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The First Visit to Paris
Paris is one of those cities on many people’s bucket lists. At 19, being stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, was a dream, and the first place on my list to visit was Paris. The Moral, Welfare, and Recreation office on the military base offered day trips to surrounding European countries. I booked a day trip to Paris as fast as I could.
We had approximately seven hours to roam the city and then we had to be back to the van for the five hour journey home. I had a list of places I planned on seeing that day and the driver thought I was crazy. I wanted to climb the Eiffel Tower, check out the Mona Lisa, walk into Notre Dame, and most importantly I had to visit Versailles. The history of Versailles is so rich and I wanted to walk the halls and explore the most beautiful French palace that was ever built. What I did not know at the time was that Versailles was one hour outside Paris by train and this was probably why the driver looked at me as if there was no way I would make this trip.
I climbed the Eiffel Tower, walked into the Louvre, made my way straight to the Mona Lisa, and saw nothing else. I just needed to see it with my own eyes. Then, trying to speak high school French to a local asking how to get to Versailles, he quickly realized I spoke the worst French and began speaking in English. He was able to help me get on the train in the direction where I needed to go to visit the historical palace. When I say I walked through it, I was speed walking and was also able to make it through the gardens. Back to the train and one final destination, the gorgeous Notre Dame Cathedral. I did it all in seven hours.
Slightly Disappointed
I felt slightly disappointed when I arrived home after visiting Paris for the first time. That is a terrible thing to say, I know. Paris did not seem the way I imagined it to be. Years later, when I began my second career as a flight attendant flying around the world carrying diplomatic missions, I genuinely got to know Paris and came to love the city. Paris was a city we would fly to often, and I realized eventually why it was slightly disappointing the first time.
So…..Let me share with you how to have The Perfect Day in Paris.
First thing is first – Do visit the Louvre, Versailles Palace, the Eiffel Tower, and all of the amazing museums that Paris has to offer. Viator.com is my favorite tour company to book all tours with when traveling overseas.
These tips will allow you to immerse yourself in the Parisian culture, which is the experience that I was initially seeking.
Montmartre
It was not until several times after being in Paris that I even knew about this area. In fact, my husband and I were both in Paris at the same time on diplomatic missions on our 30th birthdays and our first anniversary. I booked a photographer to take photos of us in Paris. Our photographer is one hundred percent responsible for showing us the most beautiful spots in Paris, and that is what I was missing the first many times I went to Paris.
This is the area that I grew up watching in movies, where you sit and drink a café, order delicious crepes, and watch the artists trying to sell their beautiful paintings. I flew my very last Air Force trip to Paris and one of my best girlfriends happened to be on the mission with me, we ordered wine and sat there all day people watching. I Love, love, love Montmartre and I know you will too.
Paris Photoshoot
We had so much fun doing this photo shoot in Paris. We were up early in the morning so that we could be at Trocadaro Place before there were any people around. We were with one of the most amazing photographers in Paris, his name is Antoine Monfajon and I would absolutely recommend him if you are planning an upcoming visit to Paris. Or maybe you just need to start planning one now.
Basilica of Sacré Coeur
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is absolutely stunning, not to mention you will have the most gorgeous view of Paris at the top of the steps. The Basilica took 39 years to build, finally opening its doors in 1914. The Basilica is in the Montmartre area so you should definitely not miss it.
Bicycling around the Eiffel Tower
This was by far the most fabulous place I have ever cycled. We didn’t exactly take our bikes under the Eiffel Tower as this lovely couple in the picture is doing; we were in the bicycle lane that circles around the Eiffel Tower next to all the Parisian drivers. It seemed a bit crazy, but there were quite a few bikers, so it was pretty thrilling. I also recommend this bike tour around Paris with Viator.com
Pro Tip: Find a seat in a local café next to the Eiffel Tower anytime after dusk. You will enjoy a sparkling Eiffel Tower show until late into the night. They also sell champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower. If you are planning a special occasion, what other place would be more perfect to celebrate.
Crepes
You must eat crepes in Paris. The sweet and savory crepes are oh-so delicious! Make sure you visit Breizh Cafe on the Canal and enjoy the fantastic view while sipping on your café or wine while eating delicious crepes.
Macarons
I was never a fan of macarons; any time I tried them, they were stale and never tasted good until this one time in Paris. They were warm, soft, and full of yummy goodness. My favorite flavor is violette; it is unbelievably delicious. Want to know the best Parisian place to get it? While you are in Montmartre visit Biscuiterie De Montmartre.
