An English Girl in Paris (Part Une)

Living so close to Manchester Airport I always like to browse the plethora of budget airlines and see what cheap breaks I can book on my very tiny budget, so it was quickly and mutually decided a girly shopping trip to Paris was what we were after. Flights were a reasonable £265 return with luggage including an extra case for essential shopping purposes via Jet2.  Our journey was quick and comfortable and flights were even early, a first I have found! Once on the ground we were pleasantly surprised by the accommodating weather which was definitely mild for the time of year. Access from the airport to city centre via train/subway is hassle free and relatively easy. These services run every 15/30 mins and are operated via a gate ticket system where you must produce your ticket to enter and exit the Metro. The Metro is split up into several zones. I purchased the Paris+ system tickets allowing you access to all zones across the network with ten tickets costing approximately 10.50 Euros. A bloody bargain considering these were great to use at night accessing our favourite bars/restaurants allowing us to remain in very high heels! Which is always an added bonus (also meant I was able to use a spare ticket on route back to the airport SCORE).

It should look like this!

Our hotel for the stay was the perfectly positioned Hotel Abbatial only a stones throw from Notre Dame on Boulevard Saint-Germain. The location is easily accessed by Metro the closet being Maubert Mutualite. This funky 3 star hotel is quirky and individual, the lobby a wonderful place to read and kill time is equipped with ipads, fashion and food magazines and lots of other useful tourist information on the best places to eat and  drink and shop in Paris.  There is also free wifi! Another bonus if you are needing to check your emails whilst away. The hotel staff are extremely friendly, all speak English and are happy to book restaurants or recommend local places to chinwag over drinks watching the fashionable folk go by. Our cost for a 3 night stay was approximately £400, a snitch considering our room even had a balcony! If paying by card their machines also convert into your own currency making things a little easier if you are needing to keep on top of your finances. Rooms were more than adequate and included a fridge, minibar and safe, bath and shower facilities as well as the usual tea and coffee (although French tea is particularly rancid). Although a word of warning the lift is beyond small so if you have any heavy or large luggage a few trips will be essential. Breakfast is 12 euros, however we skipped this as just next door the wonderful La Parisienne Bakery with almost any type of bread imaginable, but at 1.25 euros for a Pan au Chocolat you can't go wrong. I also highly recommend their mass array of fruit tarts the apricot ones are simply sensational. 

                                                            *courtesy of Cosy Hotels

 *courtesy of Hotel Abbatial

Once unpacked and a quick view over the balcony seeing the rush and pace of city life below we needed to eat. Le Petit Pontoise was recommend to us by the front desk and thankfully was just around the corner. It was recommend you book but being a Monday night and fairly early we decided to chance our luck. Before entering, the many Michelin Guide stickers on the door gave us a buzz of anticipation although my friend mentioned it might be quite pricey. Inside, the restaurant was intimate and cozy and very French the sort of bistro had it been full, your elbows probably would have been in your neighbours food however this did nothing to halt the flawlessness of the the food. My rack of lamb was deliciously moist with a succulent rich sauce with various vege in small pan sized plate possibly the best I've tasted. Although pricey (expect to pay around 25/30 euros for a main) there is a wide selection of dishes, from traditional French Fare to European classics. A menu that is simple but pleasing to all, including separate Meat and Fish dishes as well as an array of specials...it was the perfect start to our Parisian getaway. 

 Le Petit Pontoise
9 RUE DE PONTOISE, Paris, France
+33 1 43 29 25 20

 
We headed back to our hotel belly's full and basking in the delight of our first nights success. We toasted to our holiday on our hotel balcony with some chilled Champagne! I knew the fridge would come in useful. Part Duex coming shortly.