Paris...the wait is finally over!!!

After so many years of dreaming, the day had come to journey to Paris. The day prior in Marseilles had been bloody awful for many reasons, so we were relieved to get to the Marseille train station, board the train and head towards the fourth and final leg of our trip. We were also sick of living out of suitcases (I said I do not travel that well!) and would be good to get to our apartment and unpack properly.

The train journey was pleasant, and despite being a fast train (it was fast!) we saw a lot of the countryside and it was beautiful. We arrived at Gare de Lyon around 2ish and made our way to the taxi rank...what an organized and pleasant process, we lined up and a guy on the line took each person to a taxi. The ride was the most delightful and divine taxi ride of my life. He took us along the Seine and whilst there was a language barrier, he pointed out lesser landmarks and was enjoying our wonder. I was very emotional and our first sight of The Eiffel Tower was splendid.

We were met at our apartment by the owner's nanny, Monica, and she took us up and gave us a tour. First off it was in an excellent area...now we had researched it carefully and knew that, but real life and google maps are two different things. We were close to a corner of a small suburban square, that is each corner has an open area with seating and trees, very cute. Right off we saw a pizzeria, creperie, bar, fruit stall and pharmacy...all less than 1 minute walk from out front door. We were soon to find out that was nothing!

We stayed in Rue Saint Charles in the 15th Arrondissement on the left side of the Seine, from our street, a fabulous view of The Eiffel Tower.

The apartment is on the 8th floor and you enter through two coded doors in the foyer before arriving at the tiny lift. The apartment was bigger than we thought it would be and as amazing, if not better than the photos. You walk in the front door to a small hallway, toilet to the left, bathroom to the right, bedroom at the end of the hall. Turn right and you are in the spacious living area that looks onto a long balcony with fabulous views of The Eiffel Tower.

The apartment is very modern, with every possible thing you could need, and every possible space made to good and clever use. These are the little things that made our stay all the more comfortable and enjoyable. The fold out sofa so comfortable, Amanda claimed it and is still trying to work out how to take it home. All the windows have electronic shutters to keep sun, cold, noise out. Wireless connection, washer, dryer, hair fryer, stocked cupboards, flowers in a vase, champagne, we were indeed set.

After taking in that view, and looking around, we decided to explore our neighbourhood. We went towards The Eiffel Tower, about a 10-15min walk, so much closer than we expected, many shops, restaurants and cafes in that direction, then we headed back past our apartment in the other direction. About 5mins from our apartment is a larger square and very busy, restaurants, cafes, shops, McDonalds, Starbucks and a large grocery store...the Monoprix.

We did a shop, what a fabulous experience, we just kept adding things to our shopping basket. Sooo many cheeses, and everything so cheap. The strawberry jam I buy at home, Bonne Mamon, only about 2 Euro, the huge chunk of Brie, less than 2 Euro. So much variety, freshness and things you just do not see at home...grocery shopping will never be the same again.

We bought food to cook dinner and headed back to unpack and settle and enjoy a little sleep in the next morning.

As the week progressed we would find out more and more about the neighbourhood. Behind the fruit shop in our square was a park, which took going to the Monoprix about 5 mins. The walk to the local train station about 10-15mins. The closest bridge on the Seine to our apartment has the Paris Statue of Liberty, the streets behind our apartments have hours of shopping and amazing fresh food stores. The markets at the Eiffel Tower end of our street (wed and sun) are unlike anything we had ever seen.

The pizzeria make fantastic pizza, and the creperie is to die for. But on a Sunday night, almost everything shuts down, and Maccas is pretty much it! And our beloved Eiffel Tower never gets old, I like to check for it out the bedroom window every morning when I wake up, just to make sure she is still there; and for a few minutes on the hour, every hour each evening she puts on sparkly show of amazing.

I am typing this with 4 nights left and I wonder how I will go back to reality, we have been so very lucky to stay here for so long, in love with this city for sure...but there is soooo much more to tell you all so I shan't get too far ahead of myself.

Posted with Blogsy