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Stephanie Howell

reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.

Paris in Photos

J and I just returned from a whirlwind Friday afternoon-Monday morning  trip to Paris ON OUR OWN. Yes, you read that right. We celebrated our 11 year anniversary together. In Paris. ON OUR OWN. Yeah. Pretty Amazing.

Also amazing? The amount of activities you can cram into three days sans kids. On Sunday we left the apartment at 9 am and were gone until 2 am. CRAZINESS.

We relied almost 100 percent on the metro, though we did take a cab once. I’m very thankful that Jimmy took French growing up (as my brain is so full of Italian and English I literally had NO room to learn French phrases) and could handle communication beautifully.

No meltdowns (except one minor one by me when I fell off my bike- see below), no naps,no snacks, no “I need to use the pooottyyyyyyyyy”. It was so FUN.

I don’t really know where to start, so I’ll just briefly share photos and thoughts from each place we went.

I do want to say this. I am NOT a Paris expert. 🙂 Just sharing what we did and loved.

Note: We didn’t get to see Musée de l’Orangerie, the Rodin Museum, Versailles, the morning markets, or Luxembourg Gardens among other things. We didn’t go up the Eiffel Tower. We also didn’t have much time for fancy meals or shopping. This trip was about fitting in as much as we could fit in. Next time we will focus on food, shopping, etc.

**all photos taken with iPhone 5

The Eiffel Tower: Funny. I thought I wouldn’t be that impressed by the Eiffel Tower. I.Was.WRONG. It took my breath away. On Friday night we did a cruise down the Seine and it came into view just as it lit up. On Sunday night we sat underneath with a bottle of champagne and watched the lights twinkle/go to dark at 1 am. Totally worth it.


Giverny: We took a train (and drank a bottle of champagne). From the train station we rented bikes and rode the 5 km to Giverny. I had not ridden a bike in at least 20 years. I’d like to act like it was beautiful and magical. It wasn’t. I couldn’t sit down the day after, I swerved and fell off and cried. Here’s the good news. I’m already laughing at the memory. And the really good news was that Monet’s house and gardens were AMAZING.

Musée d’Orsay: I loved this one. It was easily manageable and I am a bit of a Degas freak. So it was my favorite. We did miss seeing the VanGogh exhibit…by minutes. But I still really loved it.

Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: This tied with Marais for my favorite neighborhood in Paris. I loved everything about it. The last night we sat outside eating and drinking wine while a man played his guitar and sang and sang. It was authentic Paris (or how I dreamed it might be) and magical. Truly.

We wandered into Sacré-Cœur just as mass started and sat through the entire thing. Talk about once in a lifetime…

Marais: We stayed in this neighborhood. Adorable, funky and laid back. Loved everything about it.

Sainte-Chapelle: Out of everywhere we saw, for some reason this was the one place that brought tears to my eyes. Breathaking, surreal, and awe-inspiring.

The Louvre and Surrounding Area: This was very much Jimmy’s part of the trip, he was THRILLED to be experiencing the Louvre. He was a history major in college…so I just let him do his thing. 🙂

Random story- I HATED macarons before this trip to Paris. I have always thought they were dry and tasteless (or tasted like dust) until I sampled some from Laduree. HEAVEN. Absolute heaven.

I laugh so hard every time I look at this photo. Jimmy announced “SELFIE STATUE!” and I took this photo. HAHAHAHA!

Notre Dame: There aren’t really any words. Another goosebump experience.

Arc de Triomphe: What a view. And randomly…my favorite gift shop we found.

Cruise on the Seine: Totally worth every dime. And every touristy moment. We bought bread, cheese, pate, strawberries, and champagne beforehand. One of my favorite memories from the trip.

xoxo

s

Comments

  1. What took me aback in Paris when I went was that it was just the simple things that made it special. The champagne the picnics in the park just grabbing a quick coffee at a corner cafe. Don’t get me wrong the beautiful restaurants and wonderful architecture were amazing but the simple things I remember and smile. You have to go back and see Versailles. Beautiful pictures and the bigest smiles Hapy Anniversary Grace

  2. I absolutely LOVE this post and that you had such an incredible time! You deserve every second of this journey in Europe!!! Thank you for sharing it with all of us!

