Following the 'To-dos' of Paris

Before I travel to a new destination I like to do some research and get an idea of what kinds of things I can see, do, and eat there. But when it came time to planning my very quick trip to Paris, a place I had visited a few times before, I knew my Googleing would have to go a bit deeper.

I have done the Louver, walked along the Seine, went up the Eiffel Tower (insert any tourist trap here and I had done it in the past), this time around I was free to hit up the non-traditional 'To-dos' of Paris.

1. Eat street falafel

I do love falafels--I make them all the time. So when I saw this was on various lists of 'Things To Do in Paris', it wasn't a sacrifice. I didn't know this was a thing for Paris, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

2. Maille Boutique

When I read about the mustard on tap and the cute little ceramic pots, I knew I would be making my group take a detour to find this store. I'm pleased with my White Wine Dijon mustard purchase from France.

3. Walked by macaroons

Now we could have gone in and sampled and nibbled and bought some very expensive macaroons but instead we drooled from the window and decided our short amount of time in Paris was better used elsewhere. But still I count this as a check!

4. Printemps Haussmann

I specifically Google'd, 'Best views of Paris' knowing full well the Eiffel Tower and Arch de Triomphe would come up on the top of the list, but "been there, done that" so when Printemps Haussmann followed closely behind I was most intrigued, but what sold me was the word FREE! Located 9 stories up at the top of the large department store was a rooftop terrace and cafe. Enjoy the views with a light snack and hot drink. 

I enjoyed getting to see a different side to this familiar city, I was still a complete tourist but unwilling to wait in long queues and take the same old photos. Had I had long time available I would have popped into a smaller museum to really round off the trip.

Do you avoid actively tourist traps or seek them out first thing in a new place, if only to check them off the travel list?

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My Favourite Parisian Church

Sainte Chapelle is one of my favourite places to visit in Paris. Without fail it takes my breath away when I enter the large second story chapel. There is so much colour and glass and its just amazing to think such a strong stone structure can look so delicate inside. This place will always be top of my list of places to visit in Paris, each and every time I'm there. 

You should book a trip to Paris for this church alone. Seriously.

Is there a tourist attraction you will always visit no matter how many times you've been before?

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Best Views of Paris

Iconic cities usually have iconic skylines. That means if you view the city of let's say Paris from the Eiffel Tower, you are missing the best bit of the skyline by being in the very structure the city is known for. Don't get me wrong, taking the diagonal lift up (or stairs if you are adventurous) to the viewing decks of the Eiffel Tower is something spectacular and a must do at least once in your lifetime, however seeing the city for what it's famous for is also a must do in my books.

Eiffel Tower in the distance

To the Google machine! I discovered a place called Printemps Haussmann, a great big department store which fellow bloggers were calling "The Best Views of Paris".  I might just have to agree. We happened to arrive around sunset and took the 9 flights of escalators up to the rooftop terrace and after admiring the cityscape views we decided to actually sit down and enjoy a hot drink while the sun sank into the horizon behind my treasured Eiffel Tower.

Paris Opera House

L'église de la Madeleine

La Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre

Printemps

Well worth the free admission and accidentally perfectly timed arrival. I couldn't have imagined a better view.

Have you visited Printemps for the views? Do you have a better spot to scope out this iconic skyline?

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Maille Boutique

Before heading to Paris, I did my research. I knew I was only going to be in the city for 24 hours, I needed to economize my schedule and make a plan. Thankfully, this wasn't my first trip to Paris and had seen many of the major tourist things before. This trip I wanted to be fun with off the beaten track activities. The Maille Boutique came top of the list and I couldn't wait.

Don't know Maille? Think Dijon Mustard, they are the originators of it and have been around since 1747. This boutique is a fancy mustard shop (as you'd imagine) where you can buy many varieties of the lovely French mustard. More than that, you can sample select varieties and purchase a small filled ceramic pot with mustard on tap. ON TAP!

Dijon with mustard seeds

White Wine Dijon

I went with the White Wine Dijon. And I know I'm not kidding anyone here, we all know I clearly I only bought it to have the jar. It's so darned cute!

The mustard is rather good too.

I would highly recommend a visit to the Maille Mustard Boutique next time you find yourself in Paris. It's something different AND delicious. But do be warned, it will be the most expensive mustard you ever buy at 17 Euros for the small 100 ml pot!

