Europe

Paris, France

The Place I Walked Among the Dead

I’m not entirely sure how some people dislike France. The people were incredibly welcoming and always smiling. There’s something about the smell of fresh crepes and being surrounded by breath-taking architecture that sits well with the soul. With so much to see and do, I loved my time in Paris!

Day 1: One our first day, my friend and I decided to tackle the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. It was also FREE! My advice is to get there early, we arrive before the 2 hour line-up started and were ushered in within 20 minutes. There were rows of pillars and the room itself was not flooded with light like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Combined with darker stained glass, there were candles and chandeliers. It was absolutely stunning. They also had a choir singing beyond beautifully and it rang throughout the building. I would 100% recommend visiting this cathedral, and I’m not a particularly religious person.

 

We moved on to Saints Chappelle, which is a smaller chapel with 15 huge pillars and windows covered in stained glass. It was a light brighter than the Notre Dame Cathedral and very beautiful. Overall it took about 15 minutes to walk around and snap some pictures. 

Next, we waited two hours in line to visit the Pantheon and Catacombs of Paris. Essentially, Paris sits on miles of elaborate tunnels that are filled with 6 million bodies. It was definitely one of the strangest experiences of my life. I would recommend it! I also feel that someday when I kick the bucket, I want to be cremated!

Last, but not least, we went home and got dressed up to attend the Moulin Rouge. This was a last-minute decision and a bit pricey. It was one of the best theatrical productions I have ever watched and worth the 90 Euros. Yes, the women were occasionally had a lack of clothing, but you get over it when they present the story, sing, and dance. There were side skits filled with acrobats, a large ring with dancers, and a ventriloquist. We sipped our champagne and laughed the entire two hours. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take pictures inside, but my mental camera clicked a few times!

Day Two: We were in Paris when temperatures were over 100 degrees. Unfortunately, we were in an Airbnb the size of a closet with no air conditioning. The temperature made both of us a little sluggish! With a late start we went and aimlessly walked around town. Around 7 we headed to the Eiffel Tower. It was still daylight and when my friend wanted to walk around and snap pictures. I hunkered down, purchased an ice cream cone and a bottle of champagne, and was content to just look up at it. I advise anyone to see the tower in the daylight and at night, it is two very different experiences. However, being a female and alone, even if for a short time, brought a lot of attention. I had several men stop by to talk or ask questions until my friend came back. When we were there, the tower didn’t do the normal light show. Instead, it was lit up in red, blue, and white in respect for the terrorist attack in Nice. Overall, sitting under the brightly lit tower had me thinking I led an undeniably amazing life.

Day Three: Our last day in Paris was a busy one! We started early and the sun was already cooking. Taking the metro, we went to see the famous Parisian monument to Jesus, The Sacre-Coeur. It was free to visit, the only cost was to your legs when you drudged up the endless flights of stairs. A high rounded ceiling covered in gold and bright tiles that depict Christ and his disciples greet you when you enter. There were also several metallic sculptures scattered around. It wasn’t a must see, but it was a pretty neat place to visit if you have time to kill!

We then headed to the Louvre. Unfortunately, it is closed on Tuesdays, so we didn’t get the chance to see the Mona Lisa. Posing in front of the big glass prism that is the entrance to the Louvre is good fun and a great photo! They also have several water pools around the building, so dipping your feet during a hot day isn’t a terrible idea. 

Making our way through the Place de Concord, home of all the beheadings via guillotine, was quite a trip. While the history behind it was interesting, it simply looked like another park. The green grass and sculptures didn’t give off a murder vibe. We also found a crepe place at the end of the park and enjoyed the Nutella and banana goodness!

Last on our list of sights to see was the Arc de Triumph. It was a longer walk, but we managed to hike it across town. We were sweaty messes and there were tons of people swarming the streets. It’s located at a very busy part of town that is bustling with malls, small boutiques, and LOTS OF Traffic. To our disappointment, it cost 12 Euros to cross the street and look underneath it. We passed. However, I’m sure if you wanted to spend the money, it would be worth it.

Overall, I adored my time in Paris. There was so much to see and do; not to mention EAT! Their pastries are literally the greatest. In the summer it does get hot, keep that in mind when packing. Also, look out for pickpockets and be aware of your surroundings if you are alone. Before going, determine what you really want to see and if you’d pay money for it. Unfortunately, Paris is expensive, so budgeting goes a long way here! Voyager en my backpacking friends!

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