Within minutes of landing in Paris, Chris and I looked at each other and exclaimed “people are smiling!”. The cheerful titter of the French language filled our ears, couples smooched and embraced in front of us, and people all around were smiling. We were back in France! And we could understand what people said, which is always a bonus.
I’m not sure exactly why the Germans, Swiss Germans, Austrians and Slovaks are so serious and dour, but damn it’s nice to see happy people.
We arrived in a Paris with just a small backpack each. Since we’ve been bike touring we don’t have much.
Chris and I were here together last time in 2006, at the conclusion of our first bike tour. We were not yet married. And so it’s a mixture of memory lane and new adventure to be here again.
Our first night we strolled up to Montmartre and the Sacré Cour, one of those touchstones of tacky tourism and Paris icon combined. Cafes were filled with people enjoying the warm night as we navigated back to our tiny but nice apartment near the Place de Clichy.
We have come to Paris to see our friend Hélöise, who is an opera singer and who stayed with us for a few months in 2014. it’s been too long since we’ve seen her, and we will also meet her parents!
We made a stop to Galeries Lafayette to shop for makeup. An amazing store and icon of fashion and architecture in Paris. The rooftop is a great place to overlook Paris.
The next day we visited the Eiffel tower. Chris had never been to the top so we took the elevator to the top for the views. Yes, it was busy but it’s definitely a cool experience.
We had lunch in one of the many lovely street side restaurants along the way. The anchovies in the Niçoise salad were even good!
And finally, we met Hélöise’s parents, which was great. What a cool place they have, overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Drinks in their patio, then dinner out, great food and wine and great conversation considering that our French is not perfect nor their English. Hélöise helped with translation as needed.
And finally, there is just Paris itself. Sprawling in some ways but intimate, crowded but full of positive energy, and generally charming. We had a great few days that we wished we could extend. We hope that we will not wait another 16 years!
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