Spring Break Part 2: Paris, France

Oh Paris. Definitely the city I miss the most. I now understand why it is the city of love, because I'm in love with it. Overall I was in Paris for 5 days. 2 of those were travel days, so really only 3 full days to enjoy it, which was not enough.

Also a disclaimer: I could only pack one coat so it looks like I'm wearing the same outfit in all of my pictures. I swear my outfits changed but it was so cold that was my only option.

With that said, I will try my best to put my Paris experience into words:

DAY 6
I was on my own for these next 2 days. My flight from London to Paris was supposed to leave at 9:30 am, so I had to get up pretty early to take the tube to Heathrow airport. Luckily it stops right in the terminal. First of all, Heathrow is huge and a little overwhelming, so I had to take it slow to figure out exactly where I was going. My flight was delayed by almost an hour, but it was a quick flight to Paris of about an hour and a half or less. I flew British Airways which was actually really nice. They even gave me a snack.

I was staying at a Marriott my first night since I was alone and the 'rents didn't want me somewhere sketchy. So thanks to my mom for getting me a free night. My plan was to take a cab from the airport to the hotel, because I kind of get anxiety when trying to figure out public transportation on my own in a foreign country. Luckily I looked up directions to the hotel, so I decided to just go for it and save some money and take the public transport. I'm a smart college student right?

It was actually pretty easy, and I made it to the hotel on my own. I think the London tube helped me prepare for Paris transportation, because it was just a little bit more complicated. Their metro system runs in zones, with Zone 1 being the center of Paris. My hotel was in Zone 2, which wasn't too bad. It was kind of in the middle of nothing, I think it was used more for business. I'm pretty sure I was the only tourist there. I asked the lady at the front desk if there was anywhere to go around there, and she said no. There was a big mall across the street, and that was about it.

I was running on about 2 hours of sleep, and I was hungry, so it was to the mall I went. They had a lot of the same stores like Zara, H&M, and Starbucks of course. In London and Paris there were just as many Starbucks, if not more, than there are in the US. I think Rome is the only city without Starbucks. I ended up eating at some small cafe. I went to order and I wasn't sure if the guy spoke English, so I told him the number I wanted and used my fingers. Turns out he did speak English. Awkward. I ended up getting a sandwich, and it came with a dessert. The sandwich came on this baguette thing, and the dessert was this chocolate-y mousse cake/pie thing. It was so tasty.

As a side note: the language barrier in France was pretty tough. At least I know a basic level of Italian to get around in Italy, but I have no experience with French. They speak a lot with their throat. And I would read something, but it would not be pronounced anywhere near what I thought. Especially the metro stops. But luckily most people spoke English, so it wasn't too much of a problem. Also, people would be walking down the street literally eating a baguette. I really just thought it was stereotype. But it's true. And even their sandwiches are served on baguettes. It was actually kind of awesome.

So back to my story. After I ate at the mall I just came back to the hotel and relaxed. My foot was still hurting from the last Saturday. And there was only one TV channel in English playing reality shows. So I had an eventful evening. But I did have a glorious sleep on a real bed and having a real shower. That Marriott was heavenly.

DAY 7
I woke up early on Wednesday and sadly had to check out of my hotel. My plan was to go to the Palace of Versailles that day. I left my luggage at the hotel so I didn't have to lug it around. I had to take the RER train, which is like their metro. It's literally just an underground train. Versailles was out in Zone 4 of the system, so it took a little while to get there. I had to transfer, and it got a little bit confusing. I had to ask a lady working there how to get to Versailles, and she told me to get on the next train. As I was riding I had my little metro map out to keep checking all of the stops to make sure I was going the right way.

So as it keeps going, it comes to a stop not in my direction of Versailles. So I immediately get off and the panic sinks in. There was no one around, and I couldn't figure out how to get back on and go the other way. Luckily there was a lady at a ticket booth and I asked her how to get to Versailles. Apparently Versailles is actually the name of the town, and not the actual palace. So the first lady must have thought I just meant the town. Luckily that stop was still walking distance to the palace though. Or I guess in French it's called a château. 

On my way there I stopped at a bakery and got a croissant, because I obviously had to. I just got a plain butter one, and it was delicious of course! I mean, it was no life-changing croissant. It was soft, flakey, and buttery. So I finally made it to the palace, and it was gorgeous!!! Even from the outside it looked incredible right as I turned the corner. 

Street View

There were SO many people there though. I think I got there maybe around 10 am. First I had to wait in line to buy my ticket, which took maybe half an hour. The line to get in was ridiculously long and curved around the whole front entrance. It took me over an hour just to get inside. I probably could have snuck in since I was alone, but my conscious just wouldn't allow it. There were actually a lot of Americans around, because I heard so many people speaking English. There was an American family behind me, and we ended up having a conversation. They were from Nevada, and I told them I went to Chapman in California. Apparently last year they were in Ireland and met another Chapman student that was abroad. That was kind of funny.

