DAY 5 - PARIS!!! Eurostar travel, an Eiffel Tower and all things Francais!!!

We awoke EARLY and a driver took us to St Pancras Eurostar station to catch a train to Paris!

The ride over was an easy one - a little over 2 hours, and we met a driver in Paris that our airbnb host had arranged for us.  This move was a lifesaver, as Gare du Nord station is a madhouse!  We were whisked away by Xavier and in our little Parisian flat in no time. Michel met us and gave us a tour.

The flat is located in the 6th Arondissment, in St Germain des Pres.  It's not as large as our London flat, but it's quaint and off the main street with a lovely courtyard, and it's very secure.

We dropped our bags and immediately went to a charming little cafe nearby to have a bite before going to the Eiffel Tower.

Too early for pics on the train!

The train was great - we had a brief wait in London (where there are many places to get a cup of coffee and croissant). Boarding was easy and the Standard Premier seats we had reserved were perfect.  The seats were comfy and they served breakfast on the train as well.  A bit over 2 hours later,   we arrived in Gare du Nord station in Paris.

It was CRAZY!  That station is just nuts!  Lots of people and it's easy to get around, but chaotic.  We had booked a driver to take us to the flat, and I am so glad we did.  Taxi drivers are shouting at you and other drivers are coming up to you aggressively asking if you need a ride.  We were so happy when Xavier called and then whisked us away....

We get settled into the Paris flat:

Just down the street a bit was a bakery for croissants and coffee in the morning:

We chose Le Bonaparte cafe for lunch.  It was right around the corner.

Really happy to be sitting in a cafe and enjoying a bottle of French sancerre and watching the world stroll by....

The ice bucket/bag

 Cafe Bonaparte menu:

Our flat is located in St Germain de Pres - a sought after arrondissement.  It's got everything you want within walking distance - the Metro, great cafes, shops, markets etc.  And more importantly it's very safe.

 We all got the daily special which was TO DIE FOR - a veggie quiche and salad.  What the doctor ordered after pubbing it in London for the past 4 days!

We then headed out hoofing it to the Eiffel Tower:

 Le Bon Marche - we stopped in briefly - such a fun store!

 There SHE is -  in the distance!

 We made it!

 We go heading in:

Looking up!

 The view as you go up the elevator looking DOWN:

How about these views of all of Paris from the Eiffel Tower?

Very cool, and now, another bucket list item is checked off!

And no, Caroline and I did not plan to wear black maxi dresses the same day:

My babies:

Now we're back at the flat unpacking, unwinding and acclimating to French life a bit.  We have dinner reservations within walking distance at a great cafe.

I'm off to savor all things French!  Au revoir!

Caroline's "money shot" of the day:

We uber'd it back to the flat to unwind and get ready for dinner at CLOVER.  It was within walking distance to our flat, which was very very nice.  It was unique experience - great service and amazing food and we met 2 adorable couples from South Africa that we thoroughly enjoyed dining with.

Clover's menu:

 quinoa crisps with eggplant puree with black sesame sate

 Mackerel, radishes on crisps

 Beef with cilantro that you "cook" on a heated stone:

 White asparagus with pate smear:

 The fish dish was stingray! Served with new potatoes

 The chicken was magnifique!!!

 The cheese course - goat cheese with a schmear of something? So good!

 And the dessert course was unreal - rhubarb ice cream, meringue strawberries - really really good.

And if that wasn't enough, they brought out a huge warm chocolate chip cookie - naturally we inhaled that as well!

Then we walked back to our Parisienne flat to get some sleep before more Paris exploration in the morning!