Day 4
Breakfast, and then headed off to the Louvre. If you have not been there you cant be ready for how HUGE it is. We were running around for 3 hours, and barely saw everything we wanted. We got there at 915am, and there was NO line, and we had the Mona Lisa (eh), and the Venus de Milo to ourselves. At around 11 it turned into a ZOO with school groups and millions of people running around. I suggest you go early!!
For lunch we went to Pierre Gagniere a 3* Michelin Chef. Lunch was about 275E, but was the best meal we have ever had. The Wine list was literally a Novel sized book, and the food really “challenged the pallet.” The entire meal took about 3hrs and was about 15 courses of food I never though could be put together… It was a meal I will never forget, and would suggest everyone try at least once.
After lunch we took a nap and then headed over to Muse Orsay (which is open till 945 on Thursdays). I thought it was better than the Louvre. In my opinion the 3rd floor is terrible!!!… FURNITURE IS NOT ART!!!! The top floor (5) is AMAZING, and worth the admission. All the pieces you want to see are here, the Degas’, the Monets’, and the Van Gohs’ are all here. Its stunning to stand in a room with all these priceless impressionist pieces!!
We had dinner and drinks at some small café (since we were still full from lunch and headed home)
Day 5
We walked around the Marais district on a walking tour in our guide book (Fodors: See it Paris). This book had some other great walking tours that we did as well, so I would highly recommend it. Great maps, descriptions, and its pretty well up to date. Anyhoo, this was ok… the Picasso Museum was there (we decided to skip, since we were “museum-ed out” from the previous day, but I bet it was awesome). The jewish district had some amazing falafels and other food. There isn’t anything major to see here, but there are a ton of small boutiques and cafes to eat and shop at!
Went to the Large dept stores, Prinitemps and Galleries Lafayette… Both extremely overrated… Aside from 1 or 2 deals, there was nothing… don’t go looking for deals here. I would much rather shop for these same designers at their various boutique stores in Paris (you get better service and better merchandise). Had dinner at a club/restaurant called Bound. Food was good (not great), but the atmosphere was very trendy and chic with mostly 20 and 30 somethings. It definitely fit us well.
Day 6
Last day, so we did some shopping. Bought our macaroons from Laduree’ (MUST). They are the best sweets I have ever had in my life (I already ate all the ones I brought home!!!) Bought chocolates from La Maison Chocolate’ also excellent. We mostly walked around soaking in our last day, and then headed to the Eiffel Tower at night. We got there at 8:15pm, waited in line till 10pm, and got to the top at 10:30. It was FREEZING COLD, but the view was worth it. Everyone says its cliché, but being at the top and seeing Paris twinkle was well worth the time and pain it took to get there.
Day 7
Time to go home … We packed and left for the airport for our 2:30 pm flight. We got there 2 hours early to see that our flight was delayed an hour AND Daylight savings had kicked in, so we were actually 4 hours early. After what seemed like forever we got on the plane and headed home, after our awesome Paris trip.
Trip Tips and Observations
1. Like most people have said, EVERYONE wears scarves, so wear one to fit in!
2. French food is amazing. We got to eat at two world class restaurants, and I think I am spoiled for life. American food looks like Poo now that I compare. Even the small cafes and restaurants served amazingly tasty food!
3. French service is 100 times better than anything you’ll find in America. I feel like they genuinely work harder, and try to really be customer oriented…
4. Gypsy scams… the “do you speak English” People are everywhere… simply saying No or ignoring them works easily. The “Bracelet scammers” are centered in Sacre Cour. They wait along the bottom of the stairs and try to get you. They are pretty aggressive, so just keep yelling no at them and keep moving. The ring scam happened to us once, out of nowhere along the Avenue de New York. If we hadn’t known about it we totally would have fell for it so watch out!!
5. The metro is SUPER easy to use. The signs are all extremely well marked, and should be no problem if you are used to any metro system.
6. You will do A LOT of walking. I swear we must have walked over 10 miles a day on average. You really don’t realize until you get home and your feet are killing you. AND THIS TENNIS SHOE THING!!! Why are people so worried about wearing tennis shoes? I didn’t but looking around a lot of people were wearing sneakers, and nobody cared, and it really doesn’t matter!
7. French people are not as mean as people say. We met a bunch of new Parisians and they were fabulous. We had zero problems with anyone, and no one was rude to us at all.
8. We walked around every night till between 12am and 2am and never felt unsafe. I think Paris is a much safer city then where we live (DC).
9. Even if it rains don’t worry!!! We had rain half the time we were there. Most of the time it would be cloudy, rain for a bit and then stop. But unlike the US rain doesn’t stop Parisians. The streets are just as active as they would be if it were sunny!
10. Dress well!! Parisians are very well put together. If you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb, don’t go out looking like a slob. You are asking to be hassled by gypsies, and pick pockets!!!
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Hi, I remember when you were asking questions before you went. I am glad you liked Le Florimond. I loved your report and your impressions.
Thanks for telling us about the proposal. We love hearing that part. Congratulations to you both. It sounds like you had the trip of a lifetime. The great thing about Paris is that every trip there is the trip of a lifetime. You have had trip of a lifetime #1 in Paris.
I agree about the D%26#39;Orsay--Fifth Floor (the Impressionists) is absolutely amazing!
Welcome back. Enjoy being engaged! It is the most glorious time of your life--other than having a child.
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Thanks again for sharing!
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I agree with you about the French food. It%26#39;s so good that American food is hard to face especially during the first couple days of the return. It felt like eating school cafeteria food coming back. But I feel great though.
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