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Published: March 20th 2013
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Our drive to JFK was quite eventful and a reminder that we must always allow ourselves 4 hours to get there because you never know what you are going to encounter! We were slowed down by 2 accidents and 4 stalled cars...keep in mind this it is only a 40 mile trip! Our flight was great, direct so only 7 hours and we both slept very well thanks to a nighttime sleep aid.
We arrived in Paris at 10am this morning and got to the apartment around noon. The drive into the city itself has us so excited for picking up our car next Tuesday, LOL. It is truly amazing...there are no lanes, no rules, just pure crazy driving!!!
We love our little cozy apartment in the great Marais area, it has such character and it was so fun to be able to head to the market and stock up on our most favorite Nestle Caramel Puddings (you will see mention of these in all previous Paris blogs) and other goodies for breakfast. I got some vanilla yogurt that come in these perfect little colored clay pots with a foil top..I mean they are really nice little pots, I am bringing them home
with me!
We were both feeling a bit run down still, so decided to take a short nap before freshening up and heading out. Our first stop was for lunch at Breizh Cafe, a creperie that I had read a lot about. We both opted for gallettes (which are savory crepes made with buckwheat). I had an egg, cheese, ham, and onion confit. Matt had egg, cheese, ham, and mushroom. They were so yummy and a perfect way to kick off Paris....oh, of course I had to have a Kir as well, can't do France without my inaugural drink!
We made our first stop Ille de la Cite and Notre Dame. It's the 850th anniversary this year and they have constructed this massive structure out front that you can climb up on, have a seat, etc...but it completely blocks a full view of the cathedral for pics :-(. I never tire of the inside, how magnificant it is and how it makes you feel. I lit a candle for my dad as I do every time I'm there. I get a bit emotional when I think back to my first trip here back in '96 and just how excited he was for
me. He was "little kid excited," and I have him to thank for that opportunity and how it changed my life forever. Paris is my first love (Shhhh don't tell Matt), and I knew on that very trip that seeing the world had to be a part of my life plan! I've never looked back, thanks Dad :-)
France hasn't gone through daylight savings yet, so we were a bit worried about sundown but luckily it was still fairly light at 7pm. We sat and had a cappucino listening to a musician fill the air with the sounds of Paris before briefly heading back to the apartment.
For dinner, we wanted to eat at a restaurant directly across the street from us that many wrote about in the book that everyone signs in the apartment, but they were booked (reservations made for tomorrow). We consulted our trusty trip advisor and found another place down the road called Les Vertbois. It was so cozy and of course it takes about a New York minute to identify that we do not speak French, so the waitress was awesome. They grab these big chalkboards and tell you what is available for that evening based on
what they picked up at the market. For a start, Matt had roasted beet roots with this amazing sweet glaze and a mild soft goat cheese...to die for! They had Risotto with squid ink so I thought "why not?" Honestly it was just OK, not that flavorful except for a chorizo type topping which made it. Entrees were lamb for me over creamed spinach, parsnip puree, and crispy fried parsnips. It was lovely....lamb perfectly cooked, the spinach was surprisingly delicious. Matt had a steak and potatoes which he would rate a 5 out of 10. I didn't mention the baguette which still gets me every time. Where else in the world can you just eat bread straight up and have it be wonderful?? No butter, not warmed or toasted....just plain...chewy and crunchy all at the same time (not like that nasty italian NJ bread, LOL)! It was a really nice meal and the best part was that walking "home" took about 90 seconds.
We love this city...This is our 4th time visiting together and we'll never tire of it. I love how comfortable it feels now, how relaxed we can be with what we want to do. I love seeing people
walking with their baguettes (or just eating off of a whole one), I love that everywhere you look the architecture and history is so rich...it's nice to be "home!"
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Tom Lyle
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Paris, day 1....blog
Wish we were there too. Good to hear you had a good flight, lunch, and a decent meal....5 out of 10; must have been a tough steak. Lamb, I like, but don't have very often. Was it Rack of Lamb, or a shank. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Enjoyed your blog...... and pictures!.....mom and dad