Saturday was a lovely day. In fact, every day of this trip was hot and sunny. We woke up early and made the most of the gorgeous weather.
We headed to Sacre Coeur Basilica – which was located quite close to our hotel – in the neighbourhood known as Montmartre (where artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Renoir lived when they were in Paris; it is also the location of the hit French movie, Amelie, and the location of the famous Moulin Rouge).
While we waited for the church gates to open – we were up and about early due to jet lag – we enjoyed an incredible breakfast croissant, coffee (John), and hot chocolate (me) sitting outside a tiny cafe, the only people on the street. Over four years later, we still regularly talk about this breakfast! Next up was a 300-step climb to the top of the church dome. This was another major highlight of the trip.
The views were tremendous. My only real regret, looking back, was not spending more time in Montmartre – such a great spot in Paris. I can’t imagine a more beautiful view to take in the sunset, either.
Next up was a walking tour of the area – again, this was a great way to learn more about the city’s history. Much enjoyed. That afternoon we trekked back down toward the Seine and completed a long walk along an old railway line that has been converted into an elevated park (much like the Highline in New York City).
This was probably the thing I could have skipped in hindsight, given how much walking we were already doing; but it sure counted toward our exercise total – all said, Saturday we walked over 30 km!. Back to the hotel to regroup, and then we thought we’d hike to the Basilica and climb up the dome to see the sunset (tickets are good all day for entry). We arrived at 8:15 only to learn they admit the last people at 8 PM. Whomp, whomp.
We walked clear across the city again and ended up in the Latin Quarter. All’s well that ends well – we were treated to an incredible 3-course traditional French supper, complete with duck confit, mussels, a charcuterie plate, chocolate mousse, and more. It was incredible and remarkably inexpensive (46 euros)! The quality of the food was soooo good. We started eating supper around 10 pm because that is how Parisians eat – slowly and late!
J
Was your elevated walk the Promenade Plantée? That was one thing that I wanted to do and we didn’t when we were there. I mean, we did walk A LOT (though I don’t think we ever walked 30km in one day!) but not there.
Your breakfast sandwich looks amazing…the lacquer they get on the croissants, while not being the least bit tough…I haven’t found anything like it in the US. What a beautiful day you had!
Elisabeth
Yes it was. I’d say I preferred The Highline, but I also think it was just too much walking after a lot of walking. I was underwhelmed by it and mostly just tired and cranky by the time we had finished the walk. But I can see why people rave about it; just fell a bit short for me, at least in the context of when I visited.
They make the best croissants. No competition!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Oh this does look fun again. I had no idea you could climb up Sacre Coeur. I did I miss that. Too bad you couldn’t enjoy. the sunset. Walking 30. km is a lot. I don’t think I have aver done that and we are walking a lot too.
The husband keeps talking about a sandwich he had over a decade ago in Vancouver. These things happen. Good sandwiches are a treat.
Elisabeth
It was a LOT of walking. Thankfully we slept on the world’s most comfortable bed – literally – and so woke up feeling rested and NOT SORE the next morning which was rather miraculous.
Jenny
Wat a lovely day! The weather looks perfect and the city looks so pretty. And “the best breakfast sandwich ever!” Have you ever tried to recreate it at home?
Your photos are incredible!
Elisabeth
We do make very similar sandwiches at home, but not in the shadow of a giant church on cobblestone streets, unfortunately. So we make GREAT sandwiches at home, but the ambience (and Canadian croissants) are not quite as magical.
Grateful Kae
The weather looks amazing! I have been hemming and hawing about this aspect of Paris, too- when to go. (Which month were you there? Your first post said 2019 but I don’t think I saw the month.) Our original trip was planned for March, which I know can be cool/ chilly in Paris… but I have heard especially now post-pandemic that summertime is just over the top packed with tourists. A friend of mine went last summer and she said it was just shocking how crowded it was everywhere. So while I would love the nice warm weather, part of me feels like maybe a different season would be better. Probably fall would be the best of all- I think actual summer can get super super hot sometimes in Paris, which could be uncomfortable, also. It’s always challenging though to work around the kids’ school schedules, anyway… probably we’ll end up stuck with either a spring break/ Easter rush or summer time! The holidays would probably be equally bad, and cold. 😉
Love all the photos. I loved Sacre Couer. And my sister and I took a special trip (at night!) on the subway just to jump off, see Moulin Rouge, take a picture, and then basically hop back on! haha.
