I wasn't going to post this due to what is going on in Paris at the moment, but I think it is a good to highlight the possitive things that happen in France.
#PrayForParis
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I recently took a long weekend trip to Paris, France.
I have always wanted to visit Paris since I was very young, growing up a lot of the architecture in other countries I found was heavily influence by french work.
Also the place just looks amazing in photographs and blogs.
I watched a few Vlogs by Zara of
MouldyFruit and
Samantha Maria this inspired me to just go for it and book a little weekend trip away.
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We chose to go on the EuroStar aka train and found a great deal on a lovely hotel which was within walking distance of the Eiffel tower. I was slightly worried that it would be a case of looks great in the pictures but that's the best room but I am trying to live a little so went for it.
The hotel we stayed in had it's own app where you can upgrade your room, arrange flowers, a babysitter or treats in your room and even book experiences for your stay. If you want to be super planned they even have a live chat on the app where you can speak to the front desk.
Tip: before you arrive download the 'Paris metro map and route planner' app if you are on iPhone, came in super useful. You can type in the landmark and it will give you the best tube route.
Arriving in the station was very confusing if you don't know what is ahead, But, when you take a step back and process it it is exactly the same as the London tube just the stations have french names. The ticket machine is very confusing even when you translate it to English.
We opted to buy the pack of 10 one way tickers as we planned to do a lot of sight seeing and it was just simpler for us.
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After a short tube ride we got to the hotel 'First hotel Paris tour Eiffel' which is at 2 Boulevard Garibaldi 75015, the tube station 'Cambronne' is literally across the road which came in handy and the hotel was even better in person than in the pictures, very modern decor and clean and the guy on reception was very accommodating of the fact that we didn't speak much French.
The view from the room was amazing, also very modern decor and had a mini fridge. When lying in bed you could see the Eiffel Tower (amazing at night) and there was not really much noise from outside considering the metro station is literally across the road.
After placing all of our belongings and relaxing for a little while we decided to take a walk to the Eiffel tower which was literally a 5-10 minute walk down a straight road.
The Eiffel Tower:
The Eiffel tower is way bigger than I expected it to be and the park surrounding it is picturesque. There are various points where you can take great pictures. My favourite place was directly underneath especially at night. Its so simple but looks amazing in real life.
It has a two different levels, we only went half way up and the views were amazing from there and they have a observation deck slightly above to get an even greater view. We went up just before sunset and managed to be up the tower to see all the city lights. If you not big on que's it is best to go early or late if you want to go up the tower. We had to que for a about 20 minutes but spent most of it taking pictures and talking to an american man in the que.
Do prepare yourself to be approached often by men selling selfie sticks, mini Eiffel towers and various cold drinks. If you tell them no they do just leave you alone unlike other countries I have visited.
Tip: If you do book to eat in the towers restaurant you can actually skip the long que as it has it's own lift.
Tower prices:
Adult -17 €Youth aged 12-24 - 14.5 €Child 4-11 years old or Handicapped - 10 €Person assisting a handicapped visitor- 10 €
Adult - 11 €Youth 12-24 - 8.5 €Child aged 4-11 years old or Handicapped - 4 €Person assisting a handicapped visitor - 4 €
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The Notre Dame Cathedral:
We visited the Norte dame cathedral on a Sunday, it was about a two minute walk from the station tucked away down. It is very beautiful up close and you are able to inside it was free on this day. Their was a service going on but you are still able to go around the inside of the building and take photographs.
You can also go up on top of the cathedral and tours are available in English, Spanish French, German, Italian, Japanese and Russian, I didn't go up this time but I think next time I visit I will go up and take in the view.
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Pont Des Arts aka Love Lock Bridge:
I was so gutted when I heard that they were going to be taking down all the locks from the bridge that is so synonymous with Paris. I had seen that my friend went to Paris recently and she took a picture in front of it so went on a little adventure to find out if it was there or not.
Lo and behold it was there.. kind of! basically they have take them down from the main bridge over the water and replaced it with this really cool art work (see below) but the sides of the bridge which are over the pavement still have a ton of locks on WOO HOO! So we did the traditional lock and throwing of the key into the river never to be seen again.
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Arc De Triopmphe:
When you come out of the station near to the Arc you are greated by this beautiful monument in the middle of chaos. It is right in the middle of a round a bout. Their is a special subway like passage which takes you under the road and up right under the arc. It's carved and has amazing moulding's.
You can also go up on top of the monument but it is great at ground level.
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The Louvre Museum:
One of the main things I wanted to see/take pictures by in Paris and it did not disappoint. It is set in the courtyard of the museum.
The building is surrounded by some smaller versions and various little platforms you can stand on to take the classic pinching the top picture. Absolutely love this!
If you want to go inside the museum itself it's best to get there as early as possible because before you know it a huge que appears and who wants to wait in a que really. Inside they have this lift in the middle to go up and down I believe is only for disabled access but it is amazing looks like something out of iron man,
When you go in the gallery is split into four sections you would need to save a good portion of your day if you want to look at everything as It was our last day we wanted to quickly scout out the Mona Lisa and we did. You can get quite close to it but there is a barrier. What I found amazing is that directly opposite the Mona Lisa the biggest painting of the last supper covering most of the wall and everyone is fighting to see the Mona Lisa.
The inside is amazing and the art work plenty. Their are ALOT of stairs so be prepared.
As we only had limited time to look around before our train home I do want to go back and I would love to go at night to see it all lit up.
It was about £10 for the ticket which you purchase inside the lobby of the Louvre, they also have an apple store, shops and various restaurants.
Christian Louboutin:
19 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001 Paris, France
I visited the Christian Louboutin but unfortunately it was closed. I did take a good look through the windows though they had a window dedicated to the lipsticks I was hoping to purchase in the shape of a peacock (see below) and they had a window where the nail polishes were displayed in colour order in their own individual little cut out in the wall and then the SHOES of course. I could have easily been pursuaded to pull out my credit and debit card and emptied my accounts it in that store.
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Honorable mentions:
Pierre herme - Macarons
I had a big creme brule macaron
133 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France
McDonalds:
The banana hot chocolate & McGriddles (aka pancakes with built in syrup)
Sephora
No explanation needed, I literally spent 90% of my money on the last day in Sephora.
(All pictures taken by myself , This is not a sponsored post)
