PARIS: Weekend Travel

Weekend Trip to Paris

Gossip Girl said it best.

Gossip Girl: “Nothing beats a summer abroad. But when travelling far from home it’s always nice to bring along an old friend from the neighborhood. Storming the shops and consuming the classics. And sampling sugary snacks like a modern Marie Antoinette… Roaming around enjoying Cobblestones and Cafe de Flore”

It sparkled. It was dreamy. It felt like walking around in a movie. However, Paris didn’t sparkle initially. It was hard to get there. When booking travel two days before your trip, options are limited. So, in order to get to Paris from Maastricht, we had to take a bus. Honestly, it was not as bad as we expected. It got the job done. So thank you Flixbus for getting us to Paris. It was like a scene from Monte Carlo. We got off the train, and with backpack, duffle bags and purses, we sprinted to catch our bus before it left. It all ended up working out, but getting there was quite the adventure.

Night One-

After a long day of trains and buses, we got to our hotel, and explored the area our hotel was in. It did not feel like Paris. We stayed at a Hilton in Paris and it was 15 minutes outside of the city. We ended up loving the area and may or may not have eaten Chipotle. Not our best moment… and honestly, Chipotle is better in the states. We also found Lime scooters and explored the area we were staying.

DAY ONE: I think this is the happiest we have been. The first day, we really strut around the streets of Paris. It felt like we were walking around in a movie. It was so unreal to be in Paris. I had to pinch myself.

We started at the Arc de Triumph and we were all in a daze staring at it. Paris is just so romantic.

Lunch: croque monsieur… really eating like a local. This was one of my favorite meals. The best French cuisine :)

Then, we took a stroll down Champs-Élysées. We window shopped, and actually shopped and I bought myself my first “big girl bag” for my birthday. It was as my friends say, “a power move”

Seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. Heart eyes. I don’t think I will ever forget that moment. Turning the corner, and there it was. I am in love.

This was one of my favorite moments. We went to the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower and just gazed at it. It was so relaxing. Once again, so dreamy.

The Louve: We meandered over to Louve and once again, were amazed.

There she is!!! The Mona Lisa!!!

DAY TWO: Versailles Palace

Hall of Mirror: GORGEOUS!!! And for a history buff, this is where the Treaty of Versailles was signed to end World War I. At least, that’s what google said.

Lunch: you’ll never guess which French cuisine I ordered ;)

We left Versailles, then went to Notre Dame Cathedral, to see it after the recent fire. I think it was so cool to see Norte Dame in this state, and that this point in time will be an important part of history.

After Notre Dame, we walked across the street to see the Shakespeare and Company book store. Writers such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald were frequent patrons of this bookstore.

Then, we went to Café de Flore. Audrey Hepburn and Blair and Serena frequented this cafe.

LAST NIGHT IN PARIS:

Unlike movies portray, the Eiffel Tower does not sparkle all night, only for five minutes at the start of every hour. I honestly wish it sparkled all night. I could have sat there for hours.