Bonjour Paris

On Monday the 14th we took the EuroStar train to Paris!
You would have thought I was a kid on Christmas morning because I was
so excited to arrive in Paris. It’s on my 30 before 30 list and I’m
so happy to be able to check that one off!

Both Gary and I have lived abroad
before, but we don’t speak a lick of French (aside from the universal
words) and it became apparent we were going to have a tough time
communicating when we tried to find our hotel once we got out of the
train station. I wish someone would have recorded me asking a
newstand guy where “Rue de Rennes” was (comedy hour at it’s finest)…finally we were pointed
in the right direction. 

The Digs:

{Tres Magnifique!}

As I mentioned in the London recap
having a hotel near public transport was key! We stayed at The Legend Hotel in the 6th Arr. of the Saint Germain area.
I booked directly from their site and found them through another deal
website. It was actually cheaper to book directly on the hotel
website, as it is for most Parisian boutique hotels. To give you an
idea of location, we were about a 30 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower
and a 7 minute walk to the Luxembourg Gardens.

Monday: We didn’t plan our arrival into Paris on Bastille Day, it was just a
happy accident. We knew the Eiffel Tower would be the best view of
the fireworks, but we were both in shock at just how many people
would be there! It gets dark SUPER late in Paris and the fireworks
didn’t start until 11:00 PM.

It’s an indescribable feeling to see the Eiffel Tower in person. It may sound cliché, but
it’s a moment I’ll remember forever! Seeing the Eiffel Tower shooting
out fireworks put’s every other fireworks display I’ve seen to shame! 



Tuesday: I’m pretty sure I ate my
weight in chocolate croissants during this trip and I don’t feel bad about it at all,
especially with all the walking we were doing.

We opted for a
semi-guided tour and skip the line pass for the Eiffel Tower. Thanks
to Easy Pass Tours, we didn’t have to wait in the 4+ hour wait to
tour the Eiffel Tower. There are two observation levels to the Eiffel
Tower. The fast pass gets you to the second level without having
to wait in line, but once up there everyone has to wait to get to the
top viewing deck, which isn’t bad if you go straightaway without
looking around the second level first. We made our way to the first
level viewing deck and the views are really magnificent!

After a quick lunch we decided to visit Musée d’Orsay. I’m not a big museum person (not a
shocker for those who know me), but in Paris there were two that I
knew we’d have to visit and Musée D’Orsay was on that list. It’s a
beautiful museum in a converted train station! I think we lucked out
with lines on this trip because they say museums are the worst for
them, but we went right around 2 PM and there was a small 10
minute wait through the security line.

You aren’t allowed to take photos in
the museum, but sometimes rules are meant to be broken! 

We had some great meals in Paris, but two really stood out and the first was in a cute little restaurant near our hotel.

{scallops with the most delicious cheese pesto risotto}



Wednesday: I had been looking forward
to Wednesday in Paris since March, when we booked a tour with Michael. He owns ParisFind  and pretty much everyone in my family
(including extended family) and friends have toured with him. He
is an American who has been living Paris for the past 16 years and has been
offering tours for years. He knows interesting facts that aren’t in
any guide books and takes
your through the city in ways you wouldn’t get there otherwise! As an added bonus, we wouldn’t have to ask strangers to take our
pictures!!

Before Michael met us at our hotel, we made sure to get some crepes!! 

{nutella heaven}

Our first stop was
a walk through the Luxembourg Garden (which honestly I’m embarrassed
I didn’t realize was right near our hotel). The Palace is so grand
and the grounds are meticulous kept up!

We walked through
the Saint Germain area hooking into little streets with the most
interesting stories behind them. I had heard about
Sainte Chapelle and seen the stained glass in Paris Guide books, but
seeing the church first hand was incredible.

Every single window pane has a chapter from the bible…beautiful work!! 

It seemed like everything was right next to each other, but it was just the way Michael guided us – didn’t feel like we were walking at all!

{Outside Notre Dame}

{Back view of Notre Dame}

A must while we were in Paris was to leave our lock on the “Love Bridge,” there are currently three around Paris now. {If you want to read about the history of how it started click here}

We forgot a lock at home, but of course there were endless people selling them nearby! Funny enough, this guy tried to get us to pay 12 euros for one lock! That was never going to happen, we haggled him down to 3 euros so easily – still way more than we should have paid! 

They say it means you’ll have eternal love…but I already knew that 🙂

Hope you’ll come back Thursday for Part II (also final part) of the Paris re-cap which picks up at the Moulin Rouge!

