Window to Paris: From the Grands Boulevards to the Eiffel Tower

Paris: It was love at third sight

One of my favorite childhood movies is the Russian film Window to Paris. The film is about several protagonists who find out that they can get straight to Paris through a window in a St. Petersburg apartment by simply climbing through it. How much I wished for a window like that back then. So this time it was clear for me to find my own window on Paris. And I can tell you one thing: I found what I was looking for. Even three times.

In friendly cooperation with Grands Boulevards Hotel.

A weekend by train to Paris

My liaison with Paris was definitely not love at first sight, and no, not even at second sight. Many years ago, my trips to the city of love were anything but romantic. Disturbing would describe it more. Well, it was winter then and looking back the plan to celebrate New Year's Eve in Paris (at the Eiffel Tower!) turned out to be a crazy idea. In any case, I was so traumatized after my second trip to Paris that it took almost a decade before I wanted to revisit the city. It was already clear to me years ago that if I should ever go to Paris again, it would be in spring or summer. Because this time it should be different.

From Karlsruhe to Paris in just 2 hours and 30 minutes

I wanted to understand Paris, to share the enthusiasm and joy of millions of other people who can't stop raving about Paris. No rushing from sight to sight, no hurry, just observe the clichés and understand why I suddenly find them so wonderful too. I wanted to explore Paris on foot as much as possible, to lose myself in the city and its almost endless stories and even more: to become part of its history for a few moments, a small mosaic of thousands that are new every day. The ICE or TGV journey, which takes you from Karlsruhe to the world-famous city within 2h30, feels almost like a window to Paris.

Equipped with a good novel and a delicious tea, the time flew by. Arriving at the Gare de l'Est, we continued our journey by bus. After a short ride, we arrived at the Grands Boulevards. Our first stop was the beautiful Boutique Hotel des Grands Boulevards , located right between the famous Art Deco cinema Le Grand Rex and numerous trendy restaurants. Nearby is also one of the oldest cafés in Paris, the Café de La Paix.

Romantic & modern: The Hotel des Grands Boulevards

In my opinion, the perfect Parisian accommodation is absolutely essential for a successful trip to Paris. After all, one thing is as much a part of Paris as the air we breathe: the ability to savor the moment. And you can do just that at the Grands Boulevards Hotel. The Grands Boulevards Hotel is exactly what I imagine a perfect stay in Paris to be. As the second hotel in Paris opened by the Experimental Group (other hotels are located in London and Venice, among other places), it's centrally located yet discreetly tucked away. A small, romantic oasis in the heart of Paris that will instantly make any interior design enthusiast's heart beat faster. It was designed by none other than the renowned design agency Dorothée Melichzon , which has also designed numerous hotels and clubs in Paris, London, and New York.

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The perfect location to explore Paris on foot

The history behind the hotel is also interesting: It was built shortly after the French Revolution and was originally a cinema. Today, as a guest, it is not far to the Rex cinema and you can look forward to a small, picturesque garden and a wonderful rooftop terrace. Arrived in the room, we first treated ourselves to a coffee and enjoyed the view from the romantic window. My second window to Paris. As in the entire hotel, romance meets modernity in the rooms. We were allowed to use the spacious room no. 215 and were amazed at how much space we had, which is by no means a matter of course in hotels in a metropolis like Paris. After that we went out again. In half an hour's walk we reached Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur Basilica. The Galeries Lafayettes are just a 20-minute walk from the hotel and the main metro lines are practically in front of the hotel.

Korean food at Baoli Bao

For those who don't fancy taking the metro, there are countless e-scooters available for rent all over the city. Electric scooters are currently booming in Paris and are giving bicycles a run for their money as a means of transportation. In the evening, we strolled through the 9th and 10th arrondissements and were amazed by the sheer variety of restaurants and cafés. One cool restaurant follows another. From unusual burgers and classic French cuisine to Korean specialties, you're sure to find something to suit your taste. We tried Baoli Bao and were very surprised by their unique menu. This area is popular with young people and students, with only a few tourists.

In the footsteps of Coco Chanel and Salvador Dalí  

I've long dreamed of waking up to a view of the Eiffel Tower, and I never imagined how quickly such a dream could become reality. My wish was fulfilled at the Hotel Duquesne . We were incredibly lucky to get room number 56 with a balcony. The room itself is quite small, but wow, because you can enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower both from the balcony and directly from the bed, and what can I say? The feeling is simply indescribable.

A hotel with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower

I would have loved to spend the whole day in bed, enjoying the indescribably beautiful view of Paris from my third window. But Paris is just too exciting for that. Instead, I went to what is probably the most beautiful train station restaurant in the world: Le Train Bleu at the Gare de Lyon , which was built for the 1900 World's Fair in Paris by order of the railway company Compagnie Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée.

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The Le Train bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon

Originally called Buffet de la Gare de Lyon , the restaurant was renamed Le Train Bleu in 1963 as a tribute to the former French luxury train, the Train Bleu, operated by the CIWL. Over the decades, famous regulars at the restaurant have included Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardot, Jean Gabin, Colette, Jean Cocteau, and Salvador Dalí . The restaurant remains very popular today (advance reservations are essential).

Dining here is truly an unforgettable experience. It's the incomparable feeling of dining amidst a historical work of art. In this case, however, the artwork steals the show from the food. We found the singing performance by the charming concierge particularly beautiful and unique. Pure goosebumps! After our meal, we asked him where he had learned to sing so beautifully, and it turned out he was a student at the Paris Conservatoire. After our lunch, we continued on to the Musée d'Orsay.

That's Paris - isn't it?

Did you know that admission to the museums in Paris is free every first Sunday of the month? Very long queues included, of course. But that didn't bother us much because we weren't in a hurry. We wanted to enjoy Paris, completely relaxed and without the hustle and bustle. Then stand in front of the pictures and simply forget the time. That's how I like Paris. Sitting down in a bistro between excursions and looking at the hustle and bustle of the street, at the people who are in a hurry or not, at the countless stories behind each person that you probably can't even guess. This is Paris for me.

The next day we went to the Eiffel Tower in the same relaxed mood. Surprisingly we discovered so many parks and gardens around the Eiffel Tower that were practically completely "tourist free". I never would have thought that such a quiet walk would be possible almost directly at the Eiffel Tower. Of course, the closer you got to the Eiffel Tower, the more hectic it got. We decided not to go to the Eiffel Tower, but instead to have a little picnic in the park and photograph the many beautiful cherry blossoms in front of the Eiffel Tower.

That's the beauty of Paris: you decide at what pace you want to explore the city. Because almost everything is offered for every taste. But even that is just one facet of Paris. Because Paris is not just about the sights, the chic restaurants, all the fine addresses, fashion weeks and tourists. So are the many older people who, although they don't look like homeless people, still rummage through the garbage for food with tired eyes and sallow skin. These are also the lost, who are trying to pick themselves up piece by piece in this city. It is also the many employees who have to make do with the smallest living space, if they can find any at all.

Paris is a lavish celebration where you never know what may happen next. A party to which everyone is invited, but not everyone is treated equally. Nevertheless, people come and usually want to stay. Now I know what used to bother me about Paris, it wasn't the city itself, but how one-sidedly it is described by visitors. They tell only one page from a never-ending novel that is far from finished. For me Paris is a work of art, not always beautiful to look at, forever unfinished and yet an incomparable masterpiece.