Paris, je t'aime
Paris is the best date I’ve ever had. It’s
stylish, forward thinking, delicious and awe-inspiring. Its energy will make
your heart palpitate with excitement and its beauty will fascinate you. Paris will
charm your pants off with its allure and its adoring French ways.
My first visit to the city of love quickly
affirmed that I should have bid it visit long ago. I was immediately enamoured
with its people, its art, and its endless bread baskets and wine. I vowed to
return as many times as my travel budget would allow. As such, I have found
some ways to keep our love affair alive on a shoestring.
Getting there:
With WestJet’s direct flights to London
Gatwick airport from YYC, getting to Europe has never been easier (or cheaper).
I’ve often found roundtrip airfares in the $700 ballpark range. Use this
airport as your gateway to the continent and its über-affordable airlines. You
can often find EasyJet roundtrip fares from London Gatwick to Paris for approximately
$150 return – the earlier you book, the cheaper you fly. Transferring your bag
between the two airlines is painless with a designated luggage counter near
your WestJet bag pick up that will facilitate the tagging and switch for you. Better yet, save money and time by traveling
light with a carry on.
What to eat:
If you travel like I do, food is a central
part of your experience. Investing time in research will pay dividends here –
avoid letting your growling stomach rush you to the nearest disappointing tourist
trap. Take my word on the following places if you’re looking for some great
Parisian eats:
Specializes in 3 to 5 course meals. Choose
the ‘déjeuner’ (lunch) option for an affordable and delectable meal in a great
neighborhood. The options change
according to what is in season.
Reservations are highly recommended at this
tiny wine bar – its main dishes change constantly, and its menu is small – a
big OUI in my books. Ask your server for recommended pairings. Sit outside near
the canal in this local hotspot for some people watching whilst swirling your
glass of vino.
Located inside the outstanding Palais de
Tokyo art museum, this meal was easily the best for value that I’ve discovered
thus far. The daily special runs for a very affordable 13 Euros – I was lucky
enough to drop in on duck day. The. Best.
Daily duck special, je t’adore.
What to see:
Palais
de Tokyo: After taking in some delicious duck/ other special du jour, why
not explore this modern and contemporary arts museum? Always bold and thought
provoking with a dash of weird. Changing exhibitions feature the work of both
up and coming and established artists. A visit here will tickle your brain and
make for great fodder during your next coffee + pastries break (because, what
would a trip to France be without coming home a bit ‘fluffier’ than when you
arrived).
Pompidou
Centre: Another fantastic modern arts museum, which will feature some
better known artists, such as Kandinsky, Matisse and Picasso. A full day can
easily be spent navigating its impressive collection of permanent and temporary
exhibits. Make your way to the rooftop for views of the city that will make you
wish you never had to leave this magical, cobblestoned place. Street performers
are often found in its surroundings when the weather is cooperative.
Like a fancy Bloomingdale’s on steroids.
Shop here for designer goods, or to daydream of doing so. Also home to a lovely
rooftop view which gives you another beautiful view of Eiffel, this time with
the Opera district in the forefront.
See. Told you. Nice views.
Described by a local man as the most
beautiful park in the city, which I will take his word for. Subsequent visit
gave enough evidence to support this claim. Pack a picnic (with some wine and
cheese, bien sûr) and spend a day on its green hills, enjoying the fanciful Parisian
scenery. There are also bits to explore,
such as caves and small waterfalls, if you’re more of the “I like to be active”
type over being of the “I enjoy wine and books on a blanket” variety.
Boat tours on the Seine
Loads of companies offer boat tours of the
Seine River. They will offer daytime or
nighttime views of iconic buildings, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame
Cathedral. Some included a glass of champagne, others a full blown meal with a
5-piece band. The experience can certainly be a pleasant one, though not unmissable.
Do the budget tour by walking on the river path with a bottle of bubbly in hand
instead.
Where to stay:
Most of my stays have been via AirBNB – a great way to make your homebase a
part of the city that has less of the touristy feel. Definitely go this route
if you enjoy walking and taking the subway to get around. The longer you’re
willing to commute to the central area, the more affordable your stay will be.
I’ve found the subway to be very safe and reliable, and oftentimes faster than
battling your way through traffic with your French Uber driver.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my stays in the
following areas: le Marais, Belleville and La Bastille. All equipped with
beautiful cafés and boulangeries, and easy to navigate.
If you need a French-speaking tour guide:
Option 1: Slide into my DMs.
Option 2: If I am unavailable, I can offer
the following advice: it always helps to
make a minimal effort of speaking the language. Here are some helpful phrases:
“L’addition s’il vous plait” – pronounced “L’AH-DEE-SEEON
SEAL VEW PLAY” means, “check please!”
“Quel vin recommandez vous?” – pronounced “KELL
VAIN RUH-COMMAND-DAY VEW” means, “what wine do you recommend?”
“Toutes les patisseries, s’il vous plait” –
pronounced, “TOOT LAY PAH-TEE-SURI SEAL VEW PLAY”
means, “All the pastries, please”.
There. You’re covered. Amusez-vous bien!
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