Living on Cloud Nine: traveling to Paris

Showing posts with label traveling to Paris. Show all posts

PARIS 2023 Days 3 & 4

Day 3 in Paris was an extra good day because it was my birthday! I can’t think of a better way to start a birthday, then with room service at one of the most amazing hotels and looking out the window to see the Eiffel Tower! The Hotel even had a dessert with a candle in it for me. That was probably my favorite sweet treat of the entire trip!

The Louvre Museum was right across the street from us, and we were so excited to get a tour of it. When I had originally looked, all tours were booked, but it was such an additional treat to see Aphrodite and the Mona Lisa on my birthday!

My Louvre Outfit

She's a beauty!!

I may have gotten reminded "ma'am, you're too close'" lol

We came back to our hotel and changed, for me into something cute and ended up being my favorite outfit for the trip, to go up to the cobblestone hilly streets of Montmartre, the most charming in my opinion of all of Paris! I was so excited to garner a reservation at the coveted le Maison Rose, and we had the best waiter. Now the entire restaurant probably only seats about 16 people, but he told each of them to sing happy birthday to me with my name when he brought me out dessert with a candle. It was so sweet and charming.

Then Mr. Nine and I strolled around the area which was so romantic. We saw the most Parisian guy on the planet with his cat playing the accordion. We also saw the beautiful Scare-Coeur.

SO CHARMING!!

We saw The Moulin Rouge, but I must tell you that area scared me a little bit. I didn’t realize it was a bunch of nasty shops if you know what I mean, shops, lol.

So, we hightailed it out of there and did a little shopping on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées

Some stores had moving mannequins but the Louis Vuitton one scared me. It’s a collab with Yayoi Kusama an I did not love it, lol

Got my first macaroons. The ones at Pierre Herme were the best!

We headed back to get ready for the dinner cruise on the Seine River. This is a cruise where you can see all the major attractions at night and old were they glorious, the Eiffel tower was lit up blue. The food was a four-course meal and just OK but the ambience including the dinner cruise singer was fabulous and they also saying happy birthday to me with a candle along with another gal on board the boat who had a birthday too. SO MUCH FUN!!

Yes, they filled all those glasses and we drank it all. LOL

OH that Eiffel Tower Blue!

The next morning was finally one that we had a little more time to relax, until our first adventure at Sainte Chapelle, the church with all the amazing Stain glass. Another great story behind this landmark.

Lower level is beautiful too

We walked over to see Notre Dame, and while it was still under renovation, it was not as impressive as I thought it would be.

It was such a beautiful day we were dying to be able to eat alfresco, but we’re struggling with where to eat in the St. Germain area. We stumbled upon an adorable café, and when I looked it up, they had great reviews and boy was it smart on! Not only was it charming, but the brunch food was probably my favorite in Paris. AND WE ATE OUTSIDE!!!

The café was right across from the Luxembourg Garden so we strolled through there and then we’re ready to do a little shopping.

I had my heart set on certain things, and we were happy to find those in the area. My most favorite purchase came from Saint Laurent, it was fun to be able to get a YSL purse and card/coin purse, which are from Paris, in Paris, lol. Another favorite was the perfumery, Fragonard and Angelina, where they had the most delightful tea and hot chocolate.

Ready for a break we stopped for cappuccino and cocktails, what’s better than that for an afternoon and Paris! We even had snacks and oh so fun to people watch and enjoy the afternoon and sunshine. And More Maccaroons. And By the Louvre again.

We were just so elated to finally see the sunshine in the able to stroll like that without horrible winds and cold. So, we continued on in our hotel area as I was looking for a Diptyque candle store. We also saw the Palais Royal. I cannot believe I didn't sit o one of those but we were so tired.

I also needed to get a photo taken in a pair of flip flops by cute café for a brand. The weather was not conducive to flip-flops, but you better believe I made it work pulled them out of my bag, swapped out my sneakers and cut the cute shot with a giant teddy bear. Look

at the French lady on the left in the window probably sating "Those crazy Americans'" lol!

We were a little hungry, so we ended up just going to the café across from our hotel and grabbing a pizza because we hadn’t had any substantial food since brunch.

Then it was back to our hotel! We were blessed with a sunset to enjoy last Eiffel Tower views ...

and then one last sparkle! After seeing the weather forecast, we wish we could’ve stayed about three more days to get carbon copies of this one, but hopefully someday we will get back.

Happy and Honored to be Parisians for a few days!

I was not able to put together a post of my outfits for last week, but I will include some on my What’s Up Wednesday this week.

Merci for indulging me in my documentation of our trip recaps.

