Uhhhhh Paris!
I loved it so much, I'd go back tomorrow!
I am finally getting around to writing up a recap post, but what more is there to say other than Paris, I love you! It was my second time visiting and JC's first time, and we both loved every minute of exploring this beautiful city! There is so much rich history, beautiful architecture and delicious food that we could have gotten lost and never come back to the States.
This blog post will focus on a few of my favorite things- quoting Julie Andrews- but seriously everything was so great it's hard not to just list our entire trip. So, I won't bore you with anything else, let's get to the good stuff shall we?!
I bet you thought I was going to say Notre Dame! Well, on my first time around I ABSOLUTELY loved Notre Dame. It's big, it's gothic, it home to the hunchback- just kidding! It is truly something to see... But this time around we wandered into Sainte-Chappelle and I really think this might be the most gorgeous church my eyes have ever seen! The stained glass is so incredible I don't even know what to say (and really the photos don't do it justice).
In almost the complete opposite of Notre Dame, this chapel is quaint, calming almost and is so visually stunning. Once home to the crown of thrones, which now lives at Notre Dame, Sainte-Chappelle's stained glass windows have every story of the bible etched into them. How cool!
Also, I heard we made a major mistake by not seeing the Sacre-Couer/Montmarte so if you're going make sure to put this on your list. I hear the views of Paris are insane... for us we're using this as an excuse to go back one day!
If this isn't like quintessential Paris romance, I don't know what is. This tour started out by the Architecture museum, walked down through the gardens leading up to the Eiffel Tower, took us on a lazy crawl down the Seine and then up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.
I thought this was going to be a rushed, very touristy thing to do, but it was quite the opposite. We casually walked around and got so much information about the Eiffel Tower and the area surrounding it. Then the boat tour took it's time so we could see every monument lit up at night and snatch pictures. We then finished the tour on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower looking out at the city, which was the cherry on top.
I would highly recommend this tour, I even think this was JC's favorite thing from our entire time in Paris... besides the couples massage he decided to choose for us... I'll get to that down a few paragraphs.
When I was looking at what the must-see things were in Paris, this was on some lists, but then not on others. I was thinking we could skip it, but it's literally across the street from Notre-Dame and in between Notre Dame and Sainte-Chappelle so we said why not and went in.
It's just a book shop, but it's actually the most famous independent bookstore in the world. Authors, celebrities and artists have all called this place home and I can see why. When you enter you think oh okay it's a bookstore, let's go, but then when you stumble around you see why this place is a tourist destination. There are nooks and crannies that have spaces where you can hang out and open a book, cats crawling about, a space to etch your name into and tiny little windows where you can catch just enough light to know the time of day.
If you're an artist, a creative or just plain curious, I say check it out.
BTW no pics were allowed, SORRY!
My Favorite Neighborhood- Saint Germain
Paris has so many cool, eclectic neighborhoods so this one was a tough one to decide on. Our hotel was in Le Marais, which for us was perfect. It was within walking distance of tons of sites, had easy-access metro stops and had restaurants and shops galore.
BUT!
If we were to come back in this lifetime, I think we would love to stay in the Saint Germain neighborhood. We happened upon this neighborhood by accident, I had booked every minute of two of our three full days in Paris and then said to JC we can do whatever you want Friday... If you know JC you know that must mean relaxing in some capacity.
He decided a couple's massage. Probably the last thing I would have thought of, but we found a cute little spa in the Saint Germain neighborhood and booked it. Well... we thought we booked it lol. We went over there and somehow it didn't take our reservation, but luckily they were able to get us in just a few hours later. So we decided we'll just hang out in this area and grab some food. We made it to Rue de Buci and just hung out at a cafe and omg this is like ideal Paris neighborhood.
Not so touristy, more local. fresh markets all around, vines and flowers growing on the buildings, people making out at a cafe. Ugh! It was like a dream. We could have hung out all day. The more relaxed atmosphere made us both say we'd love to come back and stay here!
Lauduree, I know! It's another famous place. Another touristy location. BUT OMG! These macaroons showed out!
I am a macaroon nut. It's like if I see a macaroon I have to eat one. So Paris was an eating death trap. In all seriousness, I totally get why I waited in a 40 minute line just to inhale 4 macaroons. I would have bought 16, but JC thought that was unreasonable and that would have cost me like $60.
These macaroons were so tasty, and melted literally in your mouth. You know how sometimes they're a little crunchy or just don't have any flavor. NO! These tasted like the actual flavor they said and were so light and airy. MMMMM my mouths watering right now.
Another reason I'd go back to Paris tomorrow!
