TRAVEL
Paris, France
Paris is one of the most magical cities in the world. It exudes beauty in every crevice. My mom and I planned Paris on a whim. I saw a deal on Scott's Cheap Flights (highly recommend joining the email list) and we went for it. It didn't sink in until the week before.... I was going to Paris. PARIS.
My mom and I are normally very structured when we travel. We have a detailed itinerary... restaurants booked, tours planned. This trip was different though. We wanted to truly experience Paris. I am so blessed to be able to travel the world. However, sometimes you can get caught up in the craziness and forget where you are. I visited Paris with my mom when I was 16 and we did all the touristy things like Versailles, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, and numerous museums. The trip ended and I felt like I was seeing Paris through a lens and not through my eyes.
The only activity my mom and I planned during this trip was a food tour (obviously). It was HIGHLY worth it. We had every Parisienne staple. From a morning croissant to falafel in the jewish quarter, we were inundated with food, but more importantly we were immersed in culture. I am always astonished at how much food and culture are intertwined. You can go into all of the museums, see every monument, but food is the true mark of a city. Yeah, yeah I might be bias (I am running a food account), but I truly believe this. The french are meticulous with their food. Every meal is perfection. I listed out some of my favorite spots that we went to on our trip. Our only disappointment was Angelina's. Angelina's is famous for their hot chocolate and pastries. However, it has turned into a tourist trap. If you are into dining with thirsty Americans, then go here. If not, go to a small café, I guarantee they will have better options. My mom and I got lost multiple times and stumbled into small places. The adventure truly made the trip so much better (even though we walked about 14 miles a day-whoops).
My mom and I are normally very structured when we travel. We have a detailed itinerary... restaurants booked, tours planned. This trip was different though. We wanted to truly experience Paris. I am so blessed to be able to travel the world. However, sometimes you can get caught up in the craziness and forget where you are. I visited Paris with my mom when I was 16 and we did all the touristy things like Versailles, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, and numerous museums. The trip ended and I felt like I was seeing Paris through a lens and not through my eyes.
The only activity my mom and I planned during this trip was a food tour (obviously). It was HIGHLY worth it. We had every Parisienne staple. From a morning croissant to falafel in the jewish quarter, we were inundated with food, but more importantly we were immersed in culture. I am always astonished at how much food and culture are intertwined. You can go into all of the museums, see every monument, but food is the true mark of a city. Yeah, yeah I might be bias (I am running a food account), but I truly believe this. The french are meticulous with their food. Every meal is perfection. I listed out some of my favorite spots that we went to on our trip. Our only disappointment was Angelina's. Angelina's is famous for their hot chocolate and pastries. However, it has turned into a tourist trap. If you are into dining with thirsty Americans, then go here. If not, go to a small café, I guarantee they will have better options. My mom and I got lost multiple times and stumbled into small places. The adventure truly made the trip so much better (even though we walked about 14 miles a day-whoops).
Au Pied Du Chochon
WHAT TO ORDER: French Onion Soup No joke this was the best french onion soup I have ever had in my life. RIDICULOUS. Please bury me in this cheesy deliciousness because I am still not over it. Tout Autour Du Pain
WHAT TO ORDER: Baguette There is nothing that compares to the smell of a baguette in Paris. It is honestly one of the many things that keeps me coming back. This baguette was the perfect marriage of warmth and crispy-ness. |
Café Varenne WHAT TO ORDER: My mom and I got the roasted chicken special with potato croquettes and mushroom. I truly hope this special is available if/when you visit because the chicken fell right off the bone. I am drooling just thinking of it. Secco
WHAT TO ORDER: Lemon or Fig Tartine My mom and I got these thinking that we would eat half and save the rest later. Well you can guess how that went.... destroyed in about 5 minutes. These tarts were a little pricey, but sooooo good. Boulangerie Nelly Julien
WHAT TO ORDER: Pain au Chocolat aux amandes I am begging you to go here and order this. Do this for me. Please. INCREDIBLE. WHAT TO ORDER: Truly anything on their brunch menu
We went here before heading to the airport and were very pleased. The service was amazing and the scones, tea, and food were the perfection exclamation mark to the end of our Paris trip. |
Other Highlights:
Must-See
To-Do
P.S: I thought Grom had better gelato than Amorino
Must-See
- Sainte- Chapelle
- Eiffel Tower
- Notre Dame
- Jardin Du Luxembourg
- Tuileries Garden
- The Ritz Carlton for an overly- expensive $40 cocktail
- Champs Elysees
- Louvre
- Roden
- Versailles
- Arc De Triomphe
- Jewish Quarter
- Musee D'Orsay
- Sacre-Coeur (cool, but we liked Sainte- Chapelle better)
To-Do
- Secret Food Tours- The Marais
- River Cruise on the Seine-- grab a nice cold beer before you go on
P.S: I thought Grom had better gelato than Amorino