Paris and The Moulin Rouge

For our first big Europe trip since Rob came home we booked a night in Paris! We were super excited for the trip and even got tickets to go to the Moulin Rouge. We went there for memorial day weekend and it was a great trip!

To start out the trip, since it was only one night there, we left bright and early on the 23^rd. We stopped first in Ramstein to snag some gas (since diesel isn’t sold on post in Baumholder), and a GPS (super helpful). We ended up on the road about 915 which was a bit later than we wanted but all worked out okay. The drive there was about 4.5 hours according to the GPS but (due to toll traffic) ended up being a bit longer. It was nearly a straight shot there so that helped. Also, we didn’t stop too much which helped to eliminate time.

We hit France super quick (because we’re very close to the border) and it was pretty much smooth sailing. 

The French border. Or lack thereof. Yay Europe.

Only downside were the tolls. Not even because they were expensive (about 30 euro each way) but because the traffic leading up to them was a nightmare. The road would go from two lanes to no lanes and 8 toll gates. It was like a mad house free for all and no one ended up in the right lane. We got stuck at the last toll for 45 minutes.

BUT – once when we did stop we snagged some awesome cheeseburger flavored lays chips. They strangely tasted just like burgers. Weird lol. Even mustardy/ketchupy. But tastey.

We got into the city around 130/2pm and were able to easily find parking by our BnB. The owner told us about a parking garage just a street over so we were able to park there, head to the Bnb, drop off our stuff, and get out exploring.  Driving in the city really wasn’t as bad as I expected. Everyone says it’s a nightmare, and from what I remembered from visiting years ago with family, I thought it was going to be. It really wasn’t. Only downside is there are no lanes in some places so you just have to be attentive and own your moves lol. I didn’t mind it.

First we wanted to head over to the Eiffel tower area to snag lunch and start site seeing. The metro and bus stops were right at the end of our street (where the Moulin Rouge was conveniently located as well!) so it was easy to hop on/off the transit lines. We started over at the Arc de Triomphe and walked around to the Eiffel tower. 

We were on the move we snagged lunch at a food cart across from the Eiffel tower. I got a panni and Rob had crepes. Here are some photos of the crepe making process. He got one with ham, egg, and cheese on it.

I totally regretted getting my panni (although it was still super delicious) because his crepes looked awesome! I was just worried they wouldn’t be easy to eat and walk but it really wasn’t a struggle.

The park across from the Eiffel tower was beautiful (called Jardins du Trocadero)! It is in front of the Palais de Challiot. It was warm out and everyone was dipping their feet in the fountain and basking in the sunlight – a great way to spend an afternoon and read a book!

The Eiffel tower, of course, is massive. 

like 90% of this mass of people were waiting in line to go up the tower

Rob was super surprised by its size. And that massive thing hanging in the middle of the tower- it was a huge tennis ball.

We didn’t wait in line to go up to the top (because Rob doesn’t dig heights and the line was INSANELY long!). We instead kept walking and got some wine at a grocery store to drink as we meandered.

Literally everywhere we turned there was a site to see and snap photos of. Beautiful buildings, statues, fountains, bridges, and adorably quaint parks. We walked from the Eiffel tower down along the river and saw the Grand Palais, the Pont Alexandre III (a bridge), Petit Palais (now an arts museum), and to the Notre Dame de Paris.

Winston Churchill

La Fontaine St Michel in the Latin Quarter

I love living here and having sites like this to see when
exploring new cities.

When we got to the Notre Dame we were able to walk through for free. It was open during the evening’s mass for visitors. I felt bad intruding during mass but it was a great experience to see the church during mass. I would like to go back and see it again for sure. We didn’t get to stop and see the Louvre but will do it next time we are there (we’re going in September for sure).

The holy water display in the Notre Dame - I am the way which seeks travelers.

After the nearly 5 hours of walking around our feet were hurting and our belly’s were getting empty again. We headed back to our BnB’s side of town by the Moulin Rouge to get food and get ready for the show. 

We ate at a restaurant called Buffalo Grill which was right across the street from the Moulin Rouge. We both enjoyed awesome burgers, drinks, onion rings, and salads. So much food and yeah, it was “American food” but we don’t live in America and don’t eat it often so it was still a treat for us.

After dinner we hit another grocery store, snagged some more vino, and headed home to get ready.
 

gotta love all the sex stores on the same street as the Moulin Rouge

Here are a few pictures of the apartment I took once we got back to change:

We got all dressed up for the show and I was happy we did! Such a cute date night!

When we arrived the line was INSANE! And only growing! Some people show up at 7/8pm to get in line for our showing time (11pm) – no thank you! We had too many other things to see to wait in line that long, especially since we were guaranteed to get in because we had tickets. 

We wanted in line for awhile before they started letting people in. I only got a picture of the foyer because once inside, photos are prohibited.

I snagged some of these photos offline to show a bit of what we saw. (meaning, no I didn't take these)

And here is one of what the room itself looked like.

The show was amazing! The show was so tasteful and they were such skilled performers. Most of the dances were very intense and acrobatic and involved lots of people and outfit changes. There was a story to it (from back during the War) which I couldn’t understand due to my lack of French but we got the jest. They also did little smaller skits dispersed throughout. It was great! So worth it! The show was about 2 hours long too and the champagne we had was delicious. It was just perfect! I totally recommend it. We left there around 230am and decided to head back to the Bnb. We were tired and wanted to wake up a bit early to do some morning exploring and get breakfast. We went home, finished our wine, and went to bed.

The next morning we took the train back out to walk down Champs-Elysees and get breakfast.
 

Random I know but I love this highchair.

We had croissants and coffee (hot chocolate for me J) at a restaurant there and wandered into a few stores. We stopped in the Mercedes-Benz Gallery, stopped for macaroons (since neither of us had had one), and went in the Louis Vuitton Store. Of course we were just looking. LV isn’t in my budget (heck no!).

Once it hit about 12pm we headed back to our Bnb, I wanted to stop to get a crepe (because how could I leave without trying one?!), and we grabbed our goods and headed out to the car.

It was a great trip. I loved it and can’t wait to get out and explore more. Yay for Europe living indeed! It was just a great way to spend a Saturday/Sunday.