Last Sunday, we headed outside of Paris for a visit to the Palace of Versailles with my aunt and uncle. My impression of the historical palace was wrapped up in associations with the royal monarchy, Marie Antoinette, and the French Revolution, but also as the place where the German Empire was founded and the first World War officially brought to an end.
The palace was grant and opulent, a sight worth seeing. But the gardens really stole my heart. It was a perfect summer day and we were all in the mood for a lazy stroll. We spent about six hours in Versailles, but it would have taken at least an entire day to see all the outlying buildings. I am glad we had the chance to go and see this grand monument of history.
A few scenes from our short trip to Paris, a city that so many people love. Our time in the city was sweet. We ate well, shared bottles of wine, and wandered the rainy streets. I even made friends with a dog who literally kissed my feet.
We're off tomorrow for a long weekend in Paris. It has been over a month since I last crossed the border and I'm eager for a change of sights and sounds. Unfortunately, its high season for my spring allergies, but I hope to survive the Parisian pollens. The occasion for the trip is to meet up with my aunt and uncle, traveling through a few European cities. Amsterdam didn't make their list, but we were happy to meet them in France!
The second day took us to the neighborhood of a friend from Berlin who had recently moved to Paris. Time to sit and enjoy the sun. The third day was filled with sights of the city as we biked around. I'll leave the photos of Notre Dame and the Louvre behind, in favor of these quieter images of small scenes from the day. Above, a characteristic sign above the metro, with the rising sun shining on the house behind.
I probably should have known it wasn't going to be a conventional weekend when, as we drove away from Amsterdam and towards Paris, Marcus turned to me and said, "I could use a beer and a sausage." We certainly weren't on our way to Germany though.
The carousel in Montmartre, at the foot of the steps leading to Sacre Coeur. 
Behind the crowd of people, Sacre Coeur.
The cute nook tucked in a back alley, which was the only parking spot available on Friday night.
Art on the wall of Terminus Nord, which served the most decadent meal I have ever eaten.
Terminus Nord, a seafood restaurant opposite Gare du Nord.
The Arc du Triomphe on a Saturday night.
Half inspired by my upcoming trip to Paris and half by a lovely blog post about foreign films by 
Next weekend, we're off to Paris. My first time! Most people find this fact unbelievable, but when I chose a holiday destination in the past, it was more likely to be Berlin, Zurich, Krakow, Budapest, Prague... really anywhere other than Paris. Most people either love Paris or hate it and my experience with many non-French Europeans is that they don't see the appeal.
Feeling an itch to get away for a weekend. The only remaining question: where to go? Floating through my head are ideas of France, Italy, Spain, and Ireland. Paris is only a train ride away, the other locations probably require a short flight. Just a chance to walk over some unfamiliar cobblestones and breathe in the air of another city.