Elisabeth
I think it would be a nightmare to be there during the Olympics. Hope you get there soon, though. I think you will LOVE IT.
I think March would be chilly in Paris, I think April/May or even early June would be when I would try to go the next time. We lucked out with good weather but it was REALLY hot and I think next time we’re likely to have the kids in tow and it’s tough to motivate them to walk when it’s oppressively hot (and there would be fewer tourists in those fringe months)?
Linda
What a treat for those of us who love to travel via the armchair or those who have visited and enjoybrecalling their own travels. I especially love the the food memories—my questions about trips are always about the food! And I have distinct memories of amazing meals on my own trips.
Linda
Elisabeth
The food was great (though, I’ll admit I preferred the food in Rome!), and it was every bit as “magical” as I had hoped.
Melissa
Oh, I love Paris so much. Although we went in April, but the weather had just turned, so they were getting their first 20C days of the season. How amazing that your breakfast still stands out so brightly.
Elisabeth
I think April through June with sunshine (but a hint of cool) would be the PERFECT time to visit.
Noemi
These photos are amazing. Thank you for sharing. I haven’t been to Paris in over 20 years and this definitely makes me want to go back.
Elisabeth
Thanks! I’ve only been once and I am ready to go again!!
Ernie
These photos are stunning. What a wonderful adventure. I hate when I think I have things planned out and then something that I thought would be great ends up being closed. I would like to travel to France (among other places), but I worry about how I will eat because of celiac. That plus a language barrier. Yikes. Still, there is SO much to see. Fingers crossed we can make it happen one day.
Michelle G.
Lovely, lovely, lovely! I lived in France for a year when I was in college a long, long, long time ago. I got to spend a week in Paris. I’ll never forget that beautiful city!
Elisabeth
Wow! A whole year in France. What an adventure that must have been!
San
Wow, beautiful pictures, Elisabeth. And my mouth is watering from looking at those ham and cheese croissants. Yum!
Daria
Wow!! Beautiful and exactly what I need. The kids and I are going to Paris at the beginning of April next year. It may be cold and we will not be doing this much walking because… We’ll, with R we can never get anywhere. I am planning one mayyyyybe two activities per day. The rest are sitting in cafes, playing in the streets, and shopping for cute baguette pens lol (cup of Jo post from forever ago from Paris)
Elisabeth
I’m so excited to see your photos and read about your time in Paris. It will be such a wonderful adventure <3
Lisa's Yarns
Awww Paris! I love love love this city so much. It’ll be 10 years this week since I was last there. I miss it so much but we are not in a stage of life where we can hop over there. But we will get back there someday. Phil has never been!
Elisabeth
How special it will be to take Phil for the first time! Can’t wait until you get to take that trip <3
Kate
Ah, Paris! Your photos capture the mood of the city so perfectly. I love the photos of you at the cafe and looking out over the city… so beautiful!
We visited Paris over Valentine’s Day weekend in 2020 (so incredibly bizarre to think back on that, knowing how everything would change less than a month later!) and my mouth still waters when I think about the croissants. I’m guessing that Cecilia (3 years old at the time) is probably a super taster — she has always enjoyed food, and she was in paroxysms of delight over the cheese plate we ordered as an appetizer at Brew Dog (not the most authentic Parisian fare but we still talk about their baked Brie)!
Elisabeth
Paris photographs well <3
February 2020 was a calm before the storm!
Anne
My favorite memory of Paris – the last time I went – was of eating a baguette sandwich standing on the street outside of a small cafe. This brought that back, so thank you. <3 And oh, Sacre Coeur. Such a lovely, lovely place. <3, again.
Elisabeth
Paris is just…so lovely, isn’t it. And that particular area of the city is just extra special.
I appreciated the simplicity of the food; it’s a bit mind-blowing how delicious just a few ingredients put together in the right way can be.