As if our first day in Paris wasn’t busy enough, I think Day Two topped it… at least in terms of walking steps — it was a 25,000+ step day. (I wore a pedometer throughout our trip.)

Mom and I didn’t have any set plans on Tuesday, as we did Monday with the bike tour. We wanted to try to get inside a museum and cross a few things off of our Paris bucket list. Turns out, we crossed off a lot more than we expected in a single day.

First stop, pastries and cappuccinos of course. This time at Manon: again on Rue de Rivoli, a less than 3-minute walk from our studio.

It was a cold, drizzly day (thankfully, the only day we got rained on our whole trip); after said light breakfast, we walked down Rue de Rivoli to Hotel de Ville. This is when it really started raining, but nonetheless, we got out our cameras and marveled at this masterpiece of architecture in the blustery rain, as would any first-time-to-Paris tourists.

We continued walking through the narrow streets of Le Marais district, directing our umbrella left to right, up and down, as to not whack a passing Parisian on the cobblestone streets. We passed the absurd site that is modern Centre Pompidou on our way to an outdoor farmer’s market, Le Marché des Enfants Rogue. To our dismay, the market wasn’t the attraction we read it to be, so we continued our walk towards our studio.

Nearing lunchtime (croissants and coffee don’t have much staying power), we found our way to L’As du Fallafel. Despite the rain, there was a long line outside for the to-go walk-up window orders; not in a hurry, we opted for a small table inside the crowded, vibrant, energetic Mediterranean cafe. It didn’t matter that we had eaten falafel plates the previous night, I needed one of these infamous falafels. Best falafel of my life… and friendly service as a bonus. I will remember that warm pita bulging at the seams with more than a half-dozen fried balls of chickpea batter, cabbage slaw, spicy red onion, tomatoes, and tahini that drizzled down each of my fingers. #mostmemorablemeal

We ventured into a free museum in the same vicinity — I can’t remember its name, or frankly what it highlighted. Everything was in French, and therefore difficult to appreciate. It did have pretty gardens, I can tell you that much.

We hopped on the metro and got off at Tuileries Gardens, where we had lunch the day before. The sun decided to come out for a little while here. From the gardens, we walked to the Musée d’Orsay Museum to discover that is was closed that day due to a strike (supposedly Parisians are known for their frequent strikes).

Plan B: keep walking.

Crossing a bridge on the Seine, we discovered Love Locks!

From the general area of the d’Orsay, we walked “up” through Tuileries Gardens, past the Place de la Concorde, and onto the Champs de Elysee. Not exactly our cup of tea, with overpriced designer stores lining the overcrowded street; we dodged through the masses of people, finally making our way to the Arc de Triomph.

While we hadn’t gone to the top of the Eiffel Tower, I wanted to go to the top of something. My claustrophobia was put to the test as we climbed the 284 spiral stairs inside the cement arc. Albeit windy and drizzling rain, I felt all the feelings while standing there admiring Paris from above — the Eiffel Tower, the Champs, Sacré Coeur, you can see it all with the 360 degree view.

Place de la Concorde

Champs de Elysee

Rainbow over Sacre Coeur – wow!

Now late in the afternoon, nearly evening actually, we stopped at Ladurée on Champs de Elysee for famous macaroons and the richest hot chocolate with chantilly whipped cream.

The metro got us back our lovely neighborhood where it was time to start thinking about dinner. Walk, eat, walk, eat, repeat. The theme in Paris, no?

We picked L’Epouvantail just outside Place Sainte Catherine. While reviewing the menu, we met the friendliest American couple who was making a reservation, in person, with the host/owner. We did the same, and then chatted outside on the cobblestone street with the East Coast couple. Restaurants open relatively late in France, so we sauntered across the square to freshen up in our studio before our reservation.

Inside the dimly lit restaurant, we sat at a petite table near our new American friends and chatted with them throughout our meal, asking advice on entrée selections. I had an incredible bowl of sweet potato soup, bread (naturally), and shared a salad with Mom. While the food was above average, the experience was far more memorable. The young host/server/owner was a gem; the single gay man at the adjacent table had us smiling and laughing all night; and the middle-aged couple were delightful and genuine.

Flower Shop on Rue de Rivoli

‘Twas a great way to end Day Two in Paris.

I’ve struggled to get myself to sort through all 1,362 photos I took during our Euro trip. It is almost as if I’ve forced myself to absorb what is happening in the current moment to forget the dream of a vacation my mom and I experienced last month.

Then, I tell myself to stop being ridiculous and remind myself of a favorite quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.” Yes, heck yes. This 15-day, once-in-a-lifetime, mother-daughter trip to Europe happened, and it was freaking incredible. I don’t possess the photography skills I so desire, but I have evidence on my camera of this spectacular time to help reminisce on those memories that I’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Paris – our first destination. I wrote about the quaint rental where we stayed here. It was simply a place to rest and recuperate for us as we were go-go-go. When in Paris for only 4 nights, you do what you can do.

We arrived on Sunday, and as exhausted as we were, we did not nap – this trick worked well – and pushed through without resting our eyes. We grabbed our cameras and scarfs and sauntered around our neighborhood. We stumbled upon a lovely park, with fountains, statues, square trees, cuddling couples, pincers, playful children. This was Sunday in Paris. Later, we realized it was Place de Vosges – “the oldest planned square in Paris and one of the finest in the city.”

Square-trimmed trees

We ate a relaxed dinner al fresco at one of the cafes in Place Sainte Catherine (creamy mushroom pasta and a salad with cheesy toast) before we crashed into bed. We needed as much shut-eye possible as we had scheduled a bike tour around the city with Fat Tire Tours.

But first, coffee cappuccinos and croissants. We walked into a Paul’s within walking distance of our apartment and metro station — only later to find out that Paul’s is the “Starbucks of France.” (fooled us American tourists).

Can’t say enough good things about our excursion with Fat Tire Tours; we literally told every other tourist we talked to about our guided pedaling through Paris. Our tiny, Irish guide – Emer – had a red head full of Parisian history to share with us as we cycled through the Paris streets for the greater part of the morning/afternoon. Helmet-less, we bravely “dominated” the chaotic traffic between our stops at attraction such as Les Invalides, Tuileries Garden (where we stopped for lunch), The Louvre, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, and more. It felt so good to move after all that traveling the day before. We planned the tour for Monday so that we could revisit sites we enjoyed later during our stay; but, the history lesson, we received was the icing on the cake – enriching our experience in Paris that much more.

Lunch in Tuileries Gardens

Quick stop in front of the Louvre, where we were given a brief lesson in the Parisian’s fascination with architectural symmetry

Dome des Invalides, where the tomb of Napoleon remains today

Following the tour, we wandered the streets of the surrounding arrondissements and headed back towards the Eiffel Tower for those photos all tourists must have. We did not picnic near the Tour Eiffel, nor did we go to the top per our bucket list but we got the gist of its splendor. 

If only I had my running shoes!

Once we’d had enough of the Eiffel Tower (can you ever have enough!?), we hopped on the metro back to our studio to freshen up. Then we headed back out and walked to Chez Marianne (Le Marais) for a Meditteranean dinner — falafel plates of sorts.

We had room for dessert, and so sauntered – in the dark – down Rue de Rivoli, across the River Seine, to the larger of the two Parisian islands in search of Berthillon ice cream. Not far into our hunt, we came across an open window selling the highly recommended ice cream. Single scoops in a cone for us both. It was the first of many ice cream/gelato indulgences during our travels.

And that is how Mom and I spent our first day in Paris (September 21, 2015).

More to come…