located just outside of the Perigord Noir about 30 minutes from Sarlat. It's well worth the trip for its beauty and historical significance.

Castles:
Chateau de Hautefort: Featured in the Drew Barrymore movie “Ever After”, this impressive chateau is a fairy tale example of what life was like for kings and queens of the Renaissance.
Chateau de Commarque: This 12th century chateau between Sarlat and Les Eyzies was discovered in the 1970’s buried under rock, silt, and vegetation. The meticulous restoration of the village, castle, and prehistoric sites found here is a continually evolving discovery, making this chateau a particularly fascinating stop along your trip.

Prehistoric caves:
Lascaux: The Dordogne Valley has over 1,300 prehistoric caves. The cave at Lascaux, often referred to as the pre-historic Sistine Chapel, is the most grand, and by far the most famous. Visitors are treated to a paleolithic art gallery dating back over 15,000 years.
Les Eyzies:  Known as the pre-historic capital of the world, Les Eyzies is where the first remains of Cro-Magnon man were found in 1868. Both the town and the caves are treasures you don’t want to miss.

Gardens and natural beauty:
The Hanging Gardens at Marqueyssac: Stunning gardens with panoramic views of the Dordogne valley. The gardens are lit by candlelight on Thursday evenings making them the perfect place for a sunset picnic and a romantic evening stroll.
Canoe trips on the Dordogne and Vézère Rivers: No matter which river you choose you’ll be treated to views unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Soak up the sun while you slowly meander past hanging gardens, dozens of cliff-side chateaus, and hundreds of prehistoric sites. We suggest you take a ride down the Dordogne, where Les Eyzies, the Chateau de Castlenaud and Marqueyssac are all just part of the scenery.

Travel tip:
Consider traveling in the late spring or early fall when the tourist season is not at its peak and the countryside is ablaze with blossoming fruit trees or rich fall color.

 

 

A Romantic Tour of the Loire Valley Do you want to treat your lady like a real princess? Then take her on a tour of France's ultra romantic Loire Valley. For the royal treatment book a room with a storybook turret at the Chateau de Chissay in Montrichard and spend several lazy days hopping from one spectacular estate to the next in your rented Mercedes convertible. Stop to shop at the quaint open-air markets, sip wine at the world's finest wineries and pay a visit to the famous walled city of Amboise, the final resting place of Leonardo daVinci.

 

Thinking about getting married in France? We know the perfect spot! Chateau St Julian l'Ars, just outside the delightful city of Poitiers. Invite 40 to 100 of your closest friends for a vacation of a lifetime. For complete reservations and information contact our French-speaking Art Director, Kim Bamberg of La Vie Photography.