Insiders Guide Paris | parisian party

photo © myfrenchcountryhome.com

While in the U.S. the holiday season has been over and forgotten about for nearly a week now, things are still going strong here in France. This week, on January 6th, France will celebrate the Epiphany, the day the 3 Kings arrived to see the baby Jesus. Here in France, the Epiphany is celebrated with a Galette des Rois- a special “kings cake” made of layers of puff pastry and filled with chocolate and pear, apple, or the more traditional frangipane (an almond-flavored paste). Although pretty yummy by itself, the highlight of the Galette des Rois is finding the fève. The fève is a small, ceramic figurine which is baked inside the cake. Typically, the cake is sliced, and the youngest child in the household gets to determine who gets which slice. Whoever finds the fève in their slice of cake gets to wear a paper crown and be King (or Queen) for the day. I can imagine that in the U.S. a hard, pointy figurine baked into a cake would be considered a safety risk, but that’s not at all the case in France, where you’ll see lines of galette-hungry customers snaking out of bakeries across the country.

If you want to take part in the festivities, why not try this simple Galette des Rois recipe at home? A quick search on ebay pulls up a small (and pricey) selection of French fèves, but you can also do like they do in New Orleans and bake a small plastic baby in your “King Cake” instead. You can find the mini babies at any store that sells baby shower decorations. Vive le roi et vive la reine!

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© www.ashleightaylorphotography.com via hostess blog

In case you didn’t realize it, engagement season has just begun. Did you know that nearly 1/3 of all American engagements for the entire year take place between now (Thanksgiving week-end) through the end of the holiday season? Which is why I thought this would be the perfect time to share one of the more popular parisian party posts from the way-back machine:

As a wedding planner in Paris, I can’t tell you how many requests I get from panicky grooms-to-be looking for help on proposing to their bride-to-be at the top of the Eiffel Tower. One thing that I like to advise these guys is that a proposal, like amour, isn’t just about the payoff. 1 Pretty Spot + 4 Little Words + 2 Months Salary may = “yes”, but if in the end all she remembers is the bling, you’ve wasted a lot of time and energy! No, a truly unforgettable proposal requires a little foreplay. If you’ve decided to propose in Paris, you need to set the scene and completely immerse your future epouse in the sights, sounds and sentiments of Paris. Sure, the top of the Eiffel Tower is amazingly impressive, but wading through the endless lines of tourists and panhandlers to get there? #notsomuch.

With this in mind, I’ve compiled: The American Wedding Planner in Paris’ Top 5 Best Romantic Places to Propose in Paris

photo © lee reforma for http://with--this--ring.blogspot.com

1. Ile de la Cité – The first spot on my list is the Ile de la Cité – the cradle of Parisian civilization – where the ancient Parisii tribe lived before they were conquered by the Romans in 57 AD. If you’re bringing your sweetie all the way to Paris to propose, what could be more romantically symbolic than proposing at the very epicenter of Paris? With beautiful monuments like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Pont Neuf, the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle, sprinkled with little parks, squares and markets, it’s one of the most romantic spots in Paris- with perfect “proposal ops” for both day and night.

photo © arihunterphotoblog.com

2. Jardin du Palais Royal - This one is a more personal favorite- My French Husband wooed me oh-so-many years ago with romantic walks through the Palais Royal. All of the elements of the perfect proposal are here - Mystery and Intrigue: The gardens are hidden from the street on all sides by almost identical buildings. You’ll need a good map (or a little know-how) to find one of the doorways that enter onto the place. Peace and Quiet: The same walls keep the noise of the Parisian traffic out. If you’re lucky, there may be a cellist or opera singer performing beneath the tall arcades, but usually the loudest sound you’ll hear will be coming from the beautiful fountain in the center of the garden. Romantic Ambiance: The arcades of the Palais Royal house cute little shops, restaurants and cafes- a perfect place to wander through soaking up Parisian atmosphere before you stroll over to one of the benches that dot the park and ask for your honey’s hand in marriage…

photo © emilie gerard amypunkyphotography.com

3. Pont des Arts - How could she say no to a proposal on one of the most enchanting bridges in Paris? The Pont des Arts is a wooden pedestrian bridge which leads to the Louvre and has the most amazing views of Paris (with the Eiffel Tower in the distance) and the Ile de la Cité. A little wine, a little baguette et fromage, the sun setting on the Seine…and she’s yours for the asking! And while you’re there, don’t forget to leave a Love Lock as a memento of your Parisian adventure.

photo © ian holmes www.ianholmes.net

4. Canal St Martin - This charming, tree-lined waterway in the 10th Arrondissement is still pretty much overlooked by tourists, especially in off-peak months. Built by Napoleon III in 1825 to transport materials from quarries in the north to the Seine, the waterway’s charming iron footbridges and locks are still standing, and set a romantic tone for a different type of wedding proposal. After checking out the “bohemian chic” shops and waterfront cafés along the Quais de Valmy and de Jenmapes, stroll on over to the Parc de la Villette and board a canal cruise- a tranquil 2 hour ride down the canal and out onto the Seine, where you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pop the question.

photo © jeanjean911 www.fotocommunity.fr

5. Maison Blanche - Located on the top of an old Art Deco theater off of the Champs Elysées, Maison Blanche is a hip and trendy romantic restaurant where you go to see and be seen. Reserve a table near the windows if you want to impress her with a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower, or book one of the cozy booths if you want something a bit more intime for the big moment.