Completed 11/24 - BURN IT ALL (well not the Disneyland part) - a June 2024 TR for Paris and Disneyland Paris

Araminta18 · Nov 5, 2024

Architecture and Pastries! - Monday June 10, 2024 (part 2)

More Sainte Chapelle pictures!

And of course, a selfie.

The outside upper balcony was open this time, when it wasn't before when I toured, so that was neat to see.

Look at all those carvings!

Crazy. Just boggles the mind the level of detail and intricacy and sheer craftmanship.

Anyways, we finished looking around, and headed out. You exit through these absolutely bonkers ornate golden gates.

I'm not saying the Revolution was justified but you do start to see their reasoning.

We left around 2:15, passing this clock on the way:

Pretty nifty to be just out there on the corner.

We were heading to St Germain, as we'd booked a dessert/food tour for that area. We'd done a couple in different areas last time we were in Paris, and we figured this would be fun. The only downside was that it started to rain/drizzle as we ran for the Metro...and it unfortunately had not stopped by the time we arrived. So we huddled inside the metro station, luckily with the rain dying down just a bit as it was time to meet up with our guide. The tour ended up just being me and Trevor and one other family, which was kind of nice. We started off with some cake things (I didn't take notes!):

These were pretty good - I think the fruit was cherries? Not sure anymore. But yummy!

We started off with macarons at Pierre Herme:

So many options! Trevor and I got the Mogador: Milk chocolate and passion fruit (that's the speckled one) and Ella: lemon and raspberry:

These were both really good but not as good as the bitter almond ones from Laduree - still my favorite macaron ever.

We stopped and got some chocolate at Alain Ducasse - it was good but super rich. We also stopped by a shop that makes antique macarons and has meringues - La Meringaie. Those were interesting - not my favorite, but interesting.

We also stopped for cream puffs at Popelini! I love filled cream puffs:

This was strawberry mascarpone.

Araminta18 · Nov 5, 2024

Desserts and Crepes! - Monday June 10, 2024 (part 3)

We couldn't resist getting a couple more cream puffs:

madagascar vanilla - this was yum.

And of course I don't have a note on which one this one was. I think maybe chocolate and hazelnut? I remember it being yummy.

We then made our way over to the famous bakery Poilane and got some bread and amazing shortbread (I don't even like shortbread and this shortbread is FANTASTIC). We also got to see their famous bread chandelier:

Apparently Salvador Dali challenged the baker to make a chandelier of bread, and now they do replicas in each of their shops.

We kept going on to the last couple stops, passing this intriguing statue on the way:

I think this was a tribute to Picasso? It was cool to look at and see all the different pieces that made up the statue. You'll also notice the sun shining brightly - the rain finally moved on! Yay!

We also passed the famous cafe Les Deux Magots:

Where Hemingway and other famous artists used to hang out.

We didn't go in but it was cool to see.

The last couple desserts were jellies and toffies - good but not my favorite. It was still interesting to try - I do like these food tours that take you to different places and with guides providing interesting information and such as you go. Highly recommend.

We finished the tour and realized we were near La Grande Epicerie - a famous(ish) market, so of course we went in to look around. They had a cafe so we stopped and got a strawberry tart that looked amazing (and tasted delicious):

Though look at the shape of those strawberries - more elongated than I've ever seen! Still good though.

We then did some shopping - we got treats for friends back home, and ended up buying some fancy french butter and getting some fun sodas and juices, and even a small non-alcoholic rose for me. All the treats!

We headed back to the hotel to drop off our goodies, and then it was time for dinner and something not sweet.

I took Trevor to a crepe place nearby that I'd eaten at back in 2022 and really enjoyed, called Breizh. Trevor doesn't like savory crepes 'cause he's weird, so I got a ham and egg crepe:

so good!

Trevor got a thing that was basically like a crepe quesadilla? Savory spicy sausage, with hopefully a bit less cheese (Trevor also doesn't like the texture of melted cheese). Mostly he wanted to try the savory sausage.

And he did like the sausage, though not all the cheese. I liked the cheese.

Then of course we had to get a sweet crepe:

Pears! This was absolutely delicious.

And of course a hot chocolate to go with it:

It was a lovely dinner. Definitely hit the spot.

Araminta18 · Nov 5, 2024

Notre Dame Redux - Monday June 10, 2024 (part 4)

We finished dinner, and Trevor wanted to go back to Notre Dame and spend more time looking around, so off we went! Tomorrow we were spending the day at Versailles, so this was essentially his last chance.

As we walked we passed more 8 bit art:

Cheshire cat! It's Disney!

