Versailles
It was Friday and tourist season had apparently begun. After the hectic schedule the day before, we wanted to take it easy this day. But we also knew how incredibly stupid it would be not to book tickets for hot tourist attractions in advance. We left for Versailles from the Gare d'Auxterlix train station at about 9.30am. The train cabin filled up by the time we reached Versailles. I'm not a fan of public transport, so I always bring lots of water and some food on day trips to make the travelling more bearable. For this trip, I had with me the M&S easter chocolate eggs. Spring in Paris and London tend to be cold in the morning then hot in the afternoon, then cold again at night. Useful to have a scarf to protect the neck.
Entrance to Versailles, which was flanked by golden gates. (Top) However, everybody was ushered into the premises via another entrance.The chapel which had a very high ceiling that stretched 2 floors. (Bottom 2)
The entrance into the famous hall of mirrors. (Below)
We took a picture of ourselves through the mirror.
Boudoir of a very opulent and feminine queen.
Exquisite paintings and initials of the occupants adorned all the ceilings of the rooms.
There was a bistro within the castle that sold sandwiches and other snacks that became our lunch. We shared a ham sandwich and a chocolate waffle. Not the most satisfying lunch we had in Paris.
After seeing the main castle, we took a tram to explore the rest of the estate. Tram ride was less than 10 EUR per person, I think. I anticipated that it would be a hot in the afternoon and had the smarts to wear the t-shirt I bought from Pimky, a mid range French boutique, the day before.
Was tempted to buy the silk scarf that cost 35 EUR but couldn't come up with any reason to buy it. I still have a few scarves at home that are collecting dust.
The mood and decor in this smaller castle seemed less elaborate and more simplistic.
A premieval toilet.
A lake in the estate.
We left Versailles at about 4pm, planning to look for the ice-cream parlour Phillipe told us about that was in Rue Mouffetard. Before we hit the entrance of Rue Mouffetard, we wanted to check out the award-winning Carl Marletti pattiserie nearby. Everything looked so darn good. I asked the suited man behind the counter with a phrase I had practised to perfection: 'parlez-vous anglais?' When he said 'oui', I asked for the best 2 pastries there. They were the lemon tart and the chocolate biscuit thingy. I wanted to save some space in my tummy for the Confit Canard that night, so I just ate the chocolate pastry. Oh, it was gooey, crispy awesomeness.
We took a picture of ourselves through the mirror.
Boudoir of a very opulent and feminine queen. 
Exquisite paintings and initials of the occupants adorned all the ceilings of the rooms.
A view of the vast area that is Versailles. It is impossible to walk the entire town by foot.
There was a bistro within the castle that sold sandwiches and other snacks that became our lunch. We shared a ham sandwich and a chocolate waffle. Not the most satisfying lunch we had in Paris.
After seeing the main castle, we took a tram to explore the rest of the estate. Tram ride was less than 10 EUR per person, I think. I anticipated that it would be a hot in the afternoon and had the smarts to wear the t-shirt I bought from Pimky, a mid range French boutique, the day before.
Was tempted to buy the silk scarf that cost 35 EUR but couldn't come up with any reason to buy it. I still have a few scarves at home that are collecting dust.
A primieval pram.
The mood and decor in this smaller castle seemed less elaborate and more simplistic.
A premieval toilet.
A lake in the estate.
We left Versailles at about 4pm, planning to look for the ice-cream parlour Phillipe told us about that was in Rue Mouffetard. Before we hit the entrance of Rue Mouffetard, we wanted to check out the award-winning Carl Marletti pattiserie nearby. Everything looked so darn good. I asked the suited man behind the counter with a phrase I had practised to perfection: 'parlez-vous anglais?' When he said 'oui', I asked for the best 2 pastries there. They were the lemon tart and the chocolate biscuit thingy. I wanted to save some space in my tummy for the Confit Canard that night, so I just ate the chocolate pastry. Oh, it was gooey, crispy awesomeness. Along Rue Mouffetard, saw this old man playing what looked like an ancient musical instrument while singing some old French folk songs. A boy came along a while later to dance to the tune. Very charming and sweet.
