WEEKEND IN PARIS

A Weekend in Paris: Friends, Fun and Finding Time to Reconnect

Sometimes wellbeing isn't about escaping to a remote retreat or following a carefully planned wellness routine. Sometimes it's simply about spending time with people you haven't seen for far too long.

Our recent weekend in Paris was exactly that.

The main reason for the trip was a friend's 50th birthday, bringing together a group of old friends who, over the years, have scattered around the world. Some of us hadn't seen each other for more than 20 years. Life, work, families and geography had all got in the way.

Yet somehow, when we finally got together, it felt as though we'd simply picked up where we'd left off.

Friends, Family and Three Generations

One of the loveliest parts of the weekend was seeing three generations of our families and friends all together.

The children, who hadn't grown up together, seemed to hit it off immediately. Watching a new generation of friendships develop while we reminisced about the past was pretty special.

It was also a reminder of how easy it is to lose touch with friends as life gets busy. Parenting, work, school, clubs and everything else that fills family life can mean friendships are pushed further down the priority list.

But as the children get older, perhaps we get some of that time back.

And when you reconnect with good friends, you realise that the strongest friendships don't necessarily need constant maintenance. Twenty years may have passed, but the conversation quickly picked up as if we'd only seen each other last week.

The Joy of the Eurostar

One of the great things about travelling to Paris from the UK is just how easy the Eurostar makes it.

No airport transfers, no hanging around for hours and no worrying about whether your luggage will make it to the other end. You simply get on the train in London and, before you know it, you're in the heart of Paris.

It makes Paris feel less like an overseas trip and more like a very accessible weekend away.

Swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin

Naturally, we couldn't visit Paris without finding some cold water!

We discovered that swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin was not quite as unusual as we had expected. There were plenty of other people taking the plunge, which made it feel less like a slightly questionable idea and more like a perfectly normal Parisian activity!

Cold water, sunshine and a group of people willing to get wet — what's not to like?



It was also a nice reminder that wellbeing doesn't have to look the same everywhere. Sometimes it's about finding ways to stay active and connected wherever you happen to be.

Rugby, Exploring and Finding the Balance

While Shannon and the other wives went off exploring Paris, the men found somewhere to watch the rugby.

And perhaps that's another important part of spending time together as couples and friends. You don't necessarily have to do everything together.

Sometimes the best approach is to split up, enjoy your own interests for a few hours, and then come back together and share the stories.

It's about finding what works.

A Trip to Reims and Mumm Champagne

We also took a trip out to Reims to visit the Mumm Champagne winery.

The tour was fascinating, particularly learning about how champagne production has evolved over the years. Seeing the combination of traditional methods, craftsmanship and modern technology gave us a much greater appreciation for what goes into producing something that many of us simply associate with celebrations.

And, of course, no visit to a champagne house would be complete without sampling the finished product!

Exploring the Real Paris

Back in Paris, we stayed in Le Marais, which turned out to be a great base.

It's certainly touristy, but it doesn't feel overly polished or chic chic. There are still plenty of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and small streets where you can simply wander and see where you end up.

That sense of vibrancy was one of the things we loved about Paris. The coffee shops and restaurants weren't just places to eat and drink — they felt like part of the local community.

People meeting friends, families eating together, people sitting outside watching the world go by. There was energy everywhere.

Montmartre and Getting Lost

We also made our way up to Montmartre.

Yes, it's touristy. Yes, there are plenty of people taking photographs. But it's iconic for a reason.

The views across Paris are spectacular, while the winding streets, street art and little corners make it a place where you can easily get lost — in a good way.

Sometimes exploring a city is best done without a plan. Walk, turn a corner, find a café, wander down another street and see what you discover.

And naturally, we couldn't finish a weekend in Paris without watching some football.

With the World Cup taking place and England playing Norway, we found ourselves in The Wellington Pub, surrounded by other supporters and soaking up the atmosphere.



It might not have been the most traditionally Parisian experience, but that's part of travelling. You create your own memories rather than simply following the guidebook.

What Paris Reminded Us About Wellbeing

Looking back, our weekend in Paris wasn't particularly focused on wellbeing — and that's probably why it was such a good wellbeing break.

We walked. We explored. We laughed. We ate. We swam. We watched sport. We caught up with friends. We spent time together.

Most importantly, we reconnected.

Life can be incredibly busy, particularly when you're raising a family. Friendships can drift, not because they matter any less, but simply because there never seems to be enough time.

Perhaps one of the best things we can do for our wellbeing is make that time.

Because sometimes the tonic we need isn't a yoga class, a cold dip or a meditation.

Sometimes it's simply good friends, a revisiting a wondeful city and a weekend with nowhere else you need to be.