Our first overseas trip to France with a toddler was a complete success. J did fabulous on the plane (thanks to the iPad, kindle, stickers, coloring, wiki sticks, beads, painters tape, new books, and of course some candy and snacks). I wasn't too worried about traveling that long distance alone with her because she does really well when it is just the two of us. I was more worried about pumping and leaving my sweet baby boy, but it all amazingly worked out. I think James had a much better time with Grammy, Grampy, and Lucy in Idaho going on walks, playing in his new kid pool, and just getting spoiled rotten with attention by his grandparents. We met Brian in the airport in Paris and while it felt like nothing had changed, it sure felt good to be together again. And when you ask Juliet what her favorite part of the trip was, her response is always the same, "Daddy!"

Walking down our narrow street in the Saint Germain area in the 6th district. (Ina Garten, my hero, has her apartment on the border between the 6th and 5th district, but sadly I didn't run into her. I looked though.) We honestly couldn't believe how perfect our apartment was located (well I wasn't too surprised since I researched the hell out of this trip), but it is definitely where we will stay again when we return. We were in a trendy art gallery, food neighborhood close to shopping, cafes, restaurants, and the Jardin du Luxembourg. It was lively neighborhood full of chic Parisians and it felt like we were really living it up like the French. We had art galleries on either side of our apartment so it was very quiet, but all the action started just at the end of our block. Lots of bakeries, cafes, and outdoor markets lined the street and neighborhood so we were literally less than five minutes away from everything we needed.

We started each day with croissants and coffee in our apartment. Then we ventured out to do one or maybe two official site seeing activities and then spent the late afternoon/early evening walking around our neighborhood or the area we were in eating and shopping. We had late dinners every night at a restaurant near our apartment and then headed home to bed. While I had a really hard time with the time change, our Juliet transitioned no problem due to her being awake for 22 hours straight the first day!

 

One of the yummy bakeries down the street from us.

 

 

One of the entrances to the Luxembourg Gardens. It is like the "central park" of the left bank.

 

 

 

One of the reasons we stayed in the area we did was so that we could have access to this fabulous playground in the garden. It was seriously the best and biggest playground we have ever seen. We only ended up playing here once, but between the beautiful grounds, the carousal, the pond for model sailboats and the playground, we would have been perfectly happy just coming here everyday we were in Paris. (I have heard Paris is a child friendly city compared to other spots in Europe.) We ended up finding lots of little playgrounds tucked between beautiful buildings which was perfect for traveling with a toddler.

 

 

 

We ate every lunch and some dinners outside at a little cafe everyday. This was just as I had imagined it. Outdoor tables lining the street, little cups of coffee and wine, omelets and baguettes. I loved sitting with my family and listening to the language. It was so romantic! It is rare that something is just how you imagine or picture it, but this part of Paris lived up to its expectation.

 

 

I was surprised at just how beautiful all the buildings are. The architecture and history here is incredible.

 

This is how most of the buidlings' doors look. Simply stunning.

 

 

One of the little playgrounds we ran into while walking along the Seine River to the Eiffel Tower.

 

 

 

 

I was taken aback at how grand and immense the tower is in person. Of course there is also the feeling that you are actually at the Eiffel tower, but the scale of it just cannot be communicated in pictures and words alone.

 

 

Just a regular day playing on the playground at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Lucky little girl.

 

One of the beautiful apartments across from the Eiffel Tower park.

 

 

Walking along the river to the Lourve.

 

 

One of entrances to the Louve (which used to be King Louis XIV's palace until he relocated to Versailles).

 

Once we walked through the tunnel-like entrance, this was our view.

 

The courtyard itself is amazing.

 

 

 

 

And there she is. This was by far one of the most crowded sight in all of Paris. She is covered in a thick glass (where as all the other art is out in the open) and has her own guard. I wanted to see the Mona Lisa because it is the Mona Lisa, but she has never been that intriguing to me. Brian's favorite museum was the Louvre and I enjoyed it, but I am partial to the Musee d'Orsay. Monet, Rembrant, van Gogh. That is what really struck a cord with me. It was just amazing to see all that art. Sadly, unlike the Louvre, no pictures were allowed in the Orsay.

 

 

And just to get an idea of how busy she is.

 

After the Louvre we ate at this Oh mon Cake!! It was the best bagel sandwich I have ever had and the desserts were mouth watering.

Juliet sat on the sidewalk in front of this beautiful door while we waited for our food.

 

 

After lunch we headed to the Orsay Museum and took some pictures from the rooftop viewing deck.

 

 

 

Surprisingly, our favorite part of the trip was the tour of Versailles. I had some interest in going primarily because it was Marie Antionettes home, but I had no idea how beautiful and majestic the palace and gardens are. I cannot even begin to express the grandness of this castle. Not only in terms of size, but in the details and richness. We started our day wandering the gardens and ended it with strolling through the home of France's last King and Queen.

 

When you look out from above the gardens into the greenery below it doesn't look like much. But as we made our way down we realized that the greens are a series of maze like hedges with endless fountains tucked away throughout the trees.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know if the trip got any better than these moments of watching Juliet skip and run around Marie Antionette's courtyard and garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way out of Paris we stopped by Notre Dame. Again it beyond our expectations. The detail of the cathedral is amazing especially given the fact that it was build hundreds of years ago.

 

 

And of course a couple of obligatory food shots.

 

 

 

This trip gave me such confidence in our move and in traveling with young children. Will it be easy, no, but so worth it. Juliet slowed us down so that we could actually live and enjoy the city instead of rushing about trying to pack it all in. This was such an unexpected blessing and makes me look forward to our next overseas trip! Barcelona, Greece and Istanbul are high up on the list, but I have a feeling we will be back in Paris sooner than later.

 Can you believe there are more pictures? Nice will be posted later!