Earlier this month, a good friend called to ask what I was doing over the holiday weekend. I told her, “Nothing much.” She then asked if I’d consider taking the red-eye with her and a few other girls to Paris. Next thing you know, my bags were packed, and I was feasting on foie gras and sipping champagne in the City of Lights!

There’s nothing quite like throwing caution to the wind and living in the moment. I think that’s what made my trip to Paris so unforgettable. Of course, the sights were breathtaking, the food was divine, and the shopping got me into a little trouble. But escaping the monotony of my daily routine for an unexpected girls’ trip made the whole experience even more thrilling.

Sure, January is the coldest month in Paris, and it’s true that we had only three days to take it all in. But sometimes, when you don’t have the luxury of time, you simply make the most of it—and somehow accomplish more. And let’s not forget: traveling during the off-season can save you a pretty penny. Imagine, for just under $1,200, I booked a round-trip flight, a hotel in the heart of the city, and an experience I’ll never forget.

So, come along for the ride. Here’s a look at my whirlwind weekend in Paris:

DAY 1: Classic Parisian Cafes, Flagship Luxury Shopping, and the Arc de Triomphe

We flew out of Newark International Airport at 11 PM on Friday and landed in Paris around noon the following day. The weather was rainy and overcast, but the temperatures were unseasonably mild. Upon arriving at our hotel, the Chateau Frontenac, we were greeted by the bellhop and in no time flat, checked into our lovely rooms where a Juliet balcony graced us with a distant view of the Eiffel Tower.

After unpacking our bags, we freshened up and headed across the street for a bite to eat at La Belle Ferronnière, a bustling Parisian café with cozy red leather banquettes and black-and-white tiled floors. The menu featured an array of classic French cuisine and aperitifs. Not surprisingly, the French onion soup was out of this world, along with their grilled chicken Caesar salad, complete with freshly made croutons and Parmesan cheese. Although I’ve eaten French onion soup countless times, nothing compares to the real deal.

After lunch, we headed straight to the Champs-Elysées where the sun made a momentary appearance. Known as the most beautiful avenue in the world, it lived up to all I had imagined and more. From its ornate theatres to its landmark monuments to the exquisite cafés and high-end shops, we spent most of our time doing what most girls from New York would do. You guessed it: we shopped until we dropped.

One of our first stops was the Louis Vuitton flagship store, an impressive art deco building designed by Georges Vuitton in 1912. The moment we stepped inside, we were met with smiles, a glass of champagne, and a fabulous shopping experience. From there we visited Christian Dior, Chanel and the famed Galeries Lafayette, an upscale shopping mall with everything from perfumes and cosmetics to home décor. 

And while it was fun pretending to be richer than we actually were, more budget-friendly stores like Zara and Sephora offered equally enjoyable shopping experiences.

Fortunately, many of the stores had our shopping bags delivered to our hotel so we could enjoy the rest of our time on les Champs, as the Parisians say, without having to lug them around. And what better way to end our shopping spree than capturing the majesty of the Arc de Triomphe at nightfall? Located at the higher end of the Champs-Elysées, this historic landmark is one of the most famous and breathtaking monuments in Paris.

Later that evening, we stumbled upon an amazing restaurant not far from our hotel. The Renoma Café Gallery featured avant-garde artwork, cozy seating, an electric atmosphere, pumping music, and food and drinks that were simply divine. I couldn’t resist the perfectly cooked ribeye with crispy haricots verts. The other ladies feasted on spaghetti with lobster and freshly grilled salmon in lemon sauce.

Not wanting our picture-perfect evening to end, we strolled through the cobblestone streets of Paris, many of which were still adorned with holiday lights. Despite the rain, we took in the nightlife, admired the magnificent façades of Parisian architecture, and eventually made our way back to the hotel. There, we enjoyed a nightcap at the bar and raised a glass to our first day in the City of Lights.

DAY 2: Impressionist Masterpieces at Musée d’Orsay, Tuileries Gardens, and Eiffel Tower Magic

The following morning, it was all about touring the city and learning more about its rich history. First up was the Musée d’Orsay. Built at the turn of the century, this expansive museum houses an impressive collection of French sculptures, paintings, and furniture dating from 1848 to 1914. The moment you walk into the museum, you’re immediately awestruck by its giant clock and soaring vaulted ceilings.

