Happy Wednesday, all! I hope you’re enjoying the last week of summer, and that you’ve had a great summer overall. Mine has been a busy one, but it’s been lots of fun, filled with all of my favourite things: wine tours, flower farms, hikes, celebrations, and of course, plenty of ice cream.
One of my favourite things I did this summer was a weekend getaway with my best friend in Paris, Ontario! We stayed at the lovely Mulberry House on the Grand – check out this post to read all about our experience. And even though we could have happily spent the entire weekend without ever leaving the B&B (they offer so many amazing amenities and experiences!) of course we had to venture out at some point and explore the lovely town of Paris.
Located in Brant County along the Grand River, Paris was voted “The Prettiest Little Town in Canada” by Harrowsmith Magazine… and it certainly lives up to the title! With its historic architecture, quaint shops and beautiful scenery, Paris is the perfect spot for a daytrip or a weekend getaway. It’s just a 1-hour drive from Toronto, yet it feels like you’ve gone somewhere much further (and no, not just because of its ‘international’ name!) There are so many fun things to experience in this charming town, so today I thought I’d share some of my favourites. Without further ado, here are my best recommendations for things to see and do in Paris, Ontario.
Admire the architecture. Paris was established in 1850, and many of its buildings date back to the 19th century. (Fun fact: Paris is “the Cobblestone Capital of Canada”, and all of Canada’s cobblestone buildings – with the exception of a mere three – are located in Brant County.) Downtown Paris is home to many beautiful historic buildings: some of my favourites are the Paris Baptist Church (built in 1885), the Paris Wincey Mills Co. (1889) and the Arlington Hotel (1850).
Gaze at the Grand River. As the largest river in Southern Ontario – and one of the prettiest – the Grand River certainly earns its name. The river stretches all the way from Grey County to Haldimand County, emptying into the north shores of Lake Erie. Downtown Paris has several lookout points with scenic views of the river: two particularly pretty ones are Cobblestone Common and the William Street Bridge. There are also some great restaurants that offer riverside dining… but you’ll have to wait until my next post for those!
Get up close and personal with the Grand! Feeling more adventurous? One of the most popular outdoor activities in Paris is a tubing or rafting tour along the Grand River! My friend Victoria and I enjoyed a fun and relaxing tubing tour, courtesy of our lovely hosts at the Mulberry House on the Grand (read this post for a full recap of the experience.) Other local tour companies include Northbound Tours and Grand River Rafting, the latter of which offers tubing, rafting, kayak and canoe experiences.
Shop and eat your way through the historic Wincey Mills. As I mentioned earlier, the Paris Wincey Mills Co. (circa 1889) is one of my favourite historic buildings in town. It was a booming textile mill for much of the 20th century. Notably, it continued operating throughout the Great Depression, employing 125 workers and even increasing their employees’ wages in 1934 (something almost unheard of during those troubled times!) It was eventually purchased by Canadian Tire and used as a franchise store and automotive service centre, until they relocated in 2013 and left the building vacant. The mill was under serious threat of demolition, but in 2014, it was purchased by Wingbury Properties, who worked with Toronto design firm Area 91 to restore and revamp the space. Today, the three-storey building contains several offices and an incredible indoor market with local food and retail vendors, a café and a brewery. Some of my favourite stops at the market: Bird & Bee Vintage for one-of-a-kind clothing and gifts, Windflower Florals for fresh and dried flowers, Detour for coffee, and The Udder Way for gourmet cheeses.
Get inspired at an art gallery. Founded by artist Katherine Pickering, the Paris Bohemian Gallery is a must-visit for anyone who loves art. The gallery is small but mighty, representing over 20 local artists. I just love all the creativity and vibrant colours on display! The gallery shares a space with fabulous vintage clothing shop Judy Jean.
Shop ’til you drop! Downtown Paris is home to a plethora of charming shops, selling everything from clothing to home goods to books to flowers to jewelry… and anything and everything in between. You can view a full directory here, but I thought I’d share some of my top picks…
From The Attic Interiors for home decor, candles, furniture paint, and a hodgepodge of fun hardware (my friend picked up an adorable octopus-shaped towel hook for her bathroom!)
The Gem Marketplace for herbal teas, honey, healing crystals, custom apparel… and even bubble tea! This ‘mini-mall’ – located in a restored former theatre – hosts a curated rotation of local vendors, so it offers a little bit of everything. There’s also a lovely balcony where visitors are invited to sit and enjoy the views of the Grand River.
John M. Hall for high-quality linen tea towels, placemats, napkins, bedding, sleepwear and more. This old-fashioned Irish linen shop was established over 130 years ago, making it one of (if not the) oldest store in Paris.
Le Petit Marché for vintage clothing, antique oddities, quirky gifts, and all-natural skin and haircare products. This two-stop shop is home to Bird & Bee Vintage (which also has a location in the Wincey Mills just across the street) and The Paris Apothecary. I can only describe this intriguing shop as a cabinet of curiosities… and I promise I mean that in the best possible way! You never know what you’ll find, but you’ll always be pleasantly surprised.
One Sixty One Artisan Market for “fun and sassy” (their words!) handmade products from over 100 local makers. If you’re looking for a unique gift for a hard-to-shop-for person, just take a look in here! From gourmet foods and small-batch beauty products, to charming home decor, artisan jewelry and hilarious greeting cards, you’re sure to find something that fits the bill – and is truly one-of-a-kind.
The Rustic Palm for all things small and sweet. When I saw the sign outside this shop proclaiming “friends don’t let friends shop at chain stores,” I knew I’d found a kindred spirit. Bigger isn’t always better, and this lovely little shop is all about shopping small – in a big way! They carry a variety of products – clothing, candles, beauty products, food, jewelry, home decor, pet accessories and more – from over 90 Canadian vendors. Some of my favourite finds include the gorgeous engraved charcuterie boards by Eh!ch Engraving & Woodcraft and the hilarious NSFW mugs by dd.pottery.
Thorn & Petal for fresh flowers, plants, and everything to put them in: from elegant vases to pretty ceramic planters to cute mini succulent pots (I’m obsessed with those hedgehog ones!) Owner Ran Sui (who was absolutely lovely to chat with) also sells candles, soaps, herbal teas, jewelry, and perfume oil from cult beauty brand Olivine Atelier. She also does wedding and event florals, and offers monthly “BlossomBox” flower delivery subscriptions – a fabulous gift idea for a loved one… or yourself!
If you haven’t yet been to Paris, I highly recommend planning a daytrip or weekend getaway there sometime soon… it’s such a gorgeous little town, and always lots of fun to visit. And now you’ve got some great ideas for things to do while you’re there… so what are you waiting for!? Check out my recent Instagram reel for some more Paris highlights, and if you end up visiting (or have been there before) be sure to let me know what your favourite spots are. I always love hearing from y’all!
Next week, I’ll be back sharing my favourite restaurants and cafés in Paris. Until then, thanks for reading and I hope you have a lovely rest of your week!
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