We went to Paris April 5 - 8. Stayed in Residence Du Palais - will post a review later... Here%26#39;s what we did! Any questions, just ask!
Arrived CDG at 3.15, took RER to Luxembourg and were at hotel for five. Went a wander down to the seine and tried (and failed) to find boarding place for vedettes de Paris. Never mind, we strolled along the seine then went and had a glass of wine overlooking Notre Dame. Expensive but worth it, (if only for my first experience of a squat toilet!) Went for dinner in a wee alley, full of restaurants and had a meal in a nice wee restaurant. Ten or fifteen euro for two courses, plus wine and water – 60 euro for three courses – yes, it is possible to eat cheaply in Paris! Walked to montparnasse thinking we may be able to see the Eiffel tower from the tower, but looks like we got there too late, and it was closed. Was hugely annoyed but another couple of glasses of wine before bed cheered me up.
Day 2: Up early and took metro to the Eiffel tower. Arrived there at 9.45 and the queues were enormous… waited anyway and took the stairs to level one. Decided to leave it at that so headed back down and took the metro to the arc de triomphe. We had been up before (and the queues were also huge) so didn’t bother and wandered down the champs elysee. We had a 1.30 reservation at Laduree which we were way too early for so popped into the Impala lounge for a drink. Quite a cool place, lovely service. Then Laduree. This was a mothers day treat so my sis and I were footing the bill. Table was ready early for us and we were showed upstairs to our table. As it was lunchtime had a club sandwich, which was almost definitely the best sandwich I have ever had! Another bottle of wine, a hot chocolate for my wee sis and then the cakes … I had a cherry thing that was just gorgeous … My sis had four mini macarons which gave us the chance to try them … also nice, but I am glad I went for the cake. It was expensive but service was lovely, food was lovely and the surroundings were gorgeous.
After lunch we got the metro to Pigalle, to see the Moulin Rouge. Walked to Montmartre and up to the sacre couer. Views were lovely and am glad I walked, rather than getting the funicular. Walked down to place du tetre where we had a glass of wine (I can feel both AA and the price police shaking their heads at me…) and watched the pavement artists. Then metro back to the hotel, quick change and out for dinner. Walked to montparnasse and went to Relaise d’entrecote, which was lovely! I was concerned that we wouldn’t get a table but we arrived at 8.15 and the place was half empty. Had filled up by nine though. I loved the food and the service was brilliant. Meal came to about 100E for three people. Afterwards walked across the street to Le Dome where we had another couple of drinks, about 5/6E each. Servie again was great, we had a lovely waiter (although he seemed to warm to us considerably when we attempted to speak French!)
Day 3: It had rained A LOT during the night so we were very concerned that it would be a wet day. It was raining lightly for a bit of the morning but dried up nicely by lunchtime. This was quite a bit looser in terms of what to do, we mainly just wanted to wander about so was very relieved that it stopped. We walked down boulevard saint Michel, past Notre dame (another HUGE queue – was so glad I had been before and could miss places out) window shopped around ile saint louis till we got to Berthillion, which was closed. Bought their ice cream at another café – I had one scoop raspberry and one of chocolate and it was brilliant, would definitely recommend that combination to anyone. Although my sis had the passion fruit which was mind-blowing. Walked to Saint Chapelle, which had a huge queue but was well worth it, such beautiful windows. Decided to go for lunch at Les Deux Magots, cos we had never been before. Had the croque madame and a glass of wine which was expensive but nice – worth being at such a historic place.
After lunch we decided to go to Galleries Lafayette – beautiful dome but a lot of the clothes and brands were what you would get here in Glasgow so was not so bothered about the clothes. (And could not begin to afford them!) Walked down past the opera house, through place Vendome (attempted to spot celebs at the Ritz, but it wasn’t to be…) and along Rue Saint Honore. Truly how the other half live. We walked to the pyramids at the Louvre then back to place de la Concorde and the metro back to the hotel. For dinner we thought we would try Brasserie D’en Face but without a reservation there were no tables. Round the corner, however, we discovered L’Espadon Bleu where we had a lovely meal, same chicken as you would get at brasserie d’en face, but quite a bit cheaper. Service, again, was lovely. I don’t think we had any negative experiences at all.
So that was it, last day we did a bit of shopping then RER back to Charles de Gaulle.
And the $64,000 question? Everyone wore jeans. Often with converse trainers.
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Fun review! Thanks so much for posting it. I leave in 9 days and I can%26#39;t wait. So the weather was cool enough to wear jeans? I%26#39;ve been checking the weather reports and it seems a little warmer than here in Chicago. I%26#39;m debating what to wear for tops...sweaters? I have a trenchcoat/raincoat thing that I imagine I%26#39;ll be wearing. I hate being cold! Of course I live in Chicago so I%26#39;m used to it though.
Thanks again!
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Temperature-wise, I wore skinny jeans with ballerina flats one day, (bare feet) and a short shift dress with black opaque tights the next. A cardigan and light - ish scarf with the dress, on a warm day and a cardigan, leather bomber jacket and scarf on the cooler one. Unless it%26#39;s unseasonably warm I%26#39;d advise layers. And of course, the ubiquitous scarf - it is Paris. (I bought four (!) while I was there!)
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Thanks! I%26#39;ve started stocking up on scarves and I have 2 so far, but I%26#39;d love to buy some there. Hmmm sounds like I may want to bring my black leather jacket maybe? I definitely have layers planned.
Thanks for the input! I want to buy some new shoes too before I go, but I don%26#39;t want to risk wearing new shoes around and getting blisters.
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Thanks eriskay...I always love to read trip reports. Sounds like you had fun and didn%26#39;t take things too seriously.
Laughed at the last sentence %26gt;%26gt;And the $64,000 question? Everyone wore jeans. Often with converse trainers.%26lt;%26lt;
People get soo worried about this!
Denise
love from England
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Thanks for the report!! I especially appreciate the costing details for the restaurants.
Can%26#39;t wait for your review of Residence du Palais, as I%26#39;m booked in for August. Did you like it?
Once again, many thanks and I%26#39;m glad you enjoyed your trip!!!
K
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Thanks for the report! I am leaving tomorrow with my teen son and should arrive about 3PM Easter Sunday. Still debating in my head if black leather bomber jacket will be OK in what seems to be a rainy week ahead. Or North Face light rain jacket, which is not as pretty as leather one...or both... Help!
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Terrific report! I always love reports from non-Americans to get a different slant on things. As for apparel, I have laughed for years about all the worrying. So the women in Paris are chic? Of course they are - but why feel compelled to wear things that are uncomfortable? You%26#39;re a tourist! The Parisiens wouldn%26#39;t look so good after trotting around all day in their chic shoes, would they?
I have always worn the most comfortable shoes I have in any country and attempt chicness with a nice top and scarf. I%26#39;m a 6%26#39; blonde, obviously Californian ... even tho I%26#39;m half French. Be comfy when you travel ... without of course the disgusting slobby look so favored in my country.
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Eriskay,
Enjoyed reading your report. Regarding accessorising with scarves, are you talking about the big squares ones or the long ones muffler-type?
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