Paris is always a good idea!!
A Parisian week in spring is an even better idea! Even if it meant some whirlwind planning of only a week to make it reality. I wasn’t about to turn down Paris in the spring. And of course it did not disappoint.
It was just as wonderful as one would imagine Parisian spring to be!
Leaving us with a week’s worth of highlights
A Parisian Saturday
We arrived on Saturday morning, dropped our luggage at the hotel and attempted to stay awake for the remainder of the day. I think I valiantly made it to 5 pm. We jumped on the RER and metro, as we were staying in La Defense. Ok fine, we got super confused and wandered blurry eyed around the massive train/shopping mall station. But we finally got it sorted, only to blow past the stations we intended to embark off at, because they were closed for the possibility of protests.
This was not our first visit to Paris and so we knew where we were at least. We exited at our first viable option, the Louvre- Rivoli station, and headed into the Tuileries. Where we had a very sunny and warm (the Hubster even got a sunburn) lunch at an outdoor cafe in the gardens. It wasn’t planned, but it happened to be the local of the first meal we had the last visit to Paris as well. Here we were quickly reminded just how delicious a ham sandwich can be. The tomatoes (oh how I miss those tomatoes), cheese, butter (I could seriously weep over French butter), delicious ham and on a fresh baguette (be still my heart).
A Parisian Sunday
Sunday we hit the base of the Eiffel Tower, after grabbing a picnic and having a wander at the Rue Cler market. Then we meandered across the water to Trocodaro, bathed in all it’s spring glory!
Come the afternoon we visited Notre-Dame (which I am obviously very happy we did). I admired the architecture and searched out the bronze plaque, signifying the centre of France. We even sat behind in the gardens, looking directly up at the scaffolding and spire. Little did we know what was to shortly transpire, in this exact spot (as we flew home). Then we made our way to the tip of the island as the sun began to dip lower in the sky. We ended our day with a delightful bistro dinner of Boeuf Bourgogne, followed with true Parisian hot chocolate. All from a window seat, overlooking Notre-Dame at sunset. It was a rather perfect day.
A Parisian Monday
Monday was my first day on my own (the Hubster was there for work after all). So I got my Navigo pass (weekly transit pass) and never looked back. The Parisian metro is amazing. Some of the train stations, where multiple lines converge, are as large as airports – but all underground (and the first time I ever experienced an escalator that turned into a moving walkway and then back into an escalator)! I would use the Apple Maps on my phone to plan out my trip. First, I would plug in my final destination or address and it would tell me exactly where and how to get there, including if I needed to switch lines and finally even which exit to use to the leave the metro station at the destination (this is super helpful when exits can come out above ground sometimes many, many blocks apart).
I used Monday to walk through the left bank and got myself a very memorable picnic lunch and ate in sunny Luxembourg gardens. A first for me. The park (and possibly a sole picnic on a Monday too!). I was seriously living the dream. I wandered and explored (and photographed) my way through new neighbourhoods. And then fulfilled my own food blogger’s goal of visiting as many of Ina Garten’s Parisian culinary suggestions as possible and assembling a dinner one can usually only hope for!
A Parisian Tuesday
Tuesday I hit the Opera House (Palais Garnier) and the Galleries Lafayette for my dose of Parisian opulence. I took my time, enjoyed the view, dodged in out of the rain and did some shopping. I also made sure to make my way all the way to the top of Galleries Lafayette for some chocolate mousse and a view from the top floor. Another thoroughly enjoyable day.
A Parisian Wednesday
Wednesday I decided to tackle The Louvre. It was not my first time, but last time I took a tour (which was fabulous). I honestly prefer the Musee D’orsay. However I couldn’t shake the desire that I wanted to wander aimlessly through the Louvre’s wings (and not say spend an hour walking in circles looking for my husband) and see everything I possibly could. But alas The Louvre won. It always wins. The sheer size of it! By the end I was just touring from bench to bench and people watching, more than looking at the art itself. However, I now feel on my third attempt, I have seen all of The Louvre. A bit of a white whale and a small personal triumph!
A Parisian Thursday
Thursday was croissant making day!! I had booked a croissant making class with Cook’n With Class Paris. I had thoroughly enjoyed a Bistro desserts class on a previous visit and knew I wanted a croissant class this time. It was a fabulous, hands on experience with delicious results.
Then in the afternoon came a brief jaunt to Montmartre and a hike up to Sacre-Cœur. I bought too many wonderful Parisian memories and missed the Hubster’s muscles terribly as I lugged them all up and down the hills myself. Then a late cafe lunch in the sun (with some very awkward, unwanted male attention if I am being fully honest – next time I would take a table inside).
A Parisian Friday
Friday was Versailles! And we were back to touring as a couple. We happened to arrive in Versailles in time to explore a wonderful street market with some of the most beautiful woven baskets and bags I have ever seen. Not to mention our market meandering was made all the better with a piping hot sugared crepe in hand.
Since we have been fortunate enough to visit the palace twice already and it’s the much less busy grounds and Trianon Estates that really fascinate us, we opted to find a side entrance to the park. Then we rented bikes and biked all the way around the channel (it’s massive). The park at Versailles is free and open to the public. Afterwards we just payed to access the Estate of Trianon and took our time exploring and discovering even more treasures than past visits. This really is one of my favourite places ever. Come evening we enjoyed a delicious bistro dinner (my duck was pure perfection) on a side street, on the way back to the train, which we topped off with the most amazing chocolate Creme Brûlée of our lives!!
On to New Adventures
Saturday wrapped up our time in Paris and we embarked on a train to Provence and the uncharted adventures of Southern France!! Which is a whole other adventure.
Watch for a Southern France Post soon!
Interested In Paris in the wintertime?! Then check out my Paris In the Winter post.
That was well done Laura — interesting and full of great photos. I feel like I’ve had an armchair tour.
Thank you!