We kicked off our latest adventure with a return to Paris. We love this city and all things French, and were looking forward to ticking off a few more items from our bucket list.
Getting a taxi from the airport was our first challenge, we dodged the usual offers for a taxi in the airport but then hit the most brazen scammer yet. Standing at the exit door to the taxis he told us this was the wrong way, it was only for prebooked customers, and that we should follow his friend who would show us the right way to go, so helpful! A little confused at first, we pushed past him and sure enough there were the taxis waiting.
We made it to our Airbnb safely, a cute apartment in the Louvre district, and then headed out for essential supplies – milk, tea, cheese, wine…. Followed by a walk around the area to get our bearings, dinner and then crashed.
Early the next morning we headed straight to the Boulangerie next door and bought the compulsory baguette and croissants. Both fresh from the oven and still warm, so good!
After breakfast our first destination was Notre Dame Cathedral. It was closed for repairs last time we were here, so this time we finally had the chance to look inside.
Beautiful, and they had done an amazing job of the restorations.
Outside of the cathedral we came across the “Fete du Pain”, where they had the best bakers from all over France competing to become the best in France. It was amazing to see them at work.
We left the festival very hungry and decided to start making our way to our lunch stop, a river cruise on the Seine.
We had never been on the river before and it was a lovely way to enjoy lunch and certainly gave you a view of Paris from a different perspective. The never ending line of house boats was an eye opener.
We finished the day, after a train ride and many more steps to walk off lunch, with a bucket list dinner at Le Jules Verne, in the Eiffel Tour.
Stunning views, food and service. It was an amazing experience.
Our final day in Paris was VE Day, a public holiday. Which meant the boulangerie was closed. No!! (We discovered later they actually did open, but not until 9).
After a lazy morning, a breakfast of stale baguette, and an $11 coffee (we are still coming to terms with the exchange rate) we joined our guided tour of the Louvre. Our last visit inside was almost 30 years ago, and that was with 3 young children.
The tour was great, giving us both a history of the Louvre, as well as insights into some of the master pieces held in the museum.
Over the 3 hours of the tour we covered a lot of ground but it felt like we barely touched the surface. We were overwhelmed but could spend so much longer.
Tour done, we enjoyed a late afternoon lunch while people watching, before heading back to our unit to watch the VE celebrations.
Next stop – Dijon