Mocha Monday

 Wrapped in the warm glow of a classic Parisian café off Avenue George V. 

 

Fête des Mères

Joyeuse Fête des Mères 2025

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 Does Paris "do" brunch? visitors often ask. Not only has Paris wholeheartedly embraced le brunch in recent years, but it's transformed the Anglo-Saxon breakfast-lunch hybrid into a quintessentially French affair. From cozy bistros to trendy cafés, the city buzzes with options, as seen on sites like OuBruncher? or through any quick search for "best brunch spots in Paris.” Locals and visitors alike flock to homey favorites like La Bossue in Montmartre for its we-adore-you Grandma! decor and generous buffet to Carette for its breakfast spread. With endless variations of croissants, avocado toasts, luscious pains perdus, pastries and perfectly paired cafés au lait, Paris has made brunch a stylish celebration, especially fitting for La Fête des Mères. For mothers - and others. Enjoy! - BPJ

Some instagram-worthy plates can be had at: 

 

Café Ella 

Le Boissy d'Anglais

PomPom
Kafkaf

Perdue
Kozy

Le Ju'
Café Berry
Les Bariolés de Maud

La Poutinerie

Cakepart
Le Loulou Friendly Diner
Jackpot
Oni Coffee Shop
Wild and the Moon
The Wild Bakery
Immersion
Azur Café
Jozi Brunch
Holybelly
Ob-La-Di
Sunday In Soho

Brunch Crêperie Balard

La Bossue

Decadent, elegant, expensive:

 

La Cuisine at Le Royal Monceau

Grand Brunch at the Ritz

The Prince de Galles

Café 52 at Grand Powers

La Bauhinia ("orchid tree" in English) at the Shangri-La

 

🌹

 

More great places to brunch in Paris on Mothers Day weekend. And beyond.

Saturday sighting

 A blackbird is spotted at this Left Bank café, where buttermilk chicken is the plat du jour.

 

Floral Friday

 

When a gift shop on a Montmartre side street turns out to be a delightful florist.

 

Thoughtful Thursday

 

A point to ponder at a Left Bank gallery vernissage.

 

Window Wednesday

 

Visually rich, high quality editions of coffee table books:  art, architecture, design, photography, pop culture.

 

Taschen

2 rue de Buci 75006

Travel Tuesday

 

Atmospheric villages and towns on the French Atlantic coast are easily reachable from Paris.

 

 

 

 

 

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Dotted with charming port villages and islands, the Poitou-Charentes and Brittany regions make for kicked-back and beautiful seaside séjours not that far from Paris. Bursting with quality restaurants (many specialize in local oysters, seafood, and sharing apéritifs), relaxed (or bustling) cafés, open-air markets and kilometers of sandy beaches for those reflective sunset walks by the sea, there is something for everyone. Though driving from Paris is an option, taking a high-speed train from Gare Montparnasse then renting a car upon arrival has become increasingly popular. Frequent daily trains and affordable tickets and car rentals make a multi-day escape convenient and appealing. Enjoy! - BPJ

 

 Below: a list of notable destinations accessible by train from Gare Montparnasse, often with a rental car or local transportation at the station for the final leg

 

1. La Rochelle
   • Train Details: Direct TGV from Gare Montparnasse (approx. 2.5–3 hours).
   • Highlights: A historic port city with vibrant markets, medieval towers, and access to nearby Île de Ré, a picturesque island known for its beaches, cycling paths, and quaint villages like Saint-Martin-de-Ré and La Flotte, where busy bistros contrast with tranquil havens where you can linger over local Pineau des Charantes in peace.
     
   • Car Rental: Available at La Rochelle station for exploring nearby islands or coastal areas.
2. Saint-Malo
   • Train Details: TGV to Rennes (approx. 2 hours), then a regional train to Saint-Malo (45 minutes).
   • Highlights: A fortified coastal town in Brittany with dramatic tides, historic ramparts, and access to nearby islands like Jersey or Guernsey.
   • Car Rental: Available in Rennes or Saint-Malo for exploring the rugged Breton coast.
3. Quiberon
   • Train Details: TGV to Auray (approx. 2.5–3 hours), then a local train or 20-minute drive to Quiberon.
   • Highlights: A scenic peninsula in Brittany with wild beaches, coastal trails, and access to Belle-Île-en-Mer, a stunning island with charming villages and cliffs.
   • Car Rental: Available at Auray for easier access to the peninsula and ferries.
4. Biarritz
   • Train Details: Direct TGV from Gare Montparnasse (approx. 4–4.5 hours).
   • Highlights: A glamorous surf town in the French Basque Country with iconic beaches, upscale dining, and proximity to charming villages like Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
   • Car Rental: Available at Biarritz station for exploring the Basque coast.
5. Nantes (for nearby coastal areas)
   • Train Details: Direct TGV from Gare Montparnasse (approx. 2 hours).
   • Highlights: While Nantes itself is inland, it’s a jumping-off point to nearby coastal destinations like La Baule, a chic resort town with a long sandy beach (45-minute drive from Nantes).
   • Car Rental: Available at Nantes station for coastal day trips.

Also:

• Train Tickets: Book via SNCF (www.sncf-connect.com) (www.sncf-connect.com) for the best rates, especially for TGVs, which can be affordable if reserved early.
• Car Rentals: Most stations (e.g., La Rochelle, Biarritz, Rennes) have rental agencies like Europcar, Hertz, or Avis. Booking in advance is essential.
• Travel Tip: For islands like Île de Ré or Belle-Île, ferries or local buses complement car rentals for seamless exploration.