France
Growing up I envisioned Paris as it was depicted in old Hollywood movies. Accordian players on street corners, artists silently painting the Notre Dame, while lovers strolled along the banks of the Seine. My first trip to Paris was, in a way, ruined by these romanticized expectations. It was hot, smelly, ridden with homeless people and graffiti. Yet, I'll be the first to admit that I didn't give Paris a fair chance. I returned in the summer of 2017, five years later, and found the city quite lovely. It rained one day, forcing us to duck into cafes for a drink to wait until the storm passed. The rain freshened the air and cleared the sky for a beautiful sunset.
I've always loved the architecture of Paris, and a walk along the Seine from Le Louvre to The Eiffel Tower will not disappoint. Plan this walk in the late afternoon to catch a beautiful sunset along your stroll. Expect crowds near The Eiffel Tower at night as the tower becomes the source of a sparking light show each hour.
Paris has something for everyone...foodies, art lovers, fashionistas, architecture enthusiasts, and jazz fans. A trip to Sunside | Sunset Jazz Club will have your toes tapping, and a trip to Musee d'Orsay or Le Louvre will ruin other art museums for you. And if you can find it, the Wall of Love makes for a great photo and afternoon stroll through the hills of Montmartre.
While a trip to France is remiss without a visit to Paris, an escape to the French countryside is recommended if you have time. Easy day-trips from Paris include The Palace of Versailles, Giverny, and the Champagne Region. Our trip to Reims included a champagne cave tour at Veuve Clicquot, which was a highlight of our trip to France.
My Paris favorites include:
Climbing the Arc de Triomph for spectacular views of the city
Shakespeare & Company Bookstore
Notre Dame
Shopping at Galeries de Lafayette
The four c's: cafes, chocolate, cheese, and croissants
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Chic Loft in the Heart of Paris!
Marie Antoinette's home was lovely. The location was no more than a 3-minute walk from the Metro, which allowed for easy access to Paris. Having a full kitchen, living room, and two bathrooms allowed for our group to spread out and relax after a long day of sightseeing.
Pros:
- Location
- Elevator access to the flat (when working)
- Lovely street views of Grand Boulevard
- Close proximity to Metro and local dining
- One full and one half bathroom
- Washer/Dryer in flat
- Natural sunlight from multiple windows in bedroom and living area
- Lots of storage for clothing
- Easy check-in with Jorge
Cons:
- No A/C, which can become uncomfortable when visiting during the summer (fans provided)
- Five flight walk-up when elevator isn't working
- Small 1-2 person elevator not suitable for carrying multiple people or heavy/bulky luggage
- Many of the lightbulbs were burnt out, which made the space dark at night
I would definitely stay at Marie's place again. It was clean, in a good location, spacious, and charming.
Le mur des je t'aime
The initiative of Frédéric Baron is engraved in this long chain of silent passions. Lovers have their day of celebration, St Valentine's day. It is now time for them to have a meeting place; a space where love comes together in every language: Le mur des je t'aime (I love you : the wall).
The Wall is located in Paris, Butte Montmartre, Place des Abbesses, in the Square Jehan Rictus.
Metro: Abbesses.
Admission is free.
Musee d'Orsay
The history of the museum, of its building is quite unusual. In the centre of Paris on the banks of the Seine, opposite the Tuileries Gardens, the museum was installed in the former Orsay railway station, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. So the building itself could be seen as the first "work of art" in the Musee d'Orsay, which displays collections of art from the period 1848 to 1914.