Just part of the line. 

Well after finally getting inside I got a map and my audio guide and I was on my way. The map honestly didn't even help much. And the audio guide helped within the palace as you walk around in each room, you just press whatever number it is and it explains its history. I didn't listen to all of them, because that would take way too long.

On the inside there were various apartments and halls to see, and the most popular Hall of Mirrors. It was actually pretty cool. It wasn't as magical as it looks on Pinterest, especially with all the people there. And there weren't as many mirrors in it as I thought. They just lined the walls, but the chandeliers were beautiful. The mirrors were supposed to double the lighting when the chandeliers and candles were lit.

Hall of Mirrors

I saw various bedrooms and drawing rooms, which were all gorgeous! With amazing paintings on the walls to the detailed ceilings, and even the furniture. And the beds were quite royal and looked pretty comfy. To be honest, after a while all of the rooms start looking the same, but they were all incredible!

A casual fireplace

A bedroom

After I finished the inside of the palace I go out to the gardens. If I wasn't alone my reaction would have been quite loud. But I was mind blown. The whole estate was HUGE!! As I looked out the land just went on and on. The size of the gardens made the palace seem so small. I seriously could not believe it. I had to use the map for the outside, and it told me that it was an hour walk from the palace to the end of the gardens. There was no way I was doing that, but that's just to give you an idea of how big it was.

That land in the distance? Still Versailles.

One side of the gardens

The palace far in the distance.

The ticket I bought included entrance to Marie Antoinette's estate and the Grand Trianon, which were both in the gardens. That was already a far walk from the palace. And keep in mind, my foot was still hurting from the past Saturday in London. You could rent bikes, a golf cart, or take tram around the gardens. Since they cost money my only option was to walk. I got to Marie Antoinette's estate, and it was like a mini-palace, and still so gorgeous. She was living the high life.

Her staircase

Her bedroom

Marie Antoinette

Then I made my way to the Grand Trianon, which was a little bigger than Marie Antoinette's estate, and what she modeled her estate after. It was also gorgeous. I don't think anything in the whole place wasn't gorgeous. I don't know a better word to describe it all.

Part of the Grand Trianon

Inside the Grand Trianon

After that my foot was killing me, so I decided it was time to head out. Plus I needed to head back before it got dark. I was there for about 3 hours or so, and I feel like there was even more to see than what I already had seen. After seeing Versailles I decided that I'm going to build my own mini-Versailles. It will be grand and just fabulous.

I hopped back on the train to get back to the Marriott to get my luggage. Since the Marriott was too expensive, I was staying at a cheap hotel the rest of the time with 3 other girls who I am abroad with, and they were meeting me there that night.

So it was a little ways back to the Marriott, and I had to do the same transfers. I still kept my handy metro map to make sure I was going the right way. And then all of sudden the train didn't stop and the one I needed, but went past it. And the panic comes again. I just was not having the best luck with this crazy system. So what I figured out was at one train stop, different trains go by going in different directions. There are multiple trains going through one stop, which is completely different than the metro that I am used to. The sign changes every time, and you have to make sure your stop is lit up on the next train. Definitely took some getting used to.

Well I finally made it back to the Marriott, and I was getting nervous, because I was losing daylight. I didn't want to travel to this other hotel alone in the dark. My original plan again was to take a taxi. I asked the lady at the front desk of the Marriott on how to get to this next hotel. I showed her the address and when she looked it up she looked at me like I was crazy. The hotel was really far. I asked her about a taxi, and she said it would be very expensive, possibly around 80 euros, which is over 100 dollars. The train stop for this hotel was in Zone 5 of the system, which is quite far outside of Paris, and she said it would take a little less than 2 hours by train to get there. I didn't want to pay for the taxi, but I didn't want to be alone at night. I had about 2 hours of daylight left.

My concern with taking the train was trying to find the hotel once I got off, because I had no clue. I thought maybe I could take a taxi from the station to the hotel so I don't get lost. She wasn't sure if that area even had taxis. But the stop was only 2 stops away from Disneyland Paris (one reason why we chose to stay there) and she said I could always go to Disneyland and find a taxi if I needed to. The nice lady printed me a map from the station to the hotel.  Since I already had a train ticket I just decided to go for it.