At Notre Dame, the setting sun was lighting up the cathedral but nothing else on the ground - it was really cool to see:

I relaxed on the bleachers for a bit - not sure what the bleachers were for (I don't think they were for the Olympics...), while Trevor walked around as much as he could.

We both spent some time looking at the exhibits they had on the walls - one side was all about the fire and the reconstruction efforts, while the front wall was portraits of people working on the restoration, which was pretty cool to see. They all had such pride in their work and their part in the restoration - super cool.

After about an hour, we started walking back:

I thought that was such a neat window decoration.

Girl with a Pearl Earring, in 8 bit!

We decided to do another stop at Breizh - they did crepes to go, and Trevor had walked enough that he had stomach space for a sweet honey crepe.

Always a good idea!

Back at the hotel, we relaxed a bit and planned for our next day out at Versailles!

Fun with Metrics:
Steps walked: 23,113 steps (10.2 miles)

Araminta18 · Nov 5, 2024

alohamom said:
That selfie of you and Trevor in front of the Effiel Tower with the Olympics rings is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, what a great idea!

Thanks! I thought it was so cool that they put the rings up, and of course had to make sure we grabbed a picture. I still don't quite know how they made it colored during the day but only white at night!

Araminta18 · Nov 9, 2024

Versailles! - Tuesday June 11, 2024 (part 1)

Today we were off to Versailles - I'd enjoyed my visit in 2022 and wanted to come back and see a bit more, and Trevor had never been. We got up bright and early and hopped on the metro/train, and an hour later, we were in Versailles! It's a short walk from the train station to the palace, and it just comes out of nowhere - you're walking past businesses and shops and then there's a giant parking lot with the palace in the middle.

I'd booked us tickets for the palace at 11 am, but we ended up getting up earlier and making better time than I thought, so we got there a little bit before 10 am. They had different lines for the different tour times, so I hopped in line while Trevor looked around a bit.

They let us in at about 10:15, so that wasn't too bad at all. You get dumped into the courtyard to look around a bit.

PXL_20240611_080514925.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg

"To all the glories of France".

We headed inside where it was all self guided. It was crowded enough that we weren't really able to read the plaques and things, so we just kind of wandered through and enjoyed the opulence.

I think this was in one of Marie Antoinette's rooms. I want a day bed with curtains that go around it

Portrait of Marie Antoinette.

Another portrait of Marie Antoinette - I think this is the famous one? There are SO many portraits.

We got a glimpse of the second floor of the chapel - so much luxury!

No idea what this room is but honestly they probably didn't know either. But look at all the gold and the wallpaper! Crazy.

And then, we made it to the Hall of Mirrors!

I don't really know how to describe the Hall of Mirrors other than insanely over the top. Gorgeous, but waaaaaaay over the top.

Araminta18 · Nov 10, 2024

Opulence is the Order of the Day - Tuesday June 11, 2024 (part 2)

Yes, I am gonna include a bunch more pictures of fancy rooms.

We didn't stick around too long in the Hall of Mirrors - after a few minutes you kind of get used to it?

We kept going through the royal apartments.

A zoomed-out shot to show the crowds.

And I waited for a gap and it looks not crowded at all!

Also the little railing was put in back in the time of the kings and queens - they apparently had courtiers watching them basically all the time! It works for keeping us away from the furniture though as well.

Fancy column!

Hall of battles! Large paintings commemorating important battles in France's history. Kind of cool, especially with the skylight. Trevor liked it more than I did -

That's him there taking pictures.

The Battle Gallery was basically the last bit of the inside that we toured, and then it was gift shop time where we bought too much but some of the things we bought were like hair ribbons that I'm using everyday, so that makes it better, right?

The next bit though was the outside! We purposefully went today because the fountains were supposed to be turned on, and we figured that'd be a site to see, so we were excited.

First up out of the house was a little courtyard overlooking this fancy manicured garden:

Super fancy!

We decided not to go down there - we had a pretty good view from the upper courtyard - and instead headed over to the main back garden area. Where we got sidetracked because they were renting out golf carts that you could use to tour the gardens! That sounded like a pretty good deal to us, especially cause I remembered just HOW much walking there was to see the gardens from my trip in 2022, so we waited and did the paperwork and about 30 min later (we had to wait for some golf carts to come back) we were off!

Aren't the gardens crazy!? The one downside of the golf cart is that you had to stay on their specified paths or the golf cart would turn off, so it wasn't quite as helpful as I was hoping - we had to stop and park the golf cart on the main path and then walk in to the garden area, like this specific fountain:

Not sure if you can tell from the style or not but this is definitely not original to Louis XIV - still neat to see though!