Tomorrow I’m really
excited to share the second installment of the B~Inspired Series!!

In case you missed the London recap – you can read it here.

xo,

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59 Comments

  1. Cait | Home Sweet Ruby
    July 22, 2014 / 12:31 pm

    Aw I loved Sainte Chapelle and the whole lock bridge and Notre Dame area!! Y'all are too cute! So fun that you guys got to see the fireworks and be there on Bastille Day! And now I want a crepe…. Thanks! haha

  2. Jenni @ Living for the Victories
    July 22, 2014 / 12:38 pm

    This has got me so excited for our Paris trip in less than 3 weeks!

  3. Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalky
    July 22, 2014 / 12:40 pm

    seeing the sights was incredible but too many damn people!! i know, everyone goes to see those historical monuments but so.many.humans. and it doesn't matter what time of day either – it's always crowded. those crepes are TO DIE FOR. i must have come back from paris 10lbs heavier because of all the amazing food.

    -kathy
    Vodka and Soda

  4. Karly @ What Karly Said
    July 22, 2014 / 1:05 pm

    I love love LOVE all your pictures! What an amazing trip – it definitely helps that you had such a great tour guide that was recommended by family and friends. And, yay for the lock bridge! That's on my bucket list, too. 🙂

  5. Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes}
    July 22, 2014 / 1:11 pm

    So jealous of your Paris trip! I wish I would have spent more time there now, I didm't get to do nearly enough things! We never made it to the top of the Eiffel Tower but the views from the second level were amazing enough! Glad you had such an amazing trip!

    <3, Pamela
    sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com

  6. P!nky
    July 22, 2014 / 1:14 pm

    Ummmmmmmmm….I totally need to go to Paris now. Would you believe my parents are gonig in a week?!!? so jealous!

    Nutella crepes are the greatest invention ever and I'm a straight sucker for scallops….le yum!

    Love all your pictures, looks like so much fun!

  7. Stacy G
    July 22, 2014 / 1:16 pm

    Love your pics. I love the idea of that lock bridge. I'd love to be in a position to go one day. For now I'll live vicariously through your amazing pictures! lol XO

  8. Lindsay @ Lovely Life Styling
    July 22, 2014 / 1:21 pm

    I would absolutely love to go to Paris! The destination is definitely on my bucket list! I love the fireworks over the eiffel tower and all the food looks so delish!!

  9. Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often
    July 22, 2014 / 1:23 pm

    Such a fun trip! Love crepes and having them overseas with nutella is just amazing. Love the stained glass, so pretty. That is crazy they try and charge that much for a lock, good negotiating skills!

  10. Anonymous
    July 22, 2014 / 1:47 pm

    Wow all these pictures are amazing. Everything… the food, the cathedral, the firewords behind the eiffel tower!!

  11. Katie @ Champagne and Suitcases
    July 22, 2014 / 1:51 pm

    OMG I am swooning over this!! I am saving every link you posted for our honeymoon!

  12. Carly
    July 22, 2014 / 1:52 pm

    Those views! Wow! And so cool to be there on Bastille Day! I can only imagine how amazing it is to see all of these amazing places in person! I love your red/blue/grey dress!

  13. Amanda | Kids and Cabernet
    July 22, 2014 / 1:59 pm

    Those pictures are STUNNING!!! So happy you got to go, Paris is one place I'd love to go to in the future!

  14. Nina @ Flowers in my Hair
    July 22, 2014 / 2:02 pm

    Lovely! I do love Paris.

  15. Zelle B.
    July 22, 2014 / 2:06 pm

    Paris looks just lovely! I. Need. To. Go! And you look gorgeous in all of your pictures! xo

  16. Caroline @ Windy City Chic
    July 22, 2014 / 2:17 pm

    I want to go back now!!! Haha. I'm so happy that you had a nice time in Paris. Love all of your pictures too, you look beautiful. The caption on your last picture at the Love Bridge is so sweet too. 🙂 Have a wonderful day lady!!

  17. Shenine joon
    July 22, 2014 / 2:23 pm

    I absolutely loved Paris and agree. There is nothing quite like seeing tge Eiffel tower in person. Feels like a dream. Im so excited for your next installment of B~inspired!!!

  18. Unknown
    July 22, 2014 / 2:32 pm

    mussee d'orsay is my favorite!! my husband loved sainte chappelle! paris is such a beautiful city! xo jillian – cornflake dreams

  19. Elise @ High Heels and Glittering Eyes
    July 22, 2014 / 2:33 pm

    I have so much to say about this post:
    #1 you look gorgeous! How you can look that flawless when you travel is nuts!
    #2 I've never had nutella but I am positive I would have eaten my weight in crepes and croissants
    #3 the lock bridge is on my Bucket List for sure!
    Can't wait to read about the Moulin Rouge!

