Yay! Hooray! I've finally been able to start looking at and editing my photos from our trip to Paris at the beginning of June. So, lots of posts about Paris will be forthcoming. And it goes without saying...lots of photos too.
The first day of our trip was mostly spent traveling. We got to the airport in Dallas around 7:30pm after a delicious dinner at Gloria's with my parents. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 9:45pm, except that it was delayed (I can't really remember why) and we didn't end up taking off until after 10:30pm.
The fun thing about this flight (yes, fun) is that we had First Class tickets this time. This was our first time to fly First Class on an International flight and boy, was it awesome. We saved up the air miles for years for this one and it was totally worth it!
The first day of our trip was mostly spent traveling. We got to the airport in Dallas around 7:30pm after a delicious dinner at Gloria's with my parents. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 9:45pm, except that it was delayed (I can't really remember why) and we didn't end up taking off until after 10:30pm.
The fun thing about this flight (yes, fun) is that we had First Class tickets this time. This was our first time to fly First Class on an International flight and boy, was it awesome. We saved up the air miles for years for this one and it was totally worth it!
![photo IMG_5035_zpsf7fec9e6.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5035_zpsf7fec9e6.jpg)
We had tons of room and our chairs really did lay all the way down. We had two pillows and two blankets each. They even offered us pajamas to change into...and slippers. That divider that you see in the photo below can go down and we kept it down for the entire flight since we know each other and all.
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About an hour and a half after we took off, they began the dinner service. The 5 course dinner service. Unbelievable. And let me tell you...you would hardly know you were eating "airplane" food. It was really good. We didn't eat as much as we normally would have because it was so late and we had already eaten dinner.
![photo IMG_5048_zps3f47f5b4.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5048_zps3f47f5b4.jpg)
There were two different trays that we could pull out for dinner and we chose to sit facing each other.
![photo IMG_5045_zpsc37ef1ca.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5045_zpsc37ef1ca.jpg)
By the end of dinner I was fighting to stay awake, but you better believe I stayed awake long enough to get my custom made ice cream sundae (they put whatever toppings on there that you wanted...within reason, of course). Then, we transformed our seats into beds and fell asleep for almost the entire rest of the flight. About an hour before landing we had breakfast.
![photo IMG_5052_zpsfd67a44a.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5052_zpsfd67a44a.jpg)
When we arrived in London, we were actually somewhat rested. We hopped into a taxi and headed for St. Pancreas station where we would catch our (Eurostar) train to Paris. And the entire way, while we watched London pass by as we looked out the windows of the taxi, we lamented the fact that we didn't schedule a day (or 5) to spend there. I love London. Maybe next time.
![photo IMG_5054_zpsab5b9dbf.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5054_zpsab5b9dbf.jpg)
At St. Pancreas we checked in for our train and waited for boarding time.
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On board the train we were seated across the aisle from a young couple from Iceland. They were traveling to Paris to perform their music in a couple of shows. We spoke about previous trips to Paris and various things about the States and Iceland. One of the coolest parts of our trip was the interesting people we met along the way.
![photo IMG_5057_zps67672c2b.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5057_zps67672c2b.jpg)
Two and a half hours later we pulled into Gare du Nord train station in Paris. I think one of the best things about train stations is the flip board with all of the train information. This one was huge.
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![photo IMG_5062_zpsb615e90c.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5062_zpsb615e90c.jpg)
Just outside the train station we jumped inside another taxi to take us (and our luggage) to our hotel. I would like to pause a moment and brag on us just a little bit. We each packed one carry-on sized rolling bag...and that's it (besides our purse and backpack).
We arrived at our hotel and got our first look at what would be our home for the next 8 nights. We stayed at the Hotel d'Aubusson in the St. Germain neighborhood of Paris. That is on the left bank between Notre Dame and the Louvre. So, pretty much a perfect location. Our hotel was located on the same street that runs off the Pont Neuf bridge. Here we are in the elevator heading up to our room.
![photo IMG_5077_zpsf888c7f0.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5077_zpsf888c7f0.jpg)
What can I say about this hotel? It really was a gem. I had done some research to find a hotel that we could afford but that also had some character to it. You can stay in a very sleek and modern hotel in Paris for sure (and that is sometimes what you want), but I really wanted something different. So, I called the travel agency that my parents often use and they immediately suggested Hotel d'Aubusson.
![photo IMG_5074_zps2bff4cdd.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5074_zps2bff4cdd.jpg)
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We stayed in their most basic room and although the decor is pretty basic, the room was very comfortable and really well appointed. That bed was so comfortable. We both slept so well...and that's not always a given. We never once turned on the TV, but it was nice to have a flat screen anyway!
![photo IMG_5064_zps5cf91f34.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5064_zps5cf91f34.jpg)
One of the things that makes this hotel fabulous is the service. Every other night, there was a complementary gift waiting for us in our room. A chilled bottle of champagne, a box of fresh macarons, a leather key chain. The concierge also arranged almost all of our dinner reservations for us and gave us a written confirmation with an address for each in our room.
![photo IMG_5066_zps9b4cee30.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5066_zps9b4cee30.jpg)
We were lucky enough to have one of the rooms that faced the street, so here was our view. Of course, if you were to look out the window and down, you would see the street. We were on the 4th floor.
