some work; all play; master of the metro

Happy Autumn from Paris!

I must say this season and the run up to Christmas was the time of year I was most looking forward to spending here in Paris, the colours and lights, hot chocolate (although I have requested some English brand hot chocolate as I’m too stubborn to find a replacement) and the countdown to Christmas. Something like 8 weeks! I’m embarrassed myself at how early I’ve jumped on the countdown bandwagon, but promise no jingle bells in the flat yet.. I’m putting it down to slight homesickness at this time of year which is completely normal on a year abroad I think.

I have been blessed enough to have my closest friends here with me for the last week. Although they left two days ago, its only now that I have mustered up enough energy to write this blog. Five hyper, 20-something year old foghorns in the center of Paris is not exactly a walk in the park – although we walked through a lot of parks. *bad joke*.

In all seriousness to have Paris as my playground this week, to drag my unsuspecting mates across the city with my limited knowledge of where my favourite places actually were.. and even show off my French, although they were none the wiser as to the quality of what I was saying (mainly panicked 10 year old-level French, plus a lot of pointing and hand gesturing).

BUT

We made it anyway, and it was more than a success, including the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, of course the Eiffel Tower and new to me.. the Louvre.

Thanks to my what i like to call “avant-garde” (while some might say poor) navigation skills.. we were able to discover some new and beautiful streets and places, which made the week fun for me too, having been to these parts of Paris already. Just proof that there is so much more to Paris than meets the eye.

So meet my friends:

Don’t ask me how but the five of us managed to cram into my little flat in Cergy, it wasn’t pretty, there was make up, hair and clothes EVERYWHERE, for five years days, and I did not think i would ever see the floor again, but it was soo good to have some of my favourite people under one roof again!

première journée// Champs Elysées

this is one of my favourite places, and I’m getting to know it really well, and when I say that I mean I know how to get directly to ZARA and all my way around the store. However, this day wasn’t about that and my resident tourists had to show me up as a non local and do the obligatory photo shoot in front of some arch building..  *warning* touristy pictures:

The gloomy weather clearly didn’t dampen spirits and we strolled down the Champs Elysées  and its side streets

I also introduced some of the girls to their first ever macaroons. When I say they were gone in seconds I honestly wish I was exaggerating. It was a blink and you miss it situation 

 I am, admittedly, one of those people that think Paris is the most magical place at night. The Notre Dame did not disappoint us.

If you are looking for value for money meals, happy hour, good service AND some cosy outdoor settings which is beyond a rarity in Paris, this is the place to go, there are some lovely restaurants with good food, mainly three course meals all for around 10 euros!
Sitting on the cobbled street side cackling the evening away (perhaps alienating everyone around us), eating good food with my best pals was exactly how I pictured this week, despite the waiter’s *garcon* slightly dry french humour being completely lost on us.

deuxième journée// Versailles

Another grey but jam packed day, we started off late and in our usual style were crying out for lunch as soon as we got off the mere 40 minute train ride… Brilliant. – so lunch was pretty terrible, I for some reason thought re-visiting my old friend le croque-monsieur was a great idea- it was not. IT decided to revisit me seconds after my first bite, and I spent the remainder of the meal eating mine and my friends chips rather uncomfortably. I feel like the croque-monsieur issue may be holding me back from being truly French, but I cant help it. 1 star for lunch. Sorry. But my fault.. should have found us somewhere better.. but if you didn’t know Paris is huge!

Versailles, however, was wonderful as usual; we spent all afternoon in the gardens..

troisième journée // Louvre, Pont Neuf, Jardins de Luxembourg, Pantheon

 The sun finally came out and we made a b-line for the Pantheon. – It was about 200 steps to the top which isn’t really that much, but we all pretended we weren’t out of breath and out hearts weren’t racing when we got to the panorama rooftop.. it was worth it

After our exhausting ascent a much needed rest and refreshments were taken in the Jardins de Luxembourg

Then onto the “new” bridge of locks after tragically the old original had been dismantled due to too much love.. heartbreaking!

Also, bien sûr… le Louvre.

quatrième journée// sacre coeur, le tour eiffel, les marais 

The subtitle I feel speaks for itself so here are some pictures from our final day. By this point I must admit I was feeling pretty good about myself in terms of directing our way around the metro and it’s starting to feel so cool to be so accustomed to one of the main parts of Parisian life.

Although I think its rare to look this relaxed on the metro. Its usually more of a sweaty, out of breath, rushed look..

Thanks for sticking with me on this post if you did! Another long one but hopefully I’ll get the hang of being concise.. although it’s not really my style haha .. forgive me! I’m delving deep into the world of revising for exams at a French university now, which although massively terrifies me, greatly intrigues me as I await to see how much of my course I have understood, and that I thought I did understand but really haven’t.. it’s going to be fun! So I guess I shall see you the next time I decide to procrastinate..

Salut, bisous xx