PS There is also a Maille Mustard Boutique in London on Piccadilly, if Paris is just to extravagant a trip to make. 

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Wednesday Wanderings

 

Gate in Avignon, Provence, France

Fun travels!

My Birthday Room with a View: Travel Link Up

Today I'm linking up with the monthly travel link up hosted by Emma, Kelly, Rebecca, and special guest Angie. When I saw that this month's travel link ups theme was "Room with a View" the below image immediately came to mind. 

The Location: Paris

The Year: 2005

The Occasion: my 23rd birthday

The story (which I might have mentioned before): My friends and I had taken a week's trip to Paris which happened to fall over my birthday. It was agreed that we would go to a museum in the morning and to the Eiffel Tower for sunset followed by nice meal at a French restaurant. I opened my eyes that morning ready for the day ahead. I jumped out of bed to gaze upon what the day had brought me. As I leaned out the window and looked up to the sky expectantly , I was greeted with sunshine and blue skies. As I was coming back into the room something odd caught my eye. It was large and fleshy, then I realized it was a Frenchman sitting down to breakfast in HIS birthday suit! I of course woke up my friend to show her my birthday surprise. Then took this cheeky (haha) photo. Obvi!

Runners up for my favourite Room with a View

1. My International Student Home during my semester abroad looked out onto Regent's park. I was spoiled.

2. The view from our Florence flat last summer. It was a bustling street below with all the Tuscan charm.

3. My friends' balcony from the 26th floor over looking the city from Shadwell. Not only do I love this view, but I aspire to return to it again one day...hopefully in the near future.

  

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FOOD: The Provence Addition

You know I live by the rule, "its food, it must be photographed" so of course as a round up to my epic girls extra long weekend in Provence mega posts I had to finish things off with a food post. So prepare you taste buds to salivate. 

This drink! It's a Provence regional thing, Rosé Pomplemousse. Wine and grapefruit juice. It was refreshing, thirst quenching and alcoholic. Who could ask for anything more?

The restaurant, Le Bercail, with the best damn pizza, best damn chili oil, and best damn chips around. (and the best damn view) So nice, we went there twice.*
Our little group of lady friends continued our drama free days into drama free dinners where we shared pizzas and side orders of fries. And there there was this chili oil that you drizzled on the pizza. It was heaven in a bottle, but other than that, I couldn't tell you what made it so amazing. (anyone have some good infused oil recipes?)

Meet Le Colonel:vodka and lemon sorbet. Period.

*we actually went 3 times, but that didn't rhyme. It was delicious and super convenient

One night I tried for the first time escargot a.k.a. cute little snails. The verdict? Anything in lovely garlic butter is good.

On our day trip to Aix en Provence we had lunch at a tapas restaurant. There were so many yummy looking things on the menu we couldn't decide, so we decided not to decide and asked the waiter to pick for us.

He done gud.

One day Selena had a dream and her dream was to have crepes. We had to make that dream come true and so we had savoury crepes for lunch.

While making Selena's dreams come true we were seated across from a market stall selling fruit pate. We had no idea what it could be so of course we bought a small slab. Raspberry. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be married to a man that made fruit pate?

The verdict? It was okay. I could see really enjoying it with some crisp crackers and sharp cheese. It complimented our market food picnic we had for dinner that night, with fresh strawberries, cured meat, baguettes, dips and goat cheese. Oh, and don't forget the rosé.

On our last night in Avignon we decided to find a nice restaurant (we had been so lucky so far) to treat ourselves. We consulted our handy TripAdvisor and made a reservation. We arrived at our destination and all of us had a bad feeling about the place. None of us voiced our concerns until the chief/owner came out to talk to the Canadians. After a rude and offensive encounter we agreed this wasn't going to happen and we left before placing any orders.
It was getting late, we were starved, and we were desperate for a restaurant. We stopped at the next closest one and it was a godsend. Literally. It was in a converted chapel for the old mortuary. The menu was simple and classic. It was an excellent end to our time in Provence. We didn't think it could get any better until this chief/owner personally drove us back to our hotel. 

Missed it? Here are the links to my other posts about this trip.

Mas de L'Ile

Heavenly breakfasts

Aix en Provence

Provence Sweets

Wandering L'Ile-Sur-la-Sorgue

Marketing L'Ile-Sur-la-Sorgue

Chateauneuf du Pape

Palais des Papes

Stone Carvings at the Palais

Fun travels!