  20. Maggie
    July 22, 2014 / 2:59 pm

    I just sat here at work reading this amazing post! This looks like such an amazing trip! I love all of the pictures and it seems like you had the trip planned perfectly!

    Maggie
    PolishedClosets.com

  21. Kristen
    July 22, 2014 / 3:13 pm

    oh to say I'm jealous is an understatement. I cannot wait for part 2!! I do like museums, but I like science and history, I am not an arty person at all, so I doubt I will actually go into the Louvre (how terribly uncultured of me!) but Musée D'Orsay is absolutely, no questions asked, on the list! how was the weather in Paris? Thanks for the tip about Michael, sounds like a great tour guide!

  22. Unknown
    July 22, 2014 / 3:26 pm

    Aw, this was such a fun post!! It was like re-living my Paris trip last year. So so so much happiness and beautiful memories. I'm so glad you guys had such an amazing time there!! I hope you hit up the pharmacies and scored some seriously good skincare and makeup items!! 🙂 Can't wait to read more Thursday!! XO

  23. Unknown
    July 22, 2014 / 3:30 pm

    You're so lucky you got see Paris! I always wanted to go to the 'Love Bridge'. I love the look and concept of it! The picture of the Eiffel Tower with the fireworks is amazing! Hang in your living room worthy. LOVE!

  24. amanda @ as the wine cork turns
    July 22, 2014 / 3:42 pm

    awwww i love the picture of you kissing with the lock!! the picture of the fireworks & the eiffel tower… oh man. we talked about going overseas last night, but it will be a few years. luckily i get your posts 🙂

  25. MakeMeUpMia
    July 22, 2014 / 4:06 pm

    What a perfect trip, I adore that last pic of you 2 kissing with the locks, so sweet. What an amazing experience 🙂

  26. Emily @ Martinis | Bikinis
    July 22, 2014 / 4:28 pm

    The hotel looks gorgeous and all the pretty architecture! Looks like the park around the eiffel tower was packed with people.

  27. henning love
    July 22, 2014 / 4:43 pm

    gosh i so so want to go to paris!!! seriously biana you are making me want to book a ticket right now, it is paris before london 🙂

  28. Pamela @ alittleglitter.com
    July 22, 2014 / 4:54 pm

    Wow, your pictures are amazing! Paris is on my bucket list! I literally want to do everything you did! I love it!

  29. Anonymous
    July 22, 2014 / 5:12 pm

    So lovely! I was there a year ago today, and it was an amazing trip. So great you were there for Bastille day!

  30. Katie Elizabeth
    July 22, 2014 / 5:41 pm

    Love love love this! The Eiffel Tower, the chocolate croissants, the lock bridge.. sigh, amazing. Looks like the weather was much better in Paris, too!!

  31. Unknown
    July 22, 2014 / 6:37 pm

    Gorgeous!! We stayed in that same area of Paris when we went and Matt and I got engaged in the Gardens of Luxembourg!!! So beautiful!! What a fabulous trip!!!

  32. Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the Barre
    July 22, 2014 / 7:06 pm

    Sounds like a fairy tale trip girl! I need to hear more about this Michael individual!

  33. Lexi
    July 22, 2014 / 7:28 pm

    Ahh Paris – my absolute favorite!! Enjoy!
    xx Lexi, Glitter, Inc.

  34. Em @ gymandtonic-em.com
    July 22, 2014 / 7:39 pm

    Oh my gooodnessss I am so very jealous!!! Your photos are absolutely amazing and it looks like you're have the best time ever!!!

  35. Rebecca Jo
    July 22, 2014 / 7:40 pm

    #Jealous … let's start off that way…
    Amazing!
    I love you all got to do the lock thing 🙂
    I'd love to just go see all the churches & cathedrals… beautiful!

  36. Unknown
    July 22, 2014 / 8:14 pm

    Biana these photos were everything I wished for and MORE! Love love love all of the gorgeous architecture and how cute the two of you are! Thank you for sharing, you make such a beautiful couple. Cannot wait for Part Trois xo

  37. Brittany @ Perpetually Daydreaming
    July 22, 2014 / 8:32 pm

    These are making me SO excited for Paris! Great pictures! That fireworks pic is phenomenal! So cool that you got to see that. Once in a lifetime moment for sure. Can't wait for part 2!

