We are back from our little break to Paris last week. I'd never been before, so at first I was a bit scared, as we took the Eurostar and the first thing I saw before arriving to the station was a lot of graffiti-ed buildings. It didn't make the best first impression but it all changed the next morning when we had local croissants for breakfast, they really can't compare to any croissant I've had before!
We arrived on Wednesday and decided to go for a walk to visit the Louvre, as it would be closed the next day because it was a bank holiday. The queues were quite long to get tickets, so we only took a few pictures outside and then walked back as we had a Kasabian concert to get to.
The next day we had breakfast at the hotel (delicious croissants!) and then walked to the Seine, where we hopped on a boat-bus that takes you around the river and stops at all the sights and you can get on and off as many times as you want.
Our first stop was by the Champs Elysee Avenue, most shops were closed but we walked all the way up to the Arc de Triomphe and then down to see the Eiffel Tower. I had packed an umbrella but didn't take it with us and of course it started pouring down as soon as we got off the boat. We bought a new one but we were already soaked (and we are currently trying to get rid of a cold).
We had some lunch near the Eiffel Tower but I didn't quite like my choice of drink (citron pressee). One thing I noticed is that French don't really speak English, I wonder if it's because they don't know it or simply they don't want to... which doesn't make much sense to me as Paris is a tourist destination.
After our lunch we walked to see the tower and took some pictures. There was a little market next to it where we got some macarons, I wanted some from Laduree but we didn't happen to walk past any of their shops. Either way the macarons were delicious! Consider me a fan ;D
We hopped on the boat again and then got off by the Notre Dame Cathedral, where we put a lock on the bridge, took more pictures and then walked back to our hotel. For dinner we had a pizza from a local pizzeria down the street from our hotel (Arlecchino Pizzeria on 40 rue Oberkampf), we went for a fail safe Margherita pizza, which was delicious as well.
On our last day in Paris we had breakfast at the hotel (another delicious croissant) and then got our stuff and checked out. When doing so the manager just asked us to pay for our breakfasts which I thought had already been paid for (moral of the story: check your payment totals when booking a hotel).
After that we got a taxi and headed to Gare du Nord. Another thing we noticed was that there is not as many gift shops as there is in London, so if you see a gift shop or stall on the street do approach as you might not find another one in a couple of miles.
We got some gifts only after I visited a pharmacy, which I really wanted to do. I only got a couple of bits, care to guess what I got?
At the station we checked in and while waiting we got some lunch to eat on the train - ham and cheese baguettes, delicious as well. I would definitely go back just for the food alone! (And of course, the pharmacies).
Have you visited Paris?
xo
PS. Don't forget to enter for your chance to win a 30 day supply of Skinade worth £90 here!
