AD| France: A Romantic Weekend In Paris With Jet2Holidays

Note: Our trip to Paris was sponsored by Jet2Holidays, opinions, thoughts and words of course our own.

After a few years of craziness at ESLT HQ – adopting a couple of children, Mr ESLT’s cancer journey and every travel lover’s number 1 nemesis – COVID, Mr ESLT and I needed a break. Just the two of us. For us, there was only one place for a weekend just for us – Paris. The last time we visited was 10 years ago for my 30th birthday (jeez where has that decade gone?), therefore it felt symbolic to return in the year of my 40th too.

Paris is a city that many love and one that many could take or leave. I consider it to be perfect. It has that je ne sais quoi that makes the ultimate city break, especially one with a significant other. So, if you are looking for the ideal destination to disconnect from your day-to-day life and reconnect with your partner, read on to find out why a romantic weekend for two in Paris ticks all of the boxes.

Oh, and it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg either as Jet2Holidays offers a range of cheap holidays to Paris. Obviously what you spend when you are there, depending on your tastes is completely up to you. But the actual getting and staying there could be less than you think especially if you are looking at booking a getaway for a special reason/occasion.

Flights

When looking for flights and holidays we always look at what airlines fly from our closest major (granted it’s not major compared to the likes of Manchester and Heathrow but to us Yorkshire folk it is) airport – Leeds Bradford. It does influence the destinations we choose if we know we can fly from there. And quelle surprise Jet2 offer flights direct to Paris from Leeds Bradford.

This was not our first rodeo when it came to flying with Jet2 we have flown with them several times over the past couple of years. They have been an airline of choice for a couple of reasons. The first is the reasonable flight times. For example, our outbound flight was 11.30 am which allowed us to drop the kids off at school before heading on our adventure instead of having to get up at the crack of dawn and survive the journey on adrenaline and caffeine. Another is the generous baggage allowance. 22kg hold luggage and 10kg hand luggage are INCLUDED in the fare, which if you are used to trying to fit all your stuff in a tiny backpack instead of stumping up the extra cash for a bigger bag is an absolute godsend.

The only thing we paid extra for was seat reservations, as I am not the world’s most confident flyer. We do this regardless of airline. However, it seemed even more important to do it on this trip as it meant we could maximise our time together even though the flight was just over an hour long. So if you too are looking for city breaks to Paris check our Jet2holidays, they are likely to have a package for you.

Hotel

Jet2 offer a range of accommodation in Paris, varying in Star rating, budget and of course location. We opted to stay at the beautiful Meliá Paris Vendôme in the 1st Arridisonmont. This 4 Star hotel was ideal for our break. Located in the part of the city we wanted to explore, close to some wonderful restaurants and luxury shops, on paper it ticked all of our boxes and in reality exceeded our expectations. Located on Rue Cambon just 3 minute’s walk from the Concorde Metro station (we paid approximately €22 for both of us for the train from Charle Du Galle, we Ubered back which cost approximately €45) meant that we did not have far to lug our bags.

This hotel is the perfect hotel for a romantic weekend in Paris. After a couple of years of staying in big, bland all-inclusive resorts complete with kids’ discos, this hotel was a very welcome break to our new norm. After a swift check-in where we were brought a glass of fizz, we were shown to our room. We stayed in a standard double and by our experience of Parisian standards was extremely roomy. It had a lovely large window. Therefore, we could let the light, sight and sounds of the city in spring directly into our room.

For us, the best thing about this hotel was the breakfast buffet offered each morning. It is served until 10.30 am on weekdays and 11.00 am at weekends. With fresh fruit salads, a choice of different French pastries and bread, delicious cold cuts and cheeses, yoghurts, jams and butter and a range of hot options including sausages, bacon and made-to-order egg dishes it was the perfect way to set ourselves up for the day. A lay-in and a leisurely breakfast added to the romance of our weekend in Paris. It also ensured we had a relaxing break away without having to feed the kids first or herd them back to the table once they had finished. Instead, we sat, talked and planned our day – it was bliss.

Things To Do (4-Day Itinerary)

Day 1

Jardin des Tuileries

We started our Parisian adventure exploring the Jardin Des Tuileries. As mentioned before, we had visited Paris before, but never ventured to this beautiful part of the city. Wandering around arm in arm, we quickly forgot that we were actually in the middle of a bustling city. The public garden is located between the Louvre (East) and the Place de la Concorde (West) with views of the Arc De Triomphe in the distance. Here we found many sculptures to admire ranging from classical busts to modern abstract pieces.

