Vive La France: Traveling in Paris Day 1

Vive La France: Traveling in Paris Day 1

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Waking up in Paris and opening the window in our Airbnb to have a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower was truly breathtaking. It's exactly how I imagined it would be. Isn't that the best thing in life? When you imagine something and then it's better than you expected it? 

After a full 24-hours of traveling, we all got up slowly, showered, and got ready to go explore Paris! If you know me, then you know I get ... what's the nicest word for this?... HANGRY. So we left the Airbnb, headed towards the Eiffel, and we're all in agreement that we needed to get food and espresso. Now, I'm not a coffee person, I don't like the taste, but Rich got a little addicted to espresso during our trip and is now wanting to buy a French press. 


Our first cafe stop was at a place called, Le Pierro Bistrot. I thought it was cute that Rich's espresso cup said, "Cafe Richard' ... though this seems to just be a brand of mugs because it wasn't as unique that I thought it would be. Rich had many more Cafe Richards. 


Now, I'm sure plenty of you are thinking, "What an American looking lunch in France, Maegan. Way to get out of your comfort zone." And you're right. The menu wasn't in English, it was our first day in France, I do not speak a word of French, so this was basically a guessing game. However, this was the best French Club Sandwich I ever had. So there. 

Also, FRENCH FRIES. So, my meal was very French. 


The group was fed, espresso'd, and ready for the start of the day! 

Eiffel Tower

Our first afternoon was spent at the Eiffel Tower. I honestly still can't believe how pretty and big it is in person. I know I sound like a fan girl, but I had been waiting 23 years for this moment so I was going to soak up every bit that I could! 

We hung out and chilled on the grass for a bit before deciding to explore some more. We decided to walk the Seine River to head to Notre Dame. As soon as we took off walking we realized that it was going to take a while because Notre Dame is pretty far on foot from the Eiffel, so instead, we grabbed some of the city bikes to ride. It was SO. MUCH. FUN! I wish I had more photos, but it's hard to bike and snap. 


Riding a bike along the Seine River was probably one of the most fun things that we did! I really wish I had more photos of it or photos but I was living in the moment. 

We rode the bikes close to Notre Dame Cathedral and then parked them. The ride was a lot of fun for me, but Rich took us down a one-way road the wrong way and Amy almost got ran over by a truck because people wouldn't move off the bike lane on the side walk. 

Needless to say, we were ready to be at Notre Dame in once piece. 

Notre Dame Cathedral

Here's what we didn't know about the day we decided to go visit, it was a Catholic holiday! So when we got there, I heard a lot of singing, there was a ton of security and lots and lots of people. Though I am not Catholic, it was beautiful to hear the singing even if I had no idea what they were saying. 

Notre Dame Cathedral

I love symmetry in architecture, and this building is beautiful! The details, the sculptures, just everything was exquisite. After gawking around and watching a choir leave Notre Dame Cathedral while singing it was time for a break. 

It was starting to get a bit rainy, so we left to find a snack ... and some wine. 


Say, "Bonjour!" to our first cheese plate! I can't even tell you what all these cheeses are because I've realized I am a cheese novice, but the only thing left on this plate when we were done was the piece of lettuce on the board. 

We left our cute bar/restaurant and walked a bit more around the Seine River.

 

We actually came out on the backside of the Notre Dame Cathedral. We walked, and walked, and walked some more until it was time for dinner. We already knew that we were going to go to an Italian restaurant called, "Trattoria Di Sapri" that one of our friends had talked and talked about to us before we left. 

I know. A club sandwich for lunch, and Italian for dinner. 

HOWEVER, it was DELISH. I don't even have any pictures except for one because it was sooo good, and I was sooo hungry! 

Trattoria Di Sapri

Trattoria Di Sapri

After dinner, we *tried* to go to Moulin Rouge, but because the guys were wearing shorts we couldn't get tickets. Lesson learned for different places in France, shorts can mean no entry. 

Since we couldn't go see Moulin Rouge, we went to a bar close by instead for a night cap. 

Moulin Rouge, Paris, France

Then, we went back to our AirBNB to sit outside on the patio and look at the Eiffel Tower sparkle. It is the MOST magical thing to watch at night! 

Eiffel Tower

Next! On to day two of Paris which means visiting the Catacombs and a (really hard) French cooking class! 

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6 comments

  1. Girl. You are living that cheese life! So jealous! What a magical first day to a trip

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  2. I would die if I saw the Eiffel Tower! Someday hopefully! :)

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  3. I've always wanted to go to Paris!! Your trip looks amazing!

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  4. omg, so jealous you got to go to paris! I love paris! the pictures look amazing!

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  5. What an AMAZING trip! I have always wanted to go to Paris! Hope you had a blast!

    xoxo, Paige
    www.thedailypaigeblog.com

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  6. Looks like you had so much fun! I visited a lot of the same places when I went to Paris my senior year of high school! I want to go back so bad!
    xoxo,
    Amy | Pastel N Pink

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