Small pleasures, favorites, and a few tips, in no particular order:

1. If you are on your way to see Notre Dame Cathedral, be sure to stop by and say hello to the oldest tree in Paris, the Robina Tree of Square Réné Viviana. It is over 400 years old and is located across from the Cathedral, on the left bank, Rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre.

2. Also near Notre Dame is Berthillon, considered by many to be the best ice cream shop in Paris. Located on the Île Saint-Louis at nos. 31 and 46. Miam miam... (French for "yum yum!")

3. And speaking of "miam miam"...

Renowned bread: Poilâne Boulangerie, 8 Rue du Cherche-Midi, in the 6th Arrondissement. Just go!

4. A favorite bookstore can be found at 26 Blvd Saint-Michel (6th arrondissement). Gilbert Joseph Paris 6 Librairie is not charming, but an in-your-face bookstore that has everything! Two buildings and multi-leveled, but strangely intimate. You can get lost for a few hours here.

5. Tip: always greet and say goodbye to shopkeepers when entering and exiting a store. Unlike in America, where it isn't always necessary, in France it is considered rude not to do so. A simple "Bonjour/au revoir, Madame or Monsieur" is enough but a "Merci" is always appreciated.

6. At 6:30 PM every evening at the base of the Arc de Triomphe a torch is rekindled and veterans lay wreaths decorated with blue, white, and red (bleu, blanc, rouge) near its flickering flame. Afterward, you could go to the top of the Arc for a fabulous view of the "étoile" and the city at night. Also great during the day but without the benefit of the beautiful torch-lighting ceremony, of course.

7. Take a stroll down Rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter. It's famously quaint and picturesque. It dates from when the Romans were in town and is home to a beautiful street market. You could pick up lunch and head to the Jardin du Luxembourg for a green bench and great people-watching (and if you're lucky a band will be playing on the lovely gazebo and you can dance!)

8. While on the subject of dancing, there is street music everywhere. I strongly suggest a twirl or two across any lane, bridge, or square whenever you are so moved. You are in Paris! Get lost, find your own Paris, have a ball. (See what I did there?)

9. As my mother always said:

"Take your umbrella and bring a sweater, dear."

- Cindy XOXO