Our night wrapped up quite late after a rather questionable performance at the Moulin Rouge. We had hoped to catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower aglow before calling it a night, but unfortunately, time was not in our favor.
With this being my sister's first trip to Paris, there was no way we could leave without witnessing the tower in all its sunlit glory. So, we decided on an ambitious plan: get up early and venture to my new favorite sunrise spot, ready to embrace the magic of the City of Light at dawn!
The Place du Trocadero is far from an unknown viewing spot. In fact, it's the first one that comes up in a Google search. So, for this reason, I was ready to embrace some crowds, even in the early hours of the morning. However, that was far from the case. After two quick metro rides, we arrived around 8am. And yet, we were one of only a handful of people in sight. (Pro-tip, a weekday morning is likely quieter than a weekend). I think we were actually the only tourists there for the first half hour or so. Who would have thought that this quiet spot existed in one of the most tourist-dense cities in the world?
We watched the sunrise, captivated by the breathtaking view. I’ve seen the Eiffel Tower before, even from a closer angle on a Seine River cruise, but this particular perspective felt truly special. The way it dominated the square was mesmerizing. As the sun rose, the scene transformed, offering fresh photo opportunities every few minutes.
After about an hour, more people began to trickle in, and soon full tour groups started arriving—our cue to move on. But I was eager to seek out more stunning views of the Eiffel Tower. We made our way down to the riverbank, where the atmosphere was nearly silent, broken only by the occasional jogger passing by. We leisurely strolled through Trocadéro and stumbled upon a fantastic outdoor market, featuring everything from French cheese to cashmere sweaters. I was tempted to buy some delicious fresh figs, but then I thought, how would I get them on our plane, which was leaving in just a few hours?
The weather was so pleasant that the 25-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe felt effortless. While it may not be the most famous monument in Paris, the neighborhood surrounding it is absolutely charming, and I’m so glad we made the trek! With time slipping away, we jumped back on the metro toward our hotel in Montmartre. But before wrapping up our day and heading back to pack, we couldn’t resist making a few stops at local bakeries to savor the treats!
My sister is gluten intolerant, but lucky for us, Paris is a haven for gluten-free dining. She had her sights set on a specific bakery, La Manufacture du Sans Gluten, which she’d already scouted out before our trip. As for me, I was on the hunt for an authentic Parisian pâtisserie. I wasn't sure how authentic it would be, but it turned out to be the most beautifully designed bakery I’d ever laid eyes on! And to my delight, once we stepped inside, I discovered it was entirely gluten-free! I went for a thin apple tart, but honestly, I could have happily ordered one of everything!
We spent our last half hour in Paris savoring our pastries in my favorite square in Montmartre. It was a lovely morning, even if I still didn’t make it to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. Just another reason to plan a return trip to Paris someday soon!
Comentarios