My Paris Agenda Spring 2026

A recap of what I did and where I stayed

It has been a whirlwind in the best way. I am back from Paris after a lovely sunshine-filled week. My luck with Paris weather has never been good. If I can recall, January was all rain. This time around, I hit the weather jackpot and soaked up the sun every single day. Of course, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must regardless of the sun or season.

I typically travel to Paris in April, but this year it didn’t seem to work with my schedule. My husband texted me with the idea and the dates we could squeeze it in. Once the idea was planted, I got to work. Mid-April kicks off the busy season, and the hotels are booked. The hard part was finding a place to stay after booking the plane ticket.

This is the trench coat I packed from Sézane. The weather was beautiful. A trench coat or scarf, or a leather coat/scarf, is recommended for spring visits.

You can see everything I wore in this post here.

Wearing: Sézane trench, Gaspard sweater, Margaux flats, Frame Denim (RebeccaP15 gets you 15% off)

Where I Stayed in Paris

The hotels were a splurge this trip since we were celebrating our birthdays, and we prefer experiences over gifts. Pavillon Faubourg Saint Germain is my husband’s favorite. They were fully booked during the week but had availability over the weekend. My husband was traveling internationally for work and didn’t have plans to meet me until Friday, so this worked in his favor.

I spent two nights at Villa Saint Germain des Prés, just a five-minute walk away. This is the sister hotel of Hôtel d’Abusson and Villa des Prés. Villa des Prés is a hotel I stayed at a few years ago when it first opened, and it is centrally located near Rue de Buci. Abusson is under renovation and should be open later this year. I love the location and would visit Café Laurent for jazz. It is on my list to discover once it reopens.

Part of my job is recommending and discovering hotels. On this trip, I discovered two new hotels that are on my short list to try for my next visit.

You can see my full list of where to stay in Paris here.

Funding for Paris

My Paris trips are paid for by me and always by me. It has not always been easy, depending on cash flow and years. I have been lucky to always find a way to make Paris work into my schedule.

Hotels, meals, and transportation have all varied in price over the years. While this has been a challenge, it has also helped me give a variety of recommendations for each type of traveler. I really know how to do Paris on a budget.

Your trust in me is my top priority. I prefer to pay for hotels and meals so I can give my readers an honest review. Your support through ordering my book, Paris Every Day, photographs from The Print Shop, or ordering suggestions from my affiliate links is how I am able to go to Paris.

Paid subscribers to Substack help too! At this time, I do not have the bandwidth to offer paywall content. Becoming a paid subscriber helps fund all the travel and meals that turn into recommendations. My goal is always for you to have the best trip to Paris.

Plans for Paris in the Spring

Heading into my trip, I had a short list of what I wanted to do in Paris. A picnic either on the Seine or in a park. Visit a market and pick up peonies and strawberries. This is the start of strawberry season, and I can confirm, there is nothing like a strawberry in France. The flavors jump off your taste buds. I have been known to eat an entire container of strawberries in one sitting with no regret.

I have had Hôtel de la Marine on my list for years, and I still have not made it here. This was on my short list of spots to visit in Paris.

Rosé on a sunny terrace.

See Place Dauphine filled with chestnut blossoms.

A birthday photo shoot with the Katie Donnelly Photography team. All photos of me in this post are by Magda for Katie Donnelly.

Pick up Sabre flatware for our kitchen and purchase a new bag. Most likely Polène.

Meet my friend Katie Donnelly’s new baby girl.

What I Crossed Off My List and What I Didn’t

Paris was filled with surprises. While I had a lot on my agenda. It didn’t all happen. That is the beauty of Paris and being open to the unexpected.

On my last night in Paris, as my husband walked back to our hotel, I looked up at the sky and saw the sliver of the new moon. In the darkness of the sky, I saw the light of the Eiffel Tower. It hit me that I didn’t see the Eiffel Tower at night once, and that meant not one evening sparkle.

Paris is small; it is not unusual to run into friends and blog readers while out and about. At the same time, the city is so large that you can spend an entire day in one part of the city and never cross the Seine or leave a neighborhood. It was easy to walk 20,000 steps a day without even realizing it. Thanks to these shoes, my feet never complained once.

A little unexpected, but I have had Brasserie Lipp on my list for years. It is a classic bistro that has been around for over 100 years. I needed to make up my own mind if it was worth the visit. On our last night, we chose a restaurant close to the hotel. We had an early morning flight and a long day. Brasserie Lipp got us in on the enclosed terrace.

Perfect for people watching across the street at Café de Flore and the tables around us. I can’t say it was the best meal I have had in Paris, but it was an experience I finally crossed off my list. It was fun to do with my husband and make new memories together.

A Few Paris Highlights

I did end up meeting my friend Katie’s new baby, and that was one of the main goals. She is adorable, and I can’t wait to watch her grow up.

My husband and I had the most amazing meal at Shabour for lunch.

The weather. One of the best weeks of weather I have ever had in Paris. It changes the mood completely. I love Paris in the rain, don’t get me wrong. But to enjoy Paris with a soft, glowy light was a gift.

I was able to join friends for a kickoff event for a Paris Retreat.

Birthday celebrations continued in Paris. Sézane sent me the most beautiful bouquet, and I still haven’t been able to get over it. I made sure to tell the hotel to bring it downstairs after I left so they could enjoy it, too.

I discovered a new bakery by chance and can’t wait to add it to The Paris Guide and share it with you!

Curious about what to pack for Paris in the spring, don’t miss this post!

A few friends were in Paris at the same time as me, and I was able to see them.

There is a lot more to share from Paris in April. Stay tuned!

My Paris Agenda is a tradition I have been writing for years; you can see my January 2026 spring agenda here.

Any questions about traveling to Paris? Drop them below! xo