On the Tuesday after Tomorrowland, we enjoyed coffee and breakfast outside our hotel at Natural Caffé before checking out:
Taking the 1:21pm Eurostar train from Brussels to Paris, we arrived at around 3:30pm, getting us to our beautiful and centrally located Airbnb just in time for check in at 4pm. As everyone settled in, Samantha helped me carry my stuff (cause you know, surgery) to check into a backup overflow studio Airbnb I had booked just in case.
We then headed out for grocery shopping for a quintessential Parisian picnic overlooking the Eiffel Tower at Belevédere de Belleville Park:
Before getting kicked out as the parks began to close up, Jay’s friend Sofia — hailing from Mexico City and Queens and currently living in Paris with an upcoming permanent residency status (congratulations!) — insisted on keeping the night going after our picnic. So instead of staying in and drinking at our Airbnb, we ended up a walk away at Le Compass for outdoor dining and drinks until 2am.
The next morning after a thoughtfully prepared breakfast provided by Maria and Ken at the Airbnb, I took Maria, Ken, Juliet, Edgar, Mel, Yuhan, Samantha, Rashidah on a walking tour beginning at the Louvre to the banks of the Seine, and then on the metro to Champs-Élysées. We then walked up to the Arc de Triomphe and down south again to the Trocadero Plaza for views of the Eiffel Tower up close.
However, considering the preparations for the Olympics going on at the same time, we could only really appreciate Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe to be the most immune from federal security blocking all the sights. Without a residency QR code to move around as freely or a ticket to see any of the events, we ended up licking our wounds with crepes in the area (and congratulating Samantha on her newfound freedom!), and running into Raubern and Natalie again after having just saw them at Tomorrowland.
Later in the evening for a 7:30pm reservation we re-congregated at La Renommée at Jenny’s recommendation for one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in Paris. As La Renommée belongs to the same restaurant group that sponsors 4 Charles Prime Rib back in NYC, we had high expectations…
…which with photos like these, met them before we even put anything in our mouths.
Thoroughly enjoying our meals, we overstayed our reservation time where we were then moved downstairs to their beautiful basement lounge cellar to finish off our experience with desserts and drinks.
After a whirlwind, consequential 2 weeks together, we then began our goodbyes after Le Rennomée. As some headed back to begin their packing, the few of us left joined with Sujay, his cousin Nisha, and their friend for later night outdoor drinks at Café du Central a few minutes’ walk away.
The next morning I woke up at 9:30am just in time for check out, where I packed my stuff, headed over to the main Airbnb around the corner, and helped everyone else who were still around for their check out. Hailing an Uber for Juliet and Edgar to the airport, I then joined Paul, Mel, Jenny, Yuhan, and Samantha for a croissant challenge.
La Maison d’Isabelle (team Jenny) vs. Boulangerie Terroir d’Avenir (team Paul):
The blind taste test winner on a vote by acclamation? Team Paul. Sorry Jenny!
After the croissant challenge and a ridiculously rich duck brunch at L’Épicerie Tour d’Argent, Paul and I headed out on a Eurostar train onwards to London, while the rest stayed behind for the Olympic games:
- At time of posting in Paris, it was 14 °C - Humidity: 86% | Wind Speed: n/a | Cloud Cover: clear