Day 1 & 2
Day 1: We arrived in Paris a few days early (read more about that here), meaning we were jetlag free and ready to go when our tour began. We met up with our group in the lobby of our hotel (the Hotel Lenox Montparnasse) for a short introduction from our guide, the wonderful Virginie. First impressions? These guys look like a great bunch to travel with:
After Virginie gave us the lowdown, we were off for a quick walk around "our" neighborhood, Montparnasse, part of Paris's 14th arrondissement. I was excited because, despite having previously spent a fair bit of time in Paris, I had never really explored the 14th properly. It's a great area, central while still being far enough from the most-trafficked tourist spots that it feels more like a "real" Parisian neighborhood - I loved staying there!
Our first group meal was at Aux Iles Marquises, not far from our hotel. I had white asparagus to start, fish for my main, and one very vividly pink strawberry parfait for dessert. Bon appétit! After getting acquainted with our group over dinner, it was off to bed to rest up for the next day's adventures...
Day 2: Also known as the day we did all the things. A group walk through the historic heart of Paris, visits to the Orsay and the Louvre, and lots of great food in between.
Helpful Hyperlinks
We began with a group walk led by Virginie, winding past Paris's greatest hits. We rode the métro together, then walked to peaceful Place Dauphine (which quickly became one of my new favorite spots in Paris). Then it was onto Sainte-Chapelle, with its awe-inspiring stained glass windows (all 6500 square feet of them!) and Gothic architecture. We walked through the Latin Quarter and paused in front of the legendary Shakespeare & Co. The sun was shining and it was truly one of those "pinch me, I'm in Paris" days - bright blue skies and spring blossoms all around us.
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We stayed at the Hotel Lenox Montparnasse in the 14th.
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Before visiting, I recommend checking out a museum's website for opening times, exhibit closures, and other important info. The museums we visited on Day 2 were the Orsay and the Louvre.
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For a simple but delicious meal near Notre-Dame, I suggest Café Saint Regis. They're good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
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One of my favorite dinners in Paris is at La Bourse et La Vie.
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For a sweet treat near Notre-Dame, try Odette. Their little cream puffs are adorable - and delicious!
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Plan ahead! For restaurant reservations in Paris, I often use La Fourchette (The Fork) - it's sort of like the OpenTable of Europe.
Our morning walk ended at Notre-Dame. We paused in front of the gorgeous facade; no matter how many times I see it, I can't get over how ornate and beautiful it is. There, Virginie gave us the cathedral's history. We learned that Notre-Dame's construction took over 200 years and that the church can fit 10,000 people. During the French Revolution, the church was badly damaged. The impetus to rebuild it came, perhaps surprisingly, from Parisians reading Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame; after reading about the church's former grandeur, they wanted it back!
Just outside Notre-Dame, we had an interactive architecture lesson (did you even know such a thing existed?). Under Virginie's expert guidance, tour members acted out various architectural styles, moving their arms to show the evolution of architecture culminating in Notre-Dame's own flying buttresses.
After Notre-Dame, we were on our own for the rest of the day. Our first order of business? Grabbing some lunch. We headed nearby to Café Saint-Régis, where I had the seriously tasty duck. Then, it was over to Odette for some of the world's cutest cream puffs. Yum!
In the afternoon, we went on a museum extravaganza. First stop, Musée d'Orsay to admire the impressionists - and the stunning clock window (can you spot Sacré-Coeur?). We then crossed the Seine and headed toward the Tuileries, where we grabbed chairs by the fountain and put out feet up for a bit. Then, it was time for the Louvre. We decided to abandon the pressure to see everything and only focus on the highlights, using the Rick Steves audio guide to learn more about Mona Lisa and the like.
After the Louvre, we were exhausted (lesson learned: be realistic about what you have energy for each day!). Tired and hungry, we wrapped up our day at La Bourse et La Vie, one of my very favorite restaurants in Paris. Their menu is so simple - they offer just three appetizers, three entrées, and three desserts - but every dish is wonderful. I can never resist ordering their steak frites - a French classic!
Extra Photos
Daily 'Gram
Despite having visited Paris before, I had never been to Place Dauphine - this lovely, peaceful enclave is right in the middle of many big sites, but somehow I had always missed it. I was delighted that our group walk through the historic heart of Paris helped me discover this delightful spot!
Daily Snap
To fall in love with Paris in the springtime seems hopelessly cliché, but with sights such as these, how could I help but do just that? We stopped outside Shakespeare & Co. on our group walk, and I couldn't help but snap many pictures of its glorious trees in bloom.
Daily #Hashtag
#MétroBoulotDodo: Literally meaning "subway, work, sleep," this phrase signifies France's version of the rat race. Luckily for us, we only used the métro this trip as a means to get from one beautiful sight to the next!
