"Oh, but Paris isn't for changing planes! It's for changing our outlook,
for throwing open the windows and letting in . . . letting in la vie en rose." - Sabrina
Several weeks ago, Blake and I combined a three-day weekend with a couple of vacation days to run away to Paris for a long weekend! Before you get any ideas about us wasting all of our student loan money, this was only possible because of Blake's interest in obsession with collecting frequent flyer miles and hotel points. :)
So in no particular order, here is our Top-10 List from our adventures in the City of Lights!
1. The Eiffel Tower at night from Trocadero across the river. Like all activities on this list, this is best accomplished with a hot crepe in hand. We waited around to watch the Tower sparkle - unfortunately the pictures failed to capture the magic of it shimmering, but trust me it's incredible.
2. Wandering the city on foot. One of our favorite things to do was just explore. We walked, we metroed and we walked some more. There were so many fun neighborhoods that we just stumbled upon. Oh Happy Day recommended some fun local flea markets that we loved. I ate the best Belgian waffle of my life. I gave Blake about 2 tiny bites.
3. Walking the Seine and visit Notre Dame at sunset.
It was Valentine's Day and we're in love. My heart was basically melted the entire time.
5. Standing in line for Saint Chapelle. Normally lines are top of the lame list but this 30 minute wait was awesome. There was a hilariously naught little French toddler who was equal parts mischievous and adorable. We loved watching her win over the crow. Plus the stain glass windows were well worth the wait.
6. Strolling around Versailles. The place kinda speaks for itself.
I loved imagining Mary Antionette playing house in her crazy little play "cottages".
7. Taste testing Laduree vs. Angelina's macaroons. Trust me we tried a lot of macaroons but the jury is still out on this one.
8. Eating Nutella crepes and baguettes multiple times a day. Honestly, why would we even bother with other food in France?
9. Exploring the Musee d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie. A kindergarten class was there having a field trip at l'Orangerie and a thousand 5-year olds were laying out on their tummies sketching Monet's Water Lilies. It was adorable! We only managed to get one creeper pic before the teachers noticed us ... so pictures of windows it is!
10. Ok this last highlight needs a post of its own. So stay tuned!
Paris, we loved you.
I waited so long for my first trip to Paris (more than 40 years after I got the bug in 7th grade French), but hope to join you guys for another trip to Paris after I retire. The pics make me long to be in this beautiful city! Great post, Stefi!
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