Return to Paris!

Hello friends! I hope you are all having a nice weekend! I know what you’re thinking.. are they going back again?! I wish! These are actually the pictures from our November trip I promised I’d share ‘soon’ in my Burgundy post.  Better late than never, I suppose!

Anyways. We had an amazingly wonderful time in Paris on our second trip. The weather was surprisingly good (60’s!?!). And gone were the hoards of tourists we encountered on our last trip in the beginning of September. Don’t get me wrong, I doubt you will come across a completely tourist-less Paris.. but it was noticeably emptier this time around.

Surely, strolling along the banks of the Seine is delightful any time of year and autumn is no exception.  The cloudy skies seem to only accentuate the beauty of the city, and the foliage lining the banks makes you feel as though you might be walking through a postcard.

Return to Paris - Tulips & A Terrier

We wanted to experience a different part of the city this time, so we opted to stay in Saint Germain, literally around the corner from Jardin Du Luxembourg.

Of the parks I’ve visited in Paris, this is most definitely my favorite. And for a blissful 4 days, it was my neighborhood park. I love wandering around, taking in the perfectly manicured flower beds, observing chic Parisians going about their daily lives.

Return to Paris - Tulips & A Terrier

There are also these tree lined paths which look especially picturesque with the addition of leaves on the ground.

Return to Paris - Tulips & A Terrier

I loved getting lost in the streets of Saint Germain. And then stumbling across the cutest of cobblestone paths that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The photo below is of Cours du Commerce Saint-André.  A lovely spot to stop in for a bite to eat, wouldn’t you say?

Return to Paris - Tulips & A Terrier

We definitely did our share of cafe lounging this time around. It’s by far the best thing to do in Paris, in my opinion. Forget those guidebooks that tell you to hit up the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame on the first day of your trip. I have a better idea – pop into a cafe on a street with a pretty view, order a carafe of wine and a plate of cheese or chacruterie, and spend your afternoon watching the world go by. Oh and many of them have heat lamps under the awning, so no sacrifices need to be made in chillier months!

It starts raining on your way back from the metro? Pop in for a comforting cafe creme to wait out the rain shower.

Return to Paris - Tulips & A Terrier

I love capturing these scenes of Parisian life. Like a significantly less talented Robert Doisneau.

And if you do visit Paris. Definitely, definitely head up to Monmartre. We didn’t make it on our first trip and I had been kicking myself since.  So I made sure to set aside an afternoon to wander around these hilly streets the second time around.

Return to Paris - Tulips & A Terrier

The spectacular views of Paris, and the Sacre Coeur aside, this is a pretty awesome part of town. It’s such a contrast from the grand boulevards of the 1st and 2nd! It’s all quaint village charm and winding cobblestone streets.

Return to Paris - Tulips & A Terrier

And those stairs you saw in the opening montage of Midnight in Paris. With couples making out on them. I wouldn’t expect anything less from the city of love.

Return to Paris - Tulips & A Terrier

This is a lovely area in which to do the whole ‘carafe of wine and plate of cheese’ afternoon. Just get away from the super touristy part near Place Du Tetre. Nothing like hoards of tourists with cameras swinging from their necks to ruin your people watching (said by a tourist who opted to instead carry her camera in a camera bag which doubles as a chic purse). If you are in the market for some souvenirs, however, this is the place to get them! There are a whole bunch of souvenir shops in the streets right behind the Sacre Coeur which have a really big variety and fairly low prices!

Return to Paris - Tulips & A Terrier

Speaking of touristy things, we also made it to the Louvre this time. Yes, it is as big and overwhelming as you’ve heard. Yes, the Mona Lisa is underwhelming (although super easy to find – just look for the room brimming with tourists). A quick tip – do not enter through the Pyramid entrance unless you enjoy standing in long lines. We entered through the Carrousel du Louvre (there is a mall under the Louvre.. complete with an Apple store and a McDonalds. Who knew?!) and there was literally no line. Like, no one in front of us. I can only stand limited amounts of museum strolling so we only stayed for a couple of hours. Although the palace is beautiful and the history behind it fascinating, I admit that I enjoyed the D’Orsay quite a bit more.

Return to Paris - Tulips & A Terrier

Also, strolling along the river during a good sunset is quite spectacular. Watching the glow of the sunset reflect off of the river, the surrounding buildings, the monuments in the distance (oh, hey Notre Dame). Pretty unbeatable if you ask me.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about our last trip to the city of light! We had a magnificent time and I personally can’t wait to return. Have you ever been to Paris? What are your favorite things to see and do?

— Lusine

If you REALLY want to experience the trip, I made a little movie of all the video clips taken during our trip. Thanks Google photo, you’re officially my favorite app.