Hello friends, how are you? Today’s another day where I’m taking you travelling… It’s been a while, right? Since I’m French, Paris isn’t really such big news to me, and, to be honest, I have a conflicted relationship with this city. But more on that later. I’m lucky -I will say it like that- enough to try and get to the capital at least once a year, it’s sort of a tradition with my sister @nyxcorner… So how about we get on a very Parisian weekend?
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It’s going to be a little throwback, and a well-needed one, because I really can’t wait to go on holidays again. But more on that later. Mid-March, I joined my sister in the city of lights for an incredible weekend away…
ALONG THE SEINE ?
In case you’re not too familiar with Paris’ geography, this huge city is cut in two by the Seine, this big river…and it’s really such a touristic thing, but you can do a tour on the bateaux-mouches, in order to discover some of the most famous parisian landmarks, along the Seine. Okay. I’m French, and I know all of these places already, but isn’t it always great, to remind ourselves of the beauty of some places we’re familiar with , at times? So…
Welcome to Paris! It was a cloudy weekend, but for those of you looking at the picture, you can actually spot the Eiffel Tower somewhere here. But why don’t we step closer?
I apologize for the slightly bit blurred picture, as this has been taken from the bateau mouche. Yes, we do love to be tourists, haha. Blurry or not, I’m always amazed by how such a metalic landmark is so famous and admired by so many people.
To be honest, there aren’t that many parks in Paris (or not that I know of, the city really isn’t famous for that, unlike London), so I was glad to finally go to the Jardin des Tuileries and see that, even in mid-March, it was all green and flower-y, and it made me crave for summer even more.
If there’s one impressive thing about the city, it’s how, in a few steps, you can find yourself right in the middle of some famous moment. One second earlier, we were in the jardin, and now we’re staring at that ginormous museum -it would take you MONTHS to go through all the art pieces there. MONTHS, better known as The Louvre.
FRENCH FOOD CITY GUIDE:
I couldn’t do that to you guys. Food is too important NOT to be mentioned, am I right?
FRENCH FOOD 101 : There are SO many clichés about French food. Like, we eat baguettes, macarons, croissants, and on and on and on. Okay, WE DO, and there’s NOTHING like a good baguette. At breakfast, we ate croissants and a whole lot of other pastries. Maracons are AN ART. Okay, if there’s something I love about France, it’s definitely, THE FOOD.
A LITTLE BIT OF ROYALTY ?
Whenever I’m going to a city more than once, I always like to try and see NEW things as well. If it’s kind of impossible for small towns to do so, in Paris, there are always new things to do, or things you might have missed / seen a different way, and so on. After all the crazy shopping and the BOOKS (You really thought I didn’t buy books? I stayed half an hour in the English bookshop trying to pick between two books. And ended up getting both of those), well, it’s always great to just WALK around and discover wonderful places. Like this one.
This is the Palais Royal, and the Jardins…What does it mean? It means that it’s made for ROYALTY. I’m not going to bore you with historical details because I don’t know those, and I’m just one of these people staring at this beautiful place and wondering…yeah, no. I could NEVER live here haha.
ALL THE THINGS YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT PARIS:
If I were nice, I would spare you this part, but, after doing something about clichés, I thought I could get back and do the same kind of thing, with Paris. Except it’s now not so much clichés, as things you might not imagine, yet are there. And so is my conflicted relationship about the city.
? THE SUBWAY is CROWDED. I mean, it’s the deal with ALL big cities, but really, if you think you’ve seen tons of people taking the subway, try and take it on a friday night. I didn’t dare count, but I could bet on my books (MY BOOKS!!) that there were at the very least 200 people waiting for ONE subway.
? THE STREETS are so different, because one second you can be on the Rue Rivoli and its usual mainstream shops, with the Louvre right around the corner, and the next second you’re on streets trying to avoid Louis Vuitton, Lancaster and Gucci’s staring eyes because you’re there with your striped backpack and definitely not up to their standards. #awkward.
