Conscious Living without breaking the piggy bank
Travel to Fès in Morocco and take a step back in time into one of the oldest medieval towns in the world. We went to Fès at the end of December and rang in the New Year there. A BRIEF HISTORY The city of Fès is one of the oldest imperial cities of Morocco. Named …
To travel to Casablanca in Morocco is to take a small step back in time and is the doorway to the beautiful country that is Morocco. Did you know that Casablanca IS NOT the capital of Morocco? That’s right, it’s actually Rabat, the next town over. It’s odd that Casablanca would have an international airport …
Of course you can travel to O’ahu with kids, there is no reason why you shouldn’t aside from cost but plenty more reasons why you should. Listen, I probably don’t have to sell you on the idea of visiting Hawaii so I will cut to the chase. The island of O’ahu is often mistakenly referred …
Looking for a romantic getaway outside Paris? How about you travel to Bayeux where there are more restaurants or crêperies than people.
We spent 2 days there to visit Jacky and Doudou after ringing in the New Year in Paris. Also, it was time for me to pay a visit to Tango in order to come to terms with the mourning of his passing. I wasn’t able to attend his funeral as Zazou and I were actually on top of Machu Picchu on the day of his funeral. Tango didn’t want us to change our travel plans no matter what.
Therefore, it only took me 2 years to make it to his grave. So that is the sad part of our family getaway, but Big Boss made it all better later on that day, so read on…
Bayeux is about a 2-hour train ride from Gare St-Lazare in Paris. You can book your tickets online with SNCF. It’s very easy to do so. If you’re planning to travel to Bayeux during peak times, it’s best to book in advance.
The town might be ‘small’ but there are loads of trains going back and forth between Bayeux and Paris. You could even do it in a day. However, I strongly suggest spending at least a night or two there. This way, you’ll have more time to appreciate the town and its surroundings. Bayeux is also full of cute Bed & Breakfast.
We took a relatively early train from Paris (Gare St-Lazare) around 10 am to arrive just in time for lunch at Jacky’s house.
Trains in France are very comfortable even for the second class. Although this wasn’t a TGV it went a lot faster than taking Amtrak from Philly to New York and you can get some pretty good deals as well. This is definitely a good alternative solution to renting a car, especially when traveling with kids.
The beach from Bayeux is not far per say. It’s about 10-15 minutes away by car. I know that there is a bus that exists as well to take you there but I don’t know the details.
Luckily for us, the Paris weather didn’t follow us to Bayeux. We were even able to get some sun!
Usually, it is the other way around. Jacky is always complaining (it is a French thing) that it is cold, humid, and rainy but just to prove her wrong the weather was quite the opposite of that. However, it wasn’t bathing suit weather either as we were there during the first week of January.
Normandy travel tip: When you travel to Normandy, no matter what the season, always bring a rain coat and a long sleeve shirt.
How to prepare them when you travel with kids. Which train stations to leave from? This is our little guide.
So what is so interesting about Bayeux aside from visiting my family? Well, I am no historian so you will need Wikipedia for that. The must-sees however within the town are its Cathedral and its Tapestry. Around the town, you can go to the beach and learn about D-Day and WWII.
During WWII, Bayeux was the first city of the Battle of Normandy to be liberated. On June 16th, 1944, General Charles de Gaulle made the first of two major speeches in Bayeux in which he made clear that France sided with the Allies. Most of the soldiers buried in Bayeux were killed during the invasion of Normandy.
The Bayeux Tapestry tells the epic story, in wool thread embroidered on linen cloth, of William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England in 1066 after the Battle of Hastings.
Yes, a piece of cloth that is important enough to be part of the UNESCO Memory of the wold list since 2007. Listen, I studied this tapestry in Art History as well as in history class. So it’s some badass church art from the 11th century. It’s the first type of manuscript of its kind.
Originally, the Tapestry was displayed within the cathedral. It was placed in a vault for safe keeping during WWII.
Unfortunately, as we were in France, it was closed during the holidays and a good part of January. Hence, we didn’t get a chance to see it.
You can’t travel to Bayeux without visiting the Cathedral. Luckily for us, it was opened while we were there.
Fun fact: You just might get a chance in meeting Jacky at the cathedral as she volunteers there.
The cathedral was built in the 11th century and is of romanesque and gothic style. It is absolutely stunning by day and by night. It has been listed as a historical monument since 1862.
Luckily, Bayeux’s cathedral escaped the Second World War destruction without any noteworthy damage.
The crypt has strong pillars with Corinthian capitals and Romanesque vaulting from the 11th century. The paintings of angels and the frescoes are from the 15th century.
My older brother Doudou is actually a guide in Bayeux. I will tell you more about that a bit further down the road.
He took us to Juno beach, which is the Canadian beach from D-Day. We even saw some old bunkers from WWII. It was really interesting and fun to listen to my brother tell us about the whole history of D-Day in Normandy.
Yep, if you go to Normandy, do not miss out on visiting the D-Day beaches and museums. There is a wonderful memorial museum in Caen which Doudou took me to a long time ago to visit. It gives you a great overview of what World War II was like and a behind-the-scenes look on D-Day.
Even if you are not a fan of history, at least check out the beaches. If you go to Caen, don’t expect to see old buildings. It was completely shaved down during WWII so it does lack character. Caen is only a short train ride from Bayeux, so again, no need for a car.
Our first evening in Bayeux was spent together as a family. Jacky made Big Boss and Blondie Bear taste snails and they didn’t like it at all. Junior and I love snails, well more the sauce than the squishy part of the snail. I was surprised that Big Boss actually tried some as he is no daredevil food-wise, as in at all!
What was going to be yet another ordinary night in our day to day lives was actually going to be one for the books. Date to remember: January 2.
As we were getting ready to go to bed in my mother’s bedroom, Big Boss got down on 1 knee. OMG! A sense of WTF and relief came over me. Relief, because I truly realized at that moment that had he done that in public I would have pooped my pants. My face would have most definitely turned into a fluorescent tomato.
As I saw him get down I could already feel my face turning red. I was completely stressed out and nervous.
Moving along, the WTF part was: Wait, are you for real? This is serious? You are doing that now? Getting down on one knee like in the movies? I’m in my granny’s nightgown (the opposite of romantic and sexy!!!).
But just before getting down, he said: you know how Jacky said (she likes to play the old school type and be dramatic) that we can’t share a bed in her house unless we are married or engaged? Hmmm…yeah what is your point? …Knee drop…
So that was our engagement moment which I fully enjoyed throughout the next day.
As I mentioned before, Doudou is a guide in Normandy with Normandy American Heroes. He had arranged for us a full day of exploring.
If you are into World War II history and whatnot, you should absolutely check him out. He can organize a private and personal tour for you and you won’t be disappointed. Your trip will be tailored to what your wants and needs are. Whatever you wish, he can make it happen.
Of course, I am biased as he is my brother, full disclosure, but nonetheless, he provides full transportation to important and interesting points of interest for private groups. He can even organize for an airport pickup from Charles de Gaulle to Normandy for you.
Doudou organized a full day for us and we loved it! For once, I didn’t have to plan for anything which was freaking FANTASTIC. Our first stop was at Mont St-Michel, which I had never been to. So that was a great first one for me.
The Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. The monastery sits on an island, accessible on foot during low tide. There are cobbled streets surrounded by stone wall fortifications which is why it has always been a nuisance for would-be invaders. This is a great place to visit, especially with kids.
Le Mont St-Michel is about a 2-hour drive from Bayeux. It is totally doable as a day trip from Bayeux, especially if you are not the one driving. You can also travel from Bayeux to Mont St-Michel by train but it takes longer than going by car.
Another option is using Daytrip. You can pick and choose where you’d like to stop along your travel journey from Bayeux to Mont St-Michel. The only thing is that it’s just one way. I used this company in Vietnam and it was a great travel option. However, although your chauffeur can explain things to you along the way, he isn’t an official guide and won’t tour with you.
From the car park, there is a free shuttle that takes you up close and personal to the Mont St-Michel. It takes about 12 minutes to get there. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the shuttle.
You can also walk to it, which is about a 35-minute walk. Another fun way (we didn’t do it), is to take the horse-drawn carriage ($$) and it takes about 25 minutes to get there.
You need to wear decent shoes if you are planning on visiting Le Mont St-Michel. You’ll be doing a lot of walking and it can get pretty steep.
I don’t really recommend going there with a stroller because of the cobbled stones. Climbing on top of the fortifications and visiting the abbey is not meant for strollers. Heck, they didn’t have strollers at the time so you and the kids can manage. Granted, I doubt there were many kids living there in those days anyway. Use a baby wrap carrier instead to make your life easier.
If you plan on having lunch at the Mont St-Michel, DO NOT eat on the island. Instead, park your car (save money) at one of the local restaurants close to the parking lot before heading to Le Mont St-Michel.
We had a full course meal at La ferme St-Michel and it was absolutely delicious with great service. It was so good, that we lost track of time and ended up spending 2 hours there. So so good!
If you want to bring back something from Mont St-Michel, try La Mère Poulard‘s shortbread. Also, they usually come in a metal box that you can use later to store sugar cubes, tea bags, or other cookies. Alternatively, you can use it as a wrapper for a Christmas gift.
Our next stop was the Brittany American Cemetery . Do not confuse it with the one that you see in Saving Private Ryan which is the Normandy American Cemetery. We got lucky as there was no-one around.
Therefore, we ended up getting a private tour with the groundskeeper (he has a special name, one I cannot remember). Inside the memorial, you’ll find interesting information about the different troop movements during World War II and the liberation of Normandy. (I hope I got that part right)
At the end of the day, you can catch a glimpse of the flag ceremony. Junior was allowed to participate in it as he is after all an american citizen or at least he was born there. Only americans can hold the flag and it is interesting to see how a flag is folded.
We finished off our day at the St-James factory. Since we took so long for lunch and at the cemetery, only the shop was opened. It was unfortunate that we couldn’t tour the factory. Inside the shop, you can watch a video on how the company came to be so popular.
We walked out of there with 4 matching hats. Yes, I can be a dork sometimes. They came in very handy when we went back to the freezing cold of Paris and Montreal.
I always like to bring things back from our travels. If they are useful and different, even better. Should you have the time, I suggest that you make a pit stop there. It is a little off beaten and that is why we recommend it. If you like the St-James style and look, best to buy at the factory. They have the best prices.
Everyone in France is familiar with the St-James style and even the designer Jean-Paul Gauthier made reference to it in one of his collections. It is after all still made in France.
So, as our first day as an engaged couple, I tried to take discreet pictures of myself with the ring to see if people would notice it. I couldn’t help myself! Also, I wanted to be able to tell certain people about the engagement before everyone knew about it on social media.
Our last day in Bayeux before catching our train was spent just strolling around town. We saw more cemeteries and went to the place where Charles de Gaulle made a speech. Finally, we just walked the small streets, admired the local stores, and passed by the cathedral (again).
This was a perfect little escapade from Paris. We had cold but sunny weather to go along with it. So if you have time to spare in France, travel to Bayeux and explore its surroundings? Don’t forget to book a tour with Normandy American Heroes as well!
À bientôt 🙂
Travel to Paris, the most romantic capital of the world! Well, let me tell you, a romantic trip to Paris, with the family, just kills the romance part.
Big Boss had never ventured to the Old Continent before, so going to Paris, France was a first for him and actually his choice destination for once. We went to Paris to ring in the New Year with my family and also to visit this beautiful city.
What was Big Boss‘s take on it? Well to sum it up in his own words: dog poop everywhere (“doodie”), subway stations that smell like Mötley Crüe spent the night there, and freezing cold weather. Yep on the tail side of Paris, it is not glamorous at all. At least not while we were there, late December.
So here is a 5-day itinerary to travel to Paris, based on our experience. I found, that it was a lot easier to focus on one area of Paris each day so that we wouldn’t have to spend too much time in the subway. It’s also a good way to save money that way.
I had forgotten about the doodie problem since where we live in Montreal it is not a problem at all. We have a dog as well (Nouki) so we pick up. It shouldn’t be that hard, especially nowadays with doodie dispensers that you can just attach to your leash handle.
Once the doodie occurs, simply pull out a doodie bag. It makes it a whole lot easier to pick up your dog’s doodie. Just throw it in the trash. But see, that is also a problem as trash cans are not popular either in Paris. That is partially due to terrorism acts back in the day, so they either closed off the trash cans or removed them.
Since Paris will be hosting the Olympic Games in 2024, I really hope they resolve that problem among other things. Around the tourist sites you are safe, but if you wander off the beaten paths, watch your steps!
Just so you know, during the summer, Paris has more tourists than inhabitants. That is good and bad. Good= less Parisians, bad= not everything is open (stores, restaurants). To best experience the Parisian life, you need to visit in May-June or September-October.
As we had rented an apartment through Airbnb in a “popular” neighborhood. We experienced our first adrenaline rush from the Metro Telegraph to our rental. The sidewalks were mined with doodies. It was very challenging navigating those tiny sidewalks and doodies with our luggage in tow and people who just don’t know how to walk on sidewalks.
Once we settled into our Airbnb it was time to grab a bite to eat and look for a supermarket. We ate in a local brasserie, with decent prices and good food.
France Tip: Having a meal in a Brasserie is usually a safe bet. You usually can’t go wrong with that.
We found a Carrefour Market nearby to grab some essentials for our rental. I love French supermarkets, they have so much great food and tons of yogurt and ham options. Why so many? I don’t know, but apparently, we are big ham eaters. However, you mustn’t go there on an empty stomach or else you will just buy everything.
Don’t forget to bring your reusable grocery bags when grocery shopping in France as the supermarkets are plastic-free.
Also, keep in mind that the majority of stores in France are closed on Sundays, even supermarkets. Some might be open on Sunday mornings but that is about it.
Finally, unlike in the United States and Canada, you can buy wine in supermarkets. If you are looking for really upscale wine though, you should look for the specialized store Nicolas.
In planning for this trip I organized it in a way that each day we would explore a different area. We only had 8 days, and 2 ½ of them were going to be spent in Normandy (see our Once Upon a Time article).
After dropping off our groceries and changing clothes and whatnot, it was time to hit the city. We had a few hours to explore Paris before meeting up with family for happy hour and dinner.
Our meeting spot was going to be near Les Halles. We decided that we would take the metro to Bastille and walk from there. We bought a “carnet” of metro tickets.
It isn’t worth it to get a weekly pass if you are only going to be there a few days. If you plan things well enough, you’ll mostly do the walking in an area you chose for the day. However, for us, we ended up taking the subway more often than planned, just to keep warm.
The Bastille area is great, as it has a lot of restaurants and bars. You should check out La Baraque for some dinner and dancing. If you eat there, you don’t have to pay the cover charge for the nightclub which is below the dining area. If you want a glimpse of Paris city life, you should go there. Best to reserve for the dining option as the place isn’t very huge.
During our stroll, we checked out some trendy boutiques and marveled in front of food displays.
We stopped at Place des Vosges, an early 17th-century square, which I studied in Art History because of the Mansard roofs. The square became the prototype for the residential squares of European cities that were to come.
We bought some popcorn at Scarlett Johansson’s store Yummy Pop for Doudou who is a big fan, of popcorn that is. Maybe not the kind I like, but as a present, it did the trick. They have different flavors, so check it out if you are in the area.
In France, you don’t have a lot of those microwavable popcorn options like in North America, especially the extra butter kind (my favorite). So, if you are visiting friends in France, bring some!
We passed by l’église St-Paul and made our way through the small streets of Le Marais. A pit stop was made at le Centre Pompidou to admire yet another building I studied in Art History.
Jacky always found that building hideous. You either love it or hate it. I like the concept, the idea behind it, but honestly, it is not an attractive building. Yet somehow, it just works in that area.
It is a building that you stumble upon, not one that just stands out. That is what makes it work with its surroundings.
Also, in Le Marais, you can find some excellent ice cream places, so if you have some cravings, go to POZETTO!
We met up for drinks at Quigley’s Point in front of the church Ste-Eustache. This is Zazou’s traditional meeting point as it is central to everything in Paris. The pub is nothing special really. Just a regular old pub you would find somewhere in England or Ireland. It used to have pool tables on the upper floor but I didn’t check last time I was there.
In the summer, you can have drinks outside and admire the view of Ste-Eustache and Les Halles. Meeting up with Zazou and Doudou and the Machu Picchu Kids was wonderful and loud. We had dinner nearby but nothing out of this world. The point was to be together.
Nearby is a fire station and if you want to experience a fun night in Paris, go there on July 13th and check out their festivities!
Les Halles has changed a lot over the years. They have just completed the renovations in 2018 which was new to me and it looks absolutely gorgeous. It really looks like a turtle shell. That being said, I still don’t recommend venturing out close to that area especially near the Fountaine des Innocents because that is where a lot of hoodlums like to hang out.
I speak from experience as I had an altercation there back in the day and ended up at the police station nearby to file a complaint. Cops in civilian clothing had seen the whole scene and came up to me to bring me to the Police Station. I would have never gone in on my own. I explained all that to my boys as we walked passed it. You never know.
When people tell me they are planning to travel to Paris, I always recommend going to the places we visited on Day 2. They are sort of off the beaten path but are becoming more popular nowadays. I only visited them after I came back from living in the United States and for Zazou, the world traveler, it would be his first time. So this was something new for almost everybody.
If you are meeting up in the Quartier Latin, the best meeting spot is at the Fontaine St-Michel. You can’t miss it, as it is right outside the RER B – St-Michel stop.
In that area, you can find a lot of restaurants located on the cobbled streets of the Quartier Latin. As to be expected, they are mostly oriented towards tourists. We didn’t care much while we were there since there were 9 of us and we were all freezing and starving. So we just grabbed a pizza in one of the pizzerias and warmed up. Pizza in France is really good. Obviously, not as good as the ones in Italy, but close enough.
There is a great jazz club in the Quartier Latin called Le Caveau de la Huchette. This place actually appeared in the movie La La Land. Located underground in old caves, this is something that you will not get to experience often. Tango brought me there quite a few times, as this was his local hangout when he was in school.
You might not like jazz or rock and roll, nor you might not know how to dance on it, but just people-watching is an experience in itself. If you get invited, even as a newbie, do say yes! It is such a shame that places like this don’t exist as much anymore.
We walked from the Fontaine St-Michel to La Ste-Chapelle which I discovered yet again through Art History. It is actually amazing how so many things in Paris are used as art references in books!
What makes the Ste-Chapelle so special is … Well, I actually can’t tell you as it would spoil the surprise. It does, however, have the following elements that make it interesting:
Stained glass depicting over 1,000 scenes from the Old and New Testaments recounting the history of the world until the arrival of the relics in Paris.
Close to the Ste-Chapelle, you have the Conciergerie. This is the place where Marie-Antoinette was held before getting her head chopped off. Yikes!
Did you know that the last time the guillotine was used was in 1977?
The Conciergerie was first used as a Royal residence before becoming a Palace of Justice. You can save money if you combine both visits (Ste-Chapelle & Conciregrie). Otherwise, if you are planning on visiting a lot of different museums, get the Museum Pass and save time and money that way.
The afternoon was split up. Zazou took the older Macho Picchu boys to Les Halles to do some shopping at la FNAC while the rest of us roamed the streets. La FNAC is a very popular book/tech/music store. Sort of the equivalent to Renaud-Bray and Barnes & Nobles but just more fun and more popular with kids and adults alike.
We admired the clean view of Notre-Dame with no scaffoldings this time. They clean it every 10 years and it takes 5 years to stay clean. We did not go inside as the line was huge. It is free to get in but you have to pay if you want to admire the view from up top.
I remember going up with my grandma who was in her 60s at the time. So it is feasible, just know that there are 387 steps. Since the fire that has just occurred, Notre-Dame is closed. However, there are other ways to admire the Paris City view without costing a fortune or burning too much energy. Read on.
Close to Notre-Dame, on Ile St-Louis, there is a great ice cream place called Berthillon, but I think it takes a summer break. So you’ll have to check the hours before going there. You could also grab a drink and admire Notre-Dame from behind on one of the Peniche stationed on the Seine close by.
Obviously, we did not do any of that as it was the last day of December and we were freezing our buns off. There are a bunch of Peniche stationed as well in the Bastille area where you can dance and drink, so check them out as it is an experience in itself.
We wandered off next to Place de l’Hotel-de-Ville. It is known for it to be a gathering place. I have watched a couple football games there on a big screen and witnessed as well. France not winning the bid for the 2010 Olympic Games.
At Christmas time they usually have an ice skating rink but not this year. There is an old carousel there, so the smaller Machu Picchu kids enjoyed a few rounds while Banana and Big Boss tasted out some Vin Chaud (hot wine-red) to stay warm.
L’hotel de Ville is located in the heart of Paris and is not far from Les Halles. You will find tons of stores in that area, especially on rue de Rivoli.
You could check out le BHV, an old department store similar to La Baie or Macy’s. But the stores you will find on rue de Rivoli will pretty much be the same as you will find in Les Halles.
So if it is cold outside head over to Les Halles. Even though part of it is opened, it will still be warmer there. These are not high-end stores. They are not ooh-la-la Sex in the City type of experience kind of stores. They are just mainstream.
Our meeting point to be united again for an afternoon drink before going off to get ready for the evening festivities was at Restaurant Kong. This is also one of my standard recommendations and here is why.
Located on the top two floors of an old Haussmanian building, furnished with Philippe Stark furniture, you get a great view of the Pont-Neuf. On weekends, it gets very crowded at night as it becomes a trendy hang out with music and all. It’s best to book a table ahead of time if you actually want to eat there.
Oh, and fun fact. If you were a fan of Sex & the City, this is where Carrie had lunch with Petrovsky’s ex Juliette B.
The Pont-Neuf is also the place where you catch a cruise on the Seine. It is definitely worth doing, especially if you have children. You get a great view of some of the city’s main attractions It is also very relaxing and the guide is great.
After our Apéro, we parted ways to rest up and meet up again to celebrate the New Year.
Since we had non-adults with us, we all chilled in our Airbnb for the beginning of the evening. We ate and drank away and then left to see the fireworks at the top of the Sacré Coeur. From there, you can get a beautiful and FREE view of the city no matter what time of day it is.
We took the funiculaire to go up and save time as it was free that night. We weren’t the only ones of course to have the same idea so it was a lot of fun. The adults had Champagne and the Machu Picchu kids had Orangina and Haribo candy. Fun was had by all. We even did some karaoke in the crowded subway. Okay, well I did karaoke, but people followed and that is all that matters.
This is where we had to part ways from the Machu Picchu kids, Banana and Zazou. It is very tough saying goodbye every time, but when we see each other we pick up right where we left off.
For New year’s day, our travel itinerary plan to Paris was to take it easy but we hadn’t planned on the cold which was so brutal. Close to our Airbnb was the Buttes de Chaumont. It is definitely an off the beaten path park and so beautiful. You won’t find many tourists there.
Built on quarries, it has an impressive steepness to it with multiple changes in height and levels which really makes it unique to Paris.
Unfortunately, the old swing sets aren’t free. Nonetheless, when you travel to Paris with or without kids, this park should be on you itinerary.
From the park, we continued our walk along the Canal St-Martin. It’s not a must see when you travel to Paris for a short visit, but should be on you itinerary if you have extra days.
To warm-up, we ate at a Chinese restaurant. They are so good in France! Try in any of them their riz cantonnais (Cantonese rice), munch on some fried shrimp flavored chips, and devour a delicious orange givré (orange sorbet served in an orange). Of course, there is more to eat in them like their raviolis à la vapeur (steamed dumplings), for example, which I am super fond of.
You could always order food as take out, just don’t forget your traveling utensils. When you travel to Paris or anywhere in France, hitting up a Chinese restaurant should be on your list of food to try. I know it sounds silly, but it’s not the same as in North America.
Along the way, we spotted our first Paris Invaders. I started looking for some when Big Boss and I went to New York City. I had heard about it a very long time ago while in France but didn’t realize it had become a thing. It wasn’t until my brother-in-law mentioned it to me that I started paying attention to them. Once we started spotting some, it became a game to us, and what better way to explore a city than by going off the path!
The second part of our day was going to be spent from the Champs-Elysee to the Eiffel tower.
We caught a glimpse of the New Year’s Day parade on the Champs and walked from the Arc of Triumph all the way down where they had food trucks.
Since Blondie Bear was freezing and hungry, we got him a hot-dog but in 30 seconds it was cold. We tried to walk a bit in the Jardin des Tuileries and nearby.
However, we wandered off too far, after crossing the Pont Alexandre III, into what seems nowhere where we couldn’t find any restaurants. We were freezing and starving!
When we finally found a metro stop, we took it all the way to a stop where I knew there would be a Mcdonald’s and free Wifi. We were trying to stay near the Eiffel Tower as we were meeting up there later on with a friend.
Just keep in mind that there is NOTHING to do around the Eiffel Tower aside from visiting the sites such as Les Invalides and Trocadero for example. If food is what you are craving or shopping is what you are into, this will not be the right fit for you.
As soon as it gets dark, the Eiffel tower sparkles for a minute on the hour every hour. It is very pretty to see it like that. Since we were still in holiday season mode, there were some street vendors at the feet of the tower.
We found these awesome little teddy bears that you warm up in the microwave and that keeps you warm for 2 hours. Since, as I said, we were freezing, these actually came in quite handy. I am so glad we brought them back home with us. A very useful souvenir.
There is so much to see when you travel to these areas in Paris.
We started out at the church of St-Germain-des-Prés, one of the oldest churches in Paris built in the 11th century of Romanesque style and ever-changing. It is Free to get inside the church.
We then just walked around for what seemed like forever. It was a bit sunnier that day but still freezing. I had seen glimpses of that area but had never really explored it on foot. We had a lot of fun and here is why.
Aside from visiting old churches, we saw a lot of Invaders and Diamonds. It turns out that they are very popular and can be found all over Paris. I am unsure of the meaning behind them but here is the link to The Diamentaire’s website.
Close to the church of St-Germain-des-Prés can be found the Café de Flore. This is where, in the 1920s and 1930s, then starving artists and writers, such as Pablo Picasso and Albert Camus, would gather for warmth and talk.
Facing the church, across from Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, is Les Deux Magots. It’s a café whose history is (according to their website) synonymous with literary and artistic life.
Apparently, having breakfast or a coffee there is like traveling through recent French literary history. While sipping your beverage think about others who may have sat in your very seat — Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, or Jean-Paul Sartre.
We will take the guidebook’s word for it, as we didn’t bother checking it out as it was too cold to sit outside and honestly it is not a budget-friendly place.
Our next stop was at the 17th-century church Saint-Sulpice. It’s the second-largest church in Paris. Located on a place with a beautiful fountain, famous for having the only fresco painted by Delacroix and for its Grand Organ. Part of The Da Vinci Code by Sam Brown actually takes place in this church, so it is certainly worth visiting and exploring.
Strolling the little streets of Saint-Germain you will encounter many art galleries, boutique hotels, and restaurants. So if that is your thing, this is the area you want to stay at.
We took a break in the Jardins du Luxembourg where you can soak up a little of the Parisian life. There is a wonderful playground there but unfortunately, it costs money. I have always enjoyed walking through that park and it’s also home to the Musée du Luxembourg.
We grabbed a bite to eat nearby and warmed up before setting out for some more exploring and wandering. We glimpsed at the Pantheon as you have to pay to get in. Instead, we explored the inside of a church I had yet to visit: Saint-Étienne-du-Mont. It is a little gem that is worth a look inside and located right behind the Pantheon.
There are also quite a bunch of Invaders and other street art in that area as well, so that was fun spotting them.
Check out the Arènes de Lutèce if you get a chance. This is a remnant of a Gallo-Roman arena located in the Quartier Latin. Near the fountain St-Michel, you can visit Roman baths as well, Les Thermes de Cluny.
We then walked all the way back to Saint-Michel where we grabbed a train to the Musée d’Orsay.