It did take a while, but I had to decide if I wanted to get off at the right stop and find my way, or just go straight to Disney to find a taxi to make sure I don't get lost. I just decided to get off at the right stop so I could save money, and hopefully I could find my way. I got off and I had no clue where the heck I was. It was a tiny station, for locals only it seemed like. I went outside and there were no street signs to help with the map I had. I didn't know which way was where. Luckily it was still light outside, and now it was time to start asking people. Unfortunately there weren't even that many people around, so I tried to ask a guy working at a book store. He didn't speak English. I was defeated. So I was just standing there, and this lady was staring at me, so I asked her if she spoke English. She said, "Yes, you look lost." THANK THE LORD! She knew exactly where my hotel was and guided me in the right direction. As I was walking I saw it in the distance. And you really couldn't miss it because it had a big sign, and was literally in the middle of no where. There were fields around it.

This was the hotel. Just imagine more fields around it. 

It was the most relieving feeling I've ever had. I mean, I was a long way from home to be on my own, and I found the places I needed, all without any taxis. I was really proud of myself. And I must say I think I underestimated myself. After checking in it was time to relax and wait for my other friends to get there, which they didn't get in until very late. But it was actually a decent hotel. Our room was basically 2 beds and a bunk bed, and a small bathroom. But for the price we paid it wasn't bad. Plus it was nice to not be in a hostel.

DAY 8
It was finally nice to not be alone in Paris, and the plan was to basically see the whole city for the day. We got kind of a late start since they got in really late. Getting into the city took about an hour since our hotel was pretty far.

We ate at a cafe, and I got crepes, because I had to. They were good, but again nothing life-changing. We started off at Notre Dame. It was incredible!! Okay let's be real, I was thinking of the Hunchback of Notre Dame the whole time. And it really did look like the movie, but way better! First of all, it was massive! Way bigger than I expected. The inside was just as amazing. And all of the stain glass windows were so beautiful. I was just in love with it. I might even like it more than St. Peter's. Notre Dame is just completely different. I don't really know how to describe why I liked it so much, but you'll just have to visit it to understand.

Notre Dame

The inside

Stain Glass

You can climb to the top, but unfortunately the line was way too long, so we had to skip it since we didn't really have time. So I'll definitely have to come back.

Then we made our way to the Louvre, which is one of the most famous museums. Even just walking there, I already loved Paris. Just the streets, the atmosphere, and basically everything I was falling in love. I understand why people love Paris now. Again, there's no way to explain it, you just have to experience it.

The Seine River

Just wandering

On our way to the Louvre we crossed the famous love-locks bridge! If you didn't know, it's this famous bridge where couples put a padlock on and throw the key in the river representing their everlasting love. So romantic, I know. Plus, it's all over Pinterest if you didn't know. But it was really cool! There were SO many locks, and they were all different. Some were really creative. I even saw a huge bike lock.

Love Locks!

 There was one guy selling locks on the bridge, which I thought there would be more, because you could make some serious dough in that market. We decided to get a lock, because you just have to. We all wrote our names on it and threw the keys in the river. It was pretty cool, and an awesome memory.

Our lock

We crossed the bridge and made it to the Louvre, which has the famous pyramid shape. And it was so pretty from the outside! We decided to go in, basically all I wanted to see was the Mona Lisa. And there were a lot of tourists, so it took a while.

Outside the Louvre

Inside the Louvre

 Once inside we follow the signs to the Mona Lisa, and after quite a ways, there she was. On a wall. All alone. It actually wasn't as exciting as you'd think, and that seems to be what everyone says. But at least I can say I saw the real Mona Lisa in my lifetime right? But there were a ton of people! She was basically in this glass case on a wall in a random room of other works of art. It really didn't feel like anything special. I mean, Google images will give you the same picture. But it was still cool to see.

The wall from a distance

The Mona Lisa up close

I was basically satisfied after that. Remember how I said I wasn't a museum person in London? Well the Louvre just kind of finalized that fact about myself. It is a huge and historical place, and I wish I could appreciate the art inside, but as much as I try, it just is not my thing. It is incredible to think of how much history everything inside holds, but I really don't get much feeling from it. We just kind of walked around, and I did see Venus de Milo, which is a famous statue. But I think one visit to the Louvre is enough for my lifetime, as sad as that is to say. I hope I didn't offend any art people out there, but I give you props.

Venus de Milo

After the Louvre the next stop was the Arc de Triomphe. It was straight down the street from the Louvre, but it was a very very long street. It was down  Champs-Élysées, which is a famous street, with lots of shopping. In the distance you could see the Eiffel Tower. It was just teasing me, because I was dying to see it still. We walked as quickly as we could since we were starting to lose daylight, and I still needed to see the Tower before the sun went down.

We finally got to the Arc and it was huge! I feel like I say that about every monument, but it was a lot bigger than I had imagined. There was a large band playing underneath, which was cool. We couldn't really cross the street to go under it, because it was a really busy circle. There were people on top of it, so I'll have to come back to go on that as well.