TOURISTS ARE EVERYWHERE, this probably goes for all cities, but when you’re getting to Notre Dame kind of early in the morning and there’s already 300 people queuing to get inside, well.. And don’t even get me started on the Eiffel Tower. It’s INSANE. Do reservations, people.
ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS ?
Okay, you kind of were expecting this now, weren’t you? There are some places you just can’t avoid if you’re kind of a bookish freak… And there are some Anna and the French Kiss moment I needed to have for myself.
There’s the obvious Notre Dame, because it’s a symbol for so many things in Anna and The French Kiss, but also in the whole series….
The walks along the Seine, just like in the books…
And, oh, where am I? Welcome to Point Zero, guys. I won’t even BEGIN telling you how many time it took me to take that picture. Too many people wouldn’t step aside, ahah. And yes, before you ask, those are my, and my sister’s feet. Guess who’s who?
I love this post 🙂 The pictures are so beautiful, and I really like how informative this post is, about the palace, food and city life. <3 The buildings are phenomenal – I absolutely adore historic buildings. Thank you for posting, Marie 😀
Oh thank you so, so much Fatima! I’m so happy you liked this <3 I think it's one of my favorite parts about Europe, even if it feels like it's pretty ordinary, since I've been living there -well, in France- forever, but historical buildings are always so pretty. <3 Thank you so much! <3
Same in London 🙂 It is so easy to overlook historical buildings, but personally, I can’t help but want to explore them. And sometimes you really have to look for them. 🙂 Thanks for posting!
London…but you’re living in London?! That’s so cool. It’s my favorite place in the whole world <3 <3
Unfortunately, I’m quite used to London so I find it quite boring haha.
Ahah, well if you’ve lived there forever, or for a long time, I can imagine. I’d switch places with you any time 😉
I was waiting for your post on Paris haha 😛 I was in Paris for two days and I loved it so much! But I guess I understand that because you’re French it may not be as exciting to you as it was to me (who would love to live in Paris forever) THOSE MACARONS look beautiful! I’ve never actually eaten one haha, still think they’re one of the prettiest foods ever. Speaking of French food clichés, do French people really eat frogs? I remember our tour guide saying the reason they weren’t taking us to a French place to eat was that French cuisine isn’t for everyone. :3
I loved this post, it’s one of my favourite travel posts from you! Your pictures are really pretty 🙂 Particularly the one on Point Zero. I’m guessing you’re the one on the right?
Oh really? Well I’m so glad you liked it! <3 And yay, what did you do while you were there? <3 I guess since I'm French and going pretty often, it's not as magical as it can be for some other people :D. MACARONS are SO good, you have to try some one day. And, hm, some people do eat frogs, but…I'm not one of these people ahah 😛
Ohhh thank you so, so much, it means a lot to me that you like it! <3 <3 <3 Point Zero was…well, not many people realized they had their feet on an iconic bookish place haha. And I'm the one on the left, actually, and my sister is on the right 😀
We spent a day doing touristy things (like the Seine boat ride you and your sister did!) and the second day at Disney. We went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, (it was freezing) and saw the Louvre from the outside. I loved how everything felt, regal almost – all the buildings looked old (in a good way!) And the whole city seemed to be teeming with history ^.^ Haha, I imagine taking the picture there must’ve been hard if people were just obliviously standing on it 😛
Ohh that’s so cool 😀 I haven’t been to Disney in forever, I need to go back sometime soon 🙂 I’m so glad you liked it…next time, you can visit other places in France then (and let me know!! :D)
These pictures are so beautiful! Paris is a stunning city, I think I wouldn’t be able to leave, hahah.
I have to admit, though, I’m much more interested on the food! Croissants, baguettes, macarroons, crêpes… I’d get SO fat in only one weekend at this city, hahah. We have some of these foods where I live, but I imagine the original tastes even better.
By the way, I had never searched online for pictures of Pointe Zero, so I didn’t really know how it looks like. It’s so nice when you can visit places that remind you of books. I’ll probably go insane if I ever go to Greece, because of the amount of Percy Jackson references!