More fountains upcoming - if fountains and insanely manicured gardens aren't your thing, feel free to skip.

ThreeBoyMama · Nov 10, 2024

Beautiful pictures and it looks like the weather was perfect!

alohamom · Nov 10, 2024

After seeing all these Paris pics I realized you might like one of my favorite books set in France called "The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B." by Sandra Gulland. It is diary form which is not my favorite narration but I think the use of this convention is trying to make it feel real. It is historical fiction but based on many detailed facts and a fun read. It is part of a triology and it really transports you. It is an older book so you may have already read it but worth seeking out.

dizneedoll · Nov 10, 2024

alohamom said:
After seeing all these Paris pics I realized you might like one of my favorite books set in France called "The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B." by Sandra Gulland. It is diary form which is not my favorite narration but I think the use of this convention is trying to make it feel real. It is historical fiction but based on many detailed facts and a fun read. It is part of a triology and it really transports you. It is an older book so you may have already read it but worth seeking out.

I read that book series years and years ago and I still remember how great it was! Another great book is Paris: The Novel by Edward Rutherford. It's also historical fiction in the style of James Michener.

Sorry Tiffany, not trying to derail but I also went library school and got my MLS. I was a librarian for 25 years and recently retired early. So when people start talking books, I can't help myself lol.

Araminta18 · Nov 10, 2024

ThreeBoyMama said:
Beautiful pictures and it looks like the weather was perfect!

Thank you! It was - a bit chilly with a breeze but otherwise just absolutely gorgeous. I'll take the clear day with no rain!

alohamom said:
After seeing all these Paris pics I realized you might like one of my favorite books set in France called "The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B." by Sandra Gulland. It is diary form which is not my favorite narration but I think the use of this convention is trying to make it feel real. It is historical fiction but based on many detailed facts and a fun read. It is part of a triology and it really transports you. It is an older book so you may have already read it but worth seeking out.

oooh I added it to my holds list at the library - thank you for the recommendation! Always looking for good books to read

dizneedoll said:
I read that book series years and years ago and I still remember how great it was! Another great book is Paris: The Novel by Edward Rutherford. It's also historical fiction in the style of James Michener.

Sorry Tiffany, not trying to derail but I also went library school and got my MLS. I was a librarian for 25 years and recently retired early. So when people start talking books, I can't help myself lol.

and a second vote for it - awesome! I'll look for the other book too - thank you both!! @dizneedoll you're not derailing at all! I didn't realize (or remember..my bad!) that you were a librarian, that's awesome! We all know who to go to now for book recommendations

Araminta18 · Nov 10, 2024

Fountain Videos! - Tuesday June 11, 2024 (part 3)

Ok fair warning: this post and the next one (maybe and the one after that...) will be LOTS of pictures of the gardens and fountains at Versailles. You have been warned!

The fountains and gardens are laid out in such a way that there's a square area with hedges and bushes and such and then deep in the center, the actual fountain. So as we were walking back to the golf cart up the path, it was kind of a neat view (I thought).

And yes, that is the main building of Versailles there in the center.

Just imagine walking around in full aristocrat clothing/regalia...crazy.

Anyways! Onward to more fountains! This next one is Apollo's Baths Grove, but the fountains weren't on (FORESHADOWING)

And yes there's a path that you can't get off of - this is as close as you can get. This is one of my favorite parts though - just so interesting.

Golden children fountain, but the fountain was off.

Another where the water was off - this is the Enceladus Grove fountain.

We did make a quick stop at the little food stand they had to get fries and a crepe, cause Trevor was hungry. We were doing more walking than we initially expected after getting the golf cart, but we had to if we wanted to see the fountains. Though we'd started trying to look and see what was going on and why all the fountains were off - the whole point of coming today was to see the fountains on! It turns out that when they advertised the fountains being on today, what they meant was that each fountain would be on only for VERY specific times, and no, they wouldn't advertise that ANYWHERE in advance so that you could plan when you went and saw each fountain. You had to get the paper guide and then find the very small QR code in the paper guide that took you to a weird page that told you the times for each fountain. No, I'm not bitter about this at all. AT ALL. But at least we could start planning to see what remaining fountains we could - some were apparently only on for like an hour in the morning and that was it.

We kept driving and made our way down to the far end of the gardens and near the canal. You could see the stands they were setting up for the Olympics.

Selfie!

This fountain is the one down by the canal - Apollo's fountain. At least this one was on!

