Spring Break XI: Paris

Eiffel Tower

Took a train from London to Paris. Stayed in Paris for the last 4 nights of our spring break. We stayed in Regent Hostel near the Anvers metro station. It was such a great location and this hostel was so much nicer than our last one! We only had 3 days of actual sight seeing so we didn't really have a lot of time but we tried to make the best of it! My roommates friend met us in Paris and stayed at the hostel with us.

Ok so on to the trip! We saw a lot of the main attractions. The night we got to Paris we walked to the Sacre Coeur church which was about 10 minutes from our hostel. I got my first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower! I tried escargots for the first time at dinner! The next day we went to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, went to Laduree (famous macaroon bakery), Musee d'Orsay. The macaroons were delicious. I got strawberry, lemon, chocolate, vanilla, sour apple & rose petal. Chocolate and lemon were my faves. We were gonna go to the top of the Eiffel Tower but the line was so long we decided to wake up early the next day and go. Notre Dame was free to get into which was nice. The cathedral was very pretty. Arc de Triomphe was neat. You walk through a tunnel to get under the arch since there is a giant round-a-bout surrounding it. Saw the tomb of the unknown soldier under the arc. Got into the Musee d'Orsay for free with my student visa. Saw severl Van Goh & Claude Monet paintings!

The second full day we woke up early to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Took an elevator to the top. The ride up was somewhat scary! I am afraid of heights so I tried not to look down. The views from the top were great! I could see the Arc de Triomphe from up there. Went to the Louvre later that day & once again got in free with my student visa. Spent 6 hrs in the Louvre and saw like a tiny bit of it! The museum is so big! Saw the Mona Lisa :) Got to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle too! It was around 9pm that it started to sparkle. I have a video I will post later of it.

The Louvre

Last full day we went to Versailles. Got to Versailles around 10am and lines were starting to form! Got into Versailles for free with my visa once again! Glad I brought it with me. Spent most of the day at Versailles touring the apartments and gardens. Got to see the famous Hall of Mirrors. Walked to the Grand Trianon which is also on the estate. Came back to the hostel then went to La Place du Tertre in Montmartre. It was a little square up near Sacre Coeur church. It was such a cute little square. There were artists drawing self portraits for people. It was such a crowded little place. I got a chocolate crepe while I was up there and it was so good. Went to see Montmartre Cemetary & then stopped by Moulin Rouge!

The day we left to come home to Florence we stopped by the Opera House to get some pics. Didn't get to go in the Opera House because it opened when we had to catch our plane. Flew from Paris Orly airport to Pisa via Easy Jet. Then took a train from Pisa back home to Florence! It was such a fun spring break! Got to see most all of the main attractions & eat some great food! Escargots, Eiffel Tower, Versailles & Montmartre were my favorites.