On the heels of my epic experiences in Ireland, I took a side trip to Paris, because, Paris.
I’ve been to Paris once before, on a tour with my French teacher, a few of my high-school classmates, and my Mom. Don’t get me wrong, that was a great trip, but I was pretty excited about the possibility of conquering this city on my own. After five weeks in close quarters, I was able to spend two and half days stretching my legs in what is arguably the most beautiful city in the world, dusting off a language I haven’t used in 15 years, and spending some quality time with… well… me.
There’s not much else to say about it. Most of my time was spent strolling the streets of Montmartre, or along the River Seine. Montmartre in particular was a favorite place to be. Even surrounded by a hoard of other tourists, one feels that this place is just especially for him.
For the price of 4 metro tickets and about €40 worth of food, Paris gave me just what I needed: solitude, exercise, a lemon crèpe, and three glasses of rosé.
The morning before I left, I wandered by metro to the Marche Raspail (a farmers’ market on the other side of town) and bought a brioche. I made my way back to the top of the hill where La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre sits in all its grandeur. It was early enough that the tourists were still asleep, and the street artists were still dragging their kits up the stairs. I sat on a park bench, in the rain, and ate the delicious sweet bun under my umbrella, staring out at the city.
I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect ending to my European adventure.
À bientôt, j’espère.
Lauren Warnecke 
The view of Pais from that hill is one of the favourite views in the world! Thanks for sharing.
It was incredible! Thanks for reading and commenting.