Among our many worldwide travels, Bev, Zen and I consider Paris to be no less than the most beautiful and culturally compelling city on the planet! Walking through the various boulevards, neighborhoods and winding streets, you are teased with so many wonderful activities: innumerable iconic landmarks, awe-inspiring art, lush greens parks, all that amazing food and so many beautiful, historic bridges! In our view, Paris is complete aesthetic perfection.
Although our clients prefer the 5 star luxury hotels of the Right Bank (Four Seasons, Hotel Le Bristol, etc.) Bev, Zen and I prefer the more intimate immersion of Parisian life on the Left Bank. Unlike the Right Bank, where there is a clear abundance of French historical monuments and public buildings, the Left Bank (think Latin Quarter) is more residential and university-oriented. It is made up of countless boutique shops and bistros in great walkable neighborhoods - this is definitely the more artsy, aesthetic side of Paris!
We were most happy with our stay at the luxury, boutique 51-room Relais Christine, located in the heart of St. Germaine. Built on the foundation of a 13th century Abbey, Relais offers a quite relaxing haven with meticulous service. Our family preferred the tastefully decorated 2-story duplex Junior suites. Another plus of staying here - meeting the property's engaging general managerJean-Luc Chomat - a remarkable look-a-like of Stephen Colbert!
Our engaging Paris travel coordinator, Sylvie, gave us great advice for shopping - just look at the stylish Parisian gamines walking the street for good shopping tips!
Paradoxically, we could not believe the block-long line for locals visiting the newly openedAbercrombie & Fitch store on the Champ Elysees...we finally felt stylish in our A&F tees!
Hello fellow global kid travelers!
Paris is SO BEAUTIFUL! Some of my favorite activities with my mom, dad, Sofia and Coco:
- My favorite tour in Paris was the underground catecombs. This tour was AWESOME and also creepy! Walking through the underground hallways full of skulls was fun and scary. Our guide, Jean-Manuel, says the catecombs contain the remains of 6 million Parisians!
- Eiffel Tower - cool, old-style mechanical elevator to the top + great views!
- Brassiere Le Suffren - the best escargot I have eaten anywhere - smothered with butter and garlic!
- Lourve Museum - We love the Lourve! Our funny and so-smart Paris guide, Jean-Manuel, gave us entertaining lectures on the many paintings of the museum's Greek mythology section (my 4th grade teach Ms. Cuesta would be so proud!). Landscape with Orpheus and Eurydice is my favorite. The way Jean-Manuel explained the paintings was like a movie going through my mind. Jean-Mauel is a walking art history book!
Happy Travels!
Zen Lynch
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