Paris….oh Paris! A beautiful city with beautiful people, and beautiful accents and a beautiful language… that I don’t understand. But who cares?! If you don’t know what they are saying, it all sounds lovely. Also, I was in my element as a pastry chef. I’m sure you can imagine. Every corner. Bakeries. Patisseries. Boulangeries. Endless mouth watering temptations. We gave in to temptation a lot. Which is a must in Paris. I am a true believer that you travel, first and foremost with the sense of taste. Yes, sight is important of course, and sound… and so on. But taste is the essence of a place. This is especially true with France, and Paris in particular. I mean do you go to Italy without trying to Pasta, Pizza or Gelato, do you go to Peru and not try the Ceviche or Pisco Sours, do you go to Texas and not try the BBQ, do you go to Brazil and not try the Feijoada or the Churrasco?? I think you get my point haha. So did we go to France and not try the pastries or the fabulous bread…HELL NO! I think it was the theme of our visit to be honest.

Our visit began on the 15th of April when we took the Eurostar to Paris from London. About 2 hours later, we arrived and immediately caught a taxi to our Air B&B near Monmarte that would be our home for the next 6 nights. It was a perfect little flat, a good location which was close to the Metro, which was our main mode of transport during our visit, exluding our own two feet of course. We didn’t do much that evening except find something to eat, all three of us freaking out a little at the thought of having to order from a place with no english menu. Thankfully, at least for the first night we found a cute little tapas bar with some very cute waiters. Had to be said, sorry! On our first day we began our touring adventures with a visit to Sacre Coeur, walking past the Moulin Rouge on our way. It also lead to the famous area of Monmarte, which is a very typical french area with lots of art works on display, tourist shops and a restaurant, cafe or bakery in every second store. We had a delicous light lunch that day of mussels and yummy charcuterie meats and terrine. We used our replenished energy in the afternoon to go to a vintage market, where there were so many different bits and bobs. I found my self a lovely new ring there. Also ended up haggling with the woman, not really by haggling but saying that I truthfully had no money! Haha. Skills.

This was a very jam packed day, looking back. After a very short afternoon respite, I was meeting up with a friend I had met in San Francisco, who lived just outside of Paris centre. It was so nice to have someone to actually catch up with that I knew in Paris. Nabil and his two cousins proceeded to show me all around Paris at sunset in his car. A quick tour, but awesome as I got to see the city in a different light. The Arc De Triomphe was particularly amazing. Its all the more beautiful at sunset and at night. He topped the night off with a visit to the second tallest building in Paris, Montparnasse Tower to see stunning 360 degree views of the whole city on the 56th floor observation deck! I also got to see the light show of the Eiffel tower which happens every hour, I think. It was absolutely amazing! So if your reading this, Thanks again Nabil!

Our second day we headed to the main event, the Eiffel Tower. I had seen it in the evening the night before and now I got to see it in all it’s glory in the daylight. Everyone says its over rated, and perhaps it is. But I LOVED it. Especially from afar, walking along the river and seeing it in the distance through the trees. It’s is kind of unfortunate that it is so overdone, but I see that there is a reason for this. It truly sets the scene for the city. An emblem of sorts, I’d say. When we felt we had our fill, we went and got a bite to eat with the tower in the distance. We then met up with two friends of my Nanna’s that had stayed with her in Tasmania. They were two of the loveliest people I have ever met. I really love it when people are so passionate to show you their city and their home. They were also two amazing personalities who seem to genuinely love getting to know us and we felt the same. Its nice when conversation just flows. So they took us on a fantastic walking tour to their favourite parts of the city. So we saw the river Seine, the Botanical Garden, The Notre Dame, and a hidden Mosque with a beautiful garden and turquoise walking paths. We also grabbed some ice cream on the way and finished it all of with a long coffee stop. I really hope to see them again some day! Thanks Nanna, for the introduction!

The next day, it was time to cross the Lourve off our list. I have to say that while it was a lovely museum and there is so much to look at, it was not my favourite. I think that museums are just not my thing. It was something to see the Mona Lisa, however how is it that so many people have seen it and don’t mention how SMALL it is! Or maybe they did, and I didn’t listen. Probably the latter.So I did enjoy it, but I probably wouldn’t feel the need to do it again. I am glad I did it this time though. I feel as though it should be seen once. That afternoon, we did something much more up my alley, and ate delectable pastries and drank tea. A discovery I have made while in Europe is MINT TEA! Not something quintessentially european, I know, but well I can talk about whatever I want! lol Its all I drink now!

 

On day four, we headed to the Paris underground Catacombes. This was a very interesting sight to see. It was a very surreal feeling to be surrounded by the remains of over 6 million people. The bones are located inside the ancient mine tunnels of Paris and contain the  bodies from the overflowing cemeteries of Paris in the 1700’s and beyond. All the bones have been rearranged in very eerie patterns and really create a very mystical atmosphere. I almost felt as though I should not have been there, as if I was intruding on these poor peoples resting place. I wonder how may ghosts Mum, Dad and I walked through on my explorations!? On this day I also made an essential stop to Pierre Herme to collect some amazing Macarons. My favourite flavours were the Passionfruit Chocolate, Salted Caramel and the Raspberry. Yummy.

Having a good chunk of time in the city, we felt comfortable to travel outside the city and visit Versaille. One of the most over the top, stunning and regal palaces I have seen. It was amazing to see. Something that interested me even more than the building itself, was the intricate and humungous gardens! We spent the first half of the day exploring the Castle itself, including the famous hall of Mirrors. 

 

 

The second half of the day we spent having a delicious lunch in the restaurant in the gardens of Versaille. It was an italian themed restaurant, funnily enough, but the food was beyond reproach. All three of us ordered delectable meals and were stuffed afterwards. Then we had to walk off our lunch. We were in the perfect garden to do so! There was so much to see and explore, but we also made sure to have a good lie in the sun, on the insistence of Mum. I also took myself off for a stroll and listened to my Audiobook, which was very apt as it has parts set in Versaille in the 1700’s. I felt like I was being enveloped by the story on all sides! Its not everyday you sit in the place your book is describing. We also made sure that we checked out the Marie Antoniette Apartments which were attached to the Gardens.

On our last full day in Paris, we took ourselves to a well earned lunch in a lovely French restaurant. Lots of food and wine was enjoyed, all with good conversation and reflections on the amazing week just passed in Paris. Following our lunch, we had one more thing to explore properly, Notre Dame. This was a highlight for me. The Cathedral is so amazing and grand, you can’t help but feel small in its walls. Although, you still feel protected and at peace there. Maybe its this anonymity has a part to play in that feeling. Once we finished exploring the cathedral, we slowly wandered back to our apartment, trying to absorb as much of Paris as we could before we set of for the next adventure.

 

Next Stop was Northern Italy, so three guesses what my next blog will be about…

xxx