Combine Paris, the world’s most popular city destination, with the infectiously creative energy of twenty-five talented journalists and, well, you have the exact recipe for amazingness. As I stood amongst my colleagues during our Welcome Reception at the Marriott Courtyard Paris Neuilly, I made certain to take a minute from my jetlag haze to really appreciate my surroundings. Our tour director for the French portion of the trip, Jonathan, instantly won my heart over with his humor and charm. He spoke the language perfectly and had been living in Paris for years, thus I knew that he would be sharing some exclusive “insider secrets” with us.
Before dinner, in one of Jonathan’s favorite restaurant’s, we set off on a short evening tour of the glittering capital. Seeing Paris at night is quite a vision to behold, as it is breathtakingly illuminated and it quickly becomes clear as to why it is called the “City of Light.”
Trafalgar Tours prides itself in being a guided vacation, rather than a tour, and if Jonathan was any indication of what their guides are like, let me be as succinct as possible: your trip could not be in better hands.
After wandering around the Latin Quarter for a while, we departed for the first of many unforgettable meals at A La Petite Chaise (36, rue de Grenelle).
This atmospheric Parisian restaurant claims to be the oldest in the city, with its origins dating back to 1680. The iron gate on the facade of the building is its original — making this establishment a historical monument in its own right.
Over champagne, I befriended a table of Aussies and in the midst of an engaging conversation about the effects of the Kardashians on American culture, we all gasped when the waiters placed the most delicious looking gratinated onion soup in front of each of us. They could have served us caviar next, but it would not have mattered, as anything else would have been insignificant compared to this culinary delight.
It was the perfect beginning to my trip of a lifetime! Even though I was exhausted, I found it difficult to fall asleep knowing that in just a few hours I would be headed to a new part of the world for me: the South of France.
I love the color scheme you used for these photos! The onion soup must have tasted divine.
Oh it was sooo good! Thank you dear, I wanted to try something new for my Paris photos!!!
Ahh, I love Paris at night! It sounds like you had an incredible first evening. Can’t wait to read about the rest of the tour!
It’s so over the top romantic right!?! The first evening was absolutely incredible! I loved the group of people I was with.
Great pics! Did you take them with your phone?!
Just 2 of them, the instagram ones! The others no. Thank you!!!
I only spent 5 days in Paris, but it was wonderful!
Great photos! You captured the romanticism of the city.
Thank you sooo much!!! I tried my best in the very short amount of time that I was there. 🙂
What a great article and I am in love with your pics!! So dramatic and evoke images of a very romantic city of light!! Great job my friend!!
Yay, I’m so glad that you’re in love with my pics! It was challenging to take good pics when I didn’t have much time and I was really exhausted, but I tried my best!!! Thanks a million!
Pictures look amazing! They really capture the romantic essence of the city!
Thank you so so so much!
Wow, I can’t believe your night pictures turned out that well! I am impressed! 😀
Thank you so much and without a tripod as well! 😉
My god these pics are amaaaaaaaaaaaaazing!
Awww thank you so much!
You’ve really captured the romance of Paris in these beautiful photos!! I love the whole feel of this post.
Thank you sweetheart, you just filled my heart with joy! 🙂
Wow Andi! Your picutures are gorgeous and that soup looks amazing. I’m still dreaming about a trip to Paris… soon hopefully! Looking forward to more pics and details and hope you’re having a great day! Besos de España!
Awww thank you soooo much!!! Wish I could give you a big hug! You are so close to Paris right? And flights are pretty cheap w/i Europe! You NEED to go bonita!!! Bessssssssssos!
Mmmm – I love French onion soup (I make a mean one myself) =) I’ve never watched the Kardashians – what do they do to American culture? It looks so silly…
Oh wow, they have a huge impact on American culture, especially at the moment with her fake wedding! You make French onion soup??? When are you coming over to cook for me? 😉
These pics are sensational! And now I want to take a Trafalgar trip!
Thank you and I really hope you do, you’ll love them!!!
Great photos! I’ve never been to Paris but I feel like it’s a place I don’t want to visit solo 🙂 Eventually, I’ll make it there!
I think you could definitely visit Paris solo, true it is unbelievably romantic, but there are so many things to do/see to keep you busy and not thinking about being alone haha! Plus, then you can meet a sexy Frenchmen. 😉
Your pictures remind me what I love most about Paris! And to end with french onion soup.. YUM!
Awww what a great compliment, thank you! And what I would give for that soup!!!
That photo of the soup just says Paris to me – divine!
Love it!!! Thank you!
Paris is SO romantic at night! The only thing that would’ve made this trip better would have been if you could experience it with your sweetheart!
Which sweetheart, you or Lucas??? 😉
I agree, Paris is SO romantic at night!!!
Seriously, that onion soup, I want to stick a spoon in it now! Your tour of Paris looked stunning, that pic of Notre Dame was magical:-) oxox
God, I haven’t been able to stop dreaming of that onion soup!!! Thanks for your kind words re: my photos gorgeous. 🙂
I literally gasped at that first picture and was sure that my comment would be how it was the best photo of the post – and then they were all just as good! What a great night.
You are WAY too sweet, thank you so much!!! ‘Twas a superb start to the trip!
Awesome nighttime shots! The city really takes on a different feel after the sun goes down.
Thank you!!! It’s challenging to take nighttime shots without a tripod and jetlagged, but I’m pretty proud of how they came out! And I agree that Paris is completely different at night.
What a dream vacation, incredible!!!
Trafalgar Tours is in the business of making dreams come true I tell ya!
What an awesome tour!
It’s so much more than a tour! They really are the best of the best of guided vacations.
Awesome post!
Thanks!
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THANKS!!! 🙂
Ooohh, I saw Paris by night for the first time when I was thirteen and absolutely adored it. I can’t wait to hear about your south of France adventures.
Cities can completely change depending on the time of day, right?