Pâtisserie Sadaharu AOKI should be no stranger.

The Japanese brand is one of the biggest names in the French pastries scene, and though the brand is Japanese, it has left bigger footprints in the City of Love, Paris.

Everyone has their favourite brands for eclairs and macarons in Paris, and for us, Pâtisserie Sadaharu AOKI will always be at the top of our minds.

There are several Pâtisserie Sadaharu AOKI boutiques in Paris itself. This speaks volume of its quality for the French are so particular about their pastries.

The maestro himself—Sadaharu AOKI—lives in France and has a deep passion for pastry. He loves simple things and believes that simple things are the hardest to create for they cannot be manipulated. With that, he hones his skills of pastry-making and today, Pâtisserie Sadaharu AOKI is renown for incorporating traditional Japanese flavours into his French pastries, mainly in the form of eclairs and macarons.

Think Houjicha, Matcha, Yuzu, Goma flavoured pastries. There will always be seasonal flavours too, such as Sakura macarons and tea.

The brand’s aesthetic is also kept minimal, true to the modern Japanese style. If you ever find yourself in Paris, do drop by their boutiques for some life-changing Japanese-influenced French Pastries.

Paris is always a good idea. There is something magical about the City of Love; an irresistible charm, an inexplicable beauty. Every turn is a surprise, and every corner is picturesque. Taking a trip to Paris is akin to picking up an international best-selling novel – with every chapter, you get sucked in even more, and you never want to put the book down; you only want to read on. It is like a never-ending quest to reach the ends of the city, and the only wish is for time to stand still so that you can be lost in this awe-inspiring spot on the globe.

Exploring Paris was an exhilarating experience for us, and apart from the language barrier that had us stuck in several situations and left us to communicate via sign languages, our week at Paris was nothing short of fulfilling. For first timers to the city, here are some of the things that you can do and see when you have 48 hours in Paris.

When in Paris, sip luxe hot chocolate at Angelina and queue up for world famous Ladurée macarons. But if you are a fan of heterogeneity, you will be delighted to know that Paris is a land of infinite possibilities when it comes to artisan sweets.

Patisseries and boulangeries are everywhere, and no matter which street you are on, you will be spoilt rotten for choices. You may not have guessed, but even the most basic croissant from any random shop in the regular Parisian neighborhood can easily beat Singapore’s best. We also went to sugar heaven with the best lemon meringue tarts and berry crumbles we ever tasted in our lives.

Paris is also home to many fashion giants. Spend a day or two over endless shopping along Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Montaigne and Galeries LaFayette. You will be thrilled to know that Paris has the most competitive prices for luxury items, so please remember to increase your credit card limit before your trip. Chanel lovers, gear up and be prepared for long queues and don’t forget to visit the one-and-only Coco Chanel house at 31 Rue Cambon.

Take morning strolls along River Seine, and cross over to Notre Dame, also known as “Our Lady of Paris”. Be in awe of the cathedral’s French Gothic architecture and park yourself on the outdoor benches for a session of people-watching and a little chat with your lover.

Never leave Paris without having a meal at Le Relais de L’Entrecôte. This famous steakhouse has only one item on the menu – an awesome steak frites. The queue is easily an hour during meal times, so make sure to get there early.

Cafe Constant is another of our favourite dining spot in Paris. It is a small two-level bistro by Christian Constant (who also owns three other restaurants on the same street), and it serves excellent good. Go during lunch for the value-for-money sets – a 2-course lunch is only €16.

And a trip to Paris would not be complete without endless photo moments with Eiffel Tower – the world’s greatest beauty. No amount of words can articulate the majestic feeling of standing before the iconic structure, for its grandeur is one-of-its-kind, and nothing else comes close to being right there at Tour Eiffel Paris – at that part of the world where everyone dreams to be.

There is really nothing quite like leading the high life in Paris – even breathing the Parisian air is quite a frivolousness that we will indulge in all over again, and again.

Words by The Little Teochew, photos by ladyironchef.

