Tara's Paris List | 2014

Oh, Paris. Where do I begin?

I'm typing this on one of those afternoons, trying to reminisce how it felt to be in Paris, walking along its cobbled streets, the cacophony of Parisians, the click clack of heels, the streets that never seem to complement each other yet are in so much harmony.

Paris --- it's really something else. You know when you've read about a city so much, heard so much from so many people about it, so you think you kinda know it, but you don't? That's how I feel about it. I've been writing while I was in Paris, and I couldn't reproduce the same mindset when I came back. So I'll do my best. And I'll do them through pictures.

Galerie D'Apolon, Musee Louvre. This is one of the grand ceilings, if not the only one in Louvre where you just kind of stand a long time and ogle the masterpiece above you.

Jardin de Tuileries. It was a wee bit gloomy when we were walking inside the Tuileries but it was majestic as ever. In this garden, I felt envious of the French and Europeans in general for having the most beautiful parks in the whole world. And for free.

Champs Elysees. This boulevard is the Parisians' venue for high end shopping. This is where you'll find the iconic Louis Vuitton flagship store, as well as the Laduree shop and other high end brands.

Jardin de Tuileries

French Woman Reading. It's pretty common to spot the French reading an actual book.

Everywhere in Paris, cafe seats seem to be always red.

Cafe Laduree, home to the best macarons, IMO. I had the blackcurrant one. My life is never the same.

Macarons and Noisettes from Laduree

Arc de Triomphe

Every bridge in Paris is different

I always think of Before Sunset everytime I'm under a bridge :)

My favorite, Musee D'Orsay from the outside

I'm sure every girl would have some sort of Things to Do in Paris list but if you're at a loss on what to do, here's my to do list:

The Louvre {buy tickets online}. See the Mona Lisa and pretty much outstanding, stellar art.
Musee D'Orsay. Get a Paris Museum Pass so you can skip the line + come twice if you need to.
The Eiffel Tower. I'll leave you to find out what it's about when you go there.
Jardin de Tuileries. Paris is home to the most beautiful gardens in the world --- where people just wander about, stare at the sky and ponder on the meaning of life. I miss the gardens!
Laduree. To me, this was the ultimate Parisian experience: to sip a noisette in the middle of an elegant cafe, munch on yummy macarons, listen to French conversations, admire beautiful Parisiennes.
Shakespeare & Co. The famous bookstore was James Joyce's hangout and was the single important factor in Before Sunset. Despite feeling super tired, cranky, hungry and did I mention, tired? I walked up to this bookstore, across the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Speaking of, you might wanna visit the hunch back of Notre Dame. :P