  3. Thank you so much for sharing! Glad that you and J has some “alone” time. You deserved it.

  4. Ok I’ve never had Paris on my list of places I had to see. You’ve changed my mind. You need to make photo books of your pictures

  5. I love Paris! Thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures. How is it that your iPhone 5 takes great pictures? Mine are always terrible. Any suggestions?

  6. wow! beautiful pictures! I cant believe that these were all taken with your iphone! if you get a chance, I would love if you could do a post on some of those photo-taking techniques!

  7. Mais Oui! I really need to brush up on French. I too want to drink champagne in France. Clearly spring is the time to go to see all the beautiful spring flowers. 11 years and 4 kids later. This is my 29th year but still time to get there. Have to pay that college tuition first. lol!

  8. I **LOVE** Paris! I really love your photo of the man with the guitar at the restaurant!! The sign on that restaurant “Aimer, Manger, Boire et Chanter” reads Love, Eat, Drink and Sing!

  9. Loved following your trip on Instagram. So happy it was such a great trip and that you didn’t get hurt from your bike spill. I can totally see that happening to me.

  10. I LOVE this!! That’s so exciting that y’all got to celebrate your anniversary without kids in such a magical place! Yay for being in love and giving each other your proper due!!

  11. My hubby and I went to Paris and through Spain last year for our 5th anniversary and had a blast–these photos totally brought me back. How fantastic for you two to experience such a magical city alone. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  14. OMG selfie statute!! That is hilarious and awesome!! But seriously, your pics are so beautiful and now I want to go to Paris even more badly than I did ten minutes ago!!! So exciting that you got to go and celebrate your anniversary there — Happy Anniversary!!! Hope you get to go back again soon! 🙂

  15. Oh and PS — I laughed with you on the bike thing. I’m so exactly the same. I learned to ride a bike in my mid-20s. I’m not coordinated. Even a little bit. So my first ride not on the grass at the park? I went down the driveway, mini-panic attack for being on asphalt, didn’t turn fast enough and turned just in time to go right into the back end of my neighbor’s car parked across the street. Every time I’ve ridden a bike I end up with some crazy story too. You’re not alone! LOL 😉

  16. Love your post! We are going to spend 4 nights in Paris this summer with our kids (22, 19, 13) and can’t wait! I was debating on doing a Seine cruise but am now convinced we need to! Any tips on a good way to book it? Did you do it spur of the moment or ahead of time! Thanks for all of the gorgeous pictures and I laughed so hard at the selfie statue – precious! Happy Anniversary!

  17. amazing!
    Great photos and descriptions.
    I have to admit that I have never really had Paris on my list of places to go.
    But seeing your beautiful photos has me thinking that maybe I should. 🙂
    Happy Anniversary!

  18. What a magical getaway!! Every photo and detail captured is breath taking!! Thanks for sharing and Happy Anniversary!!

  20. Oh my, you certainly know how to live Stephanie. It sounds absolutely utterly wonderful. I’m so glad you had such an amazing time. Your photographs are beautiful.

  21. Great pictures! My oldest kids take French and they told me about the bridge. I showed them your picture and they were happy to “prove” it to me!

  23. How wonderful that you guys were able to get away. You obviously had an amazing time!

  24. If you love Degas, you might want to read The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan. It’s the story of the little girl (and her family) who was the model for Degas’ Little Dancer statue. It’s interesting!
    Your trip looks like it was so dreamy! Makes me anxious to go somewhere ALONE with my DH when he gets home from his deployment. Only 9 months to go! Gives me time to plan, I guess? LOL

  25. ohhhhhh….my daughter and I were in London, Paris, and Rome one month ago and I LOVED LOVED LOVED Paris..what a majestic city. Sorry but I have to agree with hubby the Louvre is a masterpiece. We had taken locks to put on the bridge. Loved Notre Dame too…my 2 favorite spots in Paris for sure. We didn’t explore quite as much as you did. We did the hop on hop off tours but did get off on our own a bit and did some shopping. Didn’t see the Eiffel tower at night…after seeing your photos I really wish we had. I am going back though soon. But planning on spending more than 3 days which is what we spent in each city…just not enough time. So glad you guys enjoyed yourselves. I LOVE reading about your adventures!

