Some Cities Just Keep Calling You Back

You guessed it! We’ve just returned from a lovely couple of weeks in Paris, with a quick side trip to Bordeaux—a city I’d been wanting to visit for a while. Truth be told, we actually travelled in late January, but who’s keeping track? I’m seriously behind on my writing.

This time we used Plum Guide for our apartment rental and stayed in the Latin Quarter, on Rue Maître Albert—a new neighbourhood for us that we really enjoyed. The location was perfect, just two blocks from Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Seine. Just around the corner from us, on Boulevard Saint‑Germain, was a weekend market and several wonderful food shops, so it was easy to pick up whatever looked good along the way. Trust me, there were plenty of tempting options, including La Maison d’Isabelle, known for its award-winning croissants—some of the best in the city.

Winter can be a great time to travel in Europe, with fewer crowds and often discounted airfares and hotel stays. It’s something to consider if you’re trying to stretch your vacation dollar.

Eating Well in Paris

Landing in Paris felt like I had never left—I was home. It was fun catching up with our Paris friends at one of our favourite spots, La Fontaine de Mars, and meeting new friends from Vancouver, who, like us, moved to Paris for a year. We met for coffee and later in the week for dinner at Bistrot des Tournelles, another place I’ve been wanting to try forever. It was the best, and I’m adding it to my favourites.

Our Paris friends also invited us to their home and cooked a fabulous meal. Honestly, it was the cherry on top of the visit. I hope they make it to Vancouver soon so we can reciprocate and show off our city.

And

Rob’s sister came in on the Eurostar for the day, making it a fun visit and a memorable lunch at Les Deux Magots.

We certainly didn’t go hungry. There were plenty of wonderful meals out, but we also spent time wandering through neighbourhood markets, bakeries, and cheese shops, picking up whatever looked good along the way.

Rainy Days

Overall, it was a very social two-week trip. The weather mostly cooperated, although we did have a few days of heavy rain. Even then, hunkering in at a café felt warm and inviting. On one particularly pouring rainy day, we decided to stay in and relax after all the steps from the previous days—reading, enjoying a fridge full of delicious market finds, and of course, wine. It’s a luxury to simply stay in, but when you have the time, you have options.

Soldes Season

January is soldes season—you didn’t think we came in January by accident, did you? The sales are incredible, and if you’re looking for something specific, this is the time to shop. Lately, sweaters seem to be my thing, and yes, a few followed me home. There’s something about cold weather and a good sweater; it’s the easiest thing to wear.

But Paris wasn’t the only stop on this trip. We also spent a few days in Bordeaux—it’s been on our list for a while, and the perfect excuse for a little getaway from Paris, and Rob’s Christmas gift from me.

Bordeaux

It’s a quick two-hour train ride to Bordeaux, followed by a short taxi ride to Hotel Yndo, a beautiful boutique property set inside an elegant 19th-century mansion. How cute is this place?

After checking in and dropping our bags, we headed out to find lunch and start exploring the city.

Bordeaux immediately felt grand with its limestone buildings, wide boulevards, and a relaxed pace that felt different from Paris. And then…the skies opened, and the rain started to pour, again. This was the perfect excuse to visit the wine museum, La Cité du Vin. The museum celebrates wine from around the world, with interactive exhibits on everything from centuries-old winemaking traditions to the science of tasting. You could spend hours here, and I think we did an impressive first round, finishing our visit with a wine tasting.

That evening, we had dinner at Son of a Son, a restaurant recommended by the hotel. It didn’t disappoint. The food was incredible and unlike anything I’ve had before. The chef was incredibly creative, putting together dishes that were beautifully presented and delicious.

By the next morning, the weather had improved, making it the perfect day to wander the streets and explore Bordeaux. Armed with a map, we set off along the UNESCO walking route, stopping at many historic sites along the way. Bordeaux is very walkable; I can just imagine how beautiful it must be in the summertime. Lunch at Merlot was the best!

We had a great time exploring Bordeaux, finishing the evening with a glass of Bordeaux (obviously) in the pretty lavender-coloured sitting room. And finally, dinner at Zephirine—equally amazing.

Bordeaux is an easy trip from Paris, and we’ll definitely be returning—preferably during warmer, drier weather. Next time, we hope to explore more of the region’s famous vineyards, which we just didn’t have enough time to visit on this trip.

In the meantime, Paris was waiting.

Back in the city, we didn’t miss a beat. I’ll admit, it was nice returning to our little apartment. The next few days were spent revisiting favourite landmarks, wandering to new areas of the city, and doing a little more shopping—as one does when in Paris.

A few moments from around Paris...

As always, Paris delivered exactly what we needed—good food, long walks, time with friends, and the simple pleasure of being in a city we love. Even in the quieter winter months, it has its own charm. And while Bordeaux was a wonderful addition to the trip, Paris remains the place that keeps calling us back.

Do you have a favourite city that keeps calling you back?