A taste of the real Paris
A taste of the real Paris
I’ve visited Paris a few times over the years, from school trips and family days out as a teenager to getting engaged to Hana there back in 2014 to stopping off for lunch as we passed through on the way to our Italian Honeymoon. This time we were in Paris for a few romantic days at the end of our latest trip to France where we took in Lyon (staying with Hana’s cousin), a day trip to the beautiful Alpine city of Grenoble and of course Paris. Beautiful, gorgeous Paris.
I love the snacks at the open bar
Having been to Paris together before and not being convinced that I had shown Hana the best parts of Paris last time we were there, I wanted to make sure we saw some of the real Paris this time. The version of Paris which you picture in your mind when someone says thing to typically Parisian streets and shops, perhaps a little away from the iconic tourist location such as Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower and Boulevard Haussmann or the Champs Elysee. This time was got to see some of that real Paris. We were taken to some great places to eat with Hana’s cousin who lives in Paris, visited new Arrondissements, such as the 3rd, 4th and 15th and even stopped off for a massage just outside the beautiful Marais area.
Just some of the parts of Paris I love.
Here are some shots I took from our trip to Paris as we explored a new part of a city I will forever be in love with.
Paris, romantic and beautiful
Two years ago in the summer of 2014 I took Hana to Paris for a long weekend. We went to meet some of her family who live in France and also, though Hana didn’t know when we went, to get engaged on the banks of the Canal St Martin on the edge of Paris city centre.
Hana at Hotel George Astotel, Paris.
Back then we stayed in a pretty boutique hotel, Hotel George Astotel in South Pigalle, between Pigalle proper and the Opera district.
Champagne from Hotel George Astotel, Paris.
To welcome us back as we celebrated (a belated) first wedding anniversary, the hotel staff were kind enough to organise a lovely room for us with a balcony and a bottle of Champagne to celebrate our anniversary.
The staff and management at Hotel George were really wonderful and helped us to have a fab stay in Paris.
As an anniversary gift to Hana I booked us both in for a relaxing couples massage at the Salon Massage Concept, Paris in the 1st Arrondissement where you can also find the Louvre and Palais Royale. Massage concept is ranked at one of the best massages in Paris according to TripAdvisor and I can see why. The massages were really relaxing and just what you need towards the end of a holiday.
Wandering around Paris
Walking around Paris is a treat in itself. There are so many pretty streets, avenues and grand boulevards to walk down that you could spend most of your trip simply exploring these different streets. Each area has unique streets to wander and drink in.
Le Marais, Paris
There’s the quaint Marais area in the 3rd & 4th arrondissements.
And the beautiful Christmas window displays in Galleries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann.
Centre Georges Pompidou
Around the Pompidou centre you can get some great shots.
A romantic side of Paris
And check out these views looking out from the museum over Paris. Can you see Le Defence in the distance?
Paris skyline from the Centre Georges Pompidou
Paris is a beautiful, romantic and unique city to visit and if you’re lucky enough to live in or close to London, it’s just a couple of hours by Eurostar. I’ll be looking at a guide to Le Marais, Paris in my next blog post.
Text and photos By Russell Bowes Find me on Google Plus, catch up and message me on Twitter and see more great pictures on Flickr and Instagram. Pin with me on Pintrest.
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