C’est La Vie!
No doubt everyone has heard the famous saying “C’est la vie!” — translated to “That’s life!” — once in their life. The saying is most often said in response to hardship, bringing about themes of resilience, change, determination, and perseverance. As I spent half of a year exploring Europe, I was truly struck with how fortunate and blessed of a life I have been living. Life — something precious and deeply taken for granted — was showing me its very best parts. As my best friend Samantha and I weaved our way through the cobblestone streets of the South of France on a 3-wheeled motorcycle, I truly felt the meaning of the phrase deep in my soul. Yes, this is life, and I’m fortunate to have experienced such bliss, knowing that not everyone is as lucky. Life, much like the cobblestone streets—sometimes smooth, sometimes rough—is unpredictable and full of surprises. That’s why we must embrace every moment with gratitude, savoring both the easy paths and the challenging ones. As I sit here with gratitude and love in my heart, I am happy to share these experiences in France with you all. Profitez!
Highlights from France
I could talk day and night about my travels in France. In this blog, I will be giving you my France highlights. Starting off our Tour de France is Nice, a small city along the French Riviera. My best friend Samantha and I, both knew this was a must-do destination in Europe. The night before we flew to Nice from Barcelona, we squeezed on the bottom bunk in our small airbnb to watch Monte Carlo (If you know, you know!!!). We spent a total of 3 days in these region, traveling to the small towns around Nice throughout our stay. What struck me the most upon arriving was the color of the water. The vibrant, clean blue of the Mediterranean sea could be seen for miles……
Cruising around Nice
By far one of the BEST experiences of my life to this day, the 45 euro scenic drive through the French Riviera changed my life.
Here’s the link to book: Scenic Drive around Nice
The adventure featured a 2-hour drive through Nice and a village called Villefranche-sur-Mer. We followed behind a tour guide, who guided us through the streets with ease. It might seem daunting, but it was actually super easy to drive! The picture to the right is the view from Mont Alban, overlooking Villefranche-sur-Mer. The scenery was breathtaking, the beauty of the landscape was overwhelming. The car allowed to connect our phones to play music, making the experience even more amazing. It is a memory I will cherish forever!
The day after this drive, we returned to Villefranche-sur-Mer to sunbathe all day on Samantha’s birthday! It was a dream. After that, we hopped on a 2 euro train and headed to Monaco! The grandeur of the city was insane, with wealth being flaunted everywhere. You are able to stop along any of the quaint towns along the French Riviera, even being able to venture into Italy on that train! So inexpensive and easy to get around— just make sure you don’t miss the last train out!
The City of Love
I’m sure anyone can guess where we went after Nice. Perhaps one of the most famous, recognized cities in the world, Paris is the epitome of the European dream. The vibe of the city radiates timeless elegance, with charm and romantic allure. We spent the first evening in Paris on a boat tour on the Seine river.
Here’s the link to the cruise: Paris Cruise
The cruise included music and a complimentary drink during sunset! It was magical. We passed the Notre Dame, the Louvre Museum, the Grand Palais, and many more iconic sites. After that, we enjoyed a Parisian dinner at a bistro, where I ate the classic steak frites! It was a great night with a great friend. <3
A Country of Art
The pictures above show our journey to the Palace of Versailles. The palace was commissioned by King Louis XIV in the 17th century. It is, in my opinion, a must-see if you are within the area. There are dozens of rooms with amazing artwork, as well as a cafe to eat delicious pastries inside! The famous gardens of Versailles are also a sight to behold. They are carefully tended and sculpted to perfection, and you can stroll around all day in quiet peace!
In addition to the Palace of Versailles, we also went to the famous Louvre Museum. The museum is humongous, with dozens of rooms displaying some of the world’s most famous artworks. To the left is a picture of Samantha and I with the famous Mona Lisa. The craze for viewing the painting is insane, with workers ushering people across it in a hurry. There is so so so much other artwork in that same room that is equally as stunning! If you go, make sure to explore thoroughly, it’s worth it. My favorite part had to be Napoleon’s bedrooms— the grandeur of it all was insane!
Vegan for the Weekend
Our journey in France was coming to an end! After all of the natural and man-made beauty seen, we were full of inspiration and awe at the talent of God and man! Concluding our trip with one of my favorite memories in France is the vegan burger stand we ate at EVERY night. I should probably mention that my friend is vegan. It was tedious to coordinate food at times, but we hit the jackpot finding that burger stand a minute walk from our airbnb. The man who owned the burger stand was deaf, so we communicated through sign language with him! At the end of our trip, we had become friends. the picture to the right is our farewell selfie! Best vegan burger in the world (trust me I’ve had my fair share).
That’s my journey through France! I will forever cherish the time I got to spend with my friend Samantha, in one of the most famous countries in the world! These memories are dear to my heart and thinking about them remind me to be so so grateful for everything I’ve experienced! Thanks for reading!
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Au revoir,
Cristy <3
1 Comment
Martha · October 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Magical!
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