Allow us to take you through our local approach to seeing the 7th arrondissement, often called the heart of Paris. This area is home to the Eiffel Tower, the Rodin Museum, and Rue du Bac, which are three must-sees during your stay. Follow along, and you’ll see that when you plan well, they’re far more than tourist attractions.
What to bring
A polite, engaged attitude: For the French, saying hello and goodbye is just as important as extending thanks. We’ve found that interacting with Parisians in French—no matter how choppy you think you sound—goes a long way. Say “bonjour” or “bonsoir” to the shop owners when you enter their store. You’d be surprised how they light up.
A bag to fit your finds: Tote something that’s big enough to carry your essentials (for us, that includes a camera and a corkscrew) as well as the items you’ll pick up along the way. Opt for something subtle and chic, and you won’t look like the typical tourist.
Where to go
Rue du Bac: Don’t rush your way through this street. It’s full of shops and restaurants, and each one is worth a stop in. You’ll find classic Parisian candy shops and shoe stores. Our favorite tea shop, Conservatoire des Hemispheres, is well worth a stop. The teas are not only incredible, but also beautiful. You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time; the shopkeepers wear white gloves to present the different kinds of leaves and blends. If you’re hungry for a meal, we recommend Cafe Varenne. You’ll experience friendly servers and excellent escargot (a must-have during your time).
Rodin Museum: Paris has plenty of museums, but we love spending our time visiting the smaller ones. This one is one of our favorites in the world—and we’ve been to hundreds. Rodin himself lived in the house and also began to build the museum during his lifetime, so you get to see the exhibits and the artwork as the artist wanted you to see them. Be sure to wander through the gardens, too. You can see his famous sculpture, The Thinker, then settle on a bench to take in the blooms and scents around you.
What to do
Picnic at the Eiffel Tower: We recommend getting there from the Rodin Museum via Rue Saint-Dominique. Gather snacks and sips along the way—but don’t get it all in one shop. Pick up a baguette at a bakery, and choose cheese from a fromagerie. Paris is a perfect place to try new cheeses: Pick one that’s soft and one that’s firm for good variety. Don’t forget fresh fruit (Saturn peaches will make your mouth water, if you can find them). Spend time in a wine store to select a bottle that goes well with the snacks you’ve collected. Then keep walking towards the Eiffel Tower. Choose a grassy patch on the promenade, and get comfortable. Listen to the people talking around you, and if you’re staying past sunset, watch as the tower starts to twinkle. It’s the city of lights, after all.
Paris is one of our favorite places in the world, but we’re always eager to experience new places through our photography. If you’re interested in learning more about how we approach destination weddings, get in touch.
The Insider’s Guide to the Heart of Paris
Mary + Taylor:
SF Elopement
Travel Guide:
Florence, Italy
An ode to
black and white
FAVORITES
“Our rapport was so good, our friends couldn’t believe that we had just met, and even thought they were part of the wedding party.”
"Andrew and Mashaida are hands down the best photographers imaginable, and the outcome of our wedding photos turned out to be the definition of perfection. They made us look like our best selves by directing us on poses that made us feel natural and comfortable. Andrew and Mashaida go beyond just capturing photos. They don't think of their clients as clients - they care for them as friends and it shows. We continue to stay in touch to this day, and I know we aren't the only ones who had such a positive experience."
Elise and Zach, after their Chateau Wedding in France
“I remember thinking to myself ‘WOW, these are pictures my grandchildren will one day have.’”
Andrew and Mashadia have such a keen eye for interesting poses and settings. Their creativity and direction they took everything was magical and all the credit goes to Andrew and Mashaida. They are true artists. They put so much love and care into their craft, which resulted in pictures we will hold onto and cherish forever."
Alexa and Benton
“Andrew and Mashaida have such a beautiful editorial eye, helping us relax and feel natural while being able to capture our personalities flawlessly.”
"I’ll just state the obvious —Mashaida and Andrew are incredibly, insanely talented. The way they capture every moment is so beautiful and intentional, capturing every detail without you ever noticing they’re there. Not only that, but they genuinely make you feel so elegant, which is such a comfort because the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to look. Naturally,
I will always think our wedding photos were the best, but what I found surprising was how many friends, family members, even distant coworkers went out of their way to tell me how much they loved our photos as well!"
Katie and Morgan, after their Paso Robles Hammersky Vineyard wedding.
“They are true artists that are extremely knowledgEable and know how to capture images in a very elegant and timeless way.”
“As a professional wedding planner and decorator I have worked with Andrew and Mashaida not only for a client’s wedding but for my own wedding as well! They are not only professional, but extremely kind people that will make sure their clients are comfortable throughout the entire process. I can’t thank them enough or explain how much we loved our wedding photos."
Bahar and Sekandar, after their destination wedding in Lake Como, Italy
“When we look at our pictures now, it’s like we are reliving that day. The emotions that the images evoke are so real.”
"Andrew and Mashaida truly captured the essence of our day and it's so fun to see it through their eyes. Everything from the candid photos that capture our joy to the posed portraits and detail shots that capture the elements of our day were just perfect. In the end, the tangibles are priceless, but they truly provided us with an experience that we won't soon forget. We started the wedding journey looking for a vendor to take pretty photographs, and walked away with priceless legacy worthy tokens and dear dear friends whom we'd open our home to any time."
Charlotte and David, after their Washington D.C. wedding