  27. One more thing…how in the world did you get the picture at the Louvre without many other people in it? when we were there there was people EVERYWHERE~there is hardly anybody in your background..

  28. Beautiful pictures!! Happy Anniversary, I’m glad you got to go out and have such a lovely weekend with just the two of you!

  29. Okay, what’s the deal with the locks? I need to know. Happy anniversary. I always say a wedding is an event, but a marriage is an achievement. So glad you had such fun. Thanks for sharing your great photos.

  31. Wow, that looks like an amazing anniversary trip! So beautiful and magical, wishing you both many more anniversaries to celebrate together. Hugs. Love the no kids time too… Just a special memory between the two of you. & I LOVED the selfie statue photo! I am also less than stellar on the bike its been at least 14 years since I last rode …. & fell off !

  32. Oh my Goodness!! I have never before had any interest in visiting Paris but now from your photos and comments I REALLY want to go to Paris.
    Thank you so much for sharing your awesome Anniversary trip!
    Now I need my own “Jimmy” to make the trip complete.
    Any chance we can find a older Jimmy clone?
    I am so happy that you two were able to get away on your own for the weekend.
    What a great adventure you two had together! Thank you for sharing it with us all!
    Happy Anniversary!

  33. PS What is the deal with the “Locks” in two of the photos.
    I know there has to be a super story with those locks!
    Thanks,

  36. A. Go at sunset. We looked up a sunset chart online and it said 8:26. We got on a cruise around 7:45. The cruises are an hour long.
    B. We chose the budget company, Vedettes Du Pont Neuf – http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/tickets/ . You can book ahead of time online for only 10 euro and you can take food and drink! You don’t know what kind of a boat you will get, though. We wanted one with an open top and did not get it. But we made sure to wait in line to get on first so that we could get some seats in the open air portion on the front of the boat. Totally worth it!!!

  44. Although you didn’t get to go there for Valentines, you got to go for your Anniversary and that is awesome too! Romance all the way! You sure packed a lot in, in three days! WOW girl! So happy that you got some time away to celebrate your marriage! Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!

  46. I had exactly the same feeling the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower. Walked around a corner, and there it was!! I stopped right there and then, in the middle of the sidewalk 🙂 Took a photo just to remember that moment, eventhough I got better ones the closer we got.
    Paris is just magical isn’t it?

  48. It looks like you both had a wonderful time, thrilled for you! Also taking notes – I’m headed there next week for my 10th anniversary and am so looking forward to it, even more after seeing your pics!

  49. Omg. I was just reading Debby Schuh’s blog posts about her Paris trip and come to yours!! You guys are killing me!! I have been to Paris twice on business but would love to go back and spend more time. I felt the same as you about the Eiffel Tower. Did not expect to be as blown away by it as I was. I am also a huge Degas fan and loved the Musee d’Orsay (and the Louvre). I love the photo of Jimmy with the selfie statue!! Happy anniversary. So glad you had a nice weekend with Jimmy in Paris. What could be better?

  51. Thank you! I am definitely going to check out their website and the sunset idea is terrific, would not have thought of that. Have a great weekend!

  52. Wonderful photos!!! I follow you on instagram, but still great to see a post with all of your wonderful photos from a Paris trip here. Happy Anniversary!!

  55. I LOVE these pictures! Thank you for sharing and so glad you had a happy anniversary with J!

  56. I LOVED looking at your IG feed all weekend and then scrolling thru the gorgeous pics on here today. I haven’t been back to Paris since traveling there while I studied abroad in Spain in ’96. Makes me want to get our passports updated and GO!!! I better start looking for a babysitter for four kids! 😉

  57. wonderful!! Whose random thumb is that in the picture from the cruise on the Seine? So funny!