FRANCE 2024: 1st day: Paris!

WEDNESDAY

We arrived in Paris!

Big crowd when we arrived so that was something to deal with going through customs but we made it out.

We gathered our luggage and within 45 minutes were at our hotel and dropping our bags before heading out.

First stop: The Champs Elysees! We didn't have time to go here on our past visits to Paris, so this time we're making it a priority. A little shopping, a little strolling and a little sightseeing.

I was excited to see the Arc de Triomphe up close.

2nd stop: The Louvre

The Louvre is an easy walk from our hotel.

We had 1pm reservations to do a fast track tour to see the masterpieces obviously including the Mona Lisa.

Finally we returned to our hotel to regroup and change for drinks and dinner.

Both did not disappoint.

Resting up after dinner tonight as we have a 9am departure for Normandy!

A few pics of the day:

As we were taking off last night:

Cappuccino was much needed:

Overcast skies but no rain. Mild temps were actually really nice for taking walks.

Tuileries Gardens with the Arc du Triomphe way in the background

Heading into the Louvre on 2-3 hours of interrupted sleep:

Unfortunately we didn't take pics inside. The crowds were insane, and any photos of paintings I could take wouldn't do them justice, so we perused and enjoyed as much as we could and left to go walk the city.

The exact spot along the Seine where several times we enjoyed wine/cheese/olives with our adult kids a few years ago:

Shop shop shop

Our beautifully appointed room:

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EVENING:

We made it to the famous Bar Hemingway and it did not disappoint!

First of all, the Ritz Paris is absolutely gorgeous. We've walked past it several times, but to enter the hotel and have people fall all over you to assist as you walk through the storied hallways to the bar area is a sublime experience.

There was a short queue that we expected. They open at 5:30PM. And it's a very small bar, but it's beautiful. It's all decorated with books and other Ernest Hemingway paraphernalia.

The doors open and they allow 25-30 people to enter at a time. We were part of the lucky first group. They seat you, and then a server speaks to the crowd to give a brief history of the place and explain the menu and what they are famous for: martinis! It was so much fun!

What to drink? What to drink? First world problems indeed.

We enjoyed our little corner of the bar all to ourselves for 20 minutes.

The drink menu (side one):

Walking up toward the Ritz:

Books on Hemingway and by Hemingway along with cocktail books.

Each female's cocktail is delivered with a rose. My dirty martini and Doug's honey concoction were divine.

We had so much fun! Drinks were wonderful and the little noshes were so good. They brought chips as well, and they do have food if you want - all American hotdogs and hamburgers. They're supposedly delicious. And we loved our server so much - she ended up giving us little recommendations for restaurants and sites in Bayeaux and Avignon. She was from South Africa and was adorable.

But after our drinks we needed to get to our 6:30pm seating at Frenchie. It was about a 25 minute walk so we decided to forego a taxi. So glad we did - really nice to explore on foot this city.

And Frenchie exceeded our expectations again. Great atmosphere, service and food. Love this place so much.

Outside the inconspicuous Frenchie:

The kitchen is small as is the restaurant. 20 people in for 2 seatings highly explain why reservations are hard to come by! And no menu - you simply sit back and enjoy as the evening unfolds with dishes.

Happy husband!

Trio of amuse bouches - oysters crab and one more that I can't remember. Again, there is no menu - they just bring you each course paired with outstanding French wines.