We stopped for a glass of wine at one of the cafes in the gardens and even pulled up a chair a the Bassin Octagonal and watched the world go by for a while. We used to think we had to be on the go at all times when on a city break. Therefore this change of pace initially felt alien to us. However, we soon realised this was ideal. It was a great introduction to a more peaceful side of the city we had never seen before.

Jardin Des Tuileries is open year-round. From the last Sunday in September to the last Sunday in March: 7.30 am to 7.30 pm. From the last Sunday in March to the last Saturday in September: 7 am to 9 pm. It is free to visit. I wish we had been more prepared for our visit and taken a romantic picnic with us and enjoyed the warm Spring sunshine. Jadin Des Tuileries may not be on your radar if it is your first visit to Pairs. But if you have some free time and want a bit of peace during your visit, this is the place to head.

Montmartre

Following our relaxing experience in Jardin Des Tuileries, we decided to hop on the Metro and explore one of the neighbourhoods we felt we neglected the last time we were in the city – Montmarte. During our last visit we had simply whizzed through Montemarte on an open-top bus and because we were short on time, never hopped off. Therefore, during this visit, we decided to make it a priority. We pre-booked a self-guided walking tour. Then spent the afternoon seeing and learning about the neighbourhood’s popular (and often unique) attractions.

Montmartre is an extremely charming area of Paris and is perfect for wandering around with your partner. It feels very bohemian with wonderful architecture, bookshops, museums and galleries. It has a village feel making exploring on foot extremely enjoyable. We downloaded the Montmarte: More Than Meets The Eye audio tour and enjoyed learning about the neighbourhood whilst walking arm-in-arm through it, stopping en route at some of the wonderful sights and attractions along the way.

Starting at the Abbesses Metro Station and ending at the must-see Sacre Coeur. We visited the Mur des je t’aime (the Wall of Love), saw Picasso’s first apartment in Paris, admired Saint Jean Evangelist Church and learned about the Wallace Fountain. It was a lovely afternoon and insightful, again something we recommend if visiting with your partner. This slow-paced activity is perfect if you want to go at your speed and not be dragged along on a group walking tour. One of the major sights you get to see on the tour is the iconic Moulin Rouge. If your budget permits a visit is a must. We visited 10 years ago and were blown away by the birthplace of the can-can.

Day 2

Sightseeing Along The Seine

After the success and enjoyment of the walking tour through Montmartre, during our second day in Paris with Jet2Holidays we decided to book a couple more. The first was the Rewind walking tour – Mysteries and Legends of Paris. This walking tour started at the Louvre. This was ideal for us as our hotel was only 10 minute walk away, and it finished at Notre Dame. Mr ESLT and I love a good old ghost story and this walking tour did not disappoint. It allowed us to see all the major sights together with a lot of ‘off the beaten path’ ones too. All while hearing some ghoulish tales along the way.

Again, we took this tour at our own pace, stopping the audio when we wanted and not being rushed along to keep up with a group. We spent a long time initially in Louvre Courtyard listing to stories about the Ghost of the Tuileries, Belephégor and the Pyramid of the Louvre and the kidnapping of the Mona Lisa. All of these were fascinating stories and ones we would have missed out on if we had simply walked through the Courtyard on our own.

We headed along the Seine visiting several sights along the way. These included Pont-Neuf, the statue of Henry IV and the picturesque Place Dauphine. This is billed as being the most beautiful squares in Paris and a delight for the eyes. We saw the first clock in Paris, learnt about Hôtel de Ville and even heard a familiar story about a barber turning people into pies(!) before arriving at Notre Dame. Restoration of Notre Dame is currently taking place following the devasting fire in 2019.

The Latin Quarter

Following a quick coffee and people-watching break we joined our second self-guided walking tour of the day. This was VoiceMaps Latin Quarter tour: The Panthéon, Rue Mouffetard and the best of the Left Bank. Again, this is an area we had passed through on an open-top bus during our previous visit. However, had not spent any time exploring. The starting point of this tour is the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore. There are often long queues of people just to step inside. Many of the most revered figures (Ernest Hemmingway, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound etc) in modern literature have slept among the shelves and piles of books. Therefore, it is a must-visit for any literature lover.

This tour like the others, we took at our own pace. This allowed us to take in the architecture and atmosphere of the Left Bank and the Latin Quarter. Passing by the Panthéon, the National Museum of Natural History and the Cluny Museum we listened to the history of these buildings and their importance. We also learnt a lot about this area of Paris’ inhabitants including Marie Curies, Louis Braille (the inventor of Braille) and Josephine Bake.

Rue Mouffetard was by far our favourite street on this tour. It is Paris’ oldest market street where you can find everything you need. From everyday shops and stalls selling essentials to seafood shops and of course cheese shops, the smells of the street are something you need to experience for yourself. We also found this part of town to be cheaper than others and this is because of its student population. Therefore, if you are travelling on a budget or watching what you spend, head to the Latin Quarter for cheap street eats and reasonably priced drinks.

