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Published: March 23rd 2009
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It’s been 3 long years since we last left the US and Paris is just the city to break that dry spell. Especially since Paris is so very special to us both. Our arrival started like most overnight flight trips do…you feel like you want to die the first hour after you land. You think there is no way that you are going to make it through the day…but then just like magic you arrive at your hotel and you feel better! Our trip in was humorous as always! The cab driver did not seem familiar with the hotel address and once we got into Paris and drove past Notre Dame and I saw the Musee D’Orsay I knew we had gone too far. So, Matt and I from the back seat were trying the show the driver where the hotel was on our map. He spoke zero English, and Matt speaks terrible French. Once we knew where we were and he was STILL confused we thought about just asking him to let us drive…we knew where we were going! We got a big bonus tonight. Our hotel had some room flooding issues so they had to move us down the
street for the first night. We are in a full size apartment with kitchen, balcony, etc…too bad it’s not for the rest of our time here!
As we waited for our new room to be cleaned, we headed over to the Pantheon. Still as great as we remember, especially with the crypts down below such as Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Louis Braillle, and Marie Curie just to name a few. After a quick freshen up at the hotel it was off for lunch at the quintessential Parisian café…Café de Flore on Blvd. St-Germain. We had to wait about 20 min for a table but it was worth it. Right on the sidewalk, the sun was out, temperature perfect, and the best people watching ever in one of the world’s greatest cities. Our waiter was nice (I should actually mention that everyone has been nice so far..we’re in France right? LOL) We had a great lunch starting with baguette. There is something simply wonderful about Parisian baguette..they get it perfect. Perfect chewiness, Perfect crunch, soft inside, and the perfect sweet/salty flavor. Butter is not needed! The best part is they never let your basket of it run out. I had Welsh
Rarebit…which no, is not rabbit. It’s a cheddar cheesey, gooey, yumminess baked on top of a piece of toast. Matt had ham and eggs topped with gruyere. By the way, Evian water sucks..but 20/20 already proved that I guess (all tasters chose NYC tap water over Evian..HAHA). In all honestly the best part of the meal was the Kir (Black Currant Liqueur & White Wine). For those of you that have never had this drink it is totally French, and just plain great with any meal…including breakfast! Lunch was a good 2 hours, relaxing and enjoyable!
On our way to our favorite museum of all time, Musee de Cluny, we popped into St. Germain des Pres, a church we had never been into before. We liked it…more run down than your average Paris tourist attraction, but that’s what gave it it’s character.
We reached our destination of Musee de Cluny. Which remains our favorite because it houses our beloved Unicorn Tapestries. We have a small replica of one hanging in our dining room. They date back to 1500 and there are 5 of them, each one representing one of the five senses. The museum building, grounds, and remaining
exhibits are great as well Matt swears that it has the best ceiling in Paris (Oh, and best doorknob)…there are many of his pictures to show you how much he loves it!
We did have dinner reservations out tonight but after our big late lunch we just weren’t “feeling” it, so we cancelled and decided to hit one of Erin’s “Lifetime Pities” Poilane Bakery. Poilane has been baking bread since the early 1900’s the same way that they do today. It’s one of those great family passed down businesses….but tragic. The current owner has it now because her parents were both killed in a car crash about 10 years ago. She was going to college and living in America at the time and came back home to Paris to continue to run Poilane….I couldn’t leave Paris without seeing the beautiful loaves of bread with their signature “P” and of course, eating some!
So dinner tonight was a picnic of Poilane bread, butter, brie, and a nice bottle of Bordeaux! Mmmmm….And to finish we have to talk about the amazing custards they sell here in the grocery store. We are in love with the Nestle caramel ones…if they sold
Monsieur Voltaire
Voltaire in the crypt at the Pantheon these in the US, people would never need to make dessert again. They are delectable! They melt in your mouth and taste of the crème brulee topping. Not a bad start in the city of lights!
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Kristen
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Looks wonderful!
Wish I was with you guys it looks amazing.. ps drove by the house on Sunday and everything looks good! Can't wait to read more!!