This is post 1 of 4 of my Parisian weekend. The next three will follow in the next few days.

Last week, I spent a long weekend in Paris. My wanderlust for the city came true. Thanks to my very understanding husband and baby, I jetted off on Thursday night (without them) and came back on Tuesday afternoon. I used what I had left in airline miles and hotel points to use the least of amount of money for travel. It helped that United Airlines was having a special mileage redemption for the low winter season.

I landed on Friday morning and tried to do as many things as possible to keep me from sleeping the whole day. Instead of taking a cab or train, I used the Air France Shuttle to get me to central Paris (or the Arc de Triomphe).  It was 17 euros each way. I also have to add that my coworker decided to join me for a few days on this trip.

The first stop, was checking into the hotel, Renaissance Paris Le Parc Trocadero. It was such a cute hotel with an even cuter courtyard (unfortunatelym I did not take pictures of the courtyard). The hotel is situated in Arrondissement 8, near the Victor Hugo area and about a 10 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower.

Victor Hugo. Even in mid January, they still have the Christmas decorations up.

The exterior of the hotel

After I checked into the hotel the hotel staff recommended a little restaurant that was very classic Parisian, Le Petit Retro. It helped that the restaurant was very near to the hotel. The restaurant was very cute and the interior was mostly yellow, which I found to be very charming.  I ordered the Croque Monsier, which is a class French sandwich.

Let Petit Retro Menu

Croque Monsier at Let Petit Retro

After our big and long lunch, we headed to the Louvre since my coworker had never been, even in the three times he’s been to Paris. We spent most of the time wondering around the museum and did not actually go see the art work. I have been before and did not want to spend my “valuable” and short time in the museum.

Louvre entrance. In my opinion, this is the best way to enter the Louvre as it makes the pyramids so mysterious.

That’s me, trying to look like a serious tourist.

After the Louvre, we decided we were “hungry” again. I have heard great things about Angelina and the famous hot chocolate. I figured we were close enough and we decided to walk there. When we got to Angelina, we only had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. I think we got lucky because later that night, I saw the wait was out the door. I thoroughly enjoyed Angelina! The hot chocolate was more like syrup and was so rich and decadent that I couldn’t finish it. But I’m still dreaming about it now. I wish there was something in Chicago. To eat, I ordered the Saint Honore pastry and a few macarons just for kicks.

Menu, my iPhone and sugar

Saint-honore – Puff pastry, caramelized choux pastry, Bourbon vanilla pastry cream, chantilly whipped cream.

The Saint-honore with the best hot chocolate ever!

Lemon tart

After we ate and had our coffee/tea, we walked around the bakery area to see all the other patries. It was so cute and had so many cute things. I wish I had taken to the time to buy some of the cups, dishes, and other items to bring home.

Mont-blanc – Meringue, chantilly whipped cream, chestnut cream vermicelli.

I couldn’t resist taking pictures of the macarons.

I was tuckered out after Angelina and decided to go back to the hotel and get a full night’s rest because I planned to do some shopping the next day. Day 2 of the trip will be posted in a few days. Until then, I hope you enjoyed Day 1’s post.