I think Audrey Hepburn said it best in Sabrina – “Paris is always a good idea.” Ah, the city of lights, of love and all things lyrical – what’s not to like? Beautiful cities are aplenty, but Paris has a certain je ne sais quoi that draws you in, keeps you enthralled and makes you yearn for more. Little wonder that it constantly tops the list of “Most Visited Cities in the World”. Instead of sharing the well-grooved tourist tracks we visited (which a gazillion other people have already done), we thought it would be better to give you a tongue-in-cheek take on how to enjoy Paris.

Here are 5 life lessons learned from travelling in Paris.

1. Bring money, lots of it.

A Parisian holiday doesn’t exactly come cheap. Of course you can still enjoy this beautiful city on a shoestring – which I did as a poor student, and which I am thankfully not anymore – but if you want to eat and stay reasonably well, keep your pockets padded.

At the time when we were there, the exchange rate was €1 to S$1.76 and expenses certainly added up very quickly. Here’s a glimpse: accommodation in a centrally located 3-star hotel costs roughly €180 per night. An average 2-course lunch at a brasserie would minimally set you back between €15-€17 per head… but being foodies, we usually opted for 3-courses. A cup of vin chaud along Avenue des Champs-Élysées, €3. A mini entremet at a random patissiere when the sweet tooth strikes, €7. Throw in a few pains au chocolat, croissants, macarons and tartes peppered throughout the day, and you get the idea. Did I mention we’re foodies?

Of course, when big ticket temptations abound in the form of luxury goods – think Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes – the figure instantly balloons. But hey, with a 12% refund on VAT, it makes perfect sense to get that bag or wallet you have been eyeing.

Add that all up in Euros and cents, and you get The. Time. Of. Your. Life. After all, what is a vacation if you are scrimping, saving and counting? Do that before the trip, but while in Paris, indulge. Money can always be earned, but happy memories stay with you for years to come. And from what I hear, so do Chanel bags.

2. Forget water, drink wine.

You’re in Paris! Wine here is abundant, good and cheap – even cheaper than water. This is where a glass costs €3 to €4 at a brasserie, and for the same price, can get you an entire bottle at the local Carrefour supermarket. If you are new to wine, now’s a great time to get acquainted. And if you already love wine, welcome to heaven. Each time I perused a wine list, I wish I lived here; each time I walked along the aisles of the wine section, I didn’t want to leave. We had wine everyday, at every meal, after every meal –  you get the picture. So, drop the Evian and pop the bubbly. À votre santé!

3. Dress chic, especially if you are a woman.

One of the things you would notice quite immediately in Paris, is how slim and fashionable the women are. They all come in one size – small; and in one look – chic. They may wear very little make-up and/or dress simply, but they always look impeccable and stylish. You know how people always advise tourists to dress down in order to avoid unwanted attention? Not here. This is where you dress up to blend in with the crowd. Paris is not one of the world’s fashion capitals for nothing, so go all out and embrace its style. Look Parisian, feel Parisian.

4. Eat as you go.

You are in culinary mecca, so ditch that diet, please. We did not have a fixed itinerary, which made every meal an adventure, and we literally ate as we ambled along. In the process, we discovered many gems – from the humble but delicious Nutella crepe at a nondescript traiteur, to the stellar moules marinière at La Dorade Royale. All wonderful! And who can forget that morning we strolled past Les Gourmandises d’Eiffel? Its dazzling display of breads and pastries beckoned us in, and we ended up eating the most sublime tarte au citron. EVER. I mean, nothing else even comes close.

In fact, we did not encounter bad food in Paris. Not once. Either we had amazing luck in choosing the right places or we were simply surrounded by good food. I would like to think the latter, so eat whatever comes your way. Bon appetit!

5. Keep an open mind.

Much has been said about Parisian hospitality, or lack thereof. Someone I know just returned from Paris and lamented that she was met with churlishness everywhere. I do not doubt her words – they are after all her personal experiences – but I found it hard to empathise. Throughout our stay, we never felt unwelcomed or ignored. Sure, there were a few instances when the reception were a tad icy, or waiting times that were a little stretched, but they never bordered on ugly. Perhaps it was the bonjour and merci that always got us the assistance or service we needed, oftentimes with a smile.

Rude? Or misunderstood? Experiences will vary, but it always helps to keep expectations in check … and it sure doesn’t hurt to throw in a friendly French word or two.

This guest post is brought to you by The Little Teochew (or as you’d say in French – La Petite Teochew).