From Paris with love…

Happy Monday!! If you follow me on social channels you will know I’m just back from Paris! I have always wanted to go to Paris since seeing Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire in Funny Face. The hopeless romantic in me had been hoping that some tall,dark handsome stranger would whisk me off to spend a romantic weekend in the city of love but alas it’s 2019, I’m 34 no one has whisked my off feet on a romantic mini-break ever so this Bridget Jones decided bugger that I’m off to Paris. With one of my best friends in tow I planned to see the Eiffel Tower, drink lots of red wine and flirt with French men and if all else fails there’s Disneyland the happiest place on earth right?

Disneyland Paris

Years ago I visited Walt Disney World Resort in Florida it was the summer, it was busy, hot but fantastic. I thought nothing could top that trip however in the cold month of February I returned to Disneyland and too be honest it was so much more. We went off peak so no big crowds or queues, the weather wasn’t sweltering or freezing as Goldilocks would say it was just right! We stayed close to the parks in the Disneyland B&B which was basic but had a comfy bed (although very flat pillows!). If you visit bring your own pillow but other than that it was so close to park with bus shuttles I would highly recommend. The park is a joy for big and little kids plenty of places to dine and spoil your sweet tooth. We had the most amazing Nutella waffles! I got to meet Mickey (when in Rome right?!) and of course I faced my fear of heights by jumping into a few roller coasters!

Paris

How do I sum Paris up in a few words it’s a city for artist, lovers, history geeks and has a bookshop on every corner perfect to satisfy every readers appetite. I had a short space of time but as the weather was mild I was able to walk around the city and see all the sights. I got to walk right up underneath the Eiffel Tower, stroll down the Champs Elysses, light candles in the Notre Dame, marvel at the Louvre pyramid and look up in awe at the Arc du Triomphe. I sat and drank a lot of coffee, we ate in a little French restaurant; beef bourguignon and apple tart. But one of my favourite little gems which was highly recommended by an Instagram follower had to be the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore.

Sylvia Beach opened the little inconspicuous bookstore and lending library in 1919 and her patrons included Ernest Hemingway, F.Scott Fitzgerald and T.S.Eliott to name a few. Sylvia acted as banker,post office and friend. She was the first to publish Janes Joyce’s Ulysses in 1922 when no one else dared. The bookstore still holds the library with lots of nooks to read and write but also has a bustling store full of newly published books on the bottom floor. If your ever in Paris I highly recommend that you visit.

Overall I feel in love with Paris and with cheap flights from Belfast I’m sure I’ll not take so long to go back and visit.

Emer D Xx