First week in Paris - c’est complet!
January 28 to February 3, 2026
Scroll to the bottom to see this week’s favorite restaurants!
Maybe it’s cliche to say, but what an absolute whirlwind. In the last month, I sold all of my furniture in Seattle, packed up my life there and moved it to a garage in Michigan. Then, I had two weeks in Michigan to re-organize, re-consolidate, and pack to move a much smaller portion of my belongings to Paris. Since I decided to go after this journey, my incredible friends have been so supportive. They’ve asked if I’m excited, sent me itineraries and ideas for my time here. So many of them showed up and spent hours helping me purge, pack, and organize in Seattle. The whole time, I was stuck in a state of total dissonance - none of this felt real yet. I knew that I was so focused on the logistics of everything that I wasn’t giving an ounce of mental energy toward being excited yet, or knowing that I could be. I’ll never forget loading the U-Haul around one in the morning on a rainy January night, pushing a dolly of boxes outside, alone, muttering to myself, “one year in France, one year in France.” I knew it would be worth it, but that’s as close as I came to having my “eyes on the prize.”
Now, week one in Paris has already come and gone. I think Anya is liking it, but the jet lag is seeming to hit her harder than I expected. I’m thrilled with how dog-friendly Paris is! She’s come with me to almost every restaurant, store, and adventure so far. She loves it, too. She’s had her first taste of croissant (turns out her recall is really, really good for croissant), and a couple bites of French cheese. I think she’ll do just fine here, really.
I’ve had my ups and downs. The first day, as I squeezed my suitcases into the apartment (literally - the door doesn’t open all the way because there’s a counter behind it), I was worried about how comfortable I could be here. I then reminded myself that I was once completely at home living in a mini school bus, and this is bigger than that was, so what the heck. And it’s true! This apartment is so tiny that it’s silly. I do have to turn sideways to get in and out of the bathroom around the washing machine. But, I’m in Paris! So who the heck cares. It’s safe, and cozy, and I have a comfy bed.
As I said, this was the door open as far as it would go… Myself and my suitcases made it inside, luckily, and that’s what counts!
Maybe the third day, as it really hit me how little French I can speak, and even worse is how VERY little I can understand, and I struggled to find someplace to eat, and Anya was too tired to keep walking (and maybe I was, too), I had the sinking feeling that I have maybe gone a little in-over-my-head on this adventure. I wondered whether it’s really possible to learn an entire language in only one year. Whether deciding to do all of this made any sense whatsoever. I don’t know anyone here, and as I fell asleep that night it struck me that I should probably learn the number for French 911 (it’s 112, in case you were wondering).
But - as I often try to remind myself - sometimes, the real issue is just being a little too tired, or a little too hungry. So Saturday I ate a good dinner, cooked in my tiny, but wonderful apartment. I went to bed early, and slept for 14 hours. And alas, I woke up to blue skies (it was the middle of the day, after all), I went and got a croissant and the most wonderful pistachio-strawberry-creamy-white chocolately pastry imaginable, and I giggled as I walked out of the pastry shop. Nope - I still can’t speak or understand nearly any French yet. But that’s okay. I have the opportunity to live - to LIVE!!! - in Paris! I am surrounded by the best bread and cheese and chocolate in the world. When I walk home at night, I pass this large boulevard with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower. Imagine that?! One year ago, work was hard, life was hard, and I felt directionless (and probably on the verge of a little hopeless, to be honest). I’m not sure I have direction yet, but I do have pastry, and a daily view of one of humankind’s most impressive and beautiful creations.
And starting tomorrow, I begin class at a respected culinary school in the heart of Paris (as one chef said to me last year, “literally like, the mecca of bread”). So this adventure is the gift that will keep on giving. For now, I get to enjoy the fruits of others’ labor as I eat my way through Paris. But tomorrow begins my journey to offer that same joy to others. How delightful.
Best food in week 1:
Josephine Chez Dumonet
117 Rue du Cherche-Midi (6th arrondisement)
Needs reservations, but this was the best meal I’ve had yet. And, the entire staff is incredibly friendly, despite my dismal French (turns out, they were all willing and happy to speak English anyways!)
What I ordered: Scallops, Souffle, and a Pinot Noir. Would try a different wine next time, but the scallops and souffle were sinfully delicious
La Patisserie Cyril Lygnac
113 Rue de Sevres (6th arrondisement)
The pastries here literally reminded me what this is all for (by “all,” I mean life itself)
Staff were very friendly!
Need to take-away (no indoor seating), but there are views with park benches galore, so get your pastries and get out there
