Beyond Brittany: Souvenirs de Paris

Ah, the City of Light. The City of Love. The Fashion Capital of the World. Whatever name you choose to call her, it fits. It’s PARIS, and she truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There is just something so enticing, so mysterious, so moving about Paris that I would recommend it being at the top of everyone’s Bucket List.

Now, I don’t say that lightly. I was a single mom for a few decades, working at least 2 jobs at a time for a good chunk of those years. I know that it’s not as simple as just deciding to go to Paris and buying a ticket. I just know it is possible. With enough determination, anything is.

I had the great fortune of visiting Paris as a child during one of my dad’s business trips. My mom likes to tell the story of how no one else brought their children, but my parents felt it was important for us to tag along and see the world. It was during that trip that my eyes were opened to a culture and language completely different than my own. At that time, we lived on a farm in a small Midwestern village, so you can imagine how different it was for someone who was used to spending the afternoon playing with her cows!

To say that I didn’t – and couldn’t – fully appreciate its impact would be an understatement. After completing a study abroad there years later, I got it. What I learned there was more than French. In fact, it was the most important lesson ever: I am capable of some pretty cool things when pushed outside of my comfort zone.

I learned that stepping out of the comfortable and into the uncomfortable is where the magic happens. There were challenges to be sure – being in a large city, knowing no one, trying to speak and understand a different language, navigating public transport, etc. But it was an incredible gift too. Being there made me learn so much about myself. For one, I learned that I had a strong case of wanderlust, and that has only grown over the years. I also learned that as an adult no one is going to hold my hand and do things for me. Especially the hard stuff. If I wanted to make new friends there, I had to put myself out there and meet new people. If I wanted to explore a new place, I had to do the research, buy the ticket, and get on a train. It wasn’t hard, but it certainly wasn’t easy either.

Any French person will tell you that Paris is NOT France (and vice versa), but it will always hold a special place in my heart for introducing me to the language, culture, and the people who I hold dear to my heart.

Paris has indeed changed over the years, as have I, and while I will always, always love Paris I do find myself longing for the tranquility and slower pace of Brittany these days, over the hustle-and-bustle of Paris’ streets. But when I fly into France, I almost always spend a full day and a half in Paris. It truly feels like coming home. I stay at the same hotel, in the same arrondissement that I stayed in during my first visit to France (and, as luck would have it, the same as my host family during my study abroad). While I tell myself to do one thing, visit a new part of the city each time I’m there, I find comfort in walking down familiar streets, visiting my favorite cafes, going to Musee Rodin again, and even visiting the same kind women in the same Pharmacie, where I stock up on my favorite skincare products.

My arrondissement of choice is the 7th. It is not for those wanting a lively night scene; there aren’t many bars at all, in fact. It is a relatively quiet part of the city, and one that houses a variety of cultural attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, and Musee Rodin, to name a few.

The hotel that I prefer is Hotel Muguet. It’s just a stone’s throw from les Invalides, a 5 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower, and less than 2 minutes from Rue Cler. It rests on a quiet street, perfect for those of us who can hear a pin drop a mile away. The staff are incredible, the rooms are comfortable, and the prices reasonable. One can choose a courtyard view (very quiet) or one with a superbe view of The Iron Lady.

Upon arrival, I usually unload my bags, catch up with a friend who works there, then I head out for a coffee and a visit to Musee Rodin.

I can opt for a ticket to the museum and gardens, or just the gardens. I’ve sometimes just opted for the later and enjoyed a coffee and a snack at the little cafe in the garden. I am in complete awe of sculptures, so when I visit the museum I like to take my time and thoroughly enjoy each piece of work.

After that, I like to go back to the hotel for a little rest. Later, I like to walk along the Seine to stretch my legs and encourage a good night’s sleep. I usually walk to the Jardin des Tuileries, located in the 1st arrondissement, about a 25-minute walk from the hotel.

Continuing down through the gardens and towards the Louvre…

… and what a sight it is!

Continuing on then, along the Seine …

It’s a good, long stroll from the hotel to Notre Dame – about an hour going this route – but worth every step.

And suddently, she’s there. Notre Dame. Our Lady of Paris. I fall a little more in love with her each time I see her, and I know that I’m not alone in that regard …

And while she may have lost some of her beauty after this photo was taken (due to the fire) she still stands tall and proud.

After a bonjour to Notre Dame, I walk a bit further to the Ile St Louis. There are dozens of little shops to visit and a delicious ice cream place to give me that extra boost of energy.

And finally, it’s time to walk back. This time, I pass the bouquinistes, where I check out their selection of books and little souvenirs.

… and past cafes that one could only find in a city like this …

There is much to see on this walk back. People enjoying a chat by the river, houseboats and little restaurants everywhere …

If I’m not too tired for dinner, I eat at a litle place on Rue Cler called Le Petite Cler, then head back to the hotel. By this time, the jet lag has usually kicked in full force. When I wake up, I walk to the boulangerie and get a pain au chocolat or croissant then make my way to say good morning to the Iron Lady. I love coming here in the evenings or early mornings, before it gets crowded. I sit on a bench and I am overcome with gratitude for being in such a magical place as this.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed coming to Paris with me today. As you can see, I don’t try to visit every attraction, but rather pick one or two that really appeal to me and then spend the rest of the time walking the city and taking in its beauty. Of course, the longer I’m here the more things I see, but I always leave time just for walking. Getting “lost” in Paris is probably the best way to enjoy the city.

Some of my favorite spots to eat:

Kozy Cafe (Avenue Bosquet) http://www.kozy.fr/

Le Petite Cler, 29 Rue Cler 75007 http://www.lepetitcler.com/

Le 7eme Vin, Avenue Bosquet 75007 https://www.restaurant7emevin.fr/

Angelina Cafe, Rue du Rivoli (near the Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries ) https://www.angelina-paris.fr/fr/le-226-rue-de-rivoli

Some of my favorite spots to visit:

Jardin des Tuileries https://www.parisinfo.com/musee-monument-paris/71304/Jardin-des-Tuileries

Musee Rodin http://www.musee-rodin.fr/

Musee d’Orsay https://www.musee-orsay.fr/

Atelier des Lumieres (not mentioned, but well worth a visit) https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/

My favorite hotel:

Hotel Muguet 11 Rue Chevert, 75007 Paris (Please let them know I sent you 🙂 ) https://hotelparismuguet.com/

Let me know in the comments if Paris is on your Bucket List. What would you like to see and do there? If you’ve already visited, what was your favorite thing that you saw/did?

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Thanks for reading!

Amy, from Tales from Brittany