It is easy to understand why Paris is called the City of Love and Lights when you visit.
There is a relaxed lightness in the air, a sense that time is slower, and that it is more important to have a cup of coffee with a friend than to rush to an appointment.
On our recent trip to Paris, my husband and I fell in love with everything about this special city. We stayed in a small airbnb flat in Marais, where we felt like locals. We dined at different cafes every day, and laughed when we only had to say ‘onion soup’ when ordering.
It was a thrill to see the Eiffel Tower from so many different locations. Our first view was from the historical church on the hill in Montmartre called Sacre Coeur. We walked the very narrow stairs (not for anyone who is claustrophobic) to the very top. The views were AMAZING! We also took a fun touristy nite bus tour through Paris the first day of our trip, and saw the tower all lit up and doing its sparkle dance at 10pm. We took a glass boat ride on the Seine River that gave us a different perspective. Another day we took the elevator to the very top of the tower during sunset, where we did a special champagne toast.
Other highlights included visiting the grounds of the Louvre museum (yup it was closed that day), toured Versailles, and really enjoyed the D’orsay Museum, which was once a railway station. We visited churches along our walks such at the church of St. Paul-St. Louis with its many beautiful chandeliers, and the church of St. Eustache with its beautiful wood carvings.
The Paris Opera House was absolutely enchanting with its over the top art, marble, sculpture and gilding. But a huge highlight of our trip was visiting Claude Monet’s House and Gardens outside of Paris in an area call Giverny. Having been at Art Major in college, and having an artist Mom who was inspired by his work, it was a special thrill to walk thru the colorful gardens, and walk around the lily pond surrounded by wisteria vines, which were the inspiration to many of his paintings. We toured the Studio in his house, and were not surprised that each room was painted a bright primary color.
We had a magical 7 days experiencing beauty and history. I think we have been bitten by the travel bug…wondering where we should go next!