![photo IMG_5073snshn_zps74b681f1.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5073snshn_zps74b681f1.jpg)
This bathroom was lovely and the shower had the best rain shower head ever....I wanted to take that home as my souvenir.
![photo IMG_5067_zpsba3b87c0.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5067_zpsba3b87c0.jpg)
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When we'd gotten settled in our room, we walked around the rest of the hotel to have a look. I should mention that the hotel was quiet and refined, but not stuffy. Here's the lobby.
![photo IMG_6186_zpse632f31f.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_6186_zpse632f31f.jpg)
![photo IMG_6183_zpsbbb0d5d0.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_6183_zpsbbb0d5d0.jpg)
The Cafe Laurent was packed every night with live music and people having cocktails.
![photo IMG_5107_zps52d94b17.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5107_zps52d94b17.jpg)
Right in the middle of the hotel is a lovely and quiet courtyard with very wide umbrellas in case of rain (or lots of sun, I guess).
![photo IMG_5103_zpsfdeb0376.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5103_zpsfdeb0376.jpg)
My favorite part of the hotel was the grand salon, which just demonstrates the character of the hotel with it's exposed wood beams, stone fireplace and other little details.
![photo IMG_5099_zpsda822baa.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5099_zpsda822baa.jpg)
I love the layered frame and mirror above the fireplace. And the fabrics on all of the chairs were stunning. I'm pretty sure those are things that Casey didn't necessarily notice, but I definitely did!
![photo IMG_5100_zpsd5f5254b.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5100_zpsd5f5254b.jpg)
![photo IMG_5101_zps24524c9b.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5101_zps24524c9b.jpg)
Two examples of details I loved in this room are the mirrored sconces and the row of books on the windowsill.
![photo IMG_5102_zps26524a66.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5102_zps26524a66.jpg)
We arrived in Paris in the early evening, so by the time we'd gotten settled and oriented, it was time to eat! Most restaurants in Paris (the good ones anyway) require reservations for dinner. But lucklily, I had heard of a restaurant that didn't take reservations that we could visit on our first night (since I didn't know when we'd be eating). Lauren over at Aspiring Kennedy wrote about Le Relais de l' Entrecote on her blog and that's how I discovered the place. And it couldn't have been more perfect for us because it was only a few blocks from our hotel. There was a bit of a line when we got there at 8pm, but it moved quickly. I think we waited maybe 15 minutes, and then we were seated outside at a table for two.
![photo IMG_5081_zps98de2925.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5081_zps98de2925.jpg)
This place only serves one dish - steak frites - so the only thing you have to order are your drinks and specify how you like your steak cooked. Then, they start you out with bread and salad. The French really love their mustard so, of course, the dressing on the salad was a tangy mustard dressing. Quite good actually.
![photo IMG_5082_zps7033a3d4.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5082_zps7033a3d4.jpg)
This is steak frites. A dish you will find all over Paris, but I would be willing to bet that this is one of the top places to get it. That sauce. Well, let's just say if I could duplicate that sauce, we'd be having a lot of steak frites for dinner around here. Yum. And the best part is that they bring you seconds automatically. So just when you think you've run out of house made fries and that amazing sauce (and even steak), here comes your waitress with a tray of fresh fries, sauce, and steak.
![photo IMG_5083_zpsf1db529d.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5083_zpsf1db529d.jpg)
Even after seconds, we had to get dessert. This tower of chocolate and ice cream also has meringue cookies holding it together, and it's obviously drenched in chocolate sauce. Perfection.
![photo IMG_5086_zps45bfc557.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5086_zps45bfc557.jpg)
We walked back along the Seine to our hotel and caught a glimpse of one of the "lock" bridges. If you've not heard of this (fairly recent) tradition, a couple in love is supposed to attach their lock to the bridge and throw the key into the Seine to symbolize the permanence of their love. In case you might forget to bring a lock and key with you, you'll have no trouble finding any size and shape from the vendors in the green stalls lining the river. (PS - the sun didn't set in Paris until almost 9:30 or 10pm). Crazy.
![photo IMG_5088_zps3ecd12e0.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5088_zps3ecd12e0.jpg)
Our hotel at night.
![photo IMG_5090_zpsd5fe6da3.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5090_zpsd5fe6da3.jpg)
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![photo IMG_5093_zps010220fe.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5093_zps010220fe.jpg)
The front doors to the hotel opened automatically whether you were going out or in. I don't know why, but I totally loved that. And because we'd had such a full day, we slept all night with no problems and even slept in the next morning. After a long day (really a day and a half because of the time change) we were finally in Paris!
![photo IMG_5097_zps8913e9cc.jpg](http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/rdc98h/Main%20Blog%20Photos/Main%20Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_5097_zps8913e9cc.jpg)
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2 comments:
So cool!!! First class looked amazing!!! It makes me want to save up just to go first class... seriously, good call (I always dream of laying down and sleeping on a plane).
I am blown away by your hotel!!! Gifts??? Champagne Macarons (my fave!), a leather key chain??? And the fact that the concierge arranged your dinners... when we were in Paris, which was awesome, I remember asking our concierge where we could get some great chicken, or anything he recommended, he said "you can go out the street, go left, go right, you'll find food".
Can't wait to see the rest of your Paris posts!!!
Oh man, Rachel! What an exciting first day. Everything is lovely. Can't wait to see the rest of your trip - wow.
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