Paris

About almost a month ago Ely and I were in Paris, enjoying a 6-day holiday with my parents, my brother and his girlfriend. As told in a previous post, it was the occasion to celebrate my parent's 34th anniversary of marriage and also a chance to spend more time together.

Considering all the needs of the group and for the economy of the stay, I found a flat for rent right in the centre of Paris, between Opéra and Musee du Louvre, on the Grand Boulevards, just south of Montmatre. It was perfectly located on a very nice boulevard, full of shops, restaurants, cafes and very close to a Metropolitain station, that made moving around very easy. The owner of the flat didn't speak any Italian or English, so despite I don't speak French (except a few easy useful words) I understood quite enough to know the basics for using the facilities of the flat, open and close the door and use the heater. The flat was clean, but not very big, especially for 6 people. It was composed by a room with kitchen, a table with 6 chairs, a double bed and some closets and a bathroom. There was also a little stair that gave us access to a loft where there was just barely the space to sleep for 4 people on mattresses lye on a wooden floor. Linen and towels were provided and clean. Therefore this apartment's entrance was at the ground floor of an inner court of a building whose access was on the main boulevard. This helped to don't have the need to use stairs and heavy luggage to lift...In general this is my opinion about the flat: it wasn't luxury or big, but very nice and in a perfect location. Great choice! If you need to stay in Paris with a budget, I'll suggest it!

The first day we were very tired, because we had to leave Trento in the middle of the night to arrive in Milan Malpensa on time to catch the first flight to Paris in the morning at 7.00 am. At about 10.30am we were right in Paris city centre, at our apartment address. After settling in the apartment Ely and I couldn't stay in and rest, we just wanted to go out and explore the area and have a walk. The rest of the group decided to stay in and sleep a little bit. Ely and I had a nice walk to the Opéra, Place Vendome, Place de la Concorde and all the way down to Jardins des Tuileries, Jardin du Carrousel and we ended at the Louvre, not before eating a fantastic baguette and a french pastry by Paul. So damn good!! We met with the others at the Musee du Louvre and visited some of it with them. Personally I think I have visited this museum 3 or 4 other times before when I visited Paris in the earliest years of college, so I was pretty lazy to walk around the museum and I started to feel all the lost sleep. So I asked Ely if she was feeling like gong to the Musée de L'Orangerie, that was new to me as I haven't visited it yet before. In fact once out of the Louvre the cool air made me feel less sleepy and the view of the fantastic set of Monet paintings and Renoir masterpieces made the rest! I loved this museum!

The second day started with the visit of the biggest flea market of France, known as "Le Puces de St. Ouen". In fact it was very big, with many stalls selling a little bit of everything, but more or less the same stuff. Interesting was the central area of this market, where there were all the shops and stalls of antique dealers. The best stop was resting in a authentic creperie shop...YUMMY!!! Returning to Paris city centre, we divided the group again, because every couples had the plan to visit different museums. Ely and I decided to go to the modern art museum known as Centre Pompidou. It was the first time we visited this gallery, and I must admit that it was one of the best modern and contemporary museum of art I have ever seen.

The third day was dedicated to the visit of the Ile de la Citè with Saint Chapelle and Notre Dame. Then we took the regional train RER and went to Versailles in order to visit the famous Royal Palace. It's huge, sumptuous and golden. It's pure expression of the Grandeur de France that had its maximum example with Luis XVI and Marie Antoniette. All ended in 1789 when their cut heads became the symbols of the French Revolution. But let me say that before the fires of the revolutions...they really had fun in that palace!!!! ;) The gardens are so big that one day isn't enough to visit it all. But we walked and walked and walked...but our trophies and treats were macaroons at the end of a long way to reach the secret country village of the Queen. Incredible!

The fourth day in Paris we went to EuroDisney (Disneyland Paris!). Except my parents that decided to visit the city, my brother, his girlfriend, Ely and I couldn't resist to spend one day in the magic of Disney. It wasn't as emotional as the first time we visited a Disney Park (it was in 2003 when we visited Disney World in Florida!) but it was fun anyway. We couldn't get enough of the Space Mountain ride (Mission 2!). And I also tried the "House of Terror" which was quite of an experience!

The fifth and last day in Paris was dedicated to visit the other landmarks of the city, such as Montmatre in the morning and Champs Elyseés and Tour Eiffel in the afternoon. And of course, finally do some shopping! Ely and I bought food overall and teas at Theòdor, a tea house that we knew thanks for Jenny and whose teas are just amazing!

Here is a summary of all these experiences in a video. Enjoy the view!