Day 3

The Louvre

Day 3 was the day I was looking forward to the most and the only thing we booked well in advance of our trip. Having visited Paris previously, we knew that if you did not pre-book, you were not getting in. I was not going to miss out this time. We even chose a hotel within walking distance to ensure that nothing was going to stop us. Armed with my mobile phone we headed to the Louvre Pyramid 20 minutes before our pre-booked time slot. The queues initially are daunting and dread did fill me when contemplating standing in the queue for hours, but it soon went down and we entered exactly at our designated time.

After passing through security it was time to explore. Located in this fantastic museum are countless masterpieces and even though I wanted to see them all, of course, there was one that was at the top of my list and the main reason why most people visit the Louvre – da Vinci’s Mono Lisa. Therefore, we headed straight for her. Again the queue in the room she is hung in was long but this moved very quickly. Once people admired her and had taken their photo with her they filed out of the room as quickly as they entered it. We waited for approximately 10 minutes. The wait was certainly worth it and something I can now tick off my bucket list.

We dedicated a full day to the Louvre and I’m glad that we did and if you are an art lover, you really should too. There is so much to see here I think if we had something else planned on the same day we would have felt rushed. Therefore, missing out on seeing a lot of the pieces. If like us you visit during a weekend, be prepared for the museum to be busy. It is one of the top attractions in Paris after all.

Angelina

We passed Angelina several times and every time regardless of what point in the day it was, there was a queue of around 50 people. Now, it appears we must have been living under a rock as we had never heard of Angelina but after a quick Google, we were informed that they sell some of, if not, the best hot chocolate in Paris and is one of the city’s most famous teahouses. Therefore Mr ESLT and I decided we must try it for ourselves. Following our day of exploration at the Louvre we were ready for a sugar kick. We joined the queue and waited just over 60 minutes before it was our turn to experience the wonderfulness.

As it was late in the day, approximately 60 minutes before closing the kitchen had closed which meant no hot food, just drinks and pastries. This was fine for us. We opted for hot chocolate, which is served with thick whipped cream. Was this the best hot chocolate I’d ever tasted? Do you know what, it possibly was. I think the wonderful tea room setting and attentive service helped a lot. plus I got double a double helping of cream because Mr ESLT doesn’t like it which made my hot chocolate all the more sweeter.

We also opted for a pastry each. Mr ESLT chose a delicious chocolate hazelnut tart while I chose an Angelina classic, a Mont-Blanc. Both were phenomenal and as someone with a sweet tooth, I do not say that lightly. I did wonder if Angelina was all style and no substance but nope – this place is the real deal. There is no wonder there are a number of Angelina tearooms across Paris and the world. Was the queue worth it, yes. Was the €8.20 price tag for the hot chocolate worth it, yes. Would we return, absolutely.

Day 4

Effiel Tower

Our last day in Paris was particularly short but we wanted to make the most of it. We ensured that we took full advantage of not having our children being a 6 am alarm call followed by an extremely leisurely breakfast. We picked up a few souvenirs from one of the touristy shops along Rue de Rivoli and decided to simply wander as far as we could before having to come back to get an Uber to the airport for our return flight. When it comes to Paris, what is the main attraction people think of? It is usually the Effiel Tower. Therefore we headed in its direction to see how close we could get in the time we had available.

Many consider the Effiel Tower is somewhere that most people who visit Paris want to visit. It was certainly at the top of my list when we visited in 2013. Again, as with all the big attractions, it is essential to book your tickets in advance to ensure entrance. The views of the city’s skyline from the top are magnificent. We even had a cheeky glass of champagne from the Champagne Bar on the upper platform of the top of the Eiffel Tower whilst admiring them.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get all the way to its base as we were too busy strolling and chatting. However, we got close enough to see it in all its fabulous detail. I’m sure this won’t be our last visit to Paris and we’ll get the opportunity to visit it again. Who knows we may even bring the kids next time.

Paris With Jet2Holidays

Our romantic weekend in Paris was just what we needed. Did we miss the kids, of course, we did but did with the help of their grandparents, it meant we had some Vicky and Chris time, which had very much been lacking. The flights and accommodation were fantastic which are the main bones of any city break and the fact we chose to visit one of our favourite cities was simply the icing on the cake. Now we’ve got the taste of child-free travel again and know it is possible, where next? Possibly another destination in France with Jet2CityBreaks or even further afield. In the meantime, we’ll go back to our family travel (and of course enjoy every second) but we will always have fantastic memories of our romantic city break to Paris with Jet2Holidays.

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