July 6th 2023

Everything that can be said about Paris is already said. And said better that I can ever dream of doing. For me Paris is an endless stream of discoveries, yet familiar, a life lived on the streets, with the noise from the traffic and the cafées blending into a big city symphony.

Arrived a bit tired on the 5th, so a lazy evening stroll up to Sacré Cœur at Montmarte was enough for the evening. The view from up there is really what you need to grasp the magnitude of Paris.

A simple dinner at a cozy restaurant with honest food and great character, before setting out on more ambitious sight-seeing on the 6th.

The Eiffel tower is imposing as ever, truly a landmark, although it was seen as a scar on the face of Paris when it was put up (temporarily) in 1889 for the centennial celebration of the revolution.

Also, no visit is complete without a visit by the Arc du triomphe.

A warm day in Paris, so there is a need to revert to the parks. And what better park to go to than Jardin de Luxembourg.

This is partly a ceremonial structured garden, but also provides a place with ample shadows, where the Parisians move the chairs around to get out of the heat.

Last time i tried to visit Paris a food poisoning stopped me from exploring Montparnasse, but this time I got the chance, and also got the chance to eat at the institution Le Dôme.

Outrageously expensive. Outrageously good. I had the Sole Meunière.

For the evening the first visit was at an iconic bar; Harry´s New York Bar. This bar is the birthplace of many world famous drinks, perhaps the most famous one being Bloody Mary.

Then some evening stroll in the Opéra area before having a Vietnamese dinner.

The culinary connection between France and former colony Vietnam is strong, something I also want to explore much more in February next year when I have planned a trip through Indochina.

A nice first full day in Paris.