Birthday in Paris July 2014

We arrived in Paris, full of excitement and eager to begin our Parisian weekend getaway. Our hotel was centrally located in the Opera Quarter, so after a quick change we hit the streets trying to navigate our way through the city. Even though the weather was miserable it could not dampen our spirits. Our first stop was Musee du Louvre, where throngs of tourists filled the museum space. Our main aim was to catch a glimpse of the famous Mona Lisa whilst trying not to get knocked out by all the shutterbugs surrounding her. She is most definitely a popular lady. Due to time constraints our visit was short but sweet. We walked through the leafy and green Jardin Des Tuileries towards Place de la Concorde and leisurely strolled on to Opera de Paris Garnier. At this point our limbs were tired and aching so we made our way back to the hotel for a little rest. Once we were all spruced up, we had dinner at Au Pied de Cochon, which is a colourfully-restored brasserie that was once popular with high society. Although touristy, the food was really good. After dinner we walked around trying to spot some invaders street art and then we went back to the Musee du Louvre for a night photo shoot sans the millions of tourists. It was so beautifully lit up and lovely to enjoy the space with only a hand full of like-minded folk. Paris is so stunning and we couldn't wait to uncover more gems that this city had to offer.

The next morning, we began our day in the picturesque district of Montmartre which was once a mecca for artists, writers and poets. With its winding streets, lovely squares and the jewel that is Sacre-Coeur, you can easily lose yourself in the bohemian charm of the area. We also walked down a few side streets on the hunt for more invaders and other graffiti artists, as well as seeing the famous Moulin Rouge nightclub, but there was not a cancan girl in sight. Then we were off to Champs Elysees, an area synonymous with grandeur and luxury. The Palaces are grand, the avenues are broad and the shops are elegant. We went to see Pont Alexandre which is Paris' prettiest bridge and is decorated in Art Nouveau style, before walking up Avenue des Champs Elysees until we reached the impressive Arc de Triomphe. We had a bit of a photo shoot, waiting patiently for a window of opportunity to take a pic without cars, which is incredibly difficult since this is a popular thoroughfare. We walked down quieter Avenue Marceau to get away from all the tourists and have a little break. Once refuelled, we set off to see the Eiffel Tower and to enjoy the view from the gardens of Champ-de-Mars. It was warm and everyone was basking in the sun and relaxing on the grass. Our last stop was the beautiful 17th century Dome Church in the Invalides area. At this point we felt completely wilted and jumped into the first cab back to the hotel for a much needed siesta. In the evening we had a fantastic meal at Le Sebillon, dining on delicious French cuisine, washed down with a lovely crisp bottle of Sancere. Slightly tipsy and quite merry, we hopped into a cab for a night visit of the Eiffel Tower. It was all lit up and sparkly and the atmosphere was electric. People all around were in good spirits, enjoying the light show and the happy ambience of the balmy summer evening. After snapping the Eiffel Tower in all its glory and from all angles we called it a night and returned to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

Today is my 40th birthday and I don't feel any different. Well that's a lie I do feel old, but we are in Paris and are having an amazing time. We had another jam packed day ahead of us, so after breakfast we explored the Marais and Beaubourg and Les Halles area whilst keeping our eyes peeled for any street art. We were certainly wearing out the soles of our shoes. After a visit to the Pompidou Centre we found a quiet spot in front of Hotel de Ville and enjoyed a picnic style lunch. It was a welcome relief and exactly what we needed to lift our spirits. It was hot and sunny and everyone was out and about enjoying the summer weather. Notre Dame was packed with people but it didn't take away from the beauty of this gothic church. We made our way into the Latin Quarter and into St Germain des Pres. The streets were bustling and the cafes were filled with people enjoying mouth-watering delights. To escape the heat we walked to the Jardin du Luxembourg and found a lovely cool and shady spot to relax and put our feet up. With a refreshing orangina and cooling sorbet, we happily sat back and watched the world go by. It was so peaceful we could have stayed there all afternoon but we decided to head back to the hotel for a bit of R&R before my birthday celebration meal. We got ready listening to our summer soundtrack whilst guzzling a bottle of champagne. We had a delicious tasting menu at La Fermette Marbeuf, which is decorated in art deco style and has a really vintage feel to it. After a 2 and a half hour meal we were ready for a walk and a last night photo shoot to say goodbye, so off we went to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre. It was Saturday night and there was a party atmosphere all around. People were dancing in the street and spilling out of the bars, filling the night with conversation and laughter. We had a drink in one of the many cafes watching street performers playing instruments and artists trying to draw caricatures of willing participants. Then we strolled down to the Moulin Rouge to see it lit up in vibrant red lights. It was very lively and you could feel a definite excitement in the air. Absolutely shattered, we headed back to the hotel looking forward to falling into a deep slumber.

Today is our last day and what better way to say goodbye to Paris than going on a street art walking tour. We started off in Telegraphe and enjoyed a breakfast consisting of quiche and buttery pains au chocolat before making our way through quiet pathways and side streets, spotting hidden gems along the way. It was so peaceful and relaxing and a great way to spend a few hours on a Sunday morning. When we arrived at Belleville we even got to see a street artist in action, expressing his artistic view on a public wall. It was good to see a different side to Paris, one that is not touristy. People may say street art is horrible and is possibly ruining such a romantic and architecturally stunning city, but we see it as art, a form of expression and part of real life. It may not be a conventional art form but it nevertheless is art. With heavy sighs, we collected our bags and then it was time to board the Eurostar for our journey back to London. We had such an amazing time, visited so many beautiful sights and walked over 65km in 3 days viewing every possible nook and cranny of this wonderful city. Although tired and achy, we sat back reminiscing over our time and dreaming of returning for part two.