Welcome To Paris!
I’m on my way today to Paris for business, and it will be strange NOT to be in the “city of lights” for ONLY non-stop fun:
That’s the first thing to love about this city – The Eiffel Tower, named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Of course, my wife Alex and I have to get a selfie with it, not as easy to do as you think!
It was constructed from 1887 to 1889 as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, initially criticised by some of France’s leading artists and intellectuals for its design, but now it is one of the most recognisable structures in the world.
As wikipedia notes, The Eiffel Tower is currently the most-visited paid monument in the world – around seven million visitors a year!
And the second thing I love about Paris is the food – and here is how you can enjoy the Eiffel Tower AND great food as well!
An elevator takes millions up to the first and second level all year around, even to the VERY TOP! However, we discovered a secret that will eliminate your wait!
Yes, the private elevator to the Jules Verne restaurant offers a great way to get to the second level, and it’s ONLY for customers of the restaurant, so there is no wait at all – here is a video from inside the elevator as we made our way up:
Aside from bypassing the long lines, this elevator takes you to Jules Verne – a two- Michelin star restaurant which is now overseen by acclaimed Chef Alain Ducasse – here’s the story I posted about the menu:
It is a great culinary adventure with an incredible view!
There is, of course, another incredible thing about Paris – the museums and the art – even though the “selfie” craze has gotten a bit out of hand, as you can see here at the Louvre…
Yes, there seem to be as many pictures of people IN FRONT of the Mona Lisa as there are of the famous painting itself – although the last time we were in paris, a separate art exhibit suggested that Mona Lisa is just fine being the iconic figure that she is:
We found this “pop culture” take on the painting while walking past the Georges Pompidou Museum.
No matter where you walk, there are fascinating shops, restaurants and people – before I fly home from this trip, I am going to make a long trek up to Sacre Coeur to share this view again:
Well, that’s obviously not a shot of mine – I found this incredible picture of the view from above Sacre Coeur online, and it was posted to “Flickr” by Dimities Christopoulos, and you should follow him here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/orb_photos/11174535124
I’m not sure I will ever be able to capture the beauty that he did, but I will hike up there to try! I also hope to capture the beauty of a Parisian potato dish:
They just don’t get any creamier than this – and I documented all of the potatoes we ate on one trip to Paris, including this “Caviar Baked Potato”:
You can see all of our potato adventure here:
Finally, I will make the sojourn to Notre Dame, where Alex and I have attended many church services…
I know that the iconic church will be closed for many years as the post-fire restoration begins…it will no doubt be a sad sight – but the world has come together to help support the restoration, and I can only imagine the festivities that will take place when it reopens to the public!
There you go, a taste of Paris – I will be sharing my latest adventure soon!
Categories: Art, Exotic Travel, Food, food blog, Food Review, Memoirs, Paris, Pop Culture, Recipes, Restaurants, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Uncategorized, Wacky Food
One of my favourite places.
Wonderful, enjoy your time there John. 🙂
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Thanks for the comment!
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I would love to go to Paris, John, and intend to as soon as I have finished exhausting the literary and historical sights of Great Britain. I love any French potatoes. They have a way with food.
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They do, Robbie – and my first night I had a plate of frog’s legs provencal style. yes there will be a post!
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Paris, my favourite city in the world. Enjoy your visit.
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Thank you – it’s weird that it’s for work not fun, but any day working in Paris is more fun than almost anywhere else! Thanks for commenting!
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You don’t work for 24 hours and you will be able to stroll in the city.
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And the weather is beautiful as well!
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Definitely a win!
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Have enjoyed weekends in Paris… and nothing beats drinking coffee and watching the world go by.
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Completely agree – thanks for the comment!
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Looks great! Nice tip for avoiding queues at the tower
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After you eat you get to go right out onto the same area as others to walk around, then get to go back in for a private trip down!
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Sold. That’s on my list of tips!
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Thanks! It’s not cheap but the lines are hours long now and you get a classic meal with an incredible view as well!
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I don’t mind sending money on something like that.
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Pick your poison, right?
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Lucky you – you get to go back – work or not!! Have an awesome time!
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Thanks it has been fun!
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I have been many times, John. But you have got me beat on the culinary delights! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, nothing beats the enjoyment of a bowl of Parisian mashed potatoes…the shot in the story is from a little bistro sitting in the Marais…dish cost about 3 euros!
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