A Weekend in Paris

Unashamed. I have been drinking the Paris cool aid.

"There are only two places in the world where we can live happy; at home and in Paris" -Ernest Hemingway

Oui Oui. If you follow me on Instagram you are probably already annoyed with my travels to Paris this weekend. This was my third trip to France and my second to Paris, but it was by far the most magical. All of the flowers were in full bloom, the sun was constantly shining, and every street seemed far more romantic than the last. A simple lunch at a Parisienne cafe, overlooking the gorgeous balconies, smelling the fresh bread, and listening to the music of a clarinetist from the street, is enough to make even the most cynical of people a hopeless romantic. We had a relaxing weekend that evading the major sightseeing areas. Instead, we explored diligently, ate fervently, and walked slowly for many many miles.

Food

You are probably surprised to hear that I have been growing a little sick of pizza and pasta. No, this is not for good, but a weekend away was necessary for me. French cuisine is quite different from that of Italians. Gluten is still king, but meat is the queen. I traded in my trusty cappuccino for a Cafe Au Lait, my patent leather jacket for a striped shirt and some simple pants, and took a walk on the slow side.

Night One

Place: le Refuge

Food: Cheese Fondue

Drink: House Red Wine...In a baby bottle

Thinking that we were going to an all you can eat steak and wine restaurant, Lizzie and I made a reservation at what her trusty friend said was the best restaurant she had been to in Paris. We quickly learned we had the wrong place, when we walked into this 20ft by 6ft room that had tables so tightly packed together if you sit on the booth side you have to climb to your seat. Our meal was a 3 course fondue meal, served with the richest cheese I have ever tasted. The place had many little quirks, including serving its classic red wine in baby bottles, and eclectic decor. We ended up needing a little more food afterwards, so we stopped by a restaurant down the street to get some boeuf bourguignon.

Day Two

Lunch

Our Saturday lunch was an impromptu stop at a small, random, cafe in the Latin district. I could not tell you the name, but I can tell you it as a wonderful meal. Seared scallops on a bed of mushrooms and whipped potatoes washed down with local rose.

Dinner

This was by far my favorite meal in France and possibly since I have been in Europe. In my many travels to France, I could never quite stomach eating Duck. But in a state of courage, I decided tonight would be the night to be adventurous ( I know I'm wild.) The server recommended a butter roasted duck leg with a side of potatoes poached in duck fat, butter, and rosemary. All of which was topped off with a bold wine from the Rhone River Region. This was absolutely to die for. The Duck was tender and buttery and heavenly, all on its own. The potatoes were a masterpiece of flavors. I felt like a real Parisienne woman, all for the low cost of 35 Euro. Of course, I had to finish the meal with creme brûlée.

What to see, What to do, What we did

1. Art

If one were to visit the Louvre and spend one minute looking at each painting, and did so for 7 hours a day until done, it would take about 75 years to complete. Given that my trusty travel partner was not an art fanatic, and I had already been to the Louvre, we decided to go to the Musee de Orsay. I would highly recommend this as an option to avoid the crowds and the wait times. Most notably, its exhibits on impressionism and post-impressionism, can leave anyone floored. There is simply no one like Monet, renoir, and Van Gogh. It is easy to see, after observing Paris in full bloom, why they were so inspired by the enchanting city in the first place.

2. The Eiffel Tower

Obviously, if you come to Paris you have to see the Eiffel Tower. Although the view from the towers three balconies are vast and gorgeous, the best view of Paris is one that actually includes the tower in the view. We were lucky enough to view the Eiffel tower at sunset from a rooftop bar not far from the Champs Des Elysee. Pictures do not do the tower justice.

3. Shopping

There is no question that Milan is the luxury fashion capital of the world. It holds some the most notorious and famous fashion brands of all time. Paris, however, is the fashion capital of wearable fashion. Every street is peppered with unique local boutiques that all boast their own signature style. French style is so understated and clean. Unlike Italian fashion, it is less about the clothes, and more about showing off the beautiful woman wearing the clothes. I am obsessed with the simplicity of it all.