In case you’ve missed any of the recaps:

Favorites from Trip HERE

London Days 1 & 2 HERE

London Days 3 & 4 HERE

Paris Days 1 & 2 HERE

Happy New Week..Last of April..Whaaat?!

LINKING-UP with Style on the Daily // Metamorphosis Monday // Thursday Fashion Files //

Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday

xoxo

PARIS 2023 Days 1 & 2

The Eurostar train from London to Paris was super fun, and you did not even know when you were under the water. (31 mile long tube under the water). It just amazes me.

blurry but happy, lol

We got a taxi from the train station right away to our hotel across from the Louvre museum and it was beyond spectacular, one of my favorite places I’ve ever stayed in in my 52 years, definitely top three. It was recommended by a fellow Influencer and she was spot on.

The Hotel Regina catered to our every need. We did not have to lift a finger for anything. Not only was our bed decorated so sweetly with roses, it was a suite that had two bathrooms which Mr. Nine and I love! One was charming and one was modern. There were even rose petals in the bidets! AND oh that view.

The Eiffel Tower view never got old. We cheers big time after Champagne was delivered to our room!

We were so excited go get a bite to eat and start our time in Paris. The concierge was beyond spectacular and she recommended this sweet little café called Café Flottes down the road. I had the most delicious Caesar salad. And we shared a delightful crème brûlée.

We had tickets to go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for 6:30, so we quickly found our way to walk there but it took a little bit.

We made sure to get familiar with the metro to head back but sometimes even though you have tickets you still have to get in line so we did not end up getting up to the Arc until sunset. That actually was an amazing blessing because guess what? We got to see the Eiffel tower light up and sparkle, what an amazing site. And all those 284 steps on the spiral staircase worth it to get up there!

Stunning...then at 9.... it Sparkled!!

Our Hotel on the walk back from the Metro at night.

Even Mirrors on the ceiling too!

Saturday, was a packed day. We had to get up bright and early for our photo shoot with a company, called The Paris Photographer, also recommend to me. But I really had reservations about doing it, it was what our photographer, Alex, told us the windiest day in Paris in three years, and it was only 39° out. His assistant, who is also his wife, did such a good job of keeping me warm. I’m currently in the process of picking out our photos so I believe it was worth it but I’ll never forget how miserable I was. Mr. Nine had a sport coat so he was a little warmer, lol.

Sneak Peak..still selecting photos.

We grabbed a quick coffee and croissant and headed back to change for our trek to the Palace of Versailles.

Croissants just weren’t enough, lol, so we went down to the Happy Caffe (2 F's) for crepes and I can see why it is called that. It is one of the top rated in Paris even though just a little hole in the wall, but the owners are absolutely spectacular, and so so funny! We had the best crepes we’ve ever had in our lives. Mr. Nine got a savory, and I got a sweet and we shared them and look at the precious Cappuccino.

We should've grabbed one of these.

Unfortunately, the train you take to get to Palace of Versailles was out so we had to figure out this crazy way to get there as it is about 45 minutes outside the city. Needless to say, we got kind of lost and had to grab an Uber and made it to the tour group by the hair of our chinny chin chin, lol. The Palace of Versailles is a massive and such an incredible story of power, greed and gluttony with the kings of France.

Located in the countryside, about 45 minutes outside of Paris, the 17^th century chateau boasts 2,300 rooms across 87,728,720 square feet!! You can read more about the history on their website. The below photo is from National Geographic to show you how massive the Palace and grounds are.

All that gold

I thought this tour was going to be amazing, but it was the beginning of the busy season and I thought I would have a panic attack with the wall-to-wall people. But the rooms were a sight to behold. The Hall of Mirrors was my favorite.

Our tour guide was a little boring which I did not think would be the case. But as soon as we got out into the palace gardens, we were mesmerized and even though cold, the fresh air felt great!

We sat and admired the pond and I got a hot chocolate, but then had to get an Uber to get to the Eiffel tower for our tickets there and it was pouring down rain and we were standing on a corner in the gardens while the Uber‘s kept switching and we never thought we get there. Finally one waited for us, but we had to walk about a half a mile because they would not allow him in the gates. Everything is a little confusing in Paris and they were many ways they could’ve made it easier. Crazy.

The clouds parted a bit so we could climb to the 1st observation area. Views were spectacular. Everyone said there was no need to go to the top and they were right.

Rain began again and we were starving so we found a fabulous lil Italian place and had some wonderful burrata and a salad for me.

Then, since hadn’t had berries of any kind since of been there so Mr. Nine bought me the most beautiful strawberries from a market so I could have them on the following morning: my Birthday! Can’t wait to tell you about days 3 (my favorite) and 4 next Monday.