A Weekend in Paris
I used to think that Paris in a weekend would be perfect. I would see everything that I needed to and it would be the perfect amount of time.
I was wrong.
I could have spent a week there and still needed to see more or go back to that perfect spot next to Notre Dame and people watch again for just a few more hours.
But I managed it in a weekend, starting on Friday.
My flight landing mid morning, I decided to call Friday "tourist day." This really just means that I tried to hit all the major hot spots. Dropping my bag off at the hostel I would be staying in for the next two days up in Montmartre. I took the metro to my first stop I noticed after almost getting lost on my first metro experience on the way into Paris.
Of course I made sure to stand on Point Zero as well.
After reading Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, it was a must. Even if I still don't quite know where my own Etienne St. Clair may have been.
Wandering through the shelves packed with books and people, I spent a pretty great deal of time just waiting for a book to jump out at me. A sales attendant must have noticed.
"Can I help you with anything?"
"Um..." I looked around. "Can I stay here forever?"
She seemed to think about this. "Well, you can take your time."
She then helped me find and stamped my next read, She Came to Stay by Simone De Beauvoir.
The much to see of course included the Louvre as I walked through the most beautiful gardens before it. In the heat of the very hot day, people sat all around in the grass and along the fountains, dipping there feat in to cool off.
Then of course I came upon the pyramid.
I also got lost. Who knew one could do so in the Louvre? Slightly dehydrated and thirsting for art, I still managed to see quite a lot, including of course, the Mona Lisa. I could only imagine that if I didn't see it, I would be berated by my family who would be asking all about my trip once I returned home.
Tip: after 6 p.m. on Fridays, those under 26 can get into the Louvre for free!
On Saturday, after becoming obsessed on Netflix over a certain tv show while stressing over finals during the school year, I knew I had to take a bit of a trip while I was in Paris. Where to?
My favorite room while inside of course was the fan favorite of the hall of mirrors, everything felt so magical in there. I felt as if I needed to be dressed in a big hoop skirt, prepared to dance in a ball. Of course, I was only in one of my sundresses and surrounded by quite a few others, but I managed a few steps of some ballet or another on my toes to make past Kings and Queens proud. Well, I at least thought so.
I am sure with gorgeous rooms and a view over the gardens like they had, it would be hard to be to impressed.
Sunday plans were a little fuzzy for me, I won't lie. My first goal however?
Coffee.
The tea house made this museum of romantic art even more beautiful. Under the sunlight it looked like a fairy tale sort of glass greenhouse.
Sacre Coeur
Since my morning walk turned into going a little longer than I already thought through Montmartre, I kept walking upwards. This time towards Sacre Coeur.
The view over Paris was definitely worth it to end my trip. I headed back down the hill and to my flight only for it to be delayed three hours, just in time.
I was wrong.
I could have spent a week there and still needed to see more or go back to that perfect spot next to Notre Dame and people watch again for just a few more hours.
But I managed it in a weekend, starting on Friday.
Friday
My flight landing mid morning, I decided to call Friday "tourist day." This really just means that I tried to hit all the major hot spots. Dropping my bag off at the hostel I would be staying in for the next two days up in Montmartre. I took the metro to my first stop I noticed after almost getting lost on my first metro experience on the way into Paris.
Notre Dame Cathedral
I walked out from the metro steps, and turning around suddenly before me stood one of my number one spots in Paris I have always wanted to see. Notre Dame. I stood before it and looked at the facade, the jam statues- my art history professors would have been proud. I am not sure they would have been as proud when they and I realized I accidentally cut in line to get inside. Still, inside the view was just as lovely. Stained glass shone through to chandeliers.
I made sure to touch one of the columns. It is something I always do, usually in cathedrals that seem like they have a story. I set my hand on the stone and feel as if I am breathing in history. Whose hand has been here before? How I do play into its and story and vise versa. It is a strange thought. But a breath of momentary stillness as I continued on my journey through Paris.
Of course I made sure to stand on Point Zero as well.
After reading Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, it was a must. Even if I still don't quite know where my own Etienne St. Clair may have been.