  38. Andy Adler
    July 22, 2014 / 8:38 pm

    cute, cute, cute!! I'm dying for a crepe now! 🙂

  39. Court @ Sweet Home Alabamian
    July 22, 2014 / 10:00 pm

    Thank you! Now I feel like I have been to Paris! 🙂 All the pics are beautiful– esp the couple ones! 🙂

  40. Ally Harding
    July 22, 2014 / 10:03 pm

    Gorgeous pics from your trip! You make me want to go to Paris even more! That's awesome y'all were there for Bastille Day!

  41. Pink and Fabulous
    July 22, 2014 / 10:04 pm

    I am dying to go to Paris!! So happy you got to go and see so many amazing things! That picture of the fireworks over the Eiffel Tower is amazing! What a once in a lifetime experience!

  42. Kristina @ Medicine and Manicures
    July 22, 2014 / 11:15 pm

    Love all of this… Especially the Eiffel Tower fireworks- how amazing!!

  43. Anonymous
    July 23, 2014 / 1:54 am

    Aah so want to visit. Glad you for your own lock even though they tried to rip you off. Cute outfits too!

  44. Kate at Green Fashionista
    July 23, 2014 / 2:09 am

    Absolutely GORGEOUS pictures!!! I was in France a few months ago, but in Marseille and I'm bursting at the seams to get to Paris!

  45. Natalia { All the Things, etc }
    July 23, 2014 / 2:36 pm

    Be still my heart! I can't wait to go to Paris one day. I'm not sure that I'll ever want to leave :).

  46. Marie
    July 23, 2014 / 3:07 pm

    Love love your review of Paris. I cannot wait to go back there. Great pictures and thanks for the tour recommendations, totally checking them out.

  47. chantal marie
    July 23, 2014 / 3:26 pm

    oh man i love Paris!! Glad you had such a good time!

  48. Lindsay T.
    July 23, 2014 / 6:26 pm

    These pictures are incredible! I am dying to go!

  49. 365HANGERS
    July 24, 2014 / 1:19 am

    So adorable and looks like you had the best time. The locks are so fun to see in person 🙂

    xx 365hangers

  50. Meghan at Champagne & Suburbs
    July 24, 2014 / 4:22 am

    I am insanely jealous! I love your travel tips too. Paris is definitely on my places to visit list, and the tour guide and the Easy Pass information is great! xo

  51. Elle Sees
    July 24, 2014 / 12:05 pm

    i've been to paris a few times before, but then seeing your pics makes me wanna go right back!! swooning over here!! and that tour guide sounds AMAZING!!

  52. Unknown
    July 24, 2014 / 3:14 pm

    Amazing!! Paris is definitely on my bucket list for one day and all these recaps are making me want to go even more!! Looks like you had an awesome time!

    Emily at Style Cubby

  53. Julie @ Just the Joy's
    July 24, 2014 / 3:15 pm

    That last pic is cute! 🙂 So cool that you had your own little personal tour guide! And I bet that made for great picture taking too! Haha! The eifel tower looks amazing! Especially with the fire works! How cool! And that church with a bible verse on all the windows! Daaaamn! How pretty! 🙂

  54. Amy {Cupcakes+Couture}
    July 24, 2014 / 4:24 pm

    your photo of the eiffel tower on bastille day is beyond stunning!!! wow!

  55. Kelli @ A Deeper Joy
    July 24, 2014 / 7:56 pm

    Wooowww Biana! Your photos are amazing! Y'all did everything and were there at the perfect time!!! I'm so glad you got crepes and went to the Musee d'Orsay!! All the great famous paintings! So cool that you got to see the fireworks 🙂 Wow!

  56. Paige @ Reasons to Come Home
    July 28, 2014 / 5:11 am

    Such amazing photos! If I ever make it to Paris, I'm gonna use your recaps as my planner!

  57. JMO
    July 28, 2014 / 2:24 pm

    These just keep getting better and better! (minus the leaving Paris part) you are stunning in that first pic girl! Your skin is to die for! This makes me want to go back so badly with the hubs! xoxo

  58. One Friday Night
    July 29, 2014 / 11:10 am

    Amazing pics! Especially the foodie ones 🙂

  59. Crazy Shenanigans-JMO
    August 2, 2014 / 7:47 pm

    Haha, I had the same problem when I went back to Paris after living there. I forgot how no one knows English and if they do they feel put out to speak it. I love your photos! I'm writing this hotel down too!