Paris

So last weekend I headed to Paris for a jam packed weekend of sight seeing with my boyfriend. We had booked our hotel through secretescapes.com and it certainly didn't disappoint. Located in the 15e and right near a metro station getting to anywhere in the city was super easy. The Platine hotel where we stayed also provided breakfast so we didn't have to fend for our selves in the morning.
We managed to obtain weekend day tickets for the metro at only 3.75 euros each which was a massive saving because we were under the ages of 26. Definitely a recommendation to ANYONE who is under 26 and planning on going for a weekend.

Friday

Flying to Paris is a lot easier than I expected. Once we landed we took the RER to the centre and then using instructions I had found, wiggled our way to our closest metro station, Charles Michels. This took about an hour. After arriving and checking in to the hotel where we were allocated the Gold room we went on a wander around the area before heading of to see the Arc de Triomphe at night.

Our Gold Room

The Amazing Bathroom

There was construction work taking place on the building which meant that we got to go to the top for free and although the view towards the Eiffel tower were slightly ruined it really didn't take away the wow factor of all the hustling night life.

Jord And I at the Top of Arc de Triomphe

Once down from the top we wandered down one of the main streets until we found a cheerful restaurant and gorged ourselves on pasta (and chocolate cake) before returning to the hotel to catch 40 winks.

Saturday
After breakfast we started on our action packed day. Firstly we visited Basilique du Sacré-Cœur which has incredible views of the city. We payed 6euros each to go to the top of the dome to see even further which was incredible and the sun even decided to come out when we were at the top!

Me at the top of the dome

Next we visited the Louve after a spot to eat. It was a whistle stop tour to see things like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and my personal favourite, the Wrath of Medusa. Being under the age of 26 meant that we got in for free and so we didn't need to worry about spending large amount of money. 

Mona Lisa

As we walked down the river towards Notre Dame we passed all the pet stores in a row and it would have been so rude to not at least go and stare at all the beautiful kittens, puppies, bunnies and birds, From Labradors to French Bull dogs and all of them made you want to gain a very large over draft to take them all home!

We then passed over the padlock bridge, its amazing to think just how many people have love attached to it. Although I personally didn't attach anything that day you can't help but feel the hope that so many people before have left with their padlock and lost keys.

Padlock everywhere!

Sucker for a pretty Sunset

We then entered Notre Dame which is probably the most Gothic building I have ever visited. The spire sets the unusual cathedral apart from any others I have seen whilst travelling with my mum whether in the UK, Rome or further afield and we were lucky enough to see some of the evening mass ceremony that managed to send shivers down my spine. Whether to take that as God's presence I'm still a sceptic.

After a power nap we got ready and headed to our restaurant we booked on thefork.co.uk. Booking through the website meant that we got to save 30% on each course. This meant we got to indulge without the gut wrenching price tag involved. Our restaurant was called La Cantine (46, rue Balard 75015 Paris), just in the back streets near our hotel. The owner although spoke barely any English (and us any French) did a brilliant job at communicating what was on the menu. For starters I had raw swordfish in ginger and lime. It was AMAZING. Then for mains Jordan and I both had Steak which was yet again so tasty. The meat was slightly thinner than that in the UK but this meant it had absorbed more of the herbs rubbed in. Finally for desert I had a chocolate melt in the middle pudding. I couldn't have recommended a restaurant that made me feel this welcome as .... from the lovely staff to the delicious food if you are ever in the area. We left the restaurant and headed to the Eiffel Tower. We arrived at bang on midnight so got to witness it glittering for 5 minutes before a short walk and then returned to the hotel exhausted!

Glittering Tower

Sunday
After checking out of the Hotel we went across the city to Jardin des Plants where we wondered around the beautiful gardens before heading into the small zoo present. The zoo has a wide variety of animals and only cost 9euros each. For me the enclosures were not quite big enough for the monkeys and big cats! City centre Zoo's will always have a problem with space. Its what makes stronger rules required. I hope that the animals that were in small enclosures got rotated enabling them to have more space daily.

Eye see you 

We then dashed across the city again to be at the Eiffel Tower for 2pm. We had booked tickets for the Eiffel Tower the week before and it only cost 14.50 euros per person to get to the top which I thought was extremely reasonable. Yet again Paris had cheaper ticket prices for those under the age of 26 so I am not sure what a full priced adult ticket would have cost. The views from the top were amazing and the sun came out for us when we were at the top even though the wind was certainly active! We came down and headed to the Arc de Triomphe to get some pictures in day time before we had to head back to our hotel to get are bags before starting the journey to the airport.

Cool Kid

The weekend may have only been a whistle stop trip to Paris but it was one of the best weekend away I have ever had. The city is so friendly and because of subway being so easy to access, getting around the city was not an issue allowing us to cram our days to the brim. The only downside was having to return! There was lots of other things that I would have loved to do if we had had another day or two but at least I can save those for another trip giving me the excuse to go back. It certainly is said that bar hotel and flight costs the city is made for young adults and this is reflected by how much you get for reduced cost being under the age of 26.

If you are doubting whether to go then don't!! Paris captured some of my heart, so much so I'm determined to learn French so I can go back and not feel guilty understanding others around me.