Paris!!!

Cole Porter said it best....
I love Paris in the springtime
I love Paris in the fall
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles
I love Paris every moment
Every moment of the year
I love Paris

Why, oh, why do I love Paris?
The last line of that stanza is “because my love is near.”
But you don’t have to have a nearby love to absolutely love this bucket list destination.

I recently returned from my bi-yearly visit to Paris to see my family who has lived in France for over 40 years. It was my 18th visit.

​Paris is full of musts. Must see, must do, must taste, must explore. Whether you are a first-time visitor, or, like me, a multi-time visitor, there are so many musts that you will need a month, if not longer, to see and do all the musts. One must for all visitors, please say “bonjour” when you enter any kind of establishment. And do not forget “merci” when you leave. Those two words set the tone.

For first timers, you will want to do and see the obvious: The Eiffel Tower (all the way to the summit on a clear day), the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Notre Dame, brought back to its’ full glory, a Seine cruise for lunch or dinner (best for dinner where you can really see the city of lights) on a Bateau Mouche. Most tourists want to see the iconic pyramid of the Louvre. Skip the Line tickets are essential. Opt for a guided tour, as the Louvre can be overwhelming. Other museums that are worthy are the Musee D’Orsay for the impressionists, the Picasso Museum, The Rodin Museum and many other small, relatively unknown gems in the city of great art. Make time for “out of the city of Paris” excursions; to the Palace of Versailles (but only if the gardens are open), the Chateaux of the Loire Valley, Monet’s home in Giverney to see with your own eyes the beautiful pond where he derived his inspiration; or a day to explore Rouen, with its phenomenal cathedral and where Joan of Arc was tried and executed. There is a full day excursion to the Champagne region for tastings; a full day to go to Mont St. Michelle to climb to the top of St. Michaels. And, most important, a full day to Normandy, the highlight of my recent trip. As that eventful day of June 6th, 1944, recedes into textbook memories, it was important to pay homage to the brave men who stormed the beaches and changed the course of history.

In the “must taste” part of your trip, open yourself up to true French cooking – to neighborhood bistros where you can try the fabulous dishes France is known for – Steak frites with poivre sauce (sopped up with amazing crusty French bread) Beef Bourguignon, Coq au Vin, Charcuterie, and for the truly adventurous, Escargot with Garlic Butter. Start your day with a buttery croissant (they do NOT make them outside of France, no matter what you are told) a delicious café au lait, (please note, the French do not drink coffee with milk after breakfast – lunch and dinner coffee is a demitasse of espresso). And please make room for dessert – the most amazing pastries in the history of pastry.

I walked five to seven miles a day, quite easy to do in Paris, to justify two pastries a day, one with lunch and one with dinner. I went to a patisserie, Stohrer, on Rue Montorgueil for pastries (worth the trip just for that). It is the oldest patisserie in Paris, established in 1730. Go to Procope, the oldest restaurant in Paris, where you will dine where Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin enjoyed their meals. Reservations are a must at most restaurants unless you want to eat dinner between 5 PM and 6 PM. Most restaurants do not open until 7:30, so booking ahead is highly recommended.
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Paris is probably on the bucket list for everyone wanting to go to Europe. With the help of a good (and experienced) travel agent, you can get a custom designed itinerary, whether with a group or independently. I’ve already booked my trip for next year.. I’m ready for those pastries!