Getting There
We took the train from our neighborhood train station to Paris. We had a couple of changes: Beratzhausen to Nuremberg (RE); Nuremberg to Frankfurt (ICE); Frankfurt to Paris (TGV). I chose the train because I was able to get a really good deal on tickets; I booked them 3mths ahead of time and paid 39euro per adult one way. So our trip to Paris only cost us 78euro (Lil Rory was free) which is an amazing deal for July!!
*Special Note: I booked the tickets off the German main train website: www.bahn.de and you get the best deals when you book as soon as the tickets open up for sale--91 days ahead of travel date.
The train ride was nice and we packed our picnic basket with tons of food and drinks so we wouldn't have to purchase any of the overpriced food they sell on the train.
Eiffel Tower
The apartment that I rented was in an amazing location one block over from the eiffel tower so that was the first main attraction we saw when we got to Paris and anytime we went anywhere in town we had to pass the eiffel tower; so of course we have tons of eiffel tower pictures.
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| First night in Paris |
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| Rory loved running around and playing on beautiful manicured lawns in front of the eiffel tower |
City Tour
The temperature was in the high 70s while we where in Paris so we decided the best way for us to explore the city was the hop on/off boat tour. The hop on/off buses were packed and the subway gets extremely crowded and hot and you miss the city views b/c your underground. The batobus (http://www.batobus.com/english/) rides up and down the Seine River and has about 9 different stops at all of the main attractions. The boat was completely glass and had some amazing views from the river and the breeze from the water was so relaxing.
*Special Note: the tickets were 15euro per adult for a 1 day pass. The boats run from 10am-9:30pm every 10-15mins.
Notre Dame
Lines Lines and more Lines--that sums up all of the famous tourist attractions. To see the inside of anything, especially during the time we went, you have to be willing to stand in a line for a few hours. I had no desire to waste my vacation away in a line so we were admirers from the outside got some quick shots, met a few people and headed on to the next stop.
Louvre/Pyramids
Arc De Triomphe
Champs-Elysees
Of course I couldn't go to Paris and not visit the most famous shopping street that I hear people talking about all the time. I guess everyone else visiting Paris felt the same way because the streets were PACKED!! There were a mixture of high end stores, souvenir shops, regular stores, and restaurants. They had Gucci, Aston Martin, MAC, Sephora, Zara, Disney, L.Vuitton, and on and on. Some of the stores were way over the top--when we first got to the top of the street I saw a huge gate with gold designs and a long pathway with manicured trees behind the gate (that was guarded by 2 department store catalog looking guys) so I was like "ohhh what is that a castle or some type of museum"; no it was Abercrombie and Fitch!
Even with all the flair and the fame the area was not for me. The prices were ridiculous and it was too crowded to really shop. My suggestion is if you want to shop and get some good deals skip this tourist trap and go more in to the city with the locals. We went walking around Arr. 15 and that district had MAC, Sephora, Zara, Gap, tons of Parisian clothing and shoe stores for reasonable prices.
At least I can say been there done that.
Lodging
This time we took the non traditional route and rented an apartment through airbnb. It was in an AMAZING location; so glad I made this choice. It was one block over from the eiffel tower and at the end of our street was an amazing very busy pedastrian street full of shops, restaurants, fish markets, grocery stores, crepe stands, ice cream shops, etc.
It was a small Parisian one bedroom one bathroom flat on the 4th floor (yes 4 flights of stars--but so worth it). I got to hang out the window and watch the neighbors and breath in the delightful smells from the local restaurants and shops. I felt like I was having a true parisian experience. Loved It!!!!
Paris was a wonderful experience that I will never forget and I hope to get another opportunity to visit again. Maybe next time with my parents and sister. The BEST part about the trip is we DID NOT get pickpocketed!!!
Notre Dame
Lines Lines and more Lines--that sums up all of the famous tourist attractions. To see the inside of anything, especially during the time we went, you have to be willing to stand in a line for a few hours. I had no desire to waste my vacation away in a line so we were admirers from the outside got some quick shots, met a few people and headed on to the next stop.
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| view from the river and the top of our batobus |
Louvre/Pyramids
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| The Rorys making friends outside the Louvre |
Arc De Triomphe
Champs-Elysees
Of course I couldn't go to Paris and not visit the most famous shopping street that I hear people talking about all the time. I guess everyone else visiting Paris felt the same way because the streets were PACKED!! There were a mixture of high end stores, souvenir shops, regular stores, and restaurants. They had Gucci, Aston Martin, MAC, Sephora, Zara, Disney, L.Vuitton, and on and on. Some of the stores were way over the top--when we first got to the top of the street I saw a huge gate with gold designs and a long pathway with manicured trees behind the gate (that was guarded by 2 department store catalog looking guys) so I was like "ohhh what is that a castle or some type of museum"; no it was Abercrombie and Fitch!
Even with all the flair and the fame the area was not for me. The prices were ridiculous and it was too crowded to really shop. My suggestion is if you want to shop and get some good deals skip this tourist trap and go more in to the city with the locals. We went walking around Arr. 15 and that district had MAC, Sephora, Zara, Gap, tons of Parisian clothing and shoe stores for reasonable prices.
At least I can say been there done that.
Lodging
This time we took the non traditional route and rented an apartment through airbnb. It was in an AMAZING location; so glad I made this choice. It was one block over from the eiffel tower and at the end of our street was an amazing very busy pedastrian street full of shops, restaurants, fish markets, grocery stores, crepe stands, ice cream shops, etc.
It was a small Parisian one bedroom one bathroom flat on the 4th floor (yes 4 flights of stars--but so worth it). I got to hang out the window and watch the neighbors and breath in the delightful smells from the local restaurants and shops. I felt like I was having a true parisian experience. Loved It!!!!
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| Our apt was in the building behind the car on the left |
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| busy pedastrian street next to our apt |
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| Most delicious ice cream flled macaroons from the neighborhood ice cream shop--Best Thing I've eaten since moving to Europe |
Paris was a wonderful experience that I will never forget and I hope to get another opportunity to visit again. Maybe next time with my parents and sister. The BEST part about the trip is we DID NOT get pickpocketed!!!
Sounds like a beautiful trip! I need to get some coins together so I can visit before you guys move to your next station!
ReplyDeleteYes you do. We have plenty of space and you & the family are more than welcome to come anytime!
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