Paris, in 48 Hours

Taking the train to Paris is one of the great travel pleasures, not least because it is so wonderfully easy. Departing from St Pancras International, if you arrive with time to spare, a glass of champagne at Searcys seems like the only sensible way to begin. The Searcys Champagne Bar sits above the bustle of the station, overlooking its magnificent Victorian architecture. The journey itself is remarkably civilised: city centre to city centre in just over two hours, with drinks and snacks available along the way. So, naturally, we started as we meant to continue. A cheeky G&T for me, a beer for James and some crisps: just enough to whet the appetite for the weekend ahead.

Friday night: straight into Paris

We arrived at Gare du Nord on time, found the taxi queue and, with a little rusty French along the way, were soon heading towards the Left Bank. We had been recommended a wonderful hotel by someone who knows Paris particularly well: a fashion buyer in a previous life and now a freelance fashion stylist. The sort of person who knows all the good places. We dropped our bags and, within minutes, were walking around the corner to Brasserie Lipp. It was 10.30pm. We were hungry. We were in Paris. So, naturally, we ordered far too much food. I had blinis with smoked Scottish salmon and champagne; James had the filets de harengs, pommes à l’huile, also with champagne. Then sole meunière for me and steak frites for James, with a glass of Bordeaux. Fresh strawberries with sugar for me and a strawberry cake, the special, for James. It was, frankly, ridiculous. It was also completely delicious, and exactly the right way to begin a Paris weekend.