J'aime Paris

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We spent most of the day on the road on the way to the final destination of our Contiki Tour. To pass the time we participated in some Coach Olympics and we all shared our favourite memories of the trip.


On the bus we heard about the Paris riots that would see much of the city closed the next day. This was in December 2018. Fast forward to March 2020 and most of the world is closed, but it will reopen again.

We drove around seeing the city sights, then stopped off at the Trocadero to see the Eiffel Tower. My first sight of the Eiffel was everything I dreamed it would be.


I got some incredible photos with the iconic landmark.




"Am I holding it?"


After a few fleeting minutes staring at the tower we headed off to our accommodation for our time in Paris. Once again on this European tour we were staying at an Ibis Hotel, but this time it wasn't budget.






The bathroom was separated from the rest of the room by a wall and door. 


We even had a desk and sufficient lighting.


Our dinner that night included champagne and escargot.


I was a little hesitant to try it.


Turns out I actually kinda liked it.

After a quick freshen up Liv, Fi, Meagan, Olivia and I jumped in an Uber to the Arc de Triomphe. Here's a photo of me blocking it because that's what you want to see.


The Arc de Triomphe is situated at the end of the Champs Elysees, Paris' famous shopping street.




There was a strong police presence.




Shops were being boarded up.




Some shops remained open.






I couldn't leave Paris without buying a macaroon.


We walked towards the Eiffel Tower and I proceeded to take several photos at a variety of angles.




We found Castle Cafe right near the Eiffel Tower.




The creme brûlée was everything it was cracked up to be.


Every hour at night the Eiffel Tower sparkles. Just before midnight Fi, Meagan and I ran outside to see if it was as pretty as it sounds.


It was. The experience made even more magical because by some miracle I still had my macaroons. Eating macaroons while watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at midnight felt like a bucket list moment.

We finished the evening by strolling across the Seine.



Contiki - European Trail
https://www.contiki.com/au/en/destinations/europe/tours/european-trail-from-april2020-3932

Trocadero - Eiffel Tower
https://www.parisperfect.com/plan-your-trip/things-to-see/monuments-landmarks/trocadero.php

Ibis Paris 17 Clichy-Baignolles
https://www.ibis-paris-clichybatignolles.com/en/

Champs Elysee
https://en.parisinfo.com/discovering-paris/walks-in-paris/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-champs-elysees

Arc De Triomphe
https://arcdetriompheparis.com/

Castel Cafe
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d4261012-Reviews-Castel_Cafe-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

The Seine
https://www.aparisguide.com/seine/

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