Greetings, Tribe!
Don’t worry, we definitely did more in France than follow around the Tour de France.
Paris
When we came up to the street from the Metro underground, I immediately felt at home. A sense of peace washed over me.
Our hotel was about as French as they come.
They even left us this sweet note! (I think our different last names threw them off)
This was my second time in France, but Adam’s (my husband) first. That means we had to do all of the touristy stops.
The Eiffel Tower:
We actually made it to the very top. That is a feat I never thought I could accomplish due to my fear of heights. Adam’s patience and encouragement definitely got me there. (And lots of cleansing breaths)
The Louvre:
(Isn’t he adorbs?!)
L’Arc de Triomphe:
No, we didn’t go to the top of this monument.
The Notre Dame
The last time I was in Paris I was luckily enough to go inside the Notre Dame. This time, unfortunately, we were kept away by barricades. She still so beautiful….
Epernay
We spent an entire day in Champagne country. Following a relaxing train ride through the countryside, we arrived in Epernay. We filled the afternoon with tours to three Champagne houses. We did a couple of small, family owned houses…
and ended big with Moët & Chandon. Did you know that they have over 18 miles of cellars FILLED with champagne???
There was also this sign in Epernay that made me giggle. Note the “Autre Directions,” which means “Other Directions.”
Food
When in other countries I love trying new foods. Every morning we started the day with delicious croissants, cheeses, salmon, omelettes, yogurt, granola, fruit and the most delicious coffee. In the evenings we ventured out a bit more.
Buckwheat crêpes we’re on the menu for the first night. So delish!
The night after the Tour de France finish we were still hungry, but it was too late to really get dinner. This was clearly a sign that we try French McDonald’s. First, this was a huge achievement as Adam went alone and ordered without his French translator (me). Second, they not only have great nuggets, but they had cheese nuggets! And be sure to catch the sauce options. Yes, there’s a curry sauce! 
While I have mixed feelings about the whole situation, I had to try veal. Let’s just say, I was so overwhelmed by the party on my palette that the waiters and chef were greatly amused.
Adam also had his first duck. It was at this fabulous restaurant where there is a line that is always a block long (they wind it up so that it doesn’t create a problem). After standing in line for a bit, the maître d’ took us through the restaurant and into the alley behind (there was a line there too). He would pick and choose people out of line to go in and you had better not accidentally mix up the order of parties!!! When we finally made it inside, we were seated at an intimate table of four. With two strangers. A bit awkward at first, but we were game. The service was fast, polite and humorous, the prices super inexpensive, and the food came fast. It was amazing!
Finally, the last food item on my list to try were macarons. It took us until we were in the airport to come home, but we finally tried them. Mmmmm…..
Running
A big part of any trip, for me anyway, are the runs. Not only do I love sightseeing that way, but I have to keep my run streak alive. Most runs I did by myself, but Adam joined me on a few.
Our first full day in Paris, we ran along the Seine and the little parks alongside.
It was also a dream come true to run through the Jardin des Tuileries. Since the last time I was in Paris, I dreamt of running through these gardens with the rest of Paris’ runners. I finally checked it off my bucket list.
Happy trails!
In Search of My Running Tribe 