The next post will be up soon as I wrote one long Paris post then decided to split it. - Sean
As I previously recapped, our Christmas stay in Strasbourg was a magical time. We hope to revisit the city in warmer weather so that we can explore more of what it and the surrounding area have to offer. But we were now off to visit one of the worlds most iconic cities, gay Paree.
But first, in concise, list-form, are some random and noteworthy, uh, notes:
After an uneventful train ride through snowy France, we arrived in Paris and made our way to our hotel at the outer edges of the Latin Quarter. It's a charming, quiet place off of the tourist-beaten path, which was nice to retreat to after touristing all day and night. Our hotel, though, was operated by a petty and unpleasant concierge, and our room was so hot we slept with the window open despite the sub-freezing temperature. But the neighborhood was lovely. One of it's more charming aspects was all of the specialty shops and I don't mean that in any particular or fancy way. It's just that there's the grocer, butcher, fish monger, bakery, cheese shop, wine shop, etc all clustered together and that's how folks there go about their grocery shopping. I'll take that over a Whole Foods any day.
After dropping off our bags, we headed out to the Isle de la Cite, a small island in the Seine and home to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Truly a beautiful building. We got to see it several times since it was on our walking path to many other places. Which brings me to another point: walking. Walking is really the best way to explore cities, even if it's not the most time efficient. When in Rome, despite my recent surgery, we literally walked everywhere for a day and a half. Same in London; despite not having proper attire for the cold, wet weather, we hoofed it every chance we got. Buses are another great way to see the city, but schedules and routes are often tricky to decipher in another language.
The next day we headed to the famous Louvre, a museum that you couldn't see all of in a single day even if you sprinted the whole way. The sheer volume of artworks is one of the most amazing aspects of it. They have works ranging from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, through medieval Europe, to post-Revolution France. Most famously, it's home to the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, the latter of which is locked behind a plastic case and perpetual mob of people. For certain they are both beautiful works of art, but there's literally thousands of other equally beautiful works (more or less) to see that aren't flooded with people. It seems to me that these works are so famous just because they are (kind of like the Kardashian's). But I was there too, so who am I to judge?
After getting wiped out by the Louvre, we took a stroll down the adjoining Jardin des Tulieries, a large park/garden running maybe a mile or so down to the Place de la Concorde. It's a nice walk with statues, fountains, and different types gardens throughout, but it was probably the coldest day of our entire trip. Clearly, the dead of winter is about the least optimal time to visit this and other gardens, as everything is bare. We would really like to come back to see a greener side of Paris, which we hope to do this summer (make room, Jackie!).
As there's a lot more museum-related stuff, I'm going to stop here since we don't want you getting as run-down as we did. Paris 2.2 post coming soon!
As I previously recapped, our Christmas stay in Strasbourg was a magical time. We hope to revisit the city in warmer weather so that we can explore more of what it and the surrounding area have to offer. But we were now off to visit one of the worlds most iconic cities, gay Paree.
But first, in concise, list-form, are some random and noteworthy, uh, notes:
- We started seeing this in Strasbourg, but when people in your general vicinity at restaurants sit down or leave, they offer a general 'bon jour' or 'au revior,' which we found to be quite pleasant.
- Red lights appear to be "optional," much as they are Malta.
- French onion soup costs a minimum of 9 euros ($12), which seems pretty excessive.
- Also, coffee is always at least 4 euros ($5), and I don't mean American, "would you like a refill?" coffee. I mean like maybe 7 ounces, tiny-spoon coffee.
Contrary to the stereotype, Parisians are actually pretty friendly.
- Plenty of French bulldogs. Also, people walking around carrying baguettes.
- They really do wear berets.
- Free wifi at most establishments was pretty sweet.
- Pay toilets. Not a fan.
- I was curious if, when trying to get l'addition, or the check, at restaurants making the "check" motion would translate across cultures, since for us check has a double meaning. Turns out it does work.
- If you have a few minutes, take the time to watch this fantastic time-lapse video made by an American (I think) student in Paris.
After an uneventful train ride through snowy France, we arrived in Paris and made our way to our hotel at the outer edges of the Latin Quarter. It's a charming, quiet place off of the tourist-beaten path, which was nice to retreat to after touristing all day and night. Our hotel, though, was operated by a petty and unpleasant concierge, and our room was so hot we slept with the window open despite the sub-freezing temperature. But the neighborhood was lovely. One of it's more charming aspects was all of the specialty shops and I don't mean that in any particular or fancy way. It's just that there's the grocer, butcher, fish monger, bakery, cheese shop, wine shop, etc all clustered together and that's how folks there go about their grocery shopping. I'll take that over a Whole Foods any day.
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| On a bridge over the Seine |
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| Touristing |
After dropping off our bags, we headed out to the Isle de la Cite, a small island in the Seine and home to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Truly a beautiful building. We got to see it several times since it was on our walking path to many other places. Which brings me to another point: walking. Walking is really the best way to explore cities, even if it's not the most time efficient. When in Rome, despite my recent surgery, we literally walked everywhere for a day and a half. Same in London; despite not having proper attire for the cold, wet weather, we hoofed it every chance we got. Buses are another great way to see the city, but schedules and routes are often tricky to decipher in another language.
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| The front side |
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| winter rose on the back side (tee hee!) |
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| The side side |
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| Joan of Arc |
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| Where's Allison? |
The next day we headed to the famous Louvre, a museum that you couldn't see all of in a single day even if you sprinted the whole way. The sheer volume of artworks is one of the most amazing aspects of it. They have works ranging from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, through medieval Europe, to post-Revolution France. Most famously, it's home to the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, the latter of which is locked behind a plastic case and perpetual mob of people. For certain they are both beautiful works of art, but there's literally thousands of other equally beautiful works (more or less) to see that aren't flooded with people. It seems to me that these works are so famous just because they are (kind of like the Kardashian's). But I was there too, so who am I to judge?
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| Louved-out |
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| Famous pyramid enterance |
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| Mona |
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| Venus |
After getting wiped out by the Louvre, we took a stroll down the adjoining Jardin des Tulieries, a large park/garden running maybe a mile or so down to the Place de la Concorde. It's a nice walk with statues, fountains, and different types gardens throughout, but it was probably the coldest day of our entire trip. Clearly, the dead of winter is about the least optimal time to visit this and other gardens, as everything is bare. We would really like to come back to see a greener side of Paris, which we hope to do this summer (make room, Jackie!).
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| Filmmaker in training |
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| Sunset in the Jardin |
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| Place de la Concorde |
As there's a lot more museum-related stuff, I'm going to stop here since we don't want you getting as run-down as we did. Paris 2.2 post coming soon!
Nice pics... especially like the last one with ferris and lion during sunset. Your pics of the cathedral really show how huge it is. Glad you guys had fun. - Jimmy
ReplyDeleteThe Tuileries is one of my favorite places in Paris, especially when it gets warm. Hope you make it back there in the springtime!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and interesting stories. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDelete