Paris · Celebrate 28th Birthday
Morning Paris!
We rolled out of bed in Paris at 7 AM on the dot. Jetlag played a part, but our excitement to explore the city was the real alarm clock. Guess what? We've also got a great photoshoot lined up at 8:30 AM sharp!
Before we hit the streets, we snapped some pics of our amazing hotel room balcony. It's one of those Insta-worthy balconies I always come across on Instagram. I couldn't contain my joy because I finally got to experience it myself!
While researching Paris hotels, I stumbled upon plenty of options with a view of the Eiffel Tower. But to be honest, the whole Eiffel Tower thing didn't really excite me (maybe because it's too touristy?). I wanted a more low-key view, and this one here is just perfect.
We are ready to start the day!
We rendezvoused with our photographer at the designated spot for our epic photoshoot. Since it was still early, the streets weren't swarming with people just yet. If you're dreaming of that picture-perfect shot with Parisian streets and the iconic Eiffel Tower in the frame, pay a visit to the charming "Le Recrutement Cafe" restaurant. Trust me, it's the ideal cross-walk corner to capture those amazing shots! Han and I had an absolute blast there.
30 minutes is more than enough to take photos here. Later on, we walked cross the bridge to take some more photos. It’s definitely the best way to capture my birthday!
Believe it or not, right in the middle of our photoshoot, our photographer's camera decided to call it quits, haha! Luckily, I had my trusty Leica with me! It saved the day, and the photos came out absolutely amazing.
Breakfast at Cafe de Flore
Cafe de Flore is one of the well known classical Parisian cafe with over 100 years of history. Words has it that Sartre used to frequent this place for a cup of coffee ☕️. In fact, people would even send their letters to Sartre directly to this café, including his special military enlistment notice.
Since the morning air was a bit chilly, we decided to sit inside the glass room. Even from there, you could still feel the essence of the Parisian streets. It was incredibly cozy.
We opted for their set menu. Soft-boiled eggs, European-style, were a first for us. You crack the egg open and scoop out the goodness. It was a delightful experience 😌.
The coffee was absolutely delicious, and I adored how they wrote their café's name on the cappuccino.
This café is located near the Shakespeare Library, so after enjoying our meal, we took a leisurely stroll around or crossed the bridge to explore the Marais district directly.
Paris in the Rain
The gorgeous weather we enjoyed didn't stick around for too long. Just as we finished breakfast, the rain decided to crash the party and it really poured down! With not much planned between breakfast and lunch, we hailed an Uber to the Louvre. Little did we know, we should have reserved tickets well in advance because the line was as long as those infamous 2-hour waits at Disneyland rides! Talk about a bummer. But hey, we made the most of it by finding a cozy café nearby and kicking back while we waited for the rain to ease up a bit.
This cafe near the Louvre had free wifi!
Lunch at Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie
Han had made a reservation at this famous foie gras restaurant that I've always wanted to visit. Let me tell you, the foie gras was absolutely divine. It was incredibly rich and tender, yet not heavy at all. And paired with a glass of wine, it was pure perfection!
They also sell a lot of raw meat and foie gras in gift packs. I am in deep regret for not getting some here (as there’s not many options at the airport unfortunately).
Dinner at The Moulin Rouge
Here is to the long-anticipated event of my birthday, dining and watching the show at Moulin Rouge. Let me tell you, it's definitely one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had!
Quick note: Formal attire is required. Han wore shorts so he had to rush back to our hotel and get changed.
We started entering the venue at around 6 PM and waited in line a little bit as the servers checked everyone in and took us to our tables.
As soon as I stepped into the venue, I couldn't help but feel like I had walked right into a scene from a Moulin Rouge movie. It was like being transported back to the 1890s. Seeing so many people dressed up in formal attire was a rare sight for me (especially coming from Vancouver, where even the fanciest fine dining establishments allow people in t-shirts and jeans). I absolutely adore the ambiance of formal settings.
This experience requires advance ticket reservations! First, we enjoyed a lovely dinner inside the theater before the show started. The dinner was a set menu, and they even gave each of us half a bottle of champagne 🍾️.
Make it stand out
Love the champagne!
There were quite a few people celebrating their birthdays that night, so my husband emailed them in advance to switch our dessert to a cake and asked if there was anything special they could do to make me feel extra special.
My Special Birthday Cake
The result? I ended up being the only one at our table celebrating a birthday, and several waiters were clapping and watching as I blew out the candles 👏🏻😂 (It felt like celebrating a birthday at a hotpot restaurant).
During the meal, there was a singer performing on stage, giving it that authentic feeling of dining in a music hall from the '70s or '80s.
The entire show lasted a little over an hour, and let me tell you, there were all kinds of dazzling performances that left my eyes wide open, haha! The female performers were absolutely incredible at their dance moves! It perfectly showcased the combination of elegance and sensuality 💃🏻.
This kind of experience can only be found in Paris, and I highly recommend including it in your itinerary!
It was the absolute best way to wrap up the night, making it an absolutely perfect birthday! This day will forever hold a special space in my heart ❤️
