I leave for Paris in 21 days.  I have been counting down since oh, about 6 months ago, so 21 days feels very close.  I am going with my friend Jen, who I grew up with, and we are meeting another friend of ours who is attending graduate school at the American University in Paris.  I have been to Paris many times with my husband, but I have never been with just my girlfriends and I am over the moon about the trip.

Jen and Moi, 2009

Mon amie, Jen, and I have rented an apartment in Montmarte through a company I have used before.  Renting an apartment is the only way to go, à mon avis.  Jen has never been to Paris before, so of course I am frantically planning a million and one things that she must see/do while we are there.  Over the last few months I have been fowarding her all kinds of articles, like this one and this one, and researching great places to eat, shop and play.

I have made some lovely friends over at Twitter, who have made Paris planning a breeze.  I especially love:
@haveninparis
@mymelange
@whygofrance
@parisgetaways
@parisbymouth
@petitefranceblog
@_i_heart_paris_
@lostncheeseland
@pretemoiparis
@weekendinparis
@girlsguideparis

Paris, April 2009

If you are on Twitter and at all interested in Paris, I highly suggest following some of these folks.  They also write blogs, which I love and follow with regularity.  They know so much about the city, and their love for it really shines through in their writing.  I am dreaming of cafes and picnics and shopping and wine…

I might even say I am most excited about the end of my trip, as I am heading up to Normandy to take a 3-day cooking class at On Rue Tatin.  The theme is mushrooms, and we are going to be out foraging as well as cooking indoors.  I have always wanted to go to Susan’s place in Louviers, and I am finally getting my chance.  If I had a bucket list, this would definitely be near the top.

If you have any tips/ideas for off-the-beaten-path things to do in Paris, please feel free to leave a comment on this post.  I am always looking for new ideas.  Also, Jen and I are considering taking a half-day cooking class in Paris, so if you have one to recommend, please do!