Originally built as a railway station, the Musée d’Orsay was converted in 1977 into what can only be described as a mecca for Impressionist art. While everyone has heard of such famous artists as Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, and Gauguin, seeing their masterpieces in person, along with so many other renowned works of art, felt almost surreal.

Next on our list was the Eiffel Tower. When we couldn’t find a taxi big enough to accommodate us all, we set out on foot—and a good thing we did! Our trek across the city allowed us to see more landmarks than we would have otherwise. Before we knew it, we had made our way to the beautiful Seine, France’s third-longest river, which extends all the way to the English Channel.

Soon, we found ourselves strolling through the Tuileries Gardens, a sprawling public park with one of the oldest formal gardens in the capital, dating back to the 17th century. Said to be especially beautiful during the spring and summer months, the gardens feature tranquil ponds, outdoor cafés, sculptures, and even a 200-foot Ferris wheel.

Leaving the gardens led us to Rue de Rivoli, one of the city’s main shopping thoroughfares, where we made sure to pick up a few souvenirs. It’s also where you’ll find the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum and home to the Mona Lisa. While we had hoped to circle back to the Louvre, there are only so many hours in a day. With time running short, we had just enough time to make it to the iconic Eiffel Tower before sundown.

After a full day of sightseeing, we returned to our hotel rooms and glammed up for a night on the town. We decided to dine near the Eiffel Tower so we could catch the light show everyone seemed to rave about. Luckily, we found Le Grand Corona, a lavish restaurant within walking distance of the tower, with an eclectic menu inspired by French cuisine and flavors from around the world.

Not quite the foodies we thought we were, we chickened out on the snails but thoroughly enjoyed the truffled foie gras, shrimp dim sum, and a delectable filet de legine—a buttery fish similar to Chilean sea bass—prepared in a broth of ginger, yuzu, lemongrass, and coconut mousse. Another bon appétit moment, for sure!

Stuffed and a bit tipsy, we quickly abandoned our idea of walking to the Eiffel Tower. As luck would have it, we grabbed an Uber that dropped us on the opposite side of where we visited earlier that day. Not only was it less crowded, but this time we were so close it felt as if we could touch it. I still can’t find the words to adequately describe the majesty of the Eiffel Tower amidst the moon and the stars, not to mention the light show that lit up the night sky and sent chills down my spine.

Our last stop that evening was at Gran Caffe Con Vivium, an Italian café with an impeccable wait staff and a bevy of decadent desserts. Even now, I find myself dreaming about their creamy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, along with their melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu and warm brownie sundae. It was the perfect way to end an already perfect day, or should I say, C’était très bon!

DAY 3: Last Romp on Champs-Elysées, Haute Couture Window Shopping in the Triangle d’Or, and Ladurée Macarons

Our last morning in Paris started with another scrumptious brunch. What a treat it was to have a feast included with our hotel stay each day! Along with an array of freshly baked pastries, quiches, muffins, and croissants, there was a daily assortment of cheeses, fruits, nuts, and berries and, of course, a made-to-order omelet that was truly perfection.

The rain’s return on our last day didn’t keep us from one final outing on the Champs-Elysées. With our flight departing at 7 PM, we had plenty of time to catch the Arc de Triomphe in daylight and pick up some double-decker macaroons from Ladurée, the world-famous pastry shop next door to Le Deauville, another well-known Paris eatery.

On our way back to our hotel, we veered off the Champs-Elysées toward Avenue Montaigne and Avenue Georges V, which together form the Triangle d’Or. This picture-perfect district is no less elegant and is renowned for its haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion, with luxury houses like Gucci, Prada, and Hermes lining the streets. Strolling through these ancient avenues felt as if we had stepped into a fairy tale as we soaked up the beauty and romance of Paris one last time.

But, alas, the time had come for us to head to the airport. And while I secretly wished we could have stayed even one day longer, I was grateful for the time we had in this amazing city. As I settled into our long flight home, a sense of pride rose within me. The last time I had dared to drop what I was doing and fly across the world, I was single, childless, and a whole lot younger. Since then, midlife has taught me many lessons, and seizing the opportunity to take a well-deserved “me time” trip to Paris is one of them.

“Peri Winkler” is the creator of Peri-Winkle Wellness, a women’s lifestyle blog that chronicles the mishaps, misadventures, and unexpected joys of perimenopause and midlife