Day 3: Versailles

Day 3.  Today we vowed to do less walking, no shopping (since the day before we’d shopped too much), and try to see some sights.  Sunny booked two tickets for the palace at Versailles and we took an early train to try to beat the crowds.  

The weather was forecasted to be gorgeous and sunny at 75 degrees which was a nice change from the drizzling grey days we’d had.  Apparently, all of Europe is need of some sunny Spring days because people were out in droves to see Versailles.  We didn't end up beating the crowds but everything was so efficient, the lines went fast and it wasn't a problem to get in. 

fireplace that was almost taller than me

Side note: I've given up on getting good coffee in France-Even the espresso at Starbucks pales in comparison to Ethiopian coffee. 

We toured the palace including the King and Queen’s quarters  ballrooms, antechambers and the famous Hall of Mirrors.

  It was spectacularly gilded, painted and marbled.  I was especially taken with the crystal chandeliers, paintings and brocade fabric on the walls and upholstery.  

painted frescos on the ceiling of the royal chapel in the palace

The Queens bedroom was decorated in beautiful pale colors and fabric. 

The Queen, Marie Antoinette's bedroom

The three square miles of palace gardens were our next stop.  The jardins were full of walking paths, fountains and meticulously groomed box woods.  When we’d had our fill, we found the pedestrian exit and started walking...

Day 2: Shopping in Paris

Day 2: Waking up on our own without little mouths to feed was liberating.  We dressed and oriented ourselves for our day’s activities before finding a little spot for breakfast.  I tucked into a sugar crepe and espresso.  Another terrible espresso but the crepe was hot, sweet and wonderful. 

breakfast

Shopping Day!

The Fleas

Stop 1-metro to Le Puces. The huge Paris flea market.  It was really fun to take pictures here and I purchased an old silver serving spoon set. 

We spent most the morning getting to and from the flea market and then shopping so before we headed out again we stopped home to rest and then picked up fresh croissants at a bakery.  I ate the best almond and chocolate croissant in the world.  I’m sure of it. 

Stop 2-grocery and pharmacy for me.  I stocked up on French cheese and mustard as well as lotions and toothpaste at the pharmacy.  Sounds boring but I love shopping for things like this after not having any options in Ethiopia. 

Chez Paul's

Stop 3-Metro to Chez Paul which is this small authentic French restaurant that’s a landmark in the area.  It was packed with French couples and groups dining on hearty food.  The boisterous and large French manager woman and tall skinny French bartender man just added to the atmosphere.  Everyone was packed in a small dining room.  The menus were handwritten in French and the food was delicious.  Again we had salad with goat cheese croutons and French onion soup. Unlike the night before, the soup at Chez Paul was flavorful and hot topped with bubbly melted cheese and bread.  It was pretty spectacular. 

life altering French onion soup

Stop 4- Autour du Monde for Bensimon shoes.  We ended up walking all the way from Chez Paul to the shopping are and we found that street after street was lined with cool boutiques.  Shopping is definitely a passed time in Paris.  I was floored at just how much shopping there was everywhere. 

one of the million cute bistros

Stop 5-Zara and H&M.  Don’t judge-it’s been awhile and they both have really affordable and cute kids clothes. 

Stop 6-Les d’atelier de Chefs for a real crepe pan.  The shop smelled amazing because the cooking school was just finishing up.  This was a really great find and I can’t wait to try it out for my crepe recipe. 

drooling over the desserts

Stop 7-Our final stop was to devour Thai food for dinner.  I had Pad  Thai with prawns which pretty much melted my face with how amazing it was.  

Window shopping.  All the windows were amazing

Day 1: Evening in Paris walking

Day 1: After a long walk and metro ride back from the Eiffel tower we ventured in our neighborhood for a late dinner at Mucha Cafe.  I had salad with goat cheese toast, French onion soup and a glass of wine.  I guess this goat cheese toast with salad thing is a pretty typical appetizer for most French restaurants.  Fine with me.  It’s awesome.

The walking is so wonderful.  The fresh air and the evening sunlight shines so brightly without a cloud of pollution hanging over the city.  We’ve navigated our way through many of the famous touristy things to see so we can now move on to some shopping and neighborhood exploration.  

We even stopped at a little grocery store and I ran my fingers longingly over the dish soap, yogurt and crackers.  The little pharmacies even caught my attention with all the soaps, lotions and creams.  Ooh this is fun!

Day 1: the first afternoon in Paris

Day 1

After landing in CDG and making my way to immigration, baggage claim, the airport shuttle and then the RER train to the city, transferring to a Metro line and walking to the right address-I found the apartment and I only  had to ask about a dozen people for assistance.  But every single person was friendly and helpful and not too upset I don’t speak a lick of French.  French people are super nice-no matter what people normally say about them being rude. 

Sunny and I are reunited and it’s wonderful to talk and wander around.  We walked the Seine and stopped for lunch.  The sky was moody and grey.  I snapped a few photos before the rain came.

Lunch: Espresso-yuck, not very good.  Camembert cheese and bread with a ham crepe and salad.  Awesome!  Sunny had a salad topped with warm goat cheese on toasted baguette.  Delicious.  I’m in food heaven.

After getting rained and hailed on the sun came out along with a rainbow.  We saw the Musee d’Orsay, Jardin de Tuleries, Louvre, Effeil Tower.  

rainbow in Paris

Jardin de Tuleries

We stopped for macaroons and ate cheese every chance I could get.  The lock bridge was interesting.  It's a pedestrian bridge where people are hanging locks symbolizing love.  It's turned into urban art.  I especially liked the lovey-dovey ones.  

Lock bridge

famous Laduree macaroons

gorgeous spring flowers