We kept going, and unfortunately missed a few more fountains. But we did catch one of the shows we wanted to see - the Mirror Grove show.

This was cool 'cause it came with music! We were sitting down on a bench which is why the video is a bit off to the side.

This fountain was on!

And one more selfie, from about halfway up the gardens. That's the Grand Canal there in the background, but this is only like halfway up to the palace. Just crazy big.

Araminta18 · Nov 10, 2024

Just a Shocking Amount of Fountains - Tuesday June 11, 2024 (part 4)

As we followed the path back to return the golf cart, we stopped by Apollo's Baths Grove again 'cause the fountains were supposed to be on.

And they were! Not as ostentatious as some of the others but I love the water just kind of running down the rocks.

We were trying to be a bit quick so I'd dropped Trevor off and then ran in to meet him from the other side.

I do not remember which fountain this was, but it was running and so we were excited.

Trevor thought he was being funny taking a picture of me in the golf cart.

That was about all the fountains we could see in the golf cart and we'd already gone over time, so we headed back with no further stops. But we got to see them doing some of the manicuring of the gardens - that was neat!

Obviously they must have a template, but I never thought of that! Pretty cool.

A view from the palace courtyard area of the gardens and the canal there. All those green areas with the trees on either side of the main pathway? Gardens and fountains!

One more fountain that was going - right by where we had to drop the golf cart off.

Latona's fountain, there in the center.

Araminta18 · Nov 10, 2024

More Fountains! But Also Cosplaying as Peasants - Tuesday June 11, 2024 (part 5)

We were heading from the courtyard in front of (or in back of?) the palace to one of the other pools with a fountain show, but of course we were passing lots more fountains.

Well this is just another view of Latona's fountain and the other fountains there off to the side of it.

No idea what this one is but I like the water coming out of the animal's mouths.

Slightly better view.

I just like this view of Trevor up there taking a picture.

Zoomed in on Trevor.

We kept going and ran into (I *think*) the dragon fountain.

Neptune Fountain was right behind it and that was the pool with the show, but we ran over to the Triumphal Arch Grove to see that fountain while it was running:

Like it's cool but honestly at a certain point it's just overwhelming and you're like "meh it's a fountain".

But conveniently enough, we were planning to essentially picnic on the grass while watching the Neptune Fountain show, so it was time for a break anyways.

Not a bad view!

It was really nice actually - we'd brought in a baguette and the cheese and butter we'd bought they day before at La Grande Epicerie, and our sodas/drinks (I had a LOVELY non-alcoholic rose - delish

). And we just snacked and relaxed on the grass watching the show go. Definitely a needed bit of a break.

Afterwards, the plan was to go to the Petit Trianon (still part of Versailles) - the little (well, relative to Versailles little) house Marie Antoinette had to escape the court formality, and her little peasant village where she basically cosplayed being a peasant. We thought about renting a bike but the gate we were by (which per the guide we could exit and rent a bike) was closed and there were no bikes for rent there anyways. *sigh* So we went back up to the area where we rented the golf cart and bought a ticket for the little train that would take us over there. 40 min later (after waiting for the train to come, etc), at 5 pm, we made it to the Petit Trianon! It closed at 6, so we didn't have a ton of time. First up - the little village! I was sad I'd missed it last time, so this was the priority. It's a little bit of a walk from the main house - about 5 min.

It is super cute - that big house on the right is where Marie Antoinette would stay.

A little mill or other kind of cottage.

Isn't that just cute?

More to come! The little village bears no resemblance to an actual village but it is super adorable.

Araminta18 · Nov 10, 2024

Petit Trianon - Tuesday June 11, 2024 (part 6)

Ok more adorable village pictures.

It's a little lighthouse tower thing!

I WANT THAT STAIRCASE SO BADLY. Adorbs.

Duck.

Look at that covered bridge between the two buildings!

lots of fishes!

This bridge is prettier though.

Any Anne of Green Gables fans? This little boat gave me Lady of Shallott vibes for sure...

And one last view of the lighthouse.

I don't have notes on what all the buildings were for, but mostly it was just super cute. If I was super rich and had never known anything else, I'm sure I would romanticize peasant life and then build my own super cute little peasant village.

It was about 5:35, and the guidebook said that there was a little grotto where Marie Antoinette would hide on a different part of the grounds, so we went looking for that.

This was the area...take a guess as to where you think the grotto may be?

Araminta18 · Nov 10, 2024

Grottos and Crepes - Tuesday June 11, 2024 (part 7)

If you guessed the rocky area on the left, nope! That is also where we thought it was but it was actually hidden off to the right in the trees. It took us a bit to find it, but eventually we were successful. It was gated off though.

Doesn't look super inviting, but I guess it is super hidden, which is the appeal? Per legend, this is where Marie Antoinette was when they brought her news that an armed crowd from Paris was marching on Versailles.

So we head about 15 minutes left before close, so we decided to actually go inside the chateau.

See, tiny!

So this room is interesting - the mirrors are on walls that move up and down to obscure the windows/reflect candlelight. Which is pretty nifty, not gonna lie.

We ended up finishing right at 6 pm, so good timing! The only thing we wanted to do that we hadn't was to do canoeing on the canal - Trevor likes canoeing. But despite it saying it closed at 6:45, they actually closed at 6:15 - last boat at 6:15. I wish the French were slightly more clear with logistics and such - it's SUPER frustrating. And we were late enough at this point that we couldn't take the train back up to the top of Versailles - it had stopped running. So we walked (veeeeeeeery slowly cause me being old and tired) up the main walkway all the way back to the chateau. We did get a better view of Latona's fountain:

I like it better when it was running.

We were tired and hungry now, so we made our way out of Versailles and to a crepe restaurant I'd seen recommended online: Creperie Belle Ile. It wasn't very busy, which we appreciated - we were tired and so to immediately fall into a chair and table was great.

Started with hot chocolate:

Yum.

Not the fanciest but just good.

I got the steak and cheese crepe, and apparently I forgot to take a pick of it after I dug in. Oops! I remember it being yummy.

Trevor got a sweet crepe:

Delicious. Crepes = yummy.

We stuffed ourselves and then headed slowly back to the train station to get back to the hotel, and by 9:30 we were back near the hotel. We did stop at the nearby grocery store and got some treats and such to take back home - groceries stores in foreign countries are really one of my favorite things to do, cause it's all so different yet familiar at the same time!

Back in the hotel we were packing up a bit and getting ready to transfer to Disney the next day! And despite me having bites on my face, no new bites had popped up and nothing on the sheets (yes we/I were checking every day), so again, cautiously optimistic about bed bugs. *crossing fingers*

Fun with Metrics:
Steps walked: 28261 steps (12.5 miles)

Araminta18 · Nov 10, 2024

DISNEYLAND HERE WE COME! - Wednesday June 12, 2024 (part 1)

We finally made it to the Disney portion! We leave for our next trip on Wednesday...you may see a LOT of posts from me today and tomorrow and Tuesday to see if I can finish this off before we go. Not sure if I can make it...

Anyways! Wednesday morning Trevor woke up with a bit of a sore throat, so we packed up, and then went to a pharmacy to get him some cough drops/throat lozenges, as well as the grocery store next door to get some ricola cough drops and an apple and some pastries. Why Trevor hates Disneyland Paris and always has some sort of physical ailment I don't know - I mean it's only been twice but two for two...does Trevor maybe not like Disney? Hmmmm.

Anyways, we took an uber from the hotel to Disneyland Paris - our driver was veeeeery scary! He went very slow but was weaving around...it was not a comfortable ride! But finally at 10:07, we made it, and were checking in at the Disneyland Hotel. I was so excited! This hotel just reopened this year, and is all themed to princesses, and is right at the entrance to Disneyland Paris. You literally cannot get closer. And I love princesses and when we went in 2022 we stayed at the Marvel hotel, so my turn this time.

Gorgeous fireplace picture with that chandelier...

All over the lobby they had these pictures that had a 3D effect - so neat! - from the various princess movies.

We got all checked in and our room wasn't ready - each room has a portrait of a different princess and you can request on the app the princess portrait you wanted. I'd requested Sleeping Beauty and we reiterated that request when we checked in, and the CM said she'd see what she could do. *crosses fingers* You do get a fun little check in booklet that is like a storybook, so that was neat.

By 10:50 we were all checked in and had all our tickets, and so with all our stuff dropped off at Bell Services, it was time to head into the park! There were definitely some construction walls, but still that castle is just so gorgeous.

(and yes this is a picture from the right hand side to avoid all the construction walls). (and doesn't this look all pretty with the fluffy clouds?)

Where were we heading? To catch the 11:30 parade! Trevor didn't really get to see it in 2022, so off we went to where it first came out, and we managed to get a spot right at the rope and sat down. I booked us a Crush's Coaster fastpass for 11:20 (that is one nice thing about fastpasses at Disneyland Paris - you have to pay per ride but you can almost always get a fastpass for right away, which is nice), and then it was parade time!