"Go Where you Feel Most Alive"
We took the Eurostar from London's St. Pancras station, through the Chunnel to Paris. That is a fun experience in itself and is a quick and easy way to get into France from England. As we stepped off our train and I caught a glimpse of that first Parisian rooftop I started to cry. True story. My son was mortified. Mind you, I wasn't sobbing or making a scene, I just had tears streaming down my cheeks. Tears that came from pure love, appreciation, and excitement for being back in Paris, my favorite city in the world. Paris is without a doubt where I feel most alive. Manhattan is a close second.
We were only in Paris for 4 days so we had a lot to cram in. But here's my opinion on Paris, it can't be rushed. It shouldn't be rushed. With that, we took our time and didn't get to everything on my list but that's OK, there is always next time. I would much rather my kids have memories of us all sitting on a park bench in the Tuileries Gardens, admiring the beauty surrounding them than of me dragging them around the city to see all the sights in 3 days. What fun is that?
Here is what we did during our 3 days. For more Paris ideas, see my past blog post from 2013 when my hubby and I spent 7 glorious days there. Also, a quick note on where we dined in Paris. All of these restaurants I found after a lot of research. I wouldn't dare waste a meal in Paris on chance. Most of them are in The Food Lovers Guide to Paris by Patricia Wells, the Bible to good dining in Paris. A few of them are by the recommendation of Ina Garten and some are from both Ina and Patricia.
Day 1
Check in to our hotel
Have lunch at Chez Andre
From lunch, walk down the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe
Walk down Avenue Montaigne (this is where you can find Chanel and Christian Dior)
Dinner at Chez Georges
Go on the Pont Alexandre Bridge to see the Eiffel Tower at night
Day 2
Breakfast at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli
From Angelina, walk the Tuileries Gardens to the Louvre
The Louvre
From the Louvre walk by the Seine to Notre Dame
Tour Notre Dame
Walk across the Pont Louis-Philippe bridge (great photo spot) to Rue des Barres (prettiest little street)
Dinner at Bistro Paul Bert
Day 3
Take the train to Versailles
Walk to Trianon Palace
Lunch at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant at Trianon Palace
Tour Chateau de Versailles and the gardens
Dinner at Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower
Day 4
Rodin Museum
Walk through St. Germain to Cafe De Flore for lunch
Walk around Luxembourg Gardens
We took the Eurostar from London's St. Pancras station, through the Chunnel to Paris. That is a fun experience in itself and is a quick and easy way to get into France from England. As we stepped off our train and I caught a glimpse of that first Parisian rooftop I started to cry. True story. My son was mortified. Mind you, I wasn't sobbing or making a scene, I just had tears streaming down my cheeks. Tears that came from pure love, appreciation, and excitement for being back in Paris, my favorite city in the world. Paris is without a doubt where I feel most alive. Manhattan is a close second.
We were only in Paris for 4 days so we had a lot to cram in. But here's my opinion on Paris, it can't be rushed. It shouldn't be rushed. With that, we took our time and didn't get to everything on my list but that's OK, there is always next time. I would much rather my kids have memories of us all sitting on a park bench in the Tuileries Gardens, admiring the beauty surrounding them than of me dragging them around the city to see all the sights in 3 days. What fun is that?
Here is what we did during our 3 days. For more Paris ideas, see my past blog post from 2013 when my hubby and I spent 7 glorious days there. Also, a quick note on where we dined in Paris. All of these restaurants I found after a lot of research. I wouldn't dare waste a meal in Paris on chance. Most of them are in The Food Lovers Guide to Paris by Patricia Wells, the Bible to good dining in Paris. A few of them are by the recommendation of Ina Garten and some are from both Ina and Patricia.
Day 1
Check in to our hotel
Have lunch at Chez Andre
From lunch, walk down the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe
Walk down Avenue Montaigne (this is where you can find Chanel and Christian Dior)
Dinner at Chez Georges
Go on the Pont Alexandre Bridge to see the Eiffel Tower at night
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| Frog legs at Chez Andre. He says they were good. We'll have to take his word because I didn't partake. |
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| Chez Georges is a lovely little bistro where you can find traditional French food like steak and frites. It's quaint, loud, and filled with locals and I love it. |
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| The Pont Alexandre Bridge is a great spot for viewing the Eiffel Tower at night. Be sure to catch it on the hour when is sparkles for a few fabulous moments. |
Day 2
Breakfast at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli
From Angelina, walk the Tuileries Gardens to the Louvre
The Louvre
From the Louvre walk by the Seine to Notre Dame
Tour Notre Dame
Walk across the Pont Louis-Philippe bridge (great photo spot) to Rue des Barres (prettiest little street)
Dinner at Bistro Paul Bert
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| Angelina is fab place for breakfast but it's also a tea house that you could visit in the afternoon. They have the most decadent hot chocolate I've ever had. It's a Parisian institution not to be missed. |
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| The charm of these gardens is endless. |
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| Here's a little secret, when you visit Notre Dame, go to the garden in the back. There are hardly any tourists there, while you can usually find hundreds in the front, and I think it's the prettiest part of the cathedral. You will get amazing photos, promise! |
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| As you walk to Rue des Barres (which you must because it's that pretty) be sure to stop in at one of the cute cafes for an afternoon drink. |
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| Another tip, the best spot for photos of the Eiffel Tower (in my opinion of course) is at Place du Trocadero. You will have to wait your turn amongst all the tourists vying for that perfect spot but it's worth the effort. |
Day 3
Take the train to Versailles
Walk to Trianon Palace
Lunch at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant at Trianon Palace
Tour Chateau de Versailles and the gardens
Dinner at Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower
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| Once you arrive in Versailles by train, it's a very short walk to Trianon Palace. And what a magical walk it is. |
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| Dining at the Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower is about the dreamiest thing I've ever had the pleasure to do. When we asked the kids their favorite moment on our trip, they both agreed it was this dinner. |
Day 4
Rodin Museum
Walk through St. Germain to Cafe De Flore for lunch
Walk around Luxembourg Gardens
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| There are about a thousand options when it comes to museums in Paris. I've been to 7 and I can say that the Rodin museum is one of my favorites. The building itself, an old hotel where Rodin used to work, is simply so beautiful. The grounds surrounding the hotel are so pretty and filled with his sculptures. This museum is not too big so you can easily see it all in an hour or so. |
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After the Rodin Museum, a walk through Saint Germain is a must. Stop for lunch at Cafe Varenne or walk a bit further to Cafe De Flore, which is what we did this trip. |
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| Off to Portugal, my baby girl's first trip to Paris is in the books. |