Amazing post, Marie! <3
Aww thank you so, so, so much, so happy you like it! <3 The food is so good ahah, for once I consider myself lucky on that. I love French food, ahah. <3
Ohh, Greece sounds like such a beautiful country, and I get it, I'm going a bit crazy everytime I'm going in a place that reminds me of a book <3
I love that post! But I hate Paris xD You make a very goof spokesperson for our country!
Aww thank you so much Donna! <3 <3 well, you're not alone, I really don't like this city way too much… there are SO many others cities I'd rather live in. For a weekend though it's okay ?
Bordeaux, Bordeaux, Bordeaux 😀 We have lots of bikes and wine (better used both separately!) I spent a day in Paris a couple of years ago for my Japanese visa, it was august, and FREEZING!
Haha, I REALLY HAVE TO go to Bordeaux sometime soon, <3 <3
Oh this post brought back so many memories from my last trip to Paris (where it rained all three days we were there!) I really loved your pictures, especially of Notre Dame and the gardens, and the whole Anna and the French Kiss aspect of it, kind of like going on a bookish tour of Paris! 😀 Also those macaroons look amazing!
You’e completely made me want to go back to Paris again soon! 🙂 I love the art and the history of the city, I’ll be one of the hundreds of tourists outside Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower! 😀
Oh, the rain, haha, well I hope you still had a great time despite the bad weather! <3 Thank you so, so, so much, it was hard not to enter the shop and eat all of the macaroons there, ahah 😛
Yeah it was still fun. It may have been raining but it was raining in Paris and that kind of beats sunny weather at home any day you know 🙂
I have the same problems whenever I passed a shop selling macaroons! They all looked so yummy as well, made it even harder to pass them by! 😀
I have the same reaction whenever I’m in London and it’s raining, I don’t really mind because well, London ahah 🙂 <3
There’s just something about being in another country and exploring a new part of the world that makes the worst weather bearable! 😀
Ahah yes, exactly 😀
HAHAHAHA I took the same photo of Point Zero when I was in Paris, back in September. Although I’m not sure you can see my feet on the photo ! It took me like 10 freaking minutes to find it !
great post Marie !
Hahaha, well… it took me a long time to find it as well, and people standing on it not realizing where they were, didn’t help, haha. Thank you so much!! <3
I love this post, thank you for sharing your pictures. I have always wanted to visit Paris and Anna and The French Kiss is one of my favourite books. You have convinced me that I need to go soon XD
Aww thank you so, so, so much, I’m really happy you like it! <3 I hope you'll get to go there soon 😀
Such a cool post, Marie! My favorite bookish place is HP world, which I’ve already visited a few years ago. It was so beautiful and magical. Gah, I really want to visit again someday. >.< And, speaking of French cliches and baguettes. The French actually influenced a lot of Vietnamese culture (like the language (we use a Roman alphabet instead of characters like other Asian countries), we have banh mi (which basically is a French inspired baguette), etc). So that's really cool, too. 😀
Ohh thank you so much Summer! <3 I would love to go to HP world someday, it seems like such a beautiful place <3 Ohh really? I had no idea, that's so, so cool! I just love how we can find bits of each others' cultures in our lives like that 😀
I so wanna go to Oaris. I want to sit at one of the quaint cafes and write, And then go to Shakespeare and Co bookshop
Ohhh yes, you should, it’s so great, and the Shakespeare and Co bookshop is just a mess of books, piling up everywhere, it’s every bookworm’s dream 😀 I hope you’ll go there someday! <3
I am absolutely in love with this post. I’d do almost anything for the chance to spend a few weeks exploring Paris at my leisure; but that opportunity is a long way off, so I appreciate your pictures and descriptions and advice! Can’t wait for any other pictures and tidbits you throw at us. *WANTS THEM ALL.* 😀
Ohh thank you so, so much Liam, it means a lot to me that you’re enjoying this <3 I hope you'll get the chance to go to Paris someday and explore the city for yourself! 🙂 And well, I'm doing a travelling post every two week or so, so…I'll have more pictures up very soon (about France! If you're interested :D)!
