A DAY TRIP TO PARIS

 

One of the most beautiful cities I've visited, Paris is one of those ultimate must-see, bucket list places to visit at some point in your life. I first visited back in 2014 as part of my first ever trip to Europe, and instantly fell in love. So of course, while visiting family in London in May, I had to organise a day trip to see the city again (even if only for a few hours).

I did all of the main touristy things the first time round, and had been back for the day since a few years earlier, so with the short timeframe we really just wanted to relax and enjoy being in this beautiful city. Arriving around lunch time, we caught a taxi from Gare du Nord over to the famous Les Deux Magots, where we enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine and a tasty cheese platter while we soaked in the sun (of course, we'd arrived during an unexpected Spring heatwave) and the Parisian atmosphere.

We then spent a few hours strolling around the Latin Quarter and then past Notre Dame (which is still as stunning as always from the front, despite being closed for extensive repairs - I'm grateful we were able to visit it before the fire) and along the Seine. Literally just walking around and taking in this beautiful city, the architecture and the atmosphere, stopping to grab a crepe or check out the quaint little side streets along the way.

And of course, no trip to Paris is complete without seeing the main attraction - The Eiffel Tower. It's honestly just magical to see, this is the third time I've visited Paris and it's still just as breathtaking each and every time. By the time we'd made it here, we'd been walking around the city for hours and the temperature was around 35* (we were not prepared), but it was so worth it. We grabbed a crepe from one of the little stands near the tower and then made our way over to the Trocadero Gardens to get the best view and some photos - enjoy the photo another tourist took of mum and I below (that angle though)!

While our time in Paris was short and sweet, I'm glad we got to visit again and just enjoy being in this beautiful city! Next time though, it'll have to be a proper stay for sure.

xx Chontelle Louise

Five Reasons I Love Paris

Visiting Paris has a been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl. Growing up, I became somewhat Paris-obsessed! I remember looking at pictures of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame in awe, imagining sitting outside a cute little cafe sipping on a cappuccino and munching on some sort of delicious French pastries while watching the people - locals and tourists alike - walk by.

Well, in October of 2014, that dream was fulfilled. And let me tell you, Paris was everything I'd imagined it would be and more! I've totally and completely fallen in love with the city, and I was already lusting to return before I'd even left.

So I've decided to share with just some of the many reasons that I LOVE Paris!

1. The Sights! As one of the most famous and well-known cities in the world, it's no surprise that the sights of Paris make it onto my list of reasons that I love Paris. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Champs-Elysees and the Louvre are just some of the many breathtaking world-renowned sights in the city of lights.

2. The Food! Oh my gosh, the food! It's true, French food is some of the best in the world! From crepes and frites (French Fries are the best fries!) to fondue and escargot, and everything inbetween! I swear I ate more in my four days I spent in Paris than I would in two weeks at home!

3. The People! Whenever somebody mentions Paris in conversation, one of the first comments I hear is "French people are so rude, especially the Parisians". This couldn't be further from the truth. The people I met in Paris were some of the most lovely, friendly and interesting people I'd ever met. Everyone was so welcoming and open to conversation, and talking to a Parisian felt like talking to a close friend.

4. The Latin Quarter! This was honestly my favourite part of Paris, and so I spent a large portion of my time there. I love everything about the Latin Quarter - the quirky stores, restaurants and cafes that open up in the afternoon and come to life by nightfall, the bars and street corners with some amazing musicians, the people gathering anywhere and everywhere to actually socialise, and of course, the resident cat that roams the streets of the latin quarter and sleeps among the products in a souvenir shop whenever it pleases (see picture).

5. The Beauty of Paris! I know, I know, kind of vague. But honestly, Paris is an incredibly beautiful city. From the wide tree-lined streets of the Champs-Elysee to the small cobblestoned lanes and alleys of the Latin Quarter, everywhere you look is just totally gorgeous!

So there you have it, five reasons why I love this incredible city!

Have you been to Paris? Do you dream of visiting the City of Love & Lights? Let me know why you love Paris in the comments below!

xoxo Chontelle Louise