Do you like to re-live memorable trips? I’ve been thinking about a year ago this week when we went to Paris. My second time there, and my husband’s first time–we flew across the ocean full of anticipation. We didn’t know whether jet lag would slow us down that first day. No, not at all! Here’s a peek into Paris as we experienced it Day 1, fresh off the plane that morning.
First stop: our hotel, to drop off our bags. We immediately fell in love with the location, right across the street from the Sorbonne, in the heart of the Latin Quarter.
On my wish list for Paris was finding a memorial plaque to those who bravely gave their lives during the liberation of the city in August 1944. I didn’t have high hopes I could find one. So what a surprise that on our walk from the train to the hotel, the first block had this:
Next up: A walk to Notre Dame. The detail in this grand cathedral is breathtaking. We happened to arrive as a morning service started. Singing filled the church and added to our experience.
After a cafe lunch (and famous Berthillon ice cream) we headed to Sainte-Chapelle. This medieval Gothic chapel boasts stained glass from floor to soaring ceiling.
Strolling across the Pont des Arts bridge, we crossed the Seine to the Shakespeare and Company bookstore. Hemingway and so many other writers hung out here.
We found French cream puffs at Odette’s.
On to the Cluny Museum. You enter through this awesome door.
Inside you find medieval treasures. The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry is worth a visit.
Time to saunter back to our hotel and ask for a dinner recommendation. Why, yes, the famed Crémerie-Restaurant Polidor fits the bill.
What a wonder-filled first day in Paris. If you go, this itinerary makes a fine, full day, even if you’ve missed a night of sleep. I will admit I was so tired I fell asleep mid-text to a friend when we got back to our hotel. But I wouldn’t want to have missed any of our touring that day! Au revoir!
17 Comments
Curious as to why you didn’t think you’d find the plaque to the resistance fighters? They’re everywhere!! Lovely photos of a beautiful city…
Hi, Lydia — Yes, these plaques are all over, with fresh flowers in the vases! I had no idea before we arrived, though. I had just read Is Paris Burning? and had the skirmishes and ins and outs of the liberation in my mind. I didn’t know the remembrance in the city would be so strong. I also wanted to find the marks of the bullets in the walls and that was apparent, too. Paris surpassed my expectations in so many ways!
Thank you so much for linking up with http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/08/strange-visitors-in-garden.html. You’ve got great photos here – love them!
What a wonderful trip this must have been! It is one of my dreams.
Such a beautiful city! Great job of capturing the essence of the city!
That blue sky against the city is stunning!
Your photos are outstanding! You have a good eye on photography.
And what an awesome and very unique wishlist in Paris – to see a memorial plaque. 🙂
Thanks so much for linking up – there’s such marvelous detail in these photos, and I’m so glad I visited.
Makes me long to go back to Paris for a visit. My SILs are planning to go next spring… I might just join them.
Paris is on our planned trip next Spring to celebrate our anniversary. It will be my second trip, his first. Love the variety of shots you pulled to reminisce.
Yes, I do revisit travels. A really love to go through photos and remember how wonderful those times are. The red door reminds me of one at St. Meinrad Archabbey. It’s an entry in to the abbey church! Such memories! Have a grand day!
Awesome photos! Slightly jealous! It has been a while since I have been to Paris!
Such a beautiful city. Hope you had a wonderful time
Mollyxxx
What a lovely tour of photos! I can only imagine how beautiful the cathedral was with the music and architecture.
I’d gladly lose some sleep for a trip to Paris! I remember when you went!
Oh my gosh … a trip of a lifetime. Hope to visit someday. Thanks for sharing these gorgeous shots!
I love to explore city for second time as we get chance to relive and discover hidden gems. The Cluny Museum’s entrance with pink door is really awesome.