On our second day in Paris, we headed back to the Eiffel Tower around noon. After grabbing coffee and having breakfast at our Airbnb around 10 a.m., lunch wasn’t yet on our minds.
Finding the right place to buy tickets was a bit confusing.
The first line we joined was for elevator-only tickets, and the attendant
directed us to the south side for stairs + elevator tickets, the cheapest
option. Just as we were purchasing them, I had a moment of panic about lunch, but
the ticket agent reassured us that there was food available on the first level.
We climbed the stairs and reached the first floor in about
six minutes. The first restaurant we found required reservations, but
thankfully there was a café serving sandwiches and French pastries - macarons,
beignets, éclairs, and more. We had toasted tomato and mozzarella sandwiches,
which were delicious, along with a beignet and some water (we’d forgotten to
bring our own).
The climb to the second level was easier after eating. It
was cold and windy up there, so we didn’t linger long before getting in line
for the elevator to the top.
The top floor was enclosed, warm, and quite lovely. Despite
the crowds, we took our time enjoying the views and snapping photos. There was
even a small Champagne booth, which added a festive touch, though we didn’t
indulge. One more flight of stairs led to an open-air level that was extremely
cold, so we didn’t stay long.
Back on the warmer level, my friend realized her phone
battery was low and found a spot to charge it. While she waited, I sat on a
bench to read, but it wasn’t very comfortable. I asked if she’d mind me heading
down to the café to read while she finished charging. Around 4 p.m., I got a
latte and another beignet. I didn’t find any charging stations downstairs, so
she stayed up until 5 p.m., then joined me for coffee while I sketched. It was
a peaceful way to spend the afternoon, drawing at the Eiffel Tower. She did find two places to charge in the café,
in case anyone is reading this and wants to work on in the 1st level
café. One guy we sat next to joked about
doing that as my friend told him she ordered cat food from the Eiffel after her
family reported they were out.
Afterward, we walked down to the Seine and took a boat ride.
When we returned, the Eiffel Tower was lit up and absolutely stunning. By then
it was close to 8 p.m., and we were ready for dinner. We found a lovely
restaurant called Flore, where we both had amazing lasagna. Then we took an
Uber back to our Airbnb, it was too dark to navigate on foot, and it had
started to rain.
Day two was filled with iconic views, unexpected moments,
and a slow, satisfying rhythm that let us soak in the magic of Paris. From
climbing the Eiffel Tower and sketching in its shadow to cruising the Seine and
ending the night with comforting lasagna, it was a day that balanced adventure
with quiet joy. We went to bed tired but content, already looking forward to
what the next day would bring.
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