My favourite street in Paris...
My hubby found an ice-cream parlour. Not the one recommended by Phillipe but just as good. He found his beloved pistachio ice-cream and left me shopping in one of the boutiques, where I bought 2 tops for 10 EUR each. Score!
The people at this ice-cream parlour took great efforts to shape the ice-cream to be like a rose before presenting it. I discovered that Amorino, the ice-cream parlour recommended by Phillipe also had the same concept. Not sure who copied whom but the customers are the winners, I say.
The square at Rue Mouffetard. (Top)
Our dinner reservation was at 7pm at a street about 10 minute walk from our B & B. (That's why I'm going back there again - it has everything). We hit the shower and headed out for our much anticipated Confit Canard.
We saw this graffiti on the wall when walking to the restaurant. (Bottom) We thought it was the most beautiful graffiti we ever saw.
We were the first customer there, cos like, Parisians don't eat this early. It was great to have the restaurant to ourselves though and take pictures without being self-conscious.
This apple cider drink was very good. Unlike other liquor that tasted bitter, this one was sweet and tangy with bits of crunchy apples.
The bread plate came with a meat pate which is salty and nice when eaten with the bread.
My hubby ordered the Confit Canard for the main. It's his favourite. And it was truly the best we have eaten so far - crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside and bursting with flavour. Rather like a nice marriage of crispy pork and roasted duck.
I had the cod fish with vegetables instead cos I figure too much duck would make us quack-out. It was good on its own until you tasted the duck. Then, you would want to throw it away and just kidnap the duck.
One of the best dinner we had in Paris... no crowd and great food. Or maybe because it was our last night in Paris...
The restaurant.
This would the last night for us to try out the Amorino ice-cream, so with just enough tummy space, we walked to my Rue Mouffetard once again. The atmosphere at night was different from the day time - it was more crowded and vibrant, but not rowdy.
The rose-shaped artisan ice-cream from Amorino.
The people at this ice-cream parlour took great efforts to shape the ice-cream to be like a rose before presenting it. I discovered that Amorino, the ice-cream parlour recommended by Phillipe also had the same concept. Not sure who copied whom but the customers are the winners, I say.
The square at Rue Mouffetard. (Top)
Our dinner reservation was at 7pm at a street about 10 minute walk from our B & B. (That's why I'm going back there again - it has everything). We hit the shower and headed out for our much anticipated Confit Canard.
We saw this graffiti on the wall when walking to the restaurant. (Bottom) We thought it was the most beautiful graffiti we ever saw.
We were the first customer there, cos like, Parisians don't eat this early. It was great to have the restaurant to ourselves though and take pictures without being self-conscious.
This apple cider drink was very good. Unlike other liquor that tasted bitter, this one was sweet and tangy with bits of crunchy apples.
The bread plate came with a meat pate which is salty and nice when eaten with the bread.Both of us ordered the foie gras as a starter each. It was amazing - fragrant and soft on the inside. It was paired with a kind of soft bread, berries and gravy.
My hubby ordered the Confit Canard for the main. It's his favourite. And it was truly the best we have eaten so far - crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside and bursting with flavour. Rather like a nice marriage of crispy pork and roasted duck.
I had the cod fish with vegetables instead cos I figure too much duck would make us quack-out. It was good on its own until you tasted the duck. Then, you would want to throw it away and just kidnap the duck.
One of the best dinner we had in Paris... no crowd and great food. Or maybe because it was our last night in Paris...
The restaurant.
This would the last night for us to try out the Amorino ice-cream, so with just enough tummy space, we walked to my Rue Mouffetard once again. The atmosphere at night was different from the day time - it was more crowded and vibrant, but not rowdy.
The rose-shaped artisan ice-cream from Amorino.
There was a charity-like massage session going on at the square with any donation amount. I was very tempted to try but the clean-freak part of my brain stopped me.
It was a great last night in Paris and we headed back to the familiar small elevator that would take us up to the 3rd floor...
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