Paris - 2022

Paris 2022: Celebrating Our Engagement in the City of Love

Paris is a city that feels like a dream and for my fiancé and me, it became the perfect backdrop to celebrate our engagement. From iconic landmarks to delicious food, every moment of our trip felt magical. Here’s a look back at how we spent our unforgettable time in the City of Love.

Wine, Cheese, and The Louvre

As soon as we landed, we dived straight into the Parisian experience with a wine and cheese tour at ô Chateau. It was the perfect way to beat jet lag (and who can resist French wine?). After the tour, we strolled through the charming streets of Paris and found ourselves at the Louvre. Though it was closed that evening, we made reservations for another day and soaked in the beauty of the iconic glass pyramid from the outside.

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Engagement Photos at the Eiffel Tower

The next morning, we woke up early to capture engagement photos with the Eiffel Tower as our backdrop. Here’s a tip: head to the Trocadero steps at sunrise, and you’ll have the perfect, unobstructed view of the tower. The quiet stillness of the morning made the moment even more romantic.

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After our photoshoot, we walked to Castel Cafe and treated ourselves to warm, buttery crepes. Later that day, we visited the magnificent Palace of Versailles. The sprawling gardens, grand halls, and intricate architecture were breathtaking. By one of the serene lakes, I indulged in ice cream and fresh croissants, while orange trucks offered freshly squeezed juice to visitors. It was a day filled with beauty, relaxation, and pure bliss.

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The Louvre

It was finally time to explore the Louvre! Seeing the Mona Lisa was a bucket-list moment, but be warned: the crowds are no joke. Luckily, being petite had its advantages. I managed to scoot through the crowd for a clear shot of her famous smile.

Beyond the Mona Lisa, we wandered through galleries filled with incredible art and artifacts, marveling at the scale and history of it all. Before leaving, I stumbled upon a Madeline book in the gift shops en François! As a lifelong fan of the Madeline series, it was a nostalgic purchase that I’ll treasure forever.

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Iconic Parisian Landmarks and Escargot

We hopped on a classic hop-on-hop-off bus to explore more of Paris. Some of our stops included:

-The Luxembourg Palace: A stunning building surrounded by lush gardens, perfect for a peaceful stroll.

-The Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House): As a Phantom of the Opera fan, this was a personal highlight for me. The opulent architecture and grand staircase were straight out of my dreams.

-Lindt Chocolate House: A chocolate lover’s paradise where we indulged in rich, decadent treats.

-Moulin Rouge show: self explanatory

-Then, we made our way to the Arc de Triomphe, one of Paris’s most iconic monuments. Standing under this massive structure and taking in the chaotic yet mesmerizing traffic around the roundabout was unforgettable.

Fun Fact: The Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Beneath it lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. If you want to climb it you need to go underground to the tunnel since you can’t cross the roundabout.

And finally the Notre Dame Cathedral. Though we couldn’t go inside due to the ongoing reconstruction after the devastating fire, walking near the iconic structure was still a powerful experience. The sound of street musicians playing a xylophone added a whimsical touch to the moment, filling the air with music that seemed to reflect Paris’s resilience and charm.

We capped off the day at a cozy local restaurant, savoring escargot (surprisingly delicious!) paired with a latte.

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Dinner on Seine River Cruise

On our last day, we explored the city on foot, soaking in the charm of Paris. We made a romantic stop at the Sacre- Cœur Basilica and left a lock on the gates, symbolizing our love and this special moment in our lives.

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For our final evening, we boarded a Seine River dinner cruise. Watching the city lights twinkle as we floated along the water was nothing short of magical. The grand finale? Seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at midnight!

Final Thoughts

Paris gave us everything we could have hoped for and with a dreamy setting, incredible food, and unforgettable experiences. From our engagement photos at sunrise to the twinkling Eiffel Tower at night, it was the perfect way to celebrate this new chapter in our lives.