Paris!

So I was trying to think of a catchy title for this post, but then I realized it's PARIS, it doesn't need a catchy title!

My posse (Heidi, Kate and Michelle) has been to Paris multiple times, but were kind enough to accompany me on my maiden voyage. We were there for less than 48 hours but crammed in an incredible amount of culture, sightseeing, eating and Parisian partying.

We took the fast train to Paris on Friday night:

Gare du Nord in PARIS!!!

When I first caught sight of the Eiffel Tower all lit up from the cab on the way to our apartment, I cried. I was just having one of those moments where I was overwhelmed by where I was in that moment and in my life. Dorky, I know :)

We checked in to our Parisian apartment, prettied ourselves up, and headed out to Hotel Costes for birthday beverages.

At Hotel Costes, we (Michelle and Heidi) met a friendly Italian man who proceeded to add us to the guest list of an invite only fashion week party. In Paris. For real. So we danced the night away with fancy Parisian models at L'Arc. 

Which was right next to (underish!) the Arc d'Triomphe:

Saturday morning started out with a visit to the Eiffel Tower in daylight. It's ginormous. And beautiful. And completely unreal.

I felt teeny tiny standing under it: 

We found a cafe to fuel up for the rest of our tourist-tastic day. 

Mmmmmm... French Latte! 

Croque Madame:

Crepes!

(Could I look any more excited? Could the waiter look any more French?!)

I'm not sure what the actual translation of this is, but it's about bread and passion. I am quite passionate about my carbs! 

We walked up the many steps to Sacre Coeur:

A cloud covered view of the entire city from the steps of the church:

And we spent some time admiring the artwork, shops and cafes of Montmartre on the way down. 

Keen family, it tasted as amazing as it looked:

We warmed up in a hole in the wall piano bar, where the pianist was reading a novel while playing, and the walls were covered with notes and pictures from visitors from all over the world. We had to leave our mark too:

For my best friend:

I was passionate about pain au chocolate ALL weekend!

Oysters at a random street festival:

Moulin Rouge:

A nighttime visit to the Musee d'Orsay. (We had to come back the next day because they weren't letting any more visitors in!):

I have no idea what this building was, but it was right next to the d'Orsay and I thought it was pretty :)

View from the Seine at night:

Birthday dinner at a famous cafe where Hemingway used to hang out. 

Escargot. It was delicious!

Scallops....

Sunday started with a return to the museum during visiting hours. My favorite were Degas' ballerinas. It felt so unreal to see those paintings in real life. (I may have gotten a little teary eyed again!)

Notre Dame. I apologize, but I got a little snap happy here. The architecture was stunning. A little disappointing that there were no Quasimodo sightings though...

Inside:

The ginormous, ornate door:

Views of the back:

A "Love Lockade" along the Seine. Couples bring locks, engraved or sharpied with their names:

Nothing says eternal love like a band-aid:

Heidi and I decided it was the perfect place to lock up our love:

Mmmmm... More French coffee! (Everything's better if you say French in front of it!)

We took a walk by the Sorbonne (Heidi's old stomping grounds):

On our way to Luxembourg Palace and its gardens: 

Then we bid adieu to our sweet little Parisian apartment :

And headed back to the train station:

Kate was almost eaten by the train door on the way home:

But we managed to make it safely back to Amsterdam where Central Station welcomed us:

And that is the story of how I fell in love with Paris.