Where to Stay
Paris can be tricky when determining the best hotel to stay at. The rooms are a bit on the smaller side, but one place that I have stayed on my visits is Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel, or you can look for the best deal at this hotel on Expedia.com to see if you can reserve the room for a better price. The history of this gorgeous hotel is that it hosted the reception party of Charles Lindbergh’s flight across the Atlantic. How dreamy to imagine as I sat in the hotel bar thinking about the night of that fabulous party in 1927. This hotel has also been frequented by kings, queens, and heads of state since 1927. (1)
And Now For your History DEEP DIVE!
The history of France is long and complex, and you could spend your whole life studying just one of the monarchies or even Napoleon Bonaparte, a powerful military man who immensely influenced France in the early 19th century. I find myself wondering if the younger generation of Americans know who solidified the win for the American Revolution? Well, that would be none other than France.
The French Revolution began in 1789, shortly after their assistance in helping the American Colonies to defeat England between 1778 and 1782. If the French had not come to our aid, there might have never been a United States of America, and we could have continued to be ruled under the British Empire. It is quite a fascinating history indeed.
Paris historically has been a hot bed for spies. One of the most famous American spies who lived in Paris during the American Revolution was Benjamin Franklin. He was surrounded by spies while fulfilling his position as the American diplomat in Europe. Franklin’s intelligence work in France would become a significant win for the Revolutionary cause, making his fortune as a printer, journalist, and newspaper proprietor who had many influential contacts and friends in Europe. (2)
Owner and publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette, he was no stranger to writing propaganda that would be put to good use during his time in Paris as the Post Master General of the United States. In 1775 he became the dominant leader in the Continental Congress’s foreign policy and foreign intelligence, referred to as the Committee of Secret Correspondence. (3)
In September of 1776, Franklin, Silas Dean, and Arthur Lee were appointed members of a diplomatic mission to France to secure an alliance with the French and ask for aid to win the War. In Franklin’s personal papers, a woman friend told Franklin that spies surrounded him shortly after moving to Paris in 1777. The French Police kept a close watch on Franklin. The threat to his mission came from the Paris Network of British Intelligence; mostly Americans, ran by Paul Wentworth of New Hampshire. Franklin’s secretary and confident Edward Bancroft was a friend of Wentworth’s and a spy for the same network sending information back to Britain. (4)
The mission of Silas Dean was to arrange ports beyond the reach of the British that would be made secretly available for American ships. From these secret bases, American vessels could harass British merchant ships. He worked with Pierre Augustin Caron De Beaumarchais on a clandestine operation through a cover corporation, Hortalez & Cie. France wanted to help the Americans, but were not ready for an alliance. This covert corporation designed by the French would bring the Americans the supplies, weapons, and eventually French troops that were urgently needed to win the War. (4)
Arthur Lee was a writer of political tracts and colonial politics for the Virginia Gazette. His role was to work with Dean and most likely assisting Franklin in the solicitation of Black Propaganda. The three men would accomplish their mission in Paris, but Dean would become a double agent for the British during his time negotiating in France. (3) Can you believe this all happened in Paris during the American Revolution? Franklin would not be replaced until 1785 by none other than Thomas Jefferson. (5) If only the walls and buildings of Paris could talk.
Oh how I love Paris! There is something for everyone in this remarkable city. What are you waiting for?
Recommendations for a fantastic time in Paris
- Where to Stay – Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel
- Where to Eat Macarons – Biscuiterie De Montmartre.
- Where to Eat Crepes – Breizh Cafe on the Canal
- Montmartre Hill Sweet & Savory French Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour
- Skip-the-Line: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Fully Guided Tour
- Paris Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tour
- Montmartre Hill French Afternoon Tea Tasting Tour with Crepes and Macarons
- Private 2.5 hour Bike Tour around Paris
Sources
(1). Historic Hotels Then and Now
(2). “Benjamin Franklin, Espionage and Counter-Espionage.” George Washington’s Mount Vernon. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/benjamin-franklin-espionage-and-counter-espionage/.
(3). The Encyclopedia of American Intelligence and Espionage, 198.
(4). Lopez, Claude-Anne. My Life with Benjamin Franklin. Yale University Press, 2000.
(5). https://history.state.gov/milestones/1776-1783/b-franklin