Perfect Weekend in Paris

We got to Le Regent Montmartre at about 4pm, they had no twin rooms left so we settled to share a double and no private bathroom. The room was small, clean, and we had a sink but the bed was a little on the small size for a double but really it was just a place to crash so it didn't matter. The shower was next door to the room it was no more than a cupboard with a shower in it and the toilet was a floor down. Again they were clean but our room did smell a little bit of drains when we got in in the evening which I expect was from the sink but hey it only cost us €59 for the room and we could have had breakfast but we didn't, we opted to explore and eat out. The man who checked us in, Pepe, was nice and funny. The location is great for visiting the Sacre Cour because it's just across the road.

There's a cafe on the corner next to the Notre Dame Cathedral (I don't know its name), and I had the most heavenly strawberry tart; nothing fancy, but it actually tasted of fresh, just picked out of the field strawberrys. I also had a hot chocolate with ginger syrup, which was dreamy; my friend was sceptical about my choice, but she also couldn't quite believe her taste buds. I am now searching for a place to buy ginger syrup.

What a view, and I didn't think it was particularly pricey. Also, the waiter was very funny and smiley and broke down the stereotype that French waiters are rude.

The thought of going to the Eiffel Tower didn't really excite me, my friend really wanted to go and I was happy to go along. As we got closer, however, I was amazed by the scale and dare, and beauty of it. It's set in a beautiful park along the side of the Seine and just walking under it is fantastic. So we got in line, unfortunately we couldn't walk up or go right to the top because it was windy but we paid to go to level two. The view is amazing, we got there about 8pm and it was still light so we could see everything and then we waited until it got dark at approximately 10pm. Two hours on a platform and I wasn't in the least bit bored! When the lights come on it's even more fantastic. I am not known for being overly sentimental or gushy but even I was grinning and saying WOW a lot. I didn't want to go back down but hunger forced us to. Fortunately you can grab some slightly overpriced crepes from some stands near the tower but I think they probably taste better with that view.

You will need some warm clothing up there and you will be constantly harassed by street sellers but I recommend you buy one of the glass Eiffel Towers which glow different colours they are so kitsch. You can get them all over Paris and I suspect we paid over the odds as we got them under the Eiffel Tower but hey I was really enjoying myself.

When we told people we were going to Paris everybody suggested going somewhere, we nodded and said yes maybe. One such suggestion was from the actor who played Sinbad in Brookside, he said take a cruise along the Seine, he had given us a few quid by way of a tip so we thought it would be rude not to when we spotted one ready to leave just after we had finished scoffing our crepes under the Eiffel Tower.

On we jumped. It was a touristy number, they took pictures of you as you got on to sell to you when you got off, which we felt was a bit annoying but as it turned out we bought ours as it was hilarious.

Whilst on the trip you were given information on the things you were passing and the information was delivered in your mother tongue through what I can only describe as a metal cricket bat which you held to your ear. Definitely worth €10. Thanks for the tip Michael.

The catch phrase of our weekend in Paris was "What's this we've stumbled across now?" followed by a big smile.

We prepared for our trip by packing one small rucksack with essentials only, by watching The Da Vinci Code at the cinema on Friday afternoon (cheesy but it had to be done) and by having a vague idea where we could find a hostel when we got there. We set off from Leeds/Bradford airport early Saturday morning and we booked a late flight back on Sunday night. When we got to Paris we didn't have time for buses or trains so we jumped into a taxi and headed straight for the Louvre. The taxi cost €45 but included a very nice taxi driver who pointed out the sights on the way, a free city map, and the chance to experience French driving at its best!!

Soon we were at the Louvre and were very excited that I think we may have frightened an American tourist. Five hours later we emerged from the Louvre and after small stop at a cafe we set off searching for accommodation and the adventure began. I don't think we could have planned it better if we had tried. The blisters were worth it.

Apart from the taxis to and from the airport, and the boat ride on the Seine, we walked everywhere. Note to self, wear better shoes next time. I got a few blisters.

1. You get so tired you have the best sleep and even if the bed you're sharing is a little small you won't notice there is even another person in it.

2. You can eat as many pastries as you want.

3. You get to stop at places you never knew you'd think were interesting.

Paris has some lovely parks.

4. Around every corner you discover something new.

5. Everything seems so near.

6. Crossing the roads is very exciting!! The more you do it the better you will get at it.

7. Paris is not full of dog poo as I was lead to believe, it's very clean despite the fact that bins are few and far between.

8. Plus it's quite hard to get a taxi sometimes, as the drivers are always abandoning their taxis to grab a quick espresso.

9. The place is just so damn romantic.

 

The Sacre Cour.

Again the Sacre Cour was recommended to us by a friend I wasn't particularly interested in going but as the accomodation we had was only across the road we wandered over.

The church is set up on a hill so you get a great view from there, the building itself looks like a mini palace and inside are some of THE most stunning mosaics ever.

It's a working catholic church so on a sunday mass is performed and as it happens it was just about the start as we had finished looking around. I didn't want to leave so we decided to stay for the service. I'm not saying that everybody should participate as a touristy thing but if you are spiritually inclined no matter what you religious beliefs (I am a muslim, for instance), I would recommend it. The singing of the nuns, the smell of the frankinsence, and the sincere look from the alter boy as he administered communion were truly touching. We were given the readings in English too so we could follow.