Travel Thursday: Sunrise along the Seine

Oh how I want to go back to Paris... I have said so many times on this blog. I just love Paris.

A lot of people don't rate travel to Paris in November. But, I love Paris in November. It's a bit cold and grey. But it just feels so much more Parisian that way. Does that make sense? I love the crisp mornings and the Autumn leaves whipping past. The chilly mornings, warmed up with chocolat and mittens. Seeing your breath in front of you as you watch the currents in the Seine swish by and crunch into that baguette.

Here are some shots from a particularly crisp, beautiful and clear Autumn morning in Paris.

Voila!

Travel Thursday: Sacre Coeur

If you are an Amelie fan, you will already know of the Sacre Coeur for an amusing string of proverbs, a merry go round and a phone booth. If you have been to the Sacre Coeur you may think of it and recall the beautiful stained glass, the view of the city or the hundreds of steps it took you to climb the hill. I personally love the Sacre Coeur for all these reasons and more. I love the view high up on that hill overlooking Paris, I love to sit and think about how many lives are going on in the lanes and alleyways that radiate out from the river. I love the serene feeling that exists when you walk into the basilica. I love the idea that people have been coming here, in times of happiness and strife, for hundreds of years, seaching for peace, community or a place to shelter. I love the art market a block away. You can watch people sell their wares, or the artistes who choose to ignore the tourists and just paint what they love. I love the taste of chocolat and the crunch of a baguette from a boulangerie nearby, crumbs all over your mittens, and the cup steaming, because it is so cold up on the hill in November. I love the old streets that surround the church, made of ancient and uneven cobblestones that make buses lurch and bikes pop up and down. I loved being there with Rob, remembering the special spots I had found when I was younger visiting. Showing him all the little things that help make Paris my favorite place.

Travel Thursday: Parisian Windows

I just love windows. I don't know why. I recognize that its a bit weird. But I love that they can make a boring ass building super pretty, you know? And that they can add color or character, or dare say it, class, to a building. Paris is one of my favorite "window cities". Here are some of my favorites!

Food in Paris - Worth the Flight

Photo du Jour: our lady

As I post this I realize it is my second photo du jour of Notre Dame, but I can't help but share this. 

It is a view you don't see often of the cathedral, but if you take a wander around the side you can see so much more beauty and detail. This is from the eastern end of the Ile de Cite and shows quite a different view. 

I feel like it is so gothic and dark and beautiful. It is a nice way to spend our last full morning in Paris! For now, the league world cup and some French beer calls. Au revoir pour maintenant. 

Photo du Jour - Basilica

This is the Sacre Coeur. It sits high on a hill in the northern suburb of Montmartre. Inside the chapel there is a strict silence rule so that all you can hear is the choir singing. It is overwhelming to sit and think of all the people who have come here to worship or seek solace over its history. The buildings means so much to so many and has weathered many wars. It was truly a stunning place to visit.

Photo du Jour - Napoleon

Today we spent five hours wandering Les Invalides. It is one of my favorite museums in Paris. It is a reminder of how young New Zealand is - we were looking at pieces of weaponry and armor that were made 300 years before there were people in NZ. Crazy. And the pieces are all so beautifully crafted. Was a fantastic learning experience - and Rob loved it. Which is also fabulous.

The photo is a shot of the ceiling above Napoleon's tomb. The paintings are stunning and quite breathtaking. 

Excitement!

For the last wee while we have been planning our trip to Paris in November.. I have been collecting images on Pinterest. Oh Pinterest. You are awesome.

Today we booked a day trip to London and a day trip to Geneva. I am so excited! I can't wait to have some mementos for my European travel memory box!

I remember learning about the TGV in French in high school, now I get to actually take a ride on one.. The photos from Geneva all look so pretty, I can't wait to see the Lake.

And London was Rob's choice, he has always wanted to explore.

So we are pretty excited we poppets this evening. Hope y'all are having a nice night too!