Paris, Je t'aime!

Bonjour mes amies, et bienvenue a mon 48 heures a Paris!

Despite the persistent and vexing precipitation, Paris was full of sights to be seen, so see I did! 

Obviously, a trip to Paris must include a visit to the Louve. Beware, the prices are steep, the lines long and the galleries crowded. If this isn't you're thing, at least be sure to snag a photo-op with the iconic museum. 

Of course, a trip to Notre Dame is also practically required. Weather you're a history buff, an art fanatic, a religious afficionado or a story enthusiast, there is something that will interest you at Notre Dame. From breath taking gothic architecture complete with stained glass windows, and impossibly vaulted stone cealings, to tales of Quasimodo, a trip to Notre Dame is well worth it. 

If you find yourself needing to take shelter from the elements be they rain, sun, sleet or car exhaust, and in need of a fix of Parisian fashion, head to Les Galeries Lafayette - the fantastically fabulous French answer to Harrod's. Be sure to comb all the floors thoroughly. You never know what sort of treasures you may find!

If you're lucky enough to be in Paris during the Holiday season - which, it seems, starts immediatly after Halloween in Europe as they are lacking the Thanksgiving tradition and distinctive Black Thursday that follows - be sure to look up while in the main lobby to catch a glimpse of the great decorations and oversized tree. 

Should you need to rest your feet and perhaps to refuel, ride the escalators all the way up to the top floor, and grab a table next to a window and a cafe au lait at the food court. Be sure to check out the view from the top. Who knows what you may spot!

Even if you managed to catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower from afar, a proper trip is a must. The tower is beautiful at night!

For dinner, be sure to hit up Le Refuge des Fondus. As the name suggests, fondue restaurant in Montmartre. They don't take reservations - as far as I can tell - and the place is tiny and packed! The atmosphere is festive to say the least. 

  

If you choose to dine at popular meal times, be willing to wait outside for a bit. It is well worth it. As soon as a spot big enough for your party opens up, you are whisked in and directed to one of two long skinny communal tables. Both are pushed up against the wall with only enough room for a person to squeeze in behind. You may briefly wonder how one gets into this small space between table and wall, but in one swift motion, the waiter pulls out a chair and holds out his hand indicating that you should take his hand, stand on the chair, and climb over table and fellow diners into the nook behind the table. 

Warning: if you are wearing a short dress or skirt, you may want to request that a more appropriately dressed dining mate do the climbing bit - unless of course you would like to attract cat calls and whistles from the international male clientele. 

Once seated, you are quickly presented with a platter of aperitifs and what I'm guessing is a taste of a cognac sort of drink. Your wine order, served in a baby bottle, quickly follows as does a bubbling pot of cheese and meat fondue complete with bread, steak and potatoes for dipping. Dessert, if you choose, is also included in this quite reasonable fixed price feast. 

Whether intoxicated by food, drink, atmosphere or all of the above, a night at Refuge des Fondus will culminate in much laughter and merry making and is well worth the trip. 

Check out this review at Where Are You, Olga?

For those whose stomachs aren't too full for a bit of drinking and dancing after dinner, Montemartre has quite a few clubs and bars that will satisfy your party bug. Stumble into almost anyone of them and you're sure to be in for a fun night and to meet quite a few characters. 

It's also worth spending some time in Montemartre during the day. In fact, this is my absolute favorite area in Paris. The streets are winding and narrow and bustling with out door cafes, street performers, artists etc. The energy is high, and you get the feeling that you will find something fantastic around each bend. In fact, this is probably the truth. 

I love the way the green from the oxidized copper contrasts with the surrounding grey features and dribbles down the roof here. 

Be sure to visit the beautiful, all white, church - Sacre Coeur. 

And, take in the breath taking view of Paris from the steps of the church. 

Au revoir, mes amies!