Valentines Day in Paris

Evenings edged in gold. Crepes. A bird market. That‘s how I would summarize our magical weekend in the city of love.

Galentine’s day in Paris- the city of light and love. What more can I say?

The weekend was divine in every way you’d imagine- from the museums, moments of laughter shared over champagne, and every cherished hot chocolate along the way. C’est magnifique!

This was the best celebration of love, with friends old and new, that I’ve ever had.

Dining in restaurants reminiscent of the elegant Belle Epoque, with gilded mirrors, blush pink wallpapers, and greek busts- the weekend was a celebration of being young in Paris, our own personal ‘golden age.'

The city of light showed us her true glory. We began with brunch at Cafe de Flore, one of the oldest coffeehouses in Paris.

I figured if it was good enough for Picasso it would suffice to kick off our Parisian getaway.

The quiche of the day, simultaneously fluffy and flakey, was the single best meal I’ve had abroad so far.

A beautifully decorated cappuccino didn’t hurt to cheers our adventure ahead. A votre santé!

A stoic gray sky sat over the city, but our hearts soared as we wandered through the backstreets, stopping in every shop with anything shiny and floral out front.

No longer kids, Paris was our grown-up candy shop.

I discovered my new favorite scent at a perfumery called Granado- a sumptuous blend of vanilla, bergamot, violet, and freesia. I picked up a vial to be used sparingly for life’s finest occasions- like our Valentine’s dinner that night!

I think it's vitally important to have a signature scent. A smell can evoke such strong memories and render a near perfect reflection of an individual.

We breezed through the Jardin de Tuileries and watched the pigeons- and of course the people. Some happily coupled up lounging languid together, others clearly out of love, and many with just impeccable street style.

We gazed up at Cleopatra’s needle, and meandered our way to the Alexander the III Bridge for one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower in front of a hazy sunset.

For dinner, our Galentines crew sauntered into Le Grand Colbert amidst the intimate couples. A truly glowing brasserie, filled with the delightful smells of French cuisine made for a bonne ambiance.

The restaurant even made it into the film Somethings Gotta Give with Diane Keaton.

We ended the evening at the most romantic show in town, the Tour Eiffel sparkling on the hour. Our enchanted single hearts wondered how funny life is that we should all end up there in that moment in that dazzling city. Destiny!

One decadent chocolate crepe on the way home and we were off to bed, savoring the taste of a new memory.

Day 2 began royally as we entered King Louis’ paradise, and ultimate hell, the Chateau Versailles.

The sky opened up just in time for our walk down the hall of mirrors, where everything was illuminated in such gilded glory that even the Sun King would be proud.

A goat cheese crepe was enjoyed at a restaurant on the The Grand Canal of Versailles as swans drifted by.

Heading back into the city we reached Musee Rodin. At the top of my list for some time, it exceeded expectations- I was in awe at such an enormous body of work with over 6,000 sculptures in the hotel turned museum.

I caught my breath as I gazed upon ‘The Thinker’ for the first time.

Given the intimate nature of his sculptures, the museum drew couples in droves- an abundance of PDA within the museum (in its sculptures and spectators) made this the most romantic place I’ve ever been.

All museums were free with our student visas, a wonderful way that France encourages students to explore.

The evening was capped at the famed Ladurée, for a mushroom gnocchi that will live in my dreams for many nights to come.

Suddenly it was Sunday morning, and the only way to cope with the sadness of our last day in Paris was to indulge in a chestnut crepe at Angelina’s. Drizzled in hot chocolate sauce and dolloped with creme fraiche, it did the trick.

Next we were off to Musée l’Orangerie to gaze upon Monet’s colorful water lilies. As an impressionism mega fan, l'Orangerie is one of my favorite museums in the world.

Daylight floods in from skylights above. You're surrounded by over 100 meters of Lilies in an oval room mimicking the shape of infinity- meant to insinuate a continuum. Images of willows, sunsets and flowers encapsulate you. The result is truly magical.

Next, a walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral made for the perfect Sunday stroll along the Seine past book vendors and many a petite chien.

A pang of hunger hit and the only remedy was a crepe sucrée from a nearby stand. I know- another one. I wish I was making this up.

For those at home counting, the crepe tally reached 4- and the weekend still wasn’t over.

We stopped in the Shakespeare and Company bookstore. I swear you can still feel the pensive somber of writers past: Hemingway, Joyce, Pound and the likes all wrote there at one time or another.

Every bibliophile's dream!

Our final stop before a bittersweet goodbye was to the Flower Market- abound with soft hues, perfume scents, and if you listened close enough the whispering promise of spring.

Then onto the Sunday Bird Market, Marché aux Oiseaux, on the banks of the Seine behind the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Yes, you heard right I’m talking pet birds, in every color and pedigree. Lovebirds for 30 euro and every seed combination to satisfy them. Who would’ve thought.

Who buys these birds you ask? I have no clue. Why sell birds on Sunday? Again, no answer. But I was so enamored by the peculiarity of the whole thing that it didn’t seem to matter.

I was delighted at the quirkiness of this fabulous city- as I am time and time again.

Alas, it was time we boarded the train back to Aix, this time knowing we’d reminisce on our Valentines Day in Paris for years to come.

For now, a bientôt!

"Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do harm to the world."

-Voltaire

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