The Romance of Paris
The sun was shining as I stepped off the Eurostar at Paris Gare du Nord station at 12.47 pm. The Standard Premier carriage I had been relaxing in during the journey across the English Channel was very comfortable with a light continental breakfast and a large array of magazines to glance over.
The ease of the train journey from London St Pancras to Paris, along with the short 30 minute check in requirement confirmed to me that reaching the romantic French capital by train definitely beats flying. My trolley suitcase and I traversed grand boulevards and petite backstreets in search of the particularities of a long list of Parisian hotels. It didn’t take long to appreciate the sights and sounds of this unique city. Every direction offered something new for the traveller, ranging from cosy brasseries offering classic French fare such as onion soup and crème brûlée to the imposing architecture of the Louvre and Arc de Triomphe, often the subject of many holiday photos. Springtime was certainly in the air as young couples were perched kissing on the edge of the River Seine and the sun drew crowds to parks around the heart of the city. In the Parc Monceau, energy-filled toddlers and tiny dogs were enjoying playing in the large open space. The aroma of the perfectly formed flowers almost sent me into a daze. Even though I wanted to sit on a bench and enjoy everything the park and the unseasonably warm weather, I kept walking on, in search of the next hotel on my itinerary. The hotels I visited varied greatly in style to reflect the different needs of the traveller. For something extra special, I would recommend the Sofitel Arc De Triomphe as the extra touches such as the availability of fresh fruit juices and fruit throughout the day made it particularly memorable. If designer chic is what you are in search of then the glamorous Le Burgundy hotel located in the upmarket Madeline area is ideal. Whereas if a homely and traditional sanctuary is what you like, then the Sèvres Saint Germain could be the perfect pick. With a city as large as Paris, hotel location is key to making the most of the many attractions on offer. Although a sturdy pair of shoes and a Paris Metro card can allow easy access to all the main areas of Paris. This convenient choice allowed me to fully explore the main districts…even if numerous café stops were vital to break up the great distances. My stay concluded with a naughty-but-nice Nutella crepe and a glass of rich red wine from the Bordeaux region of France. As I sat enjoying my treat, I couldn’t help feeling sad that my time in Paris had reached its end… I really had fallen for this romantic haven and I had the feeling that it wouldn’t be too long before I arrived at London St Pancras again, ready for another Eurostar getaway.
