We left Reims after a lovely time and moved on to Paris for our last leg of the trip. Bet you’re happy I am finally concluding it. It was a less than one-hour train ride and then an Uber ride to the hotel. I really am loving not dragging luggage everywhere, unless I have to.
Our Paris, France Travel Tips:
So, Paris. Our final stop, and not our first rodeo. We’ve been there a few times before. The last time we stayed in the Latin Quarter at the Hotel Sorbonne, before moving on to the 9th arrondissement and the Hotel Lorette, which had a gigantic room. Plus, they gave you snacks and water at all times of the day in the lobby.
Both times, the hotels were fantastic. This time, however, I decided to mix it up and try the 6th arrondissement. We found a place with glowing reviews, booked it, and paid what felt very much like 3-star prices for what turned out to be a most definite 1.75-star experience.
Reading back through those reviews? Location, location, location, as they say. That’s what everyone was raving about, not the rooms, bed, or space, but sheesh, if you’re paying 3-star prices, you want 3-star comfort to go with it.
Someone had even said that if you booked the bigger room on the top floor (in fact, their main picture shows the tower), there was a distant view of the Eiffel Tower! We did, and there wasn’t!
Live and learn. Next time it’s back to the Latin Quarter or the 9th. Lesson very much learned. I always suss through that stuff for private accommodations, but we stopped using those and didn’t think to do the same for hotels. So, make sure you read through the reviews properly.
What We Did In Paris:
Six Days of Walking and Eating, Mostly Eating
We had five nights in Paris, which sounds like a lot until you’re there and realize you could spend five nights in one neighbourhood and still not see everything. We did what we always do in Paris: we walked. A lot.
The first day, I got my margarita fix, and it was perfect. Priorities, people. We have mostly frozen margaritas in Valencia… so… :-). The tip is to walk, walk, and walk some more.
The Eiffel Tower (From the Ground, Thank You)
Yes, we went to see the Eiffel Tower. No, we did not go up. We never do. That is not our scene. Neither one of us cares for it, plus there are other places to see the same view.
There is plenty of magic in standing beneath it and looking up, or across the Champ de Mars with it in the background. All without standing in line for an elevator to the top. We admire it, we appreciate it, and then we go find food. This system works for us :-).
Monet at the Marmottan — My Happiest Day
Okay, this one is personal. Monet is my absolute favourite artist, and one of my best travel memories in all my years of travelling was the day I visited Giverny with my best friend a gazillion years ago. His home and gardens, where those famous water lilies live, were delightful. So, I was excited about the Musée Marmottan Monet in the 16th arrondissement; I mean, I was super excited.
We took the bus all the way across the city, which is an adventure in itself, and it was worth every minute. I always prefer the bus to the metro because I get to see so many beautiful places. The tip is to take the bus instead of the metro. Seriously, you’re in no rush. You get to sightsee. It’s like the hop-on-hop-off bus for like one tenth the cost :-).
The Marmottan houses the largest collection of Monet’s work in the world, including pieces you simply will not see anywhere else. If you love Impressionism even a little, go. Don’t think about it, just go. Most of the art was donated by Monet’s son, who didn’t have any kids. It’s in an impressive mansion, too. There’s even Napoleon’s bed, amongst other non-Monet art.
The Grand Mosque of Paris
This was one of those wonderful unexpected highlights. The Grande Mosquée de Paris is in the 5th arrondissement, so not far from our hotel. It is stunning. The architecture is gorgeous, as is the tilework, and the peaceful courtyard gardens… it reminded me so much of the Alcázar in Seville and, even more so, of Marrakech.
There is something about that style of design that I love. Beautiful, beautiful place and well worth a visit even if you have been to similar places before. There is a cafe/resturant of sorts in there, and we had planned to go there for lunch, but yikes… the line was insane. We found some other place and walked the 40 minutes back to the hotel.
The Opera, the Champs-Élysées, and Hello Hokas
We visited the Opéra Garnier, and even if you don’t go inside for a show, the building itself is jaw-dropping. We also strolled the Champs-Élysées, and did a bit of shopping. The bit of shopping included… Somewhere around day three, my feet “hurt”, and I walked into the Hoka store (granted, I’d looked it up before we even left home, thanks to some older woman on YouTube, so maybe my feet weren’t that tired after all. I just wanted new sneakers :-).
I brought myself a pair of Hoka sneakers. No regrets. Zip! Nada! Highly recommend visiting there if you have a shoe “emergency” in Paris. I am so glad there is no stand-alone store here at home. I’ve worn them only once since we got back, but that’s beside the point… haha!
Food. Food, and more food! Plus The Best Accidental Lunch in the Marais
We ate a lot. You know we always do!
Once, we were near the Place des Vosges in the Marais, one of the most beautiful squares in the city, by the way, and we were hungry. One look at the restaurant prices right on the square and we decided, nope, not paying 30 euros for a plate of whatever. We are not too proud to walk a few minutes until the prices make more sense.
So, walk we did, until we spotted an Italian restaurant with a sign in the window: 50% off. Score! The waiter came over, and Fede asked about the offer. We could see the slight hesitation as he informed us that the 50% discount was for students only. We had, as they say, missed the teeny tiny fine print.
I looked at Fede, and he looked at me with that face — you know the one and said, very helpfully: “It’s your call whether we stay or not.” Both of them were staring at me, and I wanted to wring his neck, especially because he is the more cost-conscious one.
I said: ” Let’s stay, just to get back at him!
Then we discovered that a full three-course meal with a glass of wine, at full price, no discount, was only 12 euros. Twelve! We were laughing so hard. The portions were enormous, and the food was great. Next to us were two young girls who were sharing one meal! They had a great lunch for 3 euros each!
We sat there eating our gigantic plates of pasta and pizza, feeling very smug indeed. Sometimes the universe rewards you for being cheap, and sometimes (mostly), Fede makes you do all the deciding, and then takes credit for a great find! 🙂
Between Fede and me, we are pretty good at murdering the French language, but we never stop trying… and laughing. The tip is… learn a few words and murder them if you must. It breaks the ice.
Paris, We’ll Be Back
Five plus days, a lot of walking, a lot of eating, some art, some history, and a lunch that cost less than a glass of wine at the Place des Vosges. That is a Paris trip well done.
We cannot wait to go back, but as I said, for the next time? Latin Quarter or the 9th. Some lessons only need to be learned once.
Our flight back to Valencia left at almost 8 pm, so it was great to be able to leave our luggage and spend the last day walking some more.
It was a wonderful trip overall, from Amiens to Paris. I can’t wait till we do it again. Even more loosely the next time.
If you’ve been to Paris, did you enjoy it? Are you a planner, or more loosey-goosey like we are? Any fantastic memories to share?