Paris, the most romantic city on earth. On my latest Paris trip with the girls, I decided to slow down a bit and sip up the stunning views at the Luxembourg Gardens and the Eiffel Tower with my new travel tea pot—and a friend in tow. This is how to brew up the most perfect Parisian day (corny? yup!). 

Setting Off, No Plan, Just Paris

One afternoon, my friend Nadine and I set off from our hotel, the new Le Jardin de Verre by Locke, on foot. We didn’t have much of a plan for the afternoon, but I did make sure to bring my new travel tea pot along for the ride (priorities, right?). Nadine had also picked up a few sweet treats for our journey. She had one goal in mind: see the Eiffel Tower. Of course, we’d both seen it before, but no trip to Paris is complete without a peek at the Old Iron Lady.

Tea Time in the Jardin du Luxembourg

First, we walked over to the Jardin du Luxembourg – a lush oasis in the true heart of Paris, and one of my all-time favorite Parisian parks. It’s a must-visit for me. The gardens, created in the 1600s for Marie de’ Medici, are a dreamy network of flowerbeds, the famous Medici Fountain, tree-lined promenades, and the Grand Bassin where kids rent little toy boats to sail and poke around. 

After some wandering, we found a (less than shady) seat near the Grand Bassin for a little tea party. The garden is usually my go-to for a picnic or some prime people watching, but today, we decided to enjoy some tea among the flowers. Sure, sipping hot tea in the middle of a Parisian summer might raise a few eyebrows – but one of Nadine’s friends swears that it actually cools you down… we had to try it for ourselves, right? Hot on the inside, less hot on the outside? Hmm… 

Best Way to see the Eiffel Tower is by Bike

Next, we hopped on some Lime bikes and made our way toward the Eiffel Tower. Biking is my new favorite way to see Paris – there are brand new bike paths all over the city since they hosted the 2024 Olympics. That is, if you’re a confident biker. Otherwise, steer clear! The roads can be quite crowded and a little wild on sunny days, especially during rush hour. 

As we biked further west, the Eiffel Tower appeared in the distance. No matter how many times you see it, she always manages to surprise you. Since we’d visited before, we opted to forgo the crowds and picked a spot on the grass, kicking off our shoes, and admiring the tower from afar – with a last spot of tea, of course. There were plenty of other picnickers around, a field trip or two, and the kind of people-watching that makes Paris so endlessly entertaining. We even saw a man arrive with a giant bug in a cage, take it out and take a photo with the tower. Some bring tea, some bring bugs… 

Do note, the last time I visited the Eiffel Tower, it was much easier to get close without a ticket. These days, there are a lot more barriers and security checks, so if you want to get up close, it’s best to book ahead and pay.

Why I Love My Travel Tea Pot

Carrying a travel tea pot might sound a bit over the top for a day out in Paris, but creating a little ritual wherever you are is truly magical. Slowing down, enjoying the moment, with a warm, freshly brewed cup of tea – it’s a real splurge moment. My travel tea pot is from Umi Tea. I chose the Japanese Mountain Sun tea set for the design and size. I love that it comes with a tea holder, two cups, and a carrying case to keep everything safe. The whole set is just bigger than my hand – super easy to pack for any trip, whether you plan to enjoy tea at the hotel or the Eiffel Tower. 

Usually, I don’t bring my tea pot outside, but Paris just felt like the right place to do so. The Umi Tea Pot helped turn this day into one to remember. Instead of rushing from landmark to landmark, we relaxed, spilled some tea (figuratively and literally), and let the city’s magic steep into our day.

Tea Houses in Paris Near Jardin du Luxembourg

If you’re in Paris and prefer a more traditional tea experience, there are plenty of charming tea rooms nearby to Jardin du Luxembourg: Cafe Pavane, Treize au Jardin and Mademoiselle Angelina are all just steps from the park. Or, if you want to keep the picnic vibes going, grab a sweet treat and a tea from Café Pavane to enjoy in the gardens.

So, pack your tea set and your favorite tea, and let Paris work its magic – one sip at a time.

This post is sponsored by Umi Tea Sets, thank you Umi. Check out their Instagram too.