I’ll eat up every traveling post you have to offer. Can’t wait! 😀
Aww that’s way too sweet of you, I hope I won’t disappoint ?❤️
You couldn’t possibly disappoint! Don’t fret. 😀
I love this! It’s my dream! I hope you’ll visit Blackfriar’s bridge soon! Say Hi to Tessa and Jem for me!
Aww well hopefully it’s a dream coming true someday soon! 🙂
I have always want to go to Paris. I hope to go someday.
Ohh I really hope you’ll get to go someday! 😀
Ahhhhh #wanderlustbereal I WANT, no NEED to go to Paris. MUST. These pictures you posted are absolutely amazing! Oh, the food must be so amazing *mouth waters* *sobs cause I still haven’t visited Paris yet*
Ahh thank you Analee! <3 <3 Don't worry, one day I'll put you in my suitcase and give you a tour of Paris, and all of France 😀 😀 <3 <3
Ah you’re right Macarons are an art! This post has made me crave them…. It’s also made me want to go back to Paris- it’s been such a long time since I’ve been there and it looks like you had an amazing time!
Awww I hope you can eat some soon, I kind of want to eat some macarons as well so badly, haha. Thank you so, so much! <3
haha I wish thanks!! You’re welcome 🙂 <3
Such a fun post, I LOVE IT! I could just stare at those buildings all day, they’re just too aesthetically pleasing XD I want to go to Paris REALLY badly right now, WON’T YOU COME AND PICK ME UP? I will gladly gobble up all the food, see all the sites and do all things amazing!
AHH THANK YOU I WANT TO HUG YOU, you are way too sweet <3 <3 <3 Well whenever you come to France I'll make you visit and I'll take you to wonderful places and we'll eat GARGANTUOUS amounts of food 😛
CAN WE HUG? I WANT TO HUG. That sounds AWESOME, I MUST GO TO FRANCE. I’m just imagining all those lovely places and OH MAN THE FOOD. This will be a wonderful dream tonight 😉
YES WE SHOULD HUG <3 <3 Haha, well I hope you did dream about France, and travelling, and all the glorious food 😀
This is such a lovely post! I really REALLY want to go to Paris. I sort of went there as a kid, but it didn’t count since I only went to Disneyland and not the city itself haha.
AWw thank you so much, so glad you like it! <3 Oh Disneyland, it's been such a while since I've been there ahah. I hope you'll come back to France soon though, we can meet up to eat delicious food and go to bookshops 😛
I hope so too! Yes definitely! 😀 Aah don’t talk about delicious food I’m already hungry ?
Macarons and croissants and French pastries and DELICIOUS fooood everywhere. haha, sorry. I couldn’t resist 😛
Aaaaaah I’m no longer hungry (I ate haha) but damn my mouth is watering.
Well…you’re welcome? 😛 Come to France SOOON 😛
I love this blog post so much! I just had to read it after your SFATW post and now I love Paris (and France as a whole) even more! Your photos are beautiful and the city is stunning. I’m dreaming about Parisian food now *heart eye emoji* and I’m so excited to one day visit the Louvre and some of the jardins! Also, I LOVE how you incorporated Anna and the French Kiss! I haven’t read the book but you’ve definitely inspired me to now! 🙂
Ahh thank you so much Tyra Ann (I don’t think I’ve mentionned it before, but I absolutely LOVE your name. It’s so pretty.) Oh I hope you’ll read Anna and The French Kiss then, if you like sweet contemporary stories, you’ll love it 🙂 Thank you so, so much, and I can’t wait for you to visit Paris! (Because yes, you will :D)
Thank you so much, Marie! I’m very fond of your name as well 🙂 and yesss, I am so excited for my future trip to Paris! Because yes, it must happen 😀
Aww that’s so sweet of you! 🙂 (and btw, meant to tell you, you wrote a NOVEL and teach me your ways now ahahah :P). I can’t wait either, I’ll be greeting you with lots of MACARONS 😀