Europe France Travel

36 Hours in Paris

By on Monday, December 2, 2013
If you’ve been following the blog for a while you know that I started this ol’ thang because I lived in Paris for a few months before moving to London in 2011. I wrote every once and a while about my impressions of the City of Light and the many people that inhabit it, including a special post about Parisian women and my old friend Maurice. 
Because I didn’t have a hugely positive experience in Paris, I promised myself I’d only go back with very good reason. Alas, a reason arrived in the form of A., a friend from Colorado that I hadn’t seen since leaving the states. We hopped on Megabus and took the 9-hour overnight journey (not for the faint of heart, since you have to get out to cross the Channel at 3am- talk about being tired when you arrive!) to Paris.
A. and I at Les Refuges des Fondues, a great place to try fondue and wine- in baby bottles!

Since A. was in Europe for just a week, we had to cram as much as possible into seven days, leaving only 36 hours for a Paris trip. Luckily, I know enough about the city to show her the super touristy highlights- which I took tons of pictures of so you can come along!

After dropping our stuff off at Hotel Fabric, our fabulous abode in the Oberkampf neighborhood (which is central enough to everything to be convenient, but out of the hubub of the Marais or Montmarte areas, which are quite loud 24/7, in my experience) we started our tour at Pere Lachaise. I love old cemeteries, especially European ones, which are more like crowded little cities with narrow lanes and, in the fall, delightfully colorful trees.

After the cemetary, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Les Refuges des Fondues- its small, cramped and very touristy, but such a quirky little place that serves wine in baby bottles.

 The fondue isn’t bad either!

 Its right around the corner from the Sacre Coeur, too, so I was able to snap a shot of it in all of its nighttime glory…

The next morning it was time to shop, shop, shop on the Champs Elysees, followed by some gawping at the Arc de Triomphe.

 …then a circle around the Louvre, although we didn’t go in with just a day in the city. You could spend an eternity there and still not take everything in- trust me, I’ve tried!

A quick hop across the Seine on the Pont de l’Archevêché, which I’m surprised hasn’t collapsed under the weight of all the locks on every surface that can be locked.

 I, of course, had to join in the fun, and even found a little part to put my lock on- but realised after I put it on that I forgot to put names on it! Doh! I guess it will forever serve as a reminder to love…love?!

 Next up, Notre Dame…a picture, in this case, is worth a thousand words to describe how amazing it is.

 And now for the money shot, the whole reason Paris is the City of Light…

Going back with A. made me fall in love with Paris- an experience I can’t say I had the first time around. So, thank you, A., for being an amazing travel companion and opening my eyes to the amazing things the City of Light has to offer!
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