Shakespeare and Company
Aka. The independent bookstore of all independent bookstores! At least as far as I have seen...so far.
Wandering through the shelves packed with books and people, I spent a pretty great deal of time just waiting for a book to jump out at me. A sales attendant must have noticed.
"Can I help you with anything?"
"Um..." I looked around. "Can I stay here forever?"
She seemed to think about this. "Well, you can take your time."
She then helped me find and stamped my next read, She Came to Stay by Simone De Beauvoir.
Sainte Chapelle
Ever since I saw this beautiful place in photos whether it be on Instagram or in my art history classes, I knew I had to go and take in the gorgeous gold and color.
Walking in, the bright gold struck me first. Then the heat did, but did the amazing windows shining over me wherever I turned. For some reason I felt a little under dressed to match, but certainly not so to take far too many photos.
Eiffel Tower
After Sainte Chapelle came walking. A lot of walking. I walked for hours and man, my shoes got a workout. I walked all the way next, to the Tour de Eiffel.
Then, after seeing that there was no way for me to attempt at getting a ticket to go up the Eiffel tower, along the Seine, I turned back. Still much to see on this very busy Friday.
Louvre
The much to see of course included the Louvre as I walked through the most beautiful gardens before it. In the heat of the very hot day, people sat all around in the grass and along the fountains, dipping there feat in to cool off.
Then of course I came upon the pyramid.
I also got lost. Who knew one could do so in the Louvre? Slightly dehydrated and thirsting for art, I still managed to see quite a lot, including of course, the Mona Lisa. I could only imagine that if I didn't see it, I would be berated by my family who would be asking all about my trip once I returned home.
Tip: after 6 p.m. on Fridays, those under 26 can get into the Louvre for free!
Saturday
On Saturday, after becoming obsessed on Netflix over a certain tv show while stressing over finals during the school year, I knew I had to take a bit of a trip while I was in Paris. Where to?
Versailles
Where else? Even though after standing in the longest line during my trip after getting there early (get there early!) I may not have felt royal, but me oh my was Versailles made to be ooh-ed and awed at.
My favorite room while inside of course was the fan favorite of the hall of mirrors, everything felt so magical in there. I felt as if I needed to be dressed in a big hoop skirt, prepared to dance in a ball. Of course, I was only in one of my sundresses and surrounded by quite a few others, but I managed a few steps of some ballet or another on my toes to make past Kings and Queens proud. Well, I at least thought so.
I am sure with gorgeous rooms and a view over the gardens like they had, it would be hard to be to impressed.
My favorite part of Versailles however, was definitely the gardens. I got lost in the hedges and spent hours wandering. Even so, I still have things to see, including Marie Antoinette's little palace and gardens.
Maybe if I manage to make a trip back, next time. Leaving back on the train in the late afternoon, I truly made the day out of my trip to Versailles. And since the World Cup was going on while I was in Paris, I grabbed a pizza before heading back to my hostel for some much needed rest, while the rest of the city loudly cheered on.
Sunday
Sunday plans were a little fuzzy for me, I won't lie. My first goal however?
Coffee.
KB Cafeshop
After finding the spot on Google Maps I walked through Montmartre to KB Cafeshop where an Instagram-able flat while was to be found, along with the most delicious scone with butter and jam. I spent over an hour, just sipping and people watching out the window I sat in.
As I did people watch, a woman sat down next to me who spoke English. She went to Cambridge and told me how living in Paris was. Sometimes it seems those random conversations with a kind stranger with good taste in sunglasses and coffee are the best conversations. She told me since I was studying art history, to head to my next destination.
Musee de Vie Romantique
The tea house made this museum of romantic art even more beautiful. Under the sunlight it looked like a fairy tale sort of glass greenhouse.
Sacre Coeur
Since my morning walk turned into going a little longer than I already thought through Montmartre, I kept walking upwards. This time towards Sacre Coeur.
The view over Paris was definitely worth it to end my trip. I headed back down the hill and to my flight only for it to be delayed three hours, just in time.
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