Arc de Triomphe

We just kind of saw it for a few minutes and then made our way to the Eiffel Tower. As we were getting closer and closer I got more and more excited. I don't even know why I was so excited, but come on it was the Eiffel Tower! And it was GIGANTIC! (as everything I talk about) I honestly couldn't believe I was at the Eiffel Tower. It still never has hit me. Just a famous monument, and I was here in Paris with the Eiffel Tower. Incredible.

EIFFEL TOWER!

We went around and took pictures in the grassy area, which I thought you could actually go on the grass, but it was fenced off. More lies. I took so many pictures of it they all kind of look the same obviously, since it didn't move anywhere. When it got dark the whole tower lit up and it was beautiful! It was even better than in the daylight. And every hour it sparkles with twinkling lights. It was just magical and so pretty!

At night!

When it sparkles!

Well I didn't go all the way to Paris just to stare at the Eiffel Tower, I was going to the top! There was actually a really long line, so it took a while. Oh and the weather was still really cold, especially at night. Not as cold as London, but not too far off. We got our ticket and headed for the elevator. You could take the stairs, but there was no way I was climbing that many stairs. We had to take one elevator to the base and then switch to get to the top. The elevator to the base went up one of the legs of the tower, so it was going diagonally. It kind of reminded me of the elevator in Willy Wonka (sideways and slantways). We got to the base, and it already seemed pretty high! I was starting to get a little nervous about getting to the very top.

View from the base

Still a long ways to go!

We took another elevator to the top, and it was crazy high!! I though it would kind of be like a balcony thing. But it was a caged-type thing, so I felt pretty safe, but still a little nervous to get close to the edge. And I'm not normally afraid of heights. But the view was amazing!!! And since it was nighttime the whole city was lit up. And it was snowing at the top, just so you know how cold it was. Looking back on it, it was such an amazing moment. Just to be in Paris on top of the Eiffel Tower, it had to be a dream. Things like this don't just happen. It was one of those moments that just made me realize how lucky I am to able to do this, and I will forever be grateful.

View from the top!

And there was a wine bar at the top. For only 12 euro (approximately $15.60) you could get a little glass of wine. Not worth it. But there was a couple who asked me to take their picture and they had their glasses, and it was so cute and romantic. So my future husband (Taylor Lautner?) should take note.

Bar at the top. 

After enjoying the moment and the scenery it was time to get back down to solid ground. I absolutely loved being on the tower, but I also love ground. I was just so happy after that, realizing it had all happened. Really that whole day was incredible going around Paris. It only took one day for me to love Paris.

Finishing off our day with the Eiffel Tower, we headed back to the hotel, because the next day we were going to DISNEYLAND PARIS!!

DAY 9
DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I'm saving a separate post for Disneyland, because it really deserves its own. And it was one of the best days. So just stayed tuned...

Just a little preview...

DAY 10
This was the last Saturday of Spring Break, and it was time to go back to Rome. And I was really sad, because I never want to leave Paris.

It was basically a travel-only day, so nothing too exciting happened. Out flight didn't leave til around 9 pm, but we couldn't really do anything since we had luggage with us.

We had to get to a bus station about an hour from the hotel in order to get to the airport. We just hung out at a mall across the street. And I got a macaron since I hadn't had one in Paris yet. They're really expensive for just the mini ones. But I just got one. The guy looked at me like I was crazy for only getting one. I got a caramel flavored one, and it was so tasty!! I had one in Rome a while ago, but this one was way better!

Me sad leaving Paris with my mini macaron

 Since we flew on a cheap airline the airport was basically in the boonies, so we had to take a shuttle there that took over an hour. Once we got there we were pretty early, so we just chilled out. There was another place with macarons, and they had the big ones. And they were cheaper than the mini one I paid for. So I just figured I should get it. How many times will you have a macaron in Paris in an airport? I got a chocolate one this time, and it was even better! It was almost like a brownie, but better.

Big macaron

We got back to Rome a little before midnight, and I didn't get back to my apartment until about 1 am. I had to get up early the next day, because it was Easter, and we were going to the mass at the Vatican.

Overall, I think Paris was my favorite city. I think I liked it a little more than London. There's just something about it that is so different, and I cannot even compare it to Rome. It is much cleaner, and surprisingly I encountered more nice people than Rome. So many people told me French people are so mean, but people I encountered were so nice. Maybe I was just lucky, but no one was very rude.

I really didn't expect to like Paris as much as I did. I do regret not having more time there though. There is so much to see, and I feel like I only scratched the surface. And I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to have real French cuisine, because I've heard it's the best food. And I wanted to try Ratatouille, yes partly because of the movie. I might have even tried escargot. We just really had no time, and we were always going, there was not really time for a nice sit-down meal. And I wish I bought more souvenirs. If I just had one more day, it would have been perfect. I'll definitely be coming back to Paris sometime in my life. Hopefully that time is sooner than I think.