France

Salut from Annemasse, France!

A Surprise Stay in Annemasse

Our visit to Annemasse, France, was completely unplanned. Initially, we had booked an Airbnb in Geneva, but the night before our arrival, the host unexpectedly informed us that he would also be staying in the apartment. Since the listing had promised the entire space to ourselves, we quickly decided to find alternative accommodations.

With Geneva fully booked on such short notice, we expanded our search along the border and discovered a charming hotel in Annemasse. Although it wasn’t our first choice, it turned out to be a delightful stay. During our four-hour train ride, I did what I do best—researched the best food spots in town!

First Impressions of Annemasse

Though technically in France, Annemasse is part of the Geneva metropolitan area, making it a popular residential hub for people who work in Switzerland.

Upon arriving at the train station, we walked to our hotel, only to find the town surprisingly quiet—almost eerily so. Only a few other passengers had disembarked with us, and the streets were practically empty. Curious, I asked the friendly hotel receptionist about the unusual calm. She explained that many locals take afternoon breaks indoors, especially on warm days, and since a large portion of the population commutes to Geneva for work, the town comes to life in the evening.

Sure enough, after unpacking and resting, we ventured out to a completely transformed atmosphere—bustling restaurants, lively streets, and an inviting energy. What a relief!

A Culinary Delight: Dining in Annemasse

For dinner, we visited the highly-rated Les Sales Gosses, and the experience was nothing short of spectacular.

We started with a few glasses of local wine before indulging in a delicious burger—our first since leaving the U.S. The flavors were exquisite, and we fully embraced the European dining style: slow, relaxed, and immersive. Instead of rushing through the meal, we savored each bite, soaking in the cozy yet vibrant ambiance. After days of non-stop travel, this was exactly what we needed.

Why Annemasse Deserves a Visit

Although our stay was brief, Annemasse left a lasting impression. Its close proximity to Geneva, incredible food, and unique blend of peaceful charm and urban vibrance make it a destination worth exploring.

The next morning, we called a cab and set off on our next adventure—crossing the border into Switzerland.

Driving from Annemasse to Geneva: What to Expect

(Stay tuned for more insights on this scenic journey!)

Next Stop: Geneva, Switzerland…

Salut From Marseille, France!

Welcome to Marseille, the oldest city in France and the second largest after Paris. Founded around 600 BC by Greek settlers, this historic port city has long been a major trade hub and remains an essential part of France’s maritime industry. Today, it is known for its diverse culture, stunning coastline, and delicious cuisine.

Watching the 2018 World Cup in Marseille

An Unforgettable Experience

World Cup at a local bar

Our timing couldn’t have been better—we arrived in France not only for Bastille Day but also for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final: France vs. Croatia.

After a four-hour train ride from Paris to Marseille, we used the onboard WiFi to watch as much of the match as possible. As soon as we arrived, we quickly made our way to our Airbnb before heading out to catch the rest of the game.

A small hiccup? Our host was unreachable—because he was watching the match, of course! After finally checking in, we rushed out to find a lively spot to watch history in the making.

Pizza, Beer, and Football Fever

We stumbled upon a restaurant-bar along the waterfront with indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of TVs. The owner quickly ushered us inside, and we found ourselves surrounded by passionate football fans, beers in hand, all eyes glued to the screen.

We ordered a pizza and a fresh salad (because balance, right?). The energy was electric—one moment, fans were shouting in frustration; the next, they were cheering, clinking glasses, and hugging strangers.

I’ve never been a die-hard football fan, but this experience changed my perspective. It felt like what an international visitor must experience watching the Super Bowl in the U.S.—absolutely thrilling! When France won, the celebration was unreal. Drinks flowed freely, and we instantly became best friends with everyone around us

The Celebration Continues

After the match, we tried to leave, but the staff insisted we stay for another round. More beers arrived at our table—some that we didn’t even order. It wasn’t pressure; it was hospitality at its finest.

As we walked back to our Airbnb, we found the entire city had turned into a massive street party. People danced in the streets, waved French flags, and even stood on car rooftops, celebrating deep into the night. Marseille was alive.

The Celebration Continues

After the match, we tried to leave, but the staff insisted we stay for another round. More beers arrived at our table—some that we didn’t even order. It wasn’t pressure; it was hospitality at its finest.

As we walked back to our Airbnb, we found that the entire city had turned into a massive street party. People danced in the streets, waved French flags, and even stood on car rooftops, celebrating deep into the night. Marseille was alive with joy, and the energy was contagious.

The next morning, the city was still buzzing with excitement. Locals were warm and welcoming—was this just the World Cup high, or was this the spirit of Marseille? I may never know.

Discovering Marseille: A City of History and Beauty

A City with a View

The Marseille Saint-Charles train station sits atop a hill, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city. One landmark immediately stood out: Notre-Dame de la Garde, also known as “Bonne Mère.” This iconic basilica overlooks Marseille, and though we had planned to visit, unexpected weather changes forced us to reschedule for our next trip.

A Port City with a Rich Culinary Scene

As France’s largest port, Marseille boasts an incredible 300 days of sunshine per year. Its coastal location makes it a seafood lover’s paradise, particularly famous for bouillabaisse, a rich and flavorful Provençal fish stew. Fun fact: This was one of the first dishes I learned to make in culinary school!

Plage du Prado Nord: A Beach Lover’s Paradise

We stayed in a cozy studio apartment with a balcony overlooking Plage du Prado Nord, a stunning beach with golden sands and calm waters. Off in the distance sat Île d’If, home to the legendary Château d’If—made famous by The Count of Monte Cristo. Seeing it in person was a dream come true for my travel companion, a huge fan of the novel.

Though we didn’t have time to visit the island on this trip, it’s now at the top of our list for next time.

Caught in a Mediterranean Storm

While enjoying the beach, we found ourselves in the middle of an epic thunderstorm. Instead of running indoors, we decided to get a quick workout before the storm hit (yes, really!). It was one of those unexpected travel moments that made the experience even more special.

Local Cafes

We ran for cover to the first place we saw, which just so happens to be our favorite cafe here. We stopped here at least 3 times during our short stay. I had one of my top 3 espresso drinks here. I had the best mocha of my life. It was definitely their hot chocolate that was so special. I never did try it without caffeine though. They had picture perfect pastries in their display, and that is exactly what drew us in on the first day here.

The Unique Charm of Marseille

Marseille is a melting pot of cultures with rich diversity. Unlike the polished feel of Paris, Marseille embraces its contrasts, where historic and modern, rich and poor, all coexist.

Before arriving, we had read about higher crime rates in certain areas. While we did notice some questionable activity (including a minor drug deal at the train station), we never felt unsafe. Everyone we met was friendly and welcoming, and the city left a lasting impression.

Marseille is raw, real, and unforgettable—and I can’t wait to return.

Up next.. Annemasse, France!

Bonjour from Paris, France!

Oh man. Where to start. PARIS. I’M IN PARIS, FRANCE. That is all my brain has screamed over and over for the entire trip. This has been my number one on my bucket list since I was a kid. I’ve had Eiffel Tower paraphernalia scattered all over my bedroom since I was 10. I took French class all through high school. This is literally a dream come true. But I am a realist erring on the side of caution. We were a little nervous given all we’ve heard about the French. They’re rude, hate Americans, the streets are dirty, there’s crime all over the city and better hold tight to your belongings because there is a pick pocket lurking around every corner.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

I was so worried about our passports being stolen. We bought those crossbody wallets to keep all of our stuff in. Which, for what it was supposed to do, worked, but was pretty awkward when you went to pay for something and you’re like “oh excuse me while I lift up my entire shirt to grab wet money from my sweat soaked body wallet.” If you are pretty bad about misplacing things or are known to drop things, then this product might actually be a good investment for you. If you visit a place during cooler weather it would work out a lot better layering it over a shirt and hiding it under a jacket. So just be smart. Keep an eye on your surroundings. Don’t walk around with your purse or backpack wide open, or wave your phone around all willy nilly. Common sense goes a long way.

How we got to Paris

We took a train from Barcelona to Paris, France. The ride was breathtaking. Lush green mountains with scattered fields of wildflowers, a random herd of cows (that were beautiful and lean with no spots!), then all of a sudden BAM a huge castle. I had planned to do all sorts of journaling and reading while on these trains, but instead I stared out the window and napped. This is the best way to get around Europe. Especially if you can afford to splurge on first class trains. All of the sightseeing plus wine and snacks?! Sign me up. 

Exploring the streets of Paris

Where to stay

We got off our train and took a cab to our AirBnb. Our host was wonderful explaining to us how to get there. There are a ton of translator apps. Almost everyone, everywhere, uses them, so communicating in a foreign country has gotten a lot easier. You should still try to learn a few key phrases in case of an emergency. It goes a long way with the locals when they hear you actually trying to speak their language.

I highly recommend staying in an AirBnB or other short term homestay. The hotels can get pretty pricey, and staying in someones oh so perfectly French apartment just makes the experience that much more, well perfectly French.

The place we stayed in was perfect. A cozy little apartment with these huge windows with planters hanging outside. We opened them up and got this light breeze and the most amazing smells. Flowers, savory food, something sweet, fresh herbs and dirt. It was wonderful. Exactly how I always imagined it. