A full days shopping definitely meant an early start, Pan au Chocolat in hand we headed across the road to Notre Dame. An absolute must the building itself is free to view unless you want to see the cathedral tower or the treasury which do require an entrance fee. A tourist mecca where some queuing will be involved but if doesn't get you wondering about Quasimodo ringing the bells or screaming 'Sanctuary' or pretending you are Esmeralda, nothing will. Notre Dame is great to see any day of the week as it is open daily, however try and avoid some of the overpriced unimaginative named themed restaurants near by, a better option is a fresh crepe and hot chocolate in the lovely gardens towards the back of the cathedral tower. There is also a fascinating bridge near by made up entirely of locks.
* courtesy of Paris-Paris-Paris.com
As we came during the week (its by far cheaper to come to Paris at this time and you are more likely to get a seat at your favourite brassieres and bistros too) it came as a bit of shock to find out that most if not all Parisian museums are shut on Tuesdays, so it definitely made sense to make this day our shopping day. After a quick walk through the Louvre Gardens (please be wary of scam artists trying to get you to sign up for various supposed charities for a fee and prying on tourists, a 'firm no' usually makes them move on) we took a left towards the mounds of Parisian boutiques, designer labels and visual merchandising heaven. This area is also littered with expensive hotels, stunning architecture and hidden side streets. Sigh if only my budget stretched this far.
*courtesy of stylefrizz.com
* courtesy of jingdaily.com
In a desperate need to rest our tired tootsies we decided to take the metro to Paris's most famous of landmarks the Eiffel Tower . At this time the queues are all easily digestible and you shouldn't have to wait too long. A trip to the very top is a reasonable 14.50 Euros or only 13.00 if you are 24 and under. There are 3 different lifts and 2 of them take you to the second floor, if you want to go to the very top and I urge you all to do so you will need to change on the second floor. The view from here is undeniably breath-taking even more so when you enjoy a glass of chilled fizz from the Champagne bar at the very top!
By this time we definitely needed a break once back at the hotel we snacked on tart tatin's and macaroons and kicked off our shoes. Our belly's full of apricot goodness it was time to check out the local bar scene. Our hotel's location on the St Germain Boulevard but located in the Latin Quarter was choc a bloc full of student dive bars with very reasonable happy hour offers. Across the road Le Bo Bar fitted this to an absolute tee, 'a local for locals' bar with an abundance of smokers, pints of red Leffe were an unbelievable 3 euros! These certainly warmed us up and got us into that holiday Christmas spirit. Our next port of call was the fabulous Pledge Bar a small hole in the wall just over the bridge towards Notre Dame. Dimply lit, cute bartenders and Desperardos on tap we settled in and chilled to the sweet sounds of Bob Marley. This is the sort of bar you could happily spend the whole night in. Feeling a little merry we decided it was time to head back arm in arm for a mug of tea and to rest and rejuvenate our tired bodies...after all there was certainly more walking to be done in the morning.
*courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pledge-Bar/145748765506542?fref=ts
* courtesy of Paris-bistro.com
On route to the very famous Galeries Lafayette and a pit stop to the very un-French Pizza Hut for midday munchies we stopped in Sephora to stock up on make up heaven. Sephora, a french brand of cosmetics that first opened in the 70's is how a fine cosmetic store should be. Littered with the best in French skin care brands, luxury make up ranges and various bars for manicures, hair up do's and makeovers one could easily get lost and while many a happy (if not expensive) hour away. I purchased a few essential creams and serums unavailable in many UK department stores and off we set across the street to be simply awestruck by the sheer size, beauty and mesmerising range of awesomeness on display in Galeries Lafayette. The store, Paris's answer to Harrods is simply phenomenal! Floor upon floor of beauty, bars and cafes (there is even a McDonalds on the top floor!) high street and designer beauties, as well as home wares and Parisian gifts it is a place you could easily spend a whole day in. Don't forget to look upward though the glass dome is simply spectacular. It is the only store I know to have another store next door just entirely dedicated to men!
In a desperate need to rest our tired tootsies we decided to take the metro to Paris's most famous of landmarks the Eiffel Tower . At this time the queues are all easily digestible and you shouldn't have to wait too long. A trip to the very top is a reasonable 14.50 Euros or only 13.00 if you are 24 and under. There are 3 different lifts and 2 of them take you to the second floor, if you want to go to the very top and I urge you all to do so you will need to change on the second floor. The view from here is undeniably breath-taking even more so when you enjoy a glass of chilled fizz from the Champagne bar at the very top!
By this time we definitely needed a break once back at the hotel we snacked on tart tatin's and macaroons and kicked off our shoes. Our belly's full of apricot goodness it was time to check out the local bar scene. Our hotel's location on the St Germain Boulevard but located in the Latin Quarter was choc a bloc full of student dive bars with very reasonable happy hour offers. Across the road Le Bo Bar fitted this to an absolute tee, 'a local for locals' bar with an abundance of smokers, pints of red Leffe were an unbelievable 3 euros! These certainly warmed us up and got us into that holiday Christmas spirit. Our next port of call was the fabulous Pledge Bar a small hole in the wall just over the bridge towards Notre Dame. Dimply lit, cute bartenders and Desperardos on tap we settled in and chilled to the sweet sounds of Bob Marley. This is the sort of bar you could happily spend the whole night in. Feeling a little merry we decided it was time to head back arm in arm for a mug of tea and to rest and rejuvenate our tired bodies...after all there was certainly more walking to be done in the morning.
* courtesy of Paris-bistro.com
