15 things i learned in paris

There is so much to do and see in Paris, and much of it well known, so I don't really need to do a blow by blow account of our time there.

Instead, here are 15 things I learned on our family trip just after New Year.

Eiffel Tower! Just as awesome in real life

1. Check the hotel address before you go. Using your booking confirmation, not google. This means you avoid going on 3 metro lines to the wrong hotel instead of one to the right one.

First Croissants in Paris...nom nom

2. Not specific to Paris, but check toothpaste is toothpaste before using it. Sometimes it is deep heat trying to look like toothpaste. Secondly, deep heat on your tongue does not feel nice.

Notre Dame

Love locks near Notre dame

3. As much as jumping the queue at Notre Dame seems to go against the principles of the building your entering...do it anyway.

Notre Dame

Inside the Church

4. It's a long walk from the Gare de Lyon to the Eiffel Tower. But totally worth it. take lots of pictures.

Amazing architecture

Nom nom crepe

The Lourve

The famous pyramid

Place de la Concorde, where they used to execute people

Arc de Triomphe

Tuileres Garden

French onion soup

Flame of Liberty, unofficial Princess Diana memorial and Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower! Of course. 

Annnd again

5. Buy your tickets online for the Lourve and enter from the Metro station, even if you don't. The line outside is ridiculous!

Mum inside the Louvre

People seeing the Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa

Mary Magdalene made of wood

Old medieval towers under the Louvre

The building itself is stunning

Napoleons Apartments is probably one of the most opulent things I have ever seen. 

Dining room

From inside the pyramid

6. Buy the french hot chocolate. It is like melted chocolate but somehow not too rich. A-mazing.

Deliciousness

Sitting outside a cafe in Paris! Dream.

7. Maybe don't accidentally buy the 15 euro macaroon....or maybe do? You're in Paris afterall!

Don't tell Dad...

Luxembourg Gardens

Palais du Luxembourg

Me in the gardens

Eat all the food

8. Snails taste somewhat like mushrooms and mussels. Try them.

Actually good!

Fancy french dinner. Simple but amazing.

Creme Brulee. Oh em gee. 

Our local stop

9. Line up for the catacombs early. Like. Really early. Don't even bother if you don't! Ok bother, because they are like nothing you've ever seen.

Creepiness in the Catacombs

People from cemeteries all over Paris were moved here

The Catacombs hold the remains of six million people

They were originally mines where the stone for many of the buildings in Paris came from

Original metro sign

10. Get lost in Montemartre, and duck into small cafe's with piano players and fresh crepes.

The Sacre-Coeur

View over Paris

Artist square in Montmartre

Artists painting and selling their art

In a lane in Montmarte

Crepe maker

Delicious fresh crepes

11. The Moulin Rouge isn't as fantastic and I thought it would be, but still cool to see, and the street down to it from the top of the hill had the most amazing food.

Cheese shop on Rue Lepic, and awesome street for food

Really great local pastry shop... just to continue the food theme!

The Moulin Rouge windmill

12. Try the cheese. It stinks and you think someone let one rip every time you open the fridge door but it's delicious.

The Opera House at night. Another stunning building

13. Get a map for the Pere Lachaise cemetery and investigate who you want to see. It's not as easy as you think..

Walking through the narrow cemetery paths

The style of the graves

I took this because Berry is a name that is in my family

Oscar Wilde's grave, with glass to protect from lipstick..of all things

One of the concentration camp memorials

Jim Morrisons grave

The grave of Chopin

14. If it's the first Sunday of the month then you get free entry to lots of attractions. Take advantage of this because it's usually ticket sales that hold up the lines!

Had to go back by the tower one last time

View from the top of the Arc de Triomphe

Looking down the Champes-Elysees. Now that song is in my head.. 

The Bastille

The last supper. Croque Monsieur. 

15. Eat pastries. Everyday. And every other kind of French food you can get your hands on. Did you notice I like food...? But seriously. Croissants, chocolate mousse, eclairs... etc etc etc

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