For years I had dreamed of going to Europe and seeing places I hadn't seen before..taking in the culture and the people and immersing myself in all that is local. I finally got to experience this last March when I went to France, England and Italy with some of my favourite people. I started in Paris with one of my good friends from work where I think we managed to walk most of Paris in 5 days. To say we saw a lot of the amazing sites this beautiful city is known for is an understatement. To see Paris by foot is an experience everyone should have once in their lives. The city is apparently known for the "rude Parisians" but I can truly say I never experienced this attitude once. In fact, I found the people in Paris to be quite charming..from the lovely lady who ran the Boulangerie below our apartment to the waiters who flirted for extra tips the people we met were never anything other than polite and friendly. You just have to make sure you understand how the locals do it. Always greet the shopkeeper, maitre d' or anyone else whose business you enter with a friendly "Bonjour Madame/Mosieur" and you were treated as an equal. There is no reason to yell or get flustered..a simple pointing of to what you want with a s'il vous plait will do it.
The French have a unique way of dealing with life in general I found. It's a definite C'est la vie type of attitude. An easy way of looking at is that they live to enjoy life, whether it be from the food and wine to the simple act of going for a walk along the Seine on a nice day (watch out for dog droppings, they are everywhere), the Parisians live life to the fullest and enjoy it for everything it is worth. There is honestly nothing better than a leisurely morning spent wandering Marais with a warm Pane au Chocolat, going into the unique little shops that sell everything from wine to olive oil to fine linens (don't even get me started on the beautiful linens they have there). Followed by a leisurely lunch in the Eiffel district and a tour to the top of the tower makes a wonderful afternoon indeed. We spent a good part of the day wandering Montmarte which I could easily spend an entire week in for sure. The artist's square and the surrounding shops are a reminder of a Paris of long ago when the Belle Epoque was the reason to live and the nights came alive at the Moulin Rouge. The winding streets of shops and apartments are some of the most charming I have ever seen and the climax of the visit is definitely to climb to the top of Sacre Coeur to see the opposite view of the City of lights that is seen from the Eiffel Tower. To head down the famous staircases of Montmarte back to the level of the rest of the city engulfs you in a feeling of stepping back into the here and now and away from a time of fun and frolic brought on by the sweet sting of Absinthe and the splendour of the time.
A day spent wandering the Ile, the original Paris is an absolute must. To say that a trip to Notre Dame cathedral is life changing is an understatement. It is a humbling experience that can make even the biggest atheist question his beliefs in mankind and humanity. It is a throne to both God and some of the most amazing works of art and architecture that have ever been created (other than Italy, but I'll get to that in another post). It happened to be the nicest day we had that day and we thoroughly enjoyed being able to walk around the Ile and see all that is there. Saint Chappelle was our next stop and it is actually located within the walls of the Dept of Justice so there is quite a security clearance line to go through to experience what will probably be the most amazing examples of stained glass windows you will ever see. The colour that comes into the open cathedral is indescribable and the fact that there is nothing else in the room to take away from the light show is sheer perfection.
Our nights were filled with relaxing and delicious meals with many chats over bottles of amazing wine. People will tell you it is expensive to eat in Paris. These are the people that hit the trendy places on the Champs Elysses. If I can give you any advice when it comes to eating in Paris, it is to go find what looks good and is off the beaten path. This is where you will find the locals, the food is better and cheaper and the staff treat you like someone who is there to enjoy what they have to offer and not just to 'experience Paris'. This is most people's mistake. I loved the little places we ate most. The tiny cafe's that had simple food using local ingredients and the pizzeria's that were so authentically Italian that we felt like we were in Italy and not in Paris. I don't need to be seen to enjoy a meal, I need to sit and enjoy the ambience and the food and wine. As a self-proclaimed foodie I can give you these tips..
1. Go visit the famous places for sure to say you have seen the likes of Laduree, but then go find the patesserie down the side street that isn't making macarons by the hundreds everyday. Find the ones that you see the locals buzzing in and out of in the morning for the pane au chocolat and try them once. Then go find the one on your street and support their business for the duration of your trip.
2. Eat the produce. Whatever you can find, whereever you can find them. Never think to yourself, but we have fabulous produce here in North America. The taste of a fresh tomato in Europe will change your way of thinking in a second.
3. Drink the wine. Any of it. All of it. Red, White and Pink. Just enjoy it.
4. Don't expect excellent coffee in France. That's what Italy is for.
5. Try the French food...and indulge. Even if it's only on one meal..it's a must. The classics are still around and they are still around for a reason. They are classic. They are delicious and the French have perfected them in such a way that other cultures can't even try to compete. So go ahead, eat the snails. They are melt in your mouth phenomenal.
6. Eat cheese. Lots of it. France is known for their cheese for a reason.
7. Enjoy a croissant or a pane au chocolat at least once a day.
8. Crepes and a Chocolat Chaud are a must at least once a trip..especially from a street vendor. I highly recommend the one across from the Eiffel Tower on the Left Bank of the Seine next to the Carousel. Seriously, on a cold night in March they are TO DIE FOR!!
From here we left the gaity of Paris and boarded a train on the way to London for a week...those adventures are to come...
