Holidays ? You should come and visit the best city in the world: Paris! (#WayToTalk I know that there are plenty of cities that are absolutely gorgeous ;) )
Note: In Paris, most museums, exhibitions and others are free for European people under 26 yo! Take this opportunity to travel :D ;)
First Day: Walking day
Screenshot from Google Maps
First, my friends and I ate udon (Japanese food). It was absolutely delicious! I never visit Japon, so I'm pretty sure that my idea of "typical Japanese restaurant" is not the best lol. But, this restaurant looks like my idea of a typical Japanese restaurant ^^. I ate for the first time a udon and it is delicious. Pasta is super soft and the feeling was so strange but not unpleasant. It tastes good. The fried chicken was marvellous and the omelette as well. That was my first squared omelette haha. I was surprised.
Then, we walked around the Japanese District. We bought a Bubble Tea at Yiyun and some Japanese/Korean food in a K-Market. I really advise you to try and drink a Bubble tea ^^. Yiyun proposes a large scale of choice so it would be great for the first time. For instance, if you're too shy, starting with a coffee Bubble tea ;). You should try the Matcha Bubble tea with milk and tapioca! That's my favourite (even if Red Bean Bubble tea with milk and tapioca is sooooo good as well). That day, I drank a Honey-Blueberry-Lemon Bubble Tea with Cranberry bubbles + Passion bubbles (I know, that seems weird but it is delicious and so fresh !).
On the way, we saw a spice shop. It smeled so good there. I think it's a good brand but I bought nothing ^^'.
We visited St Roch Church. As you can see, the church is beautiful. I love the painting and colours. It situated in the first arrondissement of Paris. The church was plundered during the Revolution but now, a part of the patrimony have been getting back.
We stayed in the Tuileries Garden to drink our Bubble Tea and chill a little bit. That is a beautiful garden between the Louvre Museum and the Concorde. There are plenty places to sit. Warning : you can't sit down on the grass !
We went to Place de la Concorde where we saw a very nice band.
We went up the avenue des Champs Elysées before turning into Montaigne Avenue in order to reach the edge of the Seine. Then crossed the river to access the Orthodox church.
Inside the church, there was an exposition about Art and Craft. We spoke with jewellers and creators.
We continued our route towards the Eiffel Tower and then into the Champs de Mars.
We saw the ark of peace there.
That was a quite sportive day: we walked around 8 hours! I wore ballerinas (not the best shoes ever for walking ^^').
Second Day: Louvre
Here the link to the official page of the museum
The pyramid on the Napoleon court
The museum is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm except Tuesdays (Closing of the rooms from 5:30 pm). The museum is open from noon until 9.45 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays (Closing of the rooms from 9.30 pm). Every first Sunday in the months of October to March, admission to the Louvre Museum is free for all visitors.
Access: - Access to the Pyramid and the Carrousel gallery: open every day except Tuesdays, from 9 am to 7.30pm and until 10 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. - Richelieu Passage: open every day, except Tuesdays, from 9 am to 5.30 pm and until 6 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. - Lions Gate: This access is reserved for group visitors.
Third Day: Notre Dame de Paris, Montmartre, Pigalle
First, I went with friends to visit the well-known cathedral: Notre Dame de Paris. There was a long queue but actually, it was not that long :) The entrance is free. For the historical and culture point: It is located in the east of the Ile de la Cité, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. Its construction begun under the impulse of Bishop Maurice de Sully spread over more than 2 centuries. This cathedral welcomes more than 20 million visitors/year, making it the most visited monument in Paris and throughout Europe. It is a historic monument classified MH (1862) and World Heritage (1991).
You can find also the Point zero of the roads of France !!! It is the point zero of Paris, that is to say, the kilometre 0 of the roads leaving the capital, which is used as a reference for calculating the distance from one to another city of France.
Then, we went to a restaurant called ???. It is a restaurant which provides typical French food! It is quite affordable. I have another address: Le temps des cerises. I really like this little restaurant. The food is good and the price not too high (maybe not the best restaurant for a student, but it is much better, in my opinion, to spend more money for trying typical food than going to a fast food).
After lunch, we went to 18th arrondissement in order to To visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basilique du Sacré Coeur). At the exit of the metro (M12, Abbesse), we made a small detour to see the wall of the "Je t'aime" <3
That is so cute, but there were a looot of tourists! (Like me lol)
We then climbed the hill Montmartre. I was tired at the end of the stairs ^^'. The Basilica is super beautiful as well as the view. The best was the children's choir ;) We then went down to Pigalle. On the way, you will be able to see a lot of souvenir shops as well as the St Pierre's market (sells fabric by the meter for quite cheap)...
I wanted to see a show at the Moulin Rouge, but it was really overpriced ... maybe for next time;)
Fourth Day: Château de Versailles
The last day, I visited the Château de Versailles! This place is just sublime! The castle is incredible, the grounds beautiful and its history makes you dream. Please note that for European nationals under 26 years of age admission is free! I nevertheless chose to pay a guided tour (7 € - which is a price more than affordable) for several reasons: First of all, it makes a cut-file (yes, there is really a lot Of tail). Then, I find it more interesting and more alive to visit a place with an experienced guide and graduate. They always have plenty of anecdotes to tell, show us little nooks and answer questions.
So I paid a ticket to visit the apartments of the kings. We are equipped with headphones in order to hear the guide well even if we are far from it. This is very practical because there is no need to jostle to hear the information and we can take the time to observe at our own pace.
I show you some pictures: (much better in real)
It is possible to eat a picnic in the gardens, which is very nice at the arrival of summer :)
You can become a sponsor/mecene of the Château de Versailles! By giving 5 €, you'll receive a coin and contributed to the renovation of the castle. It is an accessible donation that allows for the maintenance of culture. You can, of course, make a larger donation if you wish. There is a page on the official site of the castle listing all the works or parts of the castle needs to be renovated. You can for instance, by giving 1000 €, buy a tree that will go into the collection and gardens.
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