June 4th, 2019
Ever since I could remember, Paris was my dream. Something about the city fascinated me. The lights, the food, the art, the hustle and bustle…all of it. It’s the perfect place for family, for kids, any kind of vacation, for love! A week ago I got back from my first time there and I wanted to share some of my favorite memories…
First off, that 12-hour flight from LAX to London-Heathrow Airport was not easy however it was convenient and fun to see, landing in England then taking the very efficient Eurostar train to the heart of Paris, France. Let me tell you…walking out of the main train station in Paris (Gare Du Nord) was an incredible feeling. The breeze on my face, the golden hour sun, the noise, the BUSY French streets, all felt so surreal - almost as if I was walking out of one of the cheesy #girlboss romcoms!
My family and I had booked an Airbnb for our 7 day adventure which I must say was the way to go. We stayed walking distance to everything. We quickly grabbed a taxi (definitely being ripped off) and after an hour finally found our place. The time difference was a change but with all that traveling I fell asleep pretty fast and was refreshed for the next week in this beautiful city.
Day 1:
Off to the Palace of Versailles! But first, coffee and a croissant, yummm! Take one at this whole train in another language in a new city thing. We got lost about a dozen times on our way there, and back but also was able to see more of Paris and got a really good bite to eat. We were still exhausted from all the walking and traveling we had previously done. Time to rest up!
Day 2:
How could you not start the day off with a traditional French breakfast and of course…a cup of coffee. We walked a lot and got to explore Champes Èlysèes which is an avenue in the 8th arrondissement made of luxury brands and the Arc De Triomphe. A recomemondation would be Angelina Chocolate. Very tasty fondue, teas, pastries, mimosas and more! We continued to walk around and found a small cafe where we got drinks before our tour. We then ended our night touring Le Louvre museum which is where the Mona Lisa is held…pretty crazy the real deal is so small. The tour came with a delightful wine tasting where we met some fellow Americans!
Day 3:
My 21st birthday! Woohooo! Waking up in Paris, surrounded by your family was the best feeling ever. We started the day off with a more American style breakfast…the first time we saw ketchup! After filling our bellies, we headed to Sacrè-Cœur which was a breathtaking view. It’s a church and popular landmark. I left my heart in Paris overlooking the entire city. Heading back to our place, I got ready for my birthday dinner. I felt so beautiful and loved. We headed to the Eiffel Tower and had a lovely dinner at 58 Tour Eiffel. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy their birthday champagne overlooking everything while eating on the second floor of tour Eiffel. Musee D’Orsay was holding Musee De Noir. The pieces were stunning. You could say I celebrated my birthday the right way.
Day 4:
After our breakfast with lattes, we started our gloomy but peaceful Sunday by getting a few Parisian souvenirs. After a day of shopping we hoped in an Uber and headed to dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel which I would recommend. They were super accommodating to our dietary needs - gluten free and vegetarian. The food was excellent paired perfectly with the wine. After, we took a tour of the entire Eiffel Tower, all the way to the top and it was a moment to remember. A must on your Paris bucket list.
Day 5:
Made our treacherous walk a couple miles to the L’atelier Des Lumieres Museum to check out the Van Gogh exhibition. It was definitely a sight to see! We then walked to the Arc De Triomphe and went to the very top. I will never get tired of this view! Stopping at a local restaurant on Champes Èlysèes to grab drinks and a snack, I also had to make a stop at H&M because the blisters from my heels did not feel good.
PRO TIP: You will be doing a lot of walking…I mean like a miles a day so I would advise against heels.
We then made our way to the Seine River for our dinner cruise put on by Bateaux Parisian. It offered one of the best meals and a clear sight of Tour Eiffel, Les Invalides, Assemblèe Nationale, Musèe d’Orsay, Instut de France, Panthèon, Citè de la Mode, Hotèl de Ville, Notre Dame, Conciergerie, Les Halles, Les Louvre, Place de la Concorde, Madeleine, Grand Palaìs, Arc De Triomphe, Palaìs de Chaillot, and the Statue of Liberty-Paris. It was right at sunset with the most gorgeous view.
Day 6:
Our last full day in Paris, we started the day around noon and stopped for brunch at a local cafe. We spent the day wandering the city and taking photos, stopping at the places we missed. We made our way to the Shakespeare Company Bookstore, recommended by my roomate which was a fun one. Also my mom finally found her gluten free chocolate croissant at the Helmut New Cake Bakery. For our last French meal we stumbled across La Bouteille d’Or for dinner which was a great choice. Finished the night with a walk by the Seine River.
Day 7:
Woke up in a hurry to catch a taxi and head back to Gare Du Nord for our Eurostar train back to London for a few days.
I’m speechless at how grateful I am to be blessed with this incredible opportunity and it was even more special spending it with my family. 10/10 would recommend. What’s next? London, England.
