Wednesday 11 June 2014

Paris the city of love

Paris travel review
Paris travel review
Paris holds a special place in my heart, some of this is due to familiarity having visited a number of times. The other reasons, it shares my love for fashion, beauty, shopping and food. Four of my favourite things. 
Paris shopping

Paris shopping

Sephora

Mercedes Benz nail varnish

But the main reason why I love Paris most of all is that it is the centre of one of my favourite books The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. The wonderful blend of history and code cracking makes it my perfect book. It shares some of Paris's favourite landmarks.  

So when I booked a weekend in Paris for my mothers special birthday it made Foodieforce well a little bit excited. 

You can't visit Paris without seeing one of its most famous landmarks the Eiffel Tower. 

Paris top sights
The metal structure stands proud in the City's skyline at 906ft. It really is a sight to behold. 

For those that are fit amongst us you can walk up to the first level of the tower 345 steps. This wasn't really an appealing offer for us, so we opted for the lift. This gives superb views of both the metal design of the tower and the views of Paris as you ascend. 

The eiffel tower paris

The views at the top are breathtaking even when it is pouring with rain and bloody freezing. 

Eiffel Tower
Top tips are to buy your tickets in advance if you can. Be warned though they do not release lots and many go to tourist companies and tours. If you can't get a ticket in advance don't panic arrive at 8.30 am and begin to queue and when it opens at 9 you won't have to wait to long. 

You have seen it in the day but don't forget that it looks even more beautiful in the dark with its twin search beacon's that light up the Paris sky. Every hour for 10 minutes the whole tower sparkles. I wouldn't want to change a light bulb on this beauty. 

It was a little bit windy at the top and after all that fresh air what is a foodie to do. Yes you know me too well by now, Eat. We opted for a sweet little
restaurant in Opera.

French restaurants
French Cuisine

One of my favourite soups is onion and no one does it like the French. Looking at this picture is making me want to be there right now. Huge bread croutons, topped with yummy gooey cheese. Oh so good. 

The afternoon was spent at the Louvre, such a beautiful museum with of course none other than The Mona Lisa. 
Top sights paris


Louvre

Louvre

Louvre

The Mona Lisa

I'm not really sure that I buy into the amount of fuss that is made about The Mona Lisa. Yes it is a cool painting but compared to the many beauties in the museum I certainly wouldn't say it is the best thing to see. But art is all down to personal interpretation. 

After the miles we had done walking we decided to call it a day. But what a wonderful first day in Paris. Plenty more to follow for Day two in Paris. 

Have you been to Paris? What is your favourite part? Any top tips to share with others?

 photo foodieforce_32.jpg

20 comments:

  1. Such lovely photos! I was pretty little when I went to Paris and I'd love to go back now that I'm older...

    xx, Be || lovefrombe

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    1. Thanks Be, you should definitely go back as there is so much to do. Lucy

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  2. Ooooh, this is such a gorgeous post! I've only been to Paris for a very short layover, so only spent time in the airport. I really wish to go for a vacation. The Louvre is so gorgeous! And Guerlain, and Sephora! Their Sephora has different products than ours! Can't wait to see your next post!!!

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    1. All of Paris is beautiful especially Louvre which is such a massive museum. Clothes and beauty shopping in Paris is pretty special but my greatest treat are the flea and food markets they are lovely. Nothing beats french cheese. Lucy x

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  3. Nice pics Lucy! I have no specific recomendations for Paris other than go, buy cake, drink wine and walk your feet off! I've only been once, but it was a pretty special once, we got engaged at sunset up the Eifel tower... bit cheesey but I loved it! x

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    1. Paris is the city of love, getting engaged up the Eiffel Tower is supper romatic and very brave. He must have been certain you would say yes, otherwise it would have been a very long journey down. The suggestions of cake and wine definitely. Paris has some amazing patisseries Lucy x

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  4. I LOVE Paris so much! I went with a girlfriend about 3 or 4 years ago but I'm dying to go back with Simon as he's never been. I've already started dropping pretty hefty hints that I'd quite like to go next year.

    My favourite parts are definitely climbing Notre Dame for the amazing views and of course all of the yummy food, I tried so many different foods last time and I love the whole pavement café culture!

    x

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    1. Hopefully Simon will take the bait and you will be off next year. It is such a beautiful city. Visited the Notre Dame pics to follow but the queue to climb to the top was huge so as we have done this before we gave it a miss and had a chocolate eclair instead. I need to get Cate to teach me how to make some.

      Maybe even after eight ones ooh.

      Lucy x

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  5. What a lovely little city guide :) I want to go this summer now! When I went for the day with my boyfriend, we went to Breizh Cafè for crepes which I'd seen on a few sites as one of the best places for them - it really was! Booking is essential unless you're incredibly lucky and manage to get a space in the smaller shop next door where there's one communal table for walk ins. The crepes are to die for and with a bowl of cider.. heaven! Otherwise I use spottedbylocals.com for this kind of thing :) xxx
    La Lingua : Food, Life, Love, Travel, Friends, Italy

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    1. That sounds lovely Crepes are a favourite but always have the difficult decision of do I go sweet or savoury. Sweet normally wins. If you like crepes you need to try shutter bug in Shoreditch delicious.

      Lucy x

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  6. I am agree with you that Paris is city of love and I love it too a lot, the architecture is amazing, I really love to walk by river side and my favourite places are: centre pompidou, view from the Eiffel Tower, Pouchkine - Russian cafe/restaurant and all other their pastry shops :)

    I didn't like people from there :) but Paris itself is superrrrrrrrrrrrrr lovely!!!

    Much love
    Liuba
    xxx

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    1. The architecture is beautiful. The river Seine was where our hotel was so beautiful and great for a night-time walk to walk off the food. The patisserie shops are amazing. Lucy x

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  7. I went to Paris when I was sixteen and it was the best trip ever! This is bringing it all back, it sounds like you had a lovely break :) xx

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    1. It is such a lovely city, I bet at sixteen you had so much fun. Have a good week Lucy x

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  8. I love it when the eiffel tour sparkles. I've spent many evenings there drinking wine on the grass. Every time it sparkles everyone goes 'oooo' and 'aaahhh' as most people don't expect it. It's lovely =)

    I love Paris so much. It's been 3 years since I last went =(

    Corinne x

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  9. It is a lovely part of the world. When the Eiffel is sparkling in the night sky it is amazing so pretty. But I certainly would not want to change any of the bulbs. Lucy x

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  10. I haven't been to Paris but I'd love to! It looks so beautiful in these photos x

    Josie’s Journal

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  11. It is a wonderful city I really recommend it. Have a nice weekend Lucy x

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  12. Aww Lucy, we've never been to Paris :-( It looks and sounds amazing. Paris is definitely on our list of places we'd love to visit...& to see the Eiffel Tower of course. Fantastic photos :-)

    Great to read everyone's experiences/tips etc in your comments too. Looking forward to reading day 2 now.

    x Roch & Tash x
    www.next-route-style.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. It is a beautiful place to visit, definitely needs to be on the list. I'm getting some great suggestions for future adventures. Lucy x

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