Paris on a Birthday Budget!

At the Hilton Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport

This is not a long list of who's and what not's but it is a brief list of where I went on my 40th birthday in July of 2013.  I cannot tell you how amazing Paris was or is, you'll just have to see for yourself.  Just go!  You won't regret it.  But leave the kids at home.  Fly coach.  For my birthday and I am charming, I did receive champagne.  It was lovely and a hot towel.  The French know how to have a celebration.  I loved it.  Did I already say that?

My Favorites,

The Hilton Charles De Gaulle Airport
In July yes it will cost more but if you have the Hilton Honors Plan, just know this those points matter in Europe.  When we arrived a half day early before check in, we slept in the managers lounge and they upgraded us to a Penthouse Suite!  (my husband always asks for an upgrade if they have one!)

Did I mention this hotel is situated at the entrance of the train station which can take you to most tourists attractions in Paris.  It is and with my husband, my brother and sister in law, we put our minds together and figured out the train and how to get around.  The conceriege at the hotel was most helpful and because this wasn't a super busy hotel, we had his full attention!

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/france/hilton-paris-charles-de-gaulle-airport-CDGHITW/index.html?WT.mc_id=zELWAPN0EU1WW2PSH3Search4DGGeneric&WT.srch=1&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=paidsearch

Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf
This tour I booked in advance for the 2nd day of our trip.  We had no idea how to get around for the most part so getting up early was essential.  Booking in advance saved me some $$'s and I was happy to book all four of us.  We decided we would share in our costs so opting for paying for this tour was a delight!  The tour was breathtaking.  I loved every minute of it and sharing it with my brother Jay and sister in law Debbie was a bonus.  It was romantic for all of us I'm sure and a memorable trip for my 40th.  By the way I did the day cruise because I didn't want to miss one landmark but I hear the night cruise is also a better way to see the sights along the Seine River.  Happiness.  The weather also cooperated thank goodness.

http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

Here is my play by play on favorite yummies (on a budget of course!)

Firmine, 38 Avenue de Suffren 75015
We ordered the steak and frites and it was all we needed and we split a bottle of white wine (it can be done!)  We loved the ice bags they use to keep the wine cold!  Fun atmosphere!
 

 

Café Blanc
10 rue Croix des Petits Champs-75001
The owner of this place had all the charisma of a super hero!  He was so happy to have us in his restaurant.  Gladly, we all hurried up and ordered after a long day of hiking through the city.  My husband ordered the Texas burger and all other comments about the quality and taste of food ordered were perfection.  Great value, great service.  Visit this eclectic joint!  Well worth it!

The chicken salad with apples and walnuts.  Yum!

La Creperie Saint Honore
24 rue du Pont Neuf
Here we all split a bread and cheeses plate right off the du Pont Neuf cruise.  It was a perfect compliment to a mid afternoon amid sight seeing!  Wine served room temperature, not my favorite though, otherwise a perfect spot for people watching!

Le Grand Colbert
2 rue Vivienne, 75002
Although not inexpensive, this restaurant was bliss.  I heard about it from the film "Something's Gotta Give" starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson.  She made the roasted chicken sound like "melt in your mouth" perfection so of course that was my menu choice.  It had all the characteristics of what a French restaurant should like and sound like.  Waiters speaking in French and dressed in top form, crisp table linens, dim lighting.  Perfection.  Our table guests started out quiet but after wine and delicious food, we were hard pressed to leave!  The roasted chicken would be fare for two but since it was my 40th birthday, I savored it all for myself!  I apologize to my sister in law Debbie for not going hog wild for the sauteed frog legs.  Our next trip to Paris Debbie..............

Crème Brulee at Le Grand Colbert

 

Lastly, Hotel Plaza Athenee
25 Avenue Montaigne 75008
Here we only decided to try desserts as an afternoon delight and it was!  Although I did not partake in dessert, the standard olives and almonds would suffice.  The hotel is famous for it's views of the Eiffel Tower.  It's floral decadence is evident everywhere!!!  For someone who lusts after flowers, I was definitely in my happy place here!

 

Husband's Dessert-pretty right?

 

There is so much more to report on Paris and if I could I would take all day and this entire blog to do so.  As parents and spouses, you need to get away every once in a while.  It certainly doesn't have to be Paris, it can be somewhere close, a day trip to Virginia wine country for example.  It's hard to get away I know sometimes it is.  We Skyped our daughters which I'm not sure made it easier or just harder to be away from them.  Either way it went by in a Paris time frame (slower than US casual dining) and before we knew it, we were back in the arms of our girls and it was fantastic!

Happiness
 

By the way if your going to Paris anytime soon and you crave weight loss and a thinner figure, please wait.  The culinary delights are too enticing even for someone like me who suffers from tummy troubles!!   Au revoir!