Its been several years since I traveled to Paris, France. This was prior to having a digital camera or photographing my meals. However, I want to share my experiences with you now, as I did not blog back then. The sightseeing was fabulous! I traveled with a large American tour group which meant I had to dine where the guide led us.
It was a short trip, barely a few days in length yet well worth the visit! We started out on a city tour which included driving by the famous Champs d’Elysees boulevard and the Arc De Triompe. Our group braved any fear of heights as we next ascended up the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The view was magnificent! You could see the entire city from above. For those who are indeed fearful of heights..no need to worry! There is a sturdy enclosed fence around the facade. The next stop was the Cathedral of Notre Dame. This historic church is known for the novel that bears its name. It felt really cool to go inside. The streets outside were lined with craft vendors and food vendors selling all kinds of crepes. Vegetarians could partake in this buttery treat but alas vegans could not do so. The cafe culture is strong here as many cafes dot the paths with their outdoor eating areas.
In the evening, our group enjoyed a boat ride along the scenic Seine River where views of the city lit up at night was a sight to behold!
The next morning, we embarked upon a tour of a popular French parfumerie factory called Fragonard. www.fragonard.com. The salesperson showed us the process of how various fragrances were made and tested by individuals, not machinery. I purchased a sample gift box of 5 fragrances for $50. The afternoon was free so that we could chose to rest, shop, or visit sights of our choosing. I spent the afternoon shopping for souvenirs, visiting art galleries, and browsing the boutiques.
In the evening, our guide had arranged for us to visit an elegant classic French restaurant within a classical style, townhouse. This was followed by a visit to a cabaret show. We did not attempt to visit the Moulin Rouge as it is expensive and difficult to get tickets. Instead, we opted for a smaller cabaret venue right across the street. The show was very entertaining and classy, very French. There were singing and dancing performances.
The final day time tour stop was made at the famous Louvre Museum. It was crowded. My group made certain that before time ran out we would first visit the Mona Lisa then the statue of David. We did indeed do so then had some time available to view other parts of this huge museum. We had attempted to come here one day prior. However, there was some kind of protest in front of the museum. When armed police officers arrived, they closed down the museum for the afternoon. We rushed back the next day and happily saw the famous art pieces before leaving for our airport flight. One member of our group chose to visit the Palace of Versailles instead as it was only a few hours away. I wish there was more time to cram in both the museum and the palace.
The dining scene in Paris was not known to be vegan-friendly at that point in time. The elegant restaurant within the townhouse was willing to prepare a special veggie plate for me, at my tour guide’s request. During other days, I would join my group at local cafes and order sandwiches. I felt comfortable and well-treated at restaurants because I spoke some French. Parisians really appreciate any effort you put into speaking their language.
These days, Paris has about half a dozen vegan restaurants and quite a few vegan-friendly ones. It is now a city where vegans can be happy too!
I highly recommend a visit to Paris. The food and the sights are not to be missed on your European journey!!