I’ll be honest, my first impression of Paris was a bad one. It took two more trips to finally understand why people love the city. When I gave Paris a second chance, we flew into Charles de Gaulle, explored the city for a night and a day, and then took a high speed train to Germany for a wedding. Here are some highlights from that short but redeeming trip (and a few from a following trip).
What was missing from my first experience with Paris during a British Isles cruise was largely time. My mother and I took a very long bus ride from Le Havre/Normandy to Paris, had only 4 short hours to explore the city, and a very long bus ride back to the ship. We were treated rudely by a waiter, had no time to tootle or find restrooms, and only saw a fraction of what we wanted because my mother wanted to shop (for the love of god, why). It wasn’t her fault really, we just didn’t have enough time.
On my second (and third) trip to Paris, we stayed at Hotel Britannique near the Louvre. This was the BEST decision, as we were centrally located in a gorgeous boutique hotel that was reasonably priced. This allowed us to spiral out our adventures from the center of everything.
Within the shortest of walks, we saw the Louvre – Tuileries, Pont Neuf and Notre-Dame on Ile de la Cite, the lovely River Seine, and everything in between! I even went for a run around the city early in the morning before most tourists were out and about (read I’ve Run Everywhere, Man: Vacation Running here)!
My husband and I also toured the Eiffel Tower while our friends tootled the gardens. It was just as grand as I had imagined, and just as crowded as I thought it would be! The views were spectacular, such that photos from my camera wouldn’t do it justice. We enjoyed gelato and macarons like proper tourists, and left the crowds to meet our friends down below.
My favorite part of casually strolling around Paris was walking through the Latin Quarter, southeast and across the Seine from the Louvre. We probably had to stop every 200 feet so I could take pictures of the gorgeously ornate door knockers on what I’m assuming were residences.
On caffeine and dairy…I used to be a coffee hater, and after a long sleepless flight to Paris, I stupidly ordered a Red Bull. Funny that it would come in a wine glass. By the end of this trip I was firmly addicted to espresso (as one does). And when I normally avoid dairy at all costs, which is a damn near impossible feat in Paris, I ate all the dairyful things. Onion soup with a gorgeous cheese coating, croque monsieur and croque madame with more butter and cheese than I should ever consider, and the obligatory baguette with brie…absolutely worth it. And of course there was enough wine to turn all our cheeks rosy!
During our most recent trip through Paris on our way to Barcelona, we splurged time and money on seeing a show at the famous Moulin Rouge. How could we not?!
I’m glad I gave Paris a second chance…although it doesn’t take much to win me over. What are some of your favorite sites in Paris? Tell me in the comments below so I can visit them next time!
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More Travel Tips, Packing Lists, and Past Adventures:
Carry-On Suitcase Packing List (Packing Checklist for the Overhead Bin)
Carry-On Bag Packing List (Packing Checklist for Under the Seat)
A Dirty Souvenir for Dogs: You Travel, They Sniff
Cruise Packing Lists: Backpack & Rolling Suitcase Packing Checklists
Cruise Tips: Planning and Packing
Read about our Mediterranean cruise here and British Isles cruise here and Alaskan Cruise here.
Don’t forget a corkscrew (read about my TSA-compliant Carry-On Corkscrew here)!
Girl you are making me hungry and thirsty with those pics!
Hehe me too!
First time in Paris a man spilled hot coffee on my sister and was furious that he lost his drink. No apologies for her. Later, while touring the Louvre, my mother was yelled at by a guard when he thought she was too close to a painting. They do not like Americans and are very rude. We were told by our parents to say we were Canadian.