Travel Page: Paris [Part Two]

 

Whew, this post is a big one: Paris! Honestly, it was a challenge to select just a handful of pics to share. As I mentioned yesterday, this city was everything I hoped it would be and more. I had the most incredible time, filled with more pinch-me-this-is-out-of-a-movie moments than I can possible recount. The most important things about my trip:

Where to Eat
*Septime was the first meal I ate in Paris, and one of the best. A recommendation that came from Rachel Khoo, Matt and I snagged a reservation for lunch where we were blown away by the inventiveness of each dish. Septime is also the place that I learned about the quality of vegetables in France—our waiter explained it is the soil and the way they are harvested that makes the veggies much more flavorful than the States.
*Le Verre Volé near Canal Saint-Martin is where we spent our Saturday night, drinking plenty of red wine, and eating fresh, delicious fish. For those of you that know me, fish typically isn't my thing, but when in Paris... I decided to leave everything I ordered up to the chef.
*Philou was hands down my favorite meal of our trip. This bistro—also by Canal Saint-Martin—was relaxed, romantic, and one-of-a-kind. If I lived in Paris, I would definitely make this a regular spot. Between the food and the service, it was absolutely lovely. Plus, check out the décor!

Where to Stay
*For this trip, we decided to rent an apartment through Airbnb. We stayed in Saint Germain des Pres, a gorgeous and picturesque neighborhood, with a great nightlife, too. It didn't hurt that there were a few creperies on our block that stayed open late. I'd happily swap a late-night slice of pizza for a nutella crepe any day!

What to Do
*From the moment we arrived in Paris, Matt and I were on the go. We went to the Centre Pompideau and the Louvre, Ladurée for macarons, Luxembourg Gardens, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles and more. The best recommendation I can give is something we did the Sunday night before we left: a bike tour of Paris at night. We signed up through Fat Tire Bike Tours, which was a brilliant idea (way to go, Matt!). Riding through the streets of Paris for hours, it was breathtaking to see the city all lit up. After three hours, the tour ended with a river cruise on the Seine until midnight, ending in front of the Eiffel Tower as it sparkled against the night sky. It started pouring while we were on the water, but it only added to the experience. It was definitely a memorable night!

There you have it: Paris. Truthfully, there's so much more to share. But this is a start—and hopefully the beginning of many regular trips back. :)

Have you been to Paris before? Check out details of my Ireland vacation here and here.