I love Paris in the Springtime..... (well actually Autumn, but close enough!)

Missy and I headed off for three nights away for a girls weekend in Paris, and I must say I think it's one of my favourite cities now! Thankfully we had both been there before on our Contiki tours so had done the real touristy things, so it gave us a chance to explore the city at a slower pace. We took the Eurostar and arrived late Thursday night.

Friday morning we hopped on the train and went to Versaille for the day, a massive royal palace and grounds. We paid our money and did a smallish tour, thinking is this it? It was such a nice day we had a good walk around the gardens and spent the day lazing around. It wasn't until we were about to head back that we realised we had only done 1 of 5 tours!! We quickly managed to squeeze another one in before closing time, but at least we had enjoyed our day. The town was so nice we decided to stay for dinner before returning to Paris.

Looking back at the Palace of Versailles

Looking out at the Grounds from Palace of Versaille

Saturday morning first stop was the Notre Dame Cathedral. We then wandered through the backstreets visiting odd shops and delis picking up bits and pieces for a picnic. We then headed to Jardin du Luxenburg a beautifully manuicured park for a typical french picnic lunch. In the afternoon we wandered down the Champs Elysees to look at the shops and stood under the Arc de Triumph. Back to our room for a cat nap before heading out to dinner.

After having crappy restaurant suggestions from the hotelier we followed the recommendations of the lonely planet. Having a little difficulty with directions a really nice old French man offered to help us, he spoke no English, we little French so it was quite interesting!! Instead of directing us he actually led us there, about a 10 minute walk in the opposite direction he was heading, uphill and up two massive flights of stairs! The whole way I was a little suspicious wondering what he wanted (I've been travelling awhile now!) When we arrived he said goodnight! We were gobsmacked. But what a find, we were right in the middle of a lovely little district full of restaurants spilling onto the pavements, music playing, people drawing pictures on the side of the street - absolutely devine.

We had a fantastic meal and then decided to go for a walk afterwards, as we wandered around the side streets we found the most amazing church, absolultely massive and lit up from the outside. I have later been told is Sacre Coeur, a famous french Church. As we were now ontop of a massive hill we had the most amazing view over Paris - what a find!

Outside Notre Dame Cathedral

Picnic with our fine French cuisine

In the middle of the Champs Elysees looking back on the Arc de Triumphe

Out to dinner

Artists in the side streets

Sacre Coeur

Our last day we caught the metro to the Eiffel Tower (which we had both previously visited so didn't bother going up) to catch a boat down the river on a cruise. This was fantastic (and very relaxing at this point!) We passed many of the landmarks we had seen previously. We stopped off for a quick crepe under the Eiffel Tower - full of ham and cheese (delicious but not so fantastic on the waistline!) Then it was time for a quick stopoff at the Louve, unfortunately we only had an hour so Missy dashed inside to check out the Mona Lisa while I wandered around the shops and gardens as I'd seen it previously. On our way back to pick up our bags we had just enough time for a quick photo opportunity outside the Moulin Rouge. Then back on the Eurostar to London.

River Cruise

Crepe under the Eiffel Tower

Outside the Mouline Rouge