Our friends Jenny and Eric Cosper made a trip out to Paris for work, so Kirk and I met up with them. You definitely need to take your time in Paris, it beautiful, so much to see, eat and drink, but Kirk and I were only there for 36 hours, so we had to stick a strict plan of touring the staples.
We stayed at the New Hotel Roblin, located in the center of Paris, in Madeleine (Opera district). We were right around the corner from the Madeleine metro stop, so getting around the city was a breeze. A hot day and early morning we tried to find an iced coffee (something we have learned to be nearly impossible in Amsterdam and most of Europe).
First stop - Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris. It is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Paris. I really enjoyed the high arched ceilings, the stained glass, candles, quiet atmosphere and lengthy aisles.
After our walk-thru we met up with Jenny and Eric for drinks (sans Jenny since she announced she is pregnant with twins) and lunch before heading out for a long stroll and window shopping.
After a few hours of walking we finally made it to the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc is a tribute to those who fought for France. On the inside of the arc you will see the many names of generals and wars fought. Steps and more steps take you to the very top. The view was spectacular, one of the best ways to truly see Paris. From this view you see the city sectioned off into wedges like a pizza.
After hours and hours of walking/touring the city, we headed back to the hotel for a quick shower and nap before sitting down for a pub meal and watching our first US World Cup game against England. We ordered 'nachos', beers and fries. It was a blast watching the game, a little disappointing that it ended in a draw, but we did come back so can't be mad at that. It really is amazing watching World Cup in Europe and being surrounded by huge fans of the game.
Late and ready for dinner, Eric mentioned a restuarant near the Eiffel Tower (The Poet's Club) that had good reviews in his travel guide. We arrived by taxi and discovered this place to be dark and possibly not open/out of business. Eric peeked his head in and caught the attention of the owner. He offered us a meal but asked if we wouldn't mind listening in on their poetry readings. There was a small group, maybe 6-8 folks sitting around in this tiny candle-lit room, listening to the owner recite french poetry.
The owner is the son of a well known French poet of the 20th century, Jean-Pierre Rosnay. He asked our group if we knew of any french poets, we could not provide him with a single one. But that didn't matter, he wanted to share the experience with us. The restaurant feels like a home, because it actually is! Eric actually mistook their sons room as the bathroom - accidentally interrupting him in what appeared to be studying. But once he heard the boy say bonjour, he knew he was in the wrong place. Since Jean-Pierre's passing in December 2009, his son took over the Poet's Club, still honoring poets from France, and giving others opportunities to share their poetic talent. We met a girl who currently lives in New York, but is now spending time in Paris, I am guessing trust-fund baby, and is "discovering" herself by reciting poetry in various avenues!
I ate the rawest peice of meat and Kirk, Jenny and Eric enjoyed quiche. As we continued to listen to live poetry readings, we ate pistachio icecream and admired the fat house cat sleeping on our table. It did get a little weird when they threw some interpretative dancing, but I really could not complain. It wouldn't be Paris with out poetry, raw meat, and some unique display/act of art.
For the next day, we met up for a quick bite, quiches, juice, pastries, croussants, and coffee. We said our goodbyes and headed straight for the Eiffel Tower. The lines were massive, but it was important to me to climb up to at least the second level. I also made sure to have a tasty chocolate crepe.....so amazing!!!
Last stop, The Louvre Museum, we had about 6 hours before we had to fly back to Amsterdam, so we immediately headed to see the classics, Mona Lisa, Aphrodite, and my absolute favorite The Winged Victory of Samothrace. Most know that the Louvre is a lot to handle. You can't see everything especially in a 4 hours. The Louvre is peaceful, but overwhelming, massive, real and breathtaking. I hope to go back some day.
Overall a wonderful and quick trip seeing good friends and exploring a very romantic and memorable city!
A few more notes:
The Dutch LOVE telling you their opinion about everything, at any time, whether you ask for it or not
Ice coffee equals HUGE cups of coffee and a few ice cubes, you take what you get!
Huge screens broadcasting World Cup 2010 have been strategically placed around most European cities, including Schiphol Airport - a nice way to wait for our bus ride home
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