What a beautiful and perfect layover. I was originally rostered Johannesburg, but as I was given two I wanted to swap one and when someone sent me a swap for Paris I couldn’t click accept fast enough! I have been to Paris a few times twice when I was younger to Disney Land Paris and I drove through Paris once on a school trip to the South of France, but I’d never actually seen the city of Paris so I was really looking forward to it.

It was the afternoon flight out of Dubai, landing into Paris around 8pm. We headed on over to the hotel to check in and a few of the crew had arranged to meet downstairs for some dinner and drinks after quickly changing. I ordered some pasta and a glass of wine and we we’re chatting away before I headed to bed around 1am as I wanted to get up early and go into the city.

I woke up at 7am the next day feeling tired however I was determined to explore as much of Paris before we flew back to Dubai. I took the bus to the train station and then took the train into the centre of Paris. The first stop I thought I would be able to do some sight seeing at was the St Michael Notre Dame stop. I assumed that here I would be able to see Notre Dame however I was wrong and ended up getting lost so headed on the metro in the direction of the Eiffel Tower.

 

 

I jumped back on the metro (this time after asking for direction rather than trying to be a strong independent woman who doesn’t need any help) and walked towards the Eiffel Tower. First impressions were that it was a lot smaller than I expected, however it was the most gorgeous day with the bluest skies I have ever seen and it looked so striking against the back drop of Paris.

 

After a short while of deciding whether or not to go up the Eiffel Tower or go and explore more of Paris, I chose to explore and walked across the bridge over the Seine in search of the nearest Metro Station.

 

 

I got back on the Metro and headed in the direction of the Louvre as I wanted to see the famous Mona Lisa painting. I exited at Musée D’Orsay and walked back along and over the river to the museum. The sun was really shining now and I had to take my jumper off I was so warm.

 

I walked through the huge arches and into a sort of square where the Louvre is, and it was incredibly busy, which I assume is due to the school holidays. I headed over to the museum to go inside however the queues were so big and I was beginning to be pushed for time before I had to be back at the hotel for my wake up call that I didn’t have a chance to go inside and see the famous Mona Lisa. I did however take mandatory tourist pictures outside the Louvre.

I then wandered over to the Pont Des Arts Bridge, what used to be the famous ‘Love Lock’ bridge to see what it is now like and imagine it with all its locks.The picture below shows the last remnants of the love locks which is quite sad, however nice that it is still incorporated into the bridge.

 

I then wandered back past the Louvre and into the park and gardens surrounding the museum soaking up the sun and taking in the views when I realised I’d only eaten a Pain Au Chocolat (the best one I have ever eaten may I add) on the train in, so I was actually pretty hungry. I stopped at a cafe in the park which had outdoor seating and ordered a baguette and stopped for a short while to people watch and read my book.

 

I was now getting short of time and needed to head back towards the hotel to have a sleep before getting ready for work, so I jumped back on the metro and the train and made my way back. After a quick nap and some room service, I got back into my uniform and ready to head home to Dubai. I had such a perfect layover exploring Paris, and there is so much more that I want to see and do here, I will definitely be returning at some point. Au Revoir Paris, you were amazing.

 

 

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