We knew it was coming. During Kerry's first week of work in France, HR told him that we would both be required to go to Montrouge, a suburb of Paris, for our medical immigration appointments. They said they had already requested appointments for us, and that they would let us know as soon as they received the details. Well, on Wednesday of last week (Oct. 3) we get an email: our appointments have been set for Friday, October 5th at 1:30. Only two days notice!! Two days to find and coordinate a sitter for the dogs, book train tickets, find and book a hotel, and to put together a rough plan of what to do while we are there. It was two very hectic, stressful days!
By far, the most difficult part was the dog sitter. We had a recommendation and an email address, so that was a huge help. But she was not prepared for two crazy weenie doggies (they aren't very popular here), and she speaks zero English. We managed it alright in the end, but we learned our lesson. It is just too difficult to communicate all the necessary information when all you have is google translator. We are going to have to keep looking and try again.
In the midst of all this last minute planning, Thursday also brought a very well-timed surprise from home: Alyse's Flat Stanley arrived! For those not familiar with Flat Stanley (as I was not), it is an elementary school project based on a children's book about a boy who is flattened and then gets to travel the world via mail. Each student sends their own Flat Stanley somewhere, and when he returns home he brings pictures and information about the place he visited, and then everyone in the class shares their Flat Stanley adventures. So Alyse decided to send hers all the way to France!
Early Friday morning, with the dogs already off to the sitter, Kerry, Flat Stanley, and I boarded a train to Paris. I am happy to say that this train experience was MUCH easier and less stressful than the last! Four hours later we checked into our hotel and headed to our medical appointments, which were generally unfun and boring, so I'll just skip ahead to dinner. In Paris, every restaurant except Subway requires a dinner reservation, and it's not uncommon for many of them to fill up weeks in advance. So instead of searching and calling around on our own for last minute availability, we asked the hotel for recommendations and easily snagged an 8:00 table at Chez Flotte. The experience was stellar from start to finish, and if I ever found myself unprepared for dinner in Paris again, I would absolutely go back! My duck confit was cooked perfectly, and I think I could eat French cheesy bread every day and never tire of it.
After dinner, since we had virtually zero time to prepare for this trip, and therefore no plan what-so-ever, we wandered over to the Louvre to see the famous Pyramid lit up at night. In general, the whole of Paris lights up at night, it's mesmerizing. We toasted champagne and celebrated our first trip out of Montpellier (and first trip to Paris!).
Since Paris is overflowing with things to do and see, on Saturday morning we picked a few of our favorite sights to visit as a rough plan for the day and decided to just see where the day went. So of course, we started at Paris's #1: La Tour Eiffel!
Here it is! The Eiffel Tower!!! It is very neat to see, and no trip to Paris is complete without it, but unless you climb all the way to the top, there isn't a whole lot to do once you get there. Luckily, we came prepared. Flat Stanley found a macaroon shop on our walk to the Tower. Yum!
They are all over the place, and we just couldn't resist. If the weather had been nicer, it would be fun to bring a picnic and enjoy lunch with a view. Maybe next time! For today, just the macaroons.
After we had our fill of the Tower we took the metro (subway) over to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Ornate, grand, beautiful, and buzzing with tourists! They allow you to walk through the cathedral on your own at no charge, or you can wait in line and pay for a tour. We took the free option. The long line to get in moves quickly, and once inside you can move at your own pace. We also walked the outside of the building. At a very leisurely pace, it took about 45 minutes. But it's totally worth it to see the little surrounding gardens along the side and the back, some of the best views of the cathedral in my opinion.
Just across the river from the cathedral sits the Shakespeare and Company bookshop. The shop tourists visit today is the second location of Shakespeare and Co. Originally named "Le Mistral," it was renamed in 1964 as a tribute to the original. The first Shakespeare and Co. opened in 1919 and was a known hangout for a number of famous writers, of whom the most notable is probably Hemingway. It closed in 1941, around the times of the World War. Both shops have served as icons of Paris's literary scene over the last century, so as an avid reader and lover of books myself, I had to go! I was pleasantly surprised to find that despite being such a popular tourist attraction, the shop seems to operate as a normal, neighborhood bookshop, with regular book readings, discussions over Sunday tea, etc. It was a very neat, touristy-even-though-it-didn't-feel-like-it place to visit (and shop!).
From Shakespeare and Co. we went in search of lunch. I had jotted down the name and street corner of a place I wanted to try (l'Avant Comptoir). After a wrong turn and at least two distractions in the form of chocolate shops, we gave up and headed down this little alley:
Here I learned that these adorable cobblestone streets that seem so cute and picturesque, are miserable to walk on in heels! I don't understand how all the girls do it. We stopped for lunch at Vin et Terre. Cute and cozy atmosphere, but disappointing food. At this point our list of "major sights" to see was complete, and we were pooped, so we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and window shopping on the very high fashion street near our hotel, rue du Fauborg Saint-Honoré. I think this is when Kerry told me that "he missed Nordstroms." Thanks Paris!!!
Saturday evening we booked a dinner cruise on the Seine, the river that runs through the city. Super touristy, but we didn't know what else to do and the reviews were pretty good. Unfortunately for us, it rained. And the windows on the boat fogged. However, I think even if it hadn't rained, it would not have been a great choice. Paris is beautiful at night and a cruise is a great way to see it, but not if there is a roof over your head, the effect just isn't the same. If the weather is nice, an open air boat ride would be worth the time, otherwise, I'd skip it.
Sunday morning we hunted down breakfast and headed home, back to "real life," whatever that means these days! It's amazing how a place as foreign as Montpellier can feel so familiar after a weekend in Paris. We are also still in awe of the fact that Paris is just a weekend trip away. Hopefully, this was the first of many visits for us to this enchanting city!
The complete set of pictures can be found here:
Paris - October 2012
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