Alo!
As it turns out, I remember a lot more French than I thought and I am officially the translator and communicator for this trip. It is fun to use it again! I love being able to communicate in another language.
After breakfast we headed out on foot to explore more of this great city. And by explore, I mean we made a beeline to the closest chocolaterie.
You do not window shop in here!
My favourite picture so far on this trip…
All kinds of epic.
I REALLY want this nut butter. I decided to walk away (for now).
I’ll show you what I bought at the end of this post!
Then we were off to explore more and head to lunch before embarking on a city bus tour.
For lunch, we decided on Rotonde des Tuileries.
I started with green tea.
My mom ordered the vegetarian sandwich with cheese and fries.
She loved the sandwich.
Sis had a Greek salad that she also enjoyed.
I had my first French Baguette!
Total swoon. It was about the size of my leg and I ate every bite. I got the vegetarian baguette (without cheese). My version had carrots, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and lentils. It was awesome and the bread was incredible and fresh.
I also had a side of fries.
Then we explored more on foot.
Dessert:
Love locks on the bridge! So romantic. I miss Eric.
Then it was time for our bus tour!
At this point, it is obvious what a beautiful and stunning city Paris is.
I was slightly surprised just how beautiful it was because I have heard from many people that Paris has a reputation for being: 1) dirty, and 2) unfriendly.
All three of us agreed that it is neither. It is one of the cleanest cities I have ever been in and also one of the friendliest. All of the servers in restaurants have been so helpful, smiling, and kind. I really don’t understand where the rumours come from. Paris is A++.
Paris also has a ton of parks, green spaces, and trees. Everyone just lounges on the grass in all of the parks and it has such a cool and relaxed vibe.
And of course people love to watch other people! People watching is a sport here. ;)
I’m trying to convince OSGMOM to walk up the Eiffel tower! :) Monday and Tuesday we are doing tours with our Paris Pass.
Now if you’ll excuse me I have dark chocolate and a pillow to tend to. Tomorrow morning is an early morning (6am wake-up call) as we are off to Champagne country for the day on a tour bus with a group of people. It should be great!
In my next post I will tell you all about our special dinner tonight. This post might explode if I add one more picture…. ;) Hopefully it uploads with this slow internet connection…
It looks so pretty there!
Oh Paris!all these pictures remind me of our trip to Paris in 2008.. I heart France :)
I’m exploding with jealousy. My sweetie doesn’t want to put Paris on our travel list because he visited family there when he was young and wants to put the money elsewhere–maybe I should rope my mother into seeing it with me too. You and your sister look like you fit right in with the Parisian fashionistas!
Really glad my home country is treating you well :) Plus, I think Paris in the fall is by FAR the best time to go there!
If I can recommend one thing to you, you HAVE to go to a Creperie called “Le Sarrasin et le Froment,” it’s on l’Ile Saint Louis (the island that’s next to l’Ile de la Cite where Notre Dame is) and is at the North end of la Rue Saint Louis en L’Ile (I believe it’s #84 or #86). I know there are about 1,000 creperies in Paris, but trust me, this is the best one hands down. Their Chocolate Maison crepe (which I’m pretty sure is vegan, or I told myself it was) is to die for, but you can’t go wrong with any of their choices. Have fun!!!
What beautiful ladies you all are! Looks like you are all having a lovely time. I have an itch to travel now.
How funny, because that is exactly what I experience while in Paris! Dirty, grimy streets, and rude, unfriendly people!
Well actually, one woman was really very nice. But in a store I heard the cashier talking to the person in front of me in English. I thought “Score! I don’t have to butcher the language here.” Nope…all of a sudden the cashier magically forgot English and refused to talk to me. Eventually someone else stepped in talking in rapid French and I was handed what I was asking for. I was so embarassed!
You are in my definition of chocolate heaven right now :) I am scrolling down very slowly on my computer to make the chocolate last.
You should bring some chocolate home and then auction it off for charity. Good idea right? I’ll be the first bidder.
I’ll be in Paris in November. I’m SO glad to hear that you managed OK with the restaurants, I have always heard such harsh warnings. Fingers crossed that my trip goes as smoothly ;)
WOW!! Those chocolates look amazing. I’d be in HEAVEN in that store!
Love your Paris stories! I was just there in December for the first time. Makes me want to go back! I climbed the Eiffel Tower–the line was much shorter to walk than to use the elevator! It wasn’t too bad. Don’t know if I’d do it again in hot weather, but it was cold so it was great!
Look at those chocolates! It looks like a great trip so far and I love the pictures!
You are totally letting me relive my trip to paris last summer. I agree, paris is neither dirty NOR unfriendly!!!
Paris is lovely. I’ve enjoyed each of my trips there as well. I spent a semester studying in France, so I got lots of exposure to how the French live! I think the “dirty” reputation is because people take their dogs round with them more often there and sometimes the dogs relieve themselves on the sidewalk instead of in the grass. But I think the city is working on keeping that cleaned up. (It’s just a French thing in general.) And sometimes they are unfriendly, but hey, you can find mean or nice people anywhere. And you are right about the relaxed vibe there. Europeans are much more laid back about things, which is really nice. They take time out to smell the roses and really enjoy life!
Paris looks like so much fun!
I haven’t made many trips outside of the good ol’ USA (and by ‘not many’ I mean I’ve left twice).
I have a slight fear of being in unfamiliar places / situations, but I’m thinking I should get over that and really experience all the beauty in the world!
Last summer we were in London for a long weekend and as my dad and other half are big trainspotters (g-eek!) and I’ve always wanted to see Versailles we got the Eurostar to Paris. The train was great but the minute we got into the station in Paris, I just felt we were under siege from hustlers! Then the rest of the day was just spent not trying to p1ss angry French people off! Versailles was as beautiful as I’d imagined but I must say Paris left such a sour taste in my mouth and I don’t want to go back either because I have the rest of the continent to explore. Definitely didn’t look dirty to me though!
Oh my. Paris looks absolutely, insanely wonderful. Must plan a trip there soon!!!
I’m so greatful you didnt go MIA while you are in Paris! I love love love all the pictures and stories! Keep um comin! ;-)
OMG! You are totally making me nostalgic! My hubby and I were just there a year ago. I can’t wait to go back. Please tell me you are going to Laduree for macaroons – it’s an absolute MUST!
I never considered myself a fan of chocolate until I found some really good quality dark chocolate. I was totally hooked. I try not to keep any dark chocolate in the house anymore in fear of consuming it in record-breaking speed.
And baguettes! They’re one of my fave memories from my second trip to Paris almost a decade ago. My best friend and I were there for a week and had a ham and cheese baguette practically every day. I’m swooning over all your photos.