The Musée d’Orsay is by far my favorite museum in Paris. It is not as big as The Louvre (thank goodness). Located in an old railway station, it has an impressive Impressionist art collection. It has become very popular and we had to stand in line for 1 hour in the cold. There was no way around it. We only had one day left and it wouldn’t have been possible to do the rest if we had to switch it up.
So don’t say I didn’t warn you. BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE OR ONLINE BEFORE ARRIVING. You won’t have to stand in line. They now have an interesting set up on the last floor to grab a bite to eat but we didn’t try it out. On the top floor, you also get a gorgeous view of Montmartre and the rest of Paris through the clock glass.
After all this walking and exploring, it was time for some downtime before heading back to our Airbnb. I stumbled upon this place while researching things to do in Paris. It seemed like a fun activity to try out: the Gossima, a ping-pong bar.
Children are allowed there with adult supervision until 8 pm.
It was another off the beaten moment and fun was had by all. I think for once, no one left angry nor frustrated.
For our final day of travel to Paris, we had to go a little off course and check out The Catacombs.
They aren’t located near anything special and we were tired of walking in the cold. We had fun looking at skulls, but we waited a long time outside to get in. It is expensive for what you get and apparently, now the walk is even shorter. So not a must-do in my book. If you want something off the beaten path, try checking out the Sewers Museum which I have yet to do but comes highly recommended by Doudou.
After coming back up for air, we roamed around the Louvre, Jardins des Tuileries and the Opera Garnier. It sounds a lot but they are all located in the same area.
There is now an underground mall near the Louvre and an Apple store. I was able once again to charge my dying phone just like in San Francisco and I learned how to Airdrop. Don’t laugh, I am not tech-savvy at all!
In my opinion, the Louvre is overrated. The best collection to see is the Egyptian one as it is pretty complete but the rest is Yawn. The Mona Lisa is actually very very small. In any case, if you are short on time go to the Musée d’Orsay instead. If you do have a lot of time when you travel to Paris, then by all means, go there but get your tickets in advance!
Our final stop on our travel itinerary to Paris was at the Sacré Coeur for sunset. What a beautiful view.
If you can manage, walk all the way up, it will feel more rewarding. Then, just walk around it and admire the artists at work. It is extremely touristy but such a charming area. Again, you get a great view of Paris for FREE. As it is very touristy, just watch out for pickpockets and look for some Invaders!
Paris is such a beautiful city when it is clean. It is best to go there when it is warm so that you can enjoy the parks. My favorite time to go there is for La Fête de la Musique on June 21st and also on the 13th of July, the Eve of Bastille day. This is when you can dance the night away in one of the Parisian fire stations for cheap and have an awesome time.
Healthy tip: learning some french words will go a long way, especially when you travel to Paris. Don’t just assume that everyone speaks English.
Bon voyage!
It will be hard to visit the Icefields Parkway in just one day. There are so many points of interests and hikes that you won’t be able to see it all.
Below you’ll find tips on places to visit on the Icefields Parkway and a summary of our little road-trip.
Since we had a long drive ahead of us (380km) and multiple stops along the way to break up the ride, we set off early. On our way from Banff, we decided to try our luck at Moraine Lake (again), it was before 9 a.m. and no luck. Third attempt, another fail.
Before setting out on the long stretch of the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper, DON’T FORGET to gas up. There are no gas stations between those two towns.
Also, download a map just in case as there is no cell reception and bring food to be able to picnic.
While doing my research on The Rockies, a place whose name came up a few times was Laggans. Apparently, they can provide packed lunches and great slices of pizza. This is perfect if you are looking for food on the go, and don’t want to have to pack your own lunch.
Laggans is located in Lake Louise. There is also a supermarket next door from it and a gas station.
By bringing your own lunch, you’ll be able to eat it where ever your heart desires. Otherwise, the only real place we saw where you can grab a bite to eat is that the Columbia Icefields Visitor Center.
When you visit and picnic on the Icefields Parkway, don’t forget to pick up your trash!
We decided to make our first stop at Herbert Lake, located at the beginning of the Icefields Parkway.
This lake is supposed to be the warmest lake in Banff that you can possibly swim in. That might be true, but if you saw it you’d be disappointed. Don’t stop there unless you have to.
Approximately 30 minutes North of Lake Louise, we stopped to admire the view of Crowfoot Mountain/Glacier across Bow Lake.
Although it was a bit cloudy we could get an idea of the beauty of it. It’s a great place to unwind and have a picnic and it’s also one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park.
Located on the shores of Bow Lake is the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge that we caught a glimpse of when we stopped. This could make for a great overnight stop on your way to or from Jasper. However, one night there costs $400, and dogs aren’t allowed as it’s considered a historical building. The view from it though is priceless.
Not far from Bow Lake lies Peyto Lake. I know, we saw a lot of lakes during our trip but this one was stunning. Admired from the Peyto Lake viewpoint, this lake is glacier-fed and is of turquoise color. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
If you get to the Peyto Lake viewpoint while everyone and their mother are there, no worries, just continue on to the Upper Lake Viewpoint.
The Upper Lake Viewpoint isn’t exactly indicated because they probably want to keep it off the beaten path but there is another trail.
Just continue uphill from the first viewpoint which will take you to a circuit. Look at the map and you’ll notice a tiny trail leaving the circuit on the right. THAT is what you want to take.
So go counter-clockwise on the circuit and keep an eye out on the right for a man-made dirt path. Follow that dirt path all the way up.
This is not stroller friendly at all. You’ll be climbing up rocks. It’s not too hard, a bit steep but totally doable even if you are not super fit.
The view is so spectacular that if you get blinded by the beauty of it you just might take a tumble from the rocks. So pay close attention during the climb.
Once we arrived on top, there was nobody and it was late morning. We ventured a little past the viewpoint to check out some snow that remained. Blondie Bear inadvertently slipped down from it, but no harm was done.
After that, we came back down to the Peyto Lake Viewpoint. It was completely empty as the tourist buses had all left. Perfect timing for some more picture ops.
As we had breached mid-day and had not packed lunch, it was time to find a place to eat. Our options were limited.
We had lunch at the Columbia Icefield Visitor Center. There are two dining options: a cafeteria or a restaurant (Chalet).
We picked the less expensive one. The prices are of course outrageous, and the food is just ok. Blondie Bear and I shared a soup and Big Boss had a burger. The meal, including 2 sodas and 1 energy drink cost us around 40$. Luckily we had decent snacks in the car to hold us over.
It is very crowded inside and in the parking lot as well. The only upside to stopping there is the view of the Athabasca Glacier, the bathrooms, and the water fountains to refill your water bottle.
From the visitor center, you can book activities such as the glacier skywalk which cost 37$/adult and 19$/child or go on glacier walks.
The Glacier Skywalk is only accessible by shuttle bus, so you can’t even take a sneak peek of it by driving up to it.
In my opinion and from what I have read, it sounds more like an expensive tourist trap than anything else, much like the Banff Gondola. I guess the only worthwhile experience is the walking on the glass skywalk part.
For a more interesting experience, check out this company.
If you want to experience the glacier walk, similar to the one we had in Iceland, then you need to book a private tour. It will take you with a special all-terrain vehicle up to the glacier and then with a guide to walk on it.
In order to participate in these activities, you need to book in advance, have steep pockets, as they don’t come cheap, and have time. However, walking on a glacier is a once in a lifetime experience.
We opted for the free version of driving across from the Visitor Centre parking lot to the Athabasca glacier parking lot.
We would have walked from the visitor centre but it is quite a walk actually on a gravel road. Don’t worry, there is plenty of walking left to do to get up close the glacier from the parking lot including a nice little hill. Don’t wear sandals and bring a sweater or light jacket as it can get windy up there…just look at my hair!
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get very close to it as it is prohibited by a rope. I assume it’s to preserve it as much as possible as it has melted quite a bit. Who said Climate change isn’t real? Probably another idiot.
DO NOT cross the rope, it would be silly to put yourself in harm’s way just for a picture. There are solid crevasses in which you can fall into that you might not be able to spot until it is too late. Keep a keen eye on your kids and elderly companion so that they don’t wander off.
Moving along, we stopped by Tangle falls. According to the park’s guide, you can spot goats.
The only thing I spotted was Blondie Bear dangerously striking a pose by the waterfall and Big Boss trying to climb on top of the fall looking for goats. Yep, we like living on the edge.
The falls are actually nice. You can’t miss them as they are right by the road not very far from the Columbia Icefields Visitor Centre (about 6.5 km).
Our final stop before heading to our lodging outside of Jasper was Athabasca Falls (roughly 30 km South of Jasper).
At the time we arrived, there were two rangers presenting various animal antlers. These were great and so freaking heavy!! We learned a lot of things that I don’t remember and could ask useful information such as where to spot certain animals etc…They are there for that purpose. Kids will love them.
The falls little ballad is a lot of fun and very accessible. They throw themselves into a river where there is a small little pebble beach that can be reached by following the trail that leads through a canyon that was created by earlier erosion. This could make for a great picnic spot just as long as you pick up after yourself.
Finally, we saw mountain sheep, bears along the way and stopped by the Sunwapta Falls which is an easy walk.
To visit the Icefields Parkway, you should allow yourself at least 2 days. There is plenty to see, hikes to take, wildlife to spot.
We visited the Icefields Parkway on our way to and back from Jasper. It’s a long drive, but with lots of stops, the ride will be a lot more enjoyable.
