Except if you happen to live in Paris, you are unlikely to pay a visit to the city anytime soon, given the current state of travel restrictions and unpredictable air travel schedules. For each of us wanderlusters who want to go back to one of the preferred travel destinations, Paris can now be brought to you thanks to our guide to traveling through Paris from the comfort of your own home (available in English only).
Decorate Your Space To Create A Sense Of Place
If you want to prepare for a Parisian evening in the comfort of your own home, you should first create a setting. To accomplish this, we always recommend flipping through the pages of French Vogue for some quick fashion inspiration. The French used light, neutral colors, reflective surfaces, mirrors, and their commitment to using natural materials such as wood, linen, and brass that we are frequently inspired by. Plastic or acrylic finishes are not commonly found in a luxurious Paris apartments.
Even a quick search for “Paris decor” will turn up tons of great ideas, particularly for DIY projects to make your home decor items from scratch. For example, if you can’t afford to purchase a new brass chandelier, you could consider purchasing a used one at a flea market or buy and sell and spray paint the surface with high-quality brass paint. Are you looking for a vintage mirror to add some character to your living room? Try spray painting an old mirror. You might have to lie around the house with the same brass spray paint, and you’ll have yourself a vintage-style mirror that’ll look just like the ones used by the French.
Surround Yourself With The Streets Of Paris
Another way to incorporate a little bit of Paris into your home’s decor is to hang some map art on the walls. The fact that you’re considering decorating your space with a French flair indicates that Paris is a place that holds special significance for you; therefore, why not use some maps of this magnificent city to remind you of one of your favorite places and the memories you made during the last time you visited?
Try incorporating a framed city map print of Paris into a gallery wall or using it as a focal point in a prominent location where it will be visible throughout the day to draw attention to it. This Paris city map is available in a variety of sizes. The color combination of black and white is a minimalist one that will work in any setting while maintaining the sophisticated Parisian aesthetic we all know and love.
If you have ample space and are looking for a single decor item that will have a significant impact, you might want to consider a custom Paris map mural like this one. Even if your wall is a strange shape or has odd cutouts for doors and windows, the design team at pointtwodesign.com will work closely with you to create a custom wall mural that fits perfectly into your space.
Make A Classic French Cocktail At Home
Is it possible that someone said cocktail? French classic cocktail recipes are not only excellent when it comes to wine, but they are also fantastic when it comes to classic cocktails. The perfect way to kick off your at-home Parisian adventure is with a shippable cocktail that is unmistakably French.
The French 75 is making a big comeback these days, and we can see why it’s gaining popularity. It is the perfect combination of bubbles, citrus, and aromatics to put you in the mood for a night out in Paris. Using Champagne (or a dry sparkling white wine substitute such as Prosecco or Cava), freshly squeezed lemon juice, and the most aromatic dry gin you can find, create a refreshing and flavorful cocktail. Ask for a recommendation from the staff at your local liquor store, and we have no doubt that they will be delighted to point you in the direction of a gin that is not Tanqueray (we love you Tanqueray, but this cocktail needs a bit more of an herbal punch).
This cocktail is so simple, requiring only three ingredients, that there is plenty of room for experimentation. Starting with 2 ounces of your gin in a champagne glass or coupe, add a generous squeeze of the lemon juice you just extracted, and then top it off with as much Champagne as you’d like to make it a cocktail.
Prepare A Dish In The French Style
In terms of cooking, there aren’t many places on the planet that know food and rich flavors more intimately than the country of France. In terms of cooking a French meal, the options are virtually limitless, and there are far too many delicious recipes to choose from. If you have plenty of time on your hands, try your hand at making a coq au vin. Even though this recipe is simple and uses essential ingredients, once it has been placed in the oven, there is little else you can do but wait for the flavors to develop and deepen throughout the day slowly.
For dinner, why not try making Ratatouille? It’s an excellent dish for vegetarians and those looking for something a little lighter. It’s a great way to use up the leftover vegetables from a week of salads while also being delicious enough to serve as the star of the show in a dinner. And the aromas that will emanate from your kitchen while it is baking will almost certainly make you feel as if you are strolling through the streets of Paris.
Watch A Film That Takes Place In Paris
While we’re on the subject of Ratatouille, round out your evening in Paris with a film set in the city of lights. There is an almost endless list of options to choose from, so try not to become too overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. You could choose a classic like Sabrina, Charade, or Moulin Rouge as your destination. On the other hand, if you’re in the mood for something artistic and adventurous, Amelie might be the film for you. Alternatively, if your family is accompanying you on your staycation, you cannot go wrong with a screening of Ratatouille. This is one of those movies that never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
Buy Yourself A Special French-Inspired Treat
With the scene set, the decor in place, a cocktail in hand, and something delicious baking in the oven, there’s only one thing left to do to complete your at-home Paris adventure before settling down to watch your favorite movie: treat yourself to a luxurious treat you wouldn’t usually purchase to round out the experience. But, of course, there’s a treat that’s unique to Paris.
For those of you who have always wanted to treat yourself to those $3 macarons from your neighborhood patisserie but couldn’t justify it, tonight is the night, and you won’t be disappointed. These flavor-packed pillows of goodness are at once crunchy, chewy, and soft, and they’re perfect for snacking. Make sure to purchase a few extra than you anticipate needing because they are simply that good. Instead of dessert, if you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, you could make your dinner even more French by skipping it altogether and ending the meal with a crusty baguette and some strong-smelling cheese. This dish, which is traditionally served at the end of a meal, is a fun way to break up a routine and finish with something savory rather than something sweet.
If you’re trying to watch your weight but still want to treat yourself, consider splurging on a copy of French Vogue, a new book set in Paris, a floppy felt hat, or a stunning silk scarf, for example. You can never have too much Paris in your life, believe it or not.
Most of the time, it is not the destination itself that is the most enjoyable part of a trip or vacation, but the experiences we have while there. When traveling to new cities, it’s more often than not the food, the smells, the aesthetics, and the sounds that all come together to form the positive memories we take away with us. If you’re planning a trip to Paris in the near future, be sure to look at the beautiful accommodation options located throughout the city. We’d personally suggest looking at the luxurious serviced apartments in the French capital. Whatever method you use to surround yourself with all of the things that remind you of your favorite city, the most important thing is to devote the necessary time to create an experience that will provide you and your loved ones with some new and unforgettable memories.
