Paris holds the key to her past--- Yes, Princess, I've found you at last!

On July 22 I, along with Lisa, Melanie and Ren went to Paris.

We took Eurolines from Brussels to Paris; it was about a 4 hour bus ride. Once arriving in Paris, Ren and I split up from Melanie and Lisa and headed to our hostel.

Our little room in the attic of the hostel.

After refreshing at our hostel Ren and I went to dinner at a small authentic French restaurant. It was a small hole in the wall kind of place. Going to Paris I was prepared for the rude manners the French are infamous for- however the older woman who owned the little restaurant was anything but rude. Since we had an obvious huge language barrier the woman actually sat down next to us and started making animal sounds in the attempt to tell us what was on the menu. Seriously- if I had not been starving I would have been dying of laughter. Oh, the French are funny sometimes.

Oh and I got a salad and frites. yeah boring. i know.

After dinner, we made the short walk to Basilica of the Sacré Cœur, the highest point in Paris.

There are two things that can happen when you’re a student traveling around Europe: something really really bad can happen or something really really good can happen. Always expect the unexpected and well…going to the highest point in Paris was a really good idea.

Once we made our journey to the top, Ren and I were greeted by an unexpected gathering. Filling the steps that lead up to the Basilica were tens...maybe hundreds…of people just relaxing and listening to a live band. Um what? It was so random…so Europe…so Paris.

Basilica of the Sacré Cœur

From this point in Paris, I could see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame…basically the whole city. It was a really nice way to start our weekend adventure in Paris.

Highest Point in Paris

After a pleasant sleep in our room in the attic of our hostel, we took the metro to Notre Dame. The three big tourist attractions: Notre Dame, The Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower, are all located right next the Seine, a major river that runs through the city. Once we arrived at Notre Dame the heavens decided to open up and let down a rainstorm.

It was cold and rainy but honestly I could not have cared even if I had tried. I mean I was in PARIS! I would not let a little rain and 50 degree weather (I was wearing shorts) bring me down!

Notre Dame

Notre Dame was perfect. The outside is stunning but nothing can compare to the interior. Once you walk in, you can do nothing but tilt your head back and stare at the ceiling and stained glass windows. If I had time I would definitely want to attend a mass there or even just spend a few hours in the church.

Inside Notre Dame

Inside Notre Dame

After Notre Dame, we walked along the Seine until we got to the Louvre. Ren and I are not what you would call "art people" so we checked out Mona Lisa and then booked it out of there. Besides just being an art museum, the Louvre was actually a palace for the royal family way back in the 1600s. Every room was different and the architecture, to me, overwhelmed the art and stole the show.

Chillin with Mona Lisa

Ceiling in one of the rooms in the Louvre

The Louvre

From the Louvre, we walked to the Eiffel Tower. Along the way, we saw a carnival, almost got swindled by gypsies, and walked over the Pont Alexandre III. The Ponte Alexandre III is a beautiful bridge that is shown in almost all movies that take place in Paris.

Pont Alexandre III

The Eiffel Tower is kind of exactly what I expected- it’s a tall thing in the middle of a park. Well to go into more detail- underneath the Eiffel Tower there are two long lines that lead up the tower. You can either climb up the stairs or take the elevator.

Ren and I took the elevator- duh.

Once up there, we were determined to get to the very top. It took us about 3 hours to get from the ground to the top. It was so worth it.

View from the middle level

On Sunday, we headed to the Palace of Versailles. Seriously, this place is in my top 3 things I’ve done in Europe and I didn’t even go into the building. Versailles is less than 30 minutes outside Paris and fairly easy to get to.

In front of the palace

The Palace of Versailles was the favorite home of Marie Antoinette. I really do not know how to describe it- it’s just beautiful…breathtaking. The lines are super long- *note to my future self – do not buy tickets at the ticket booth- go to a café or store near the palace – they sell legit tickets and you do not have to wait in line!

Next time I go to Paris (I stood on the star by Notre Dame and made a wish, so I know I’m going back to Paris) I’m spending a few days in Versailles. It was just a very authentic French town- Paris was great but Versailles was the highlight of my French weekend.

The Star by Notre Dame

On an end note I'll leave you with the wonderful song I had stuck in my head the whole time I was in Paris- Enjoy.

*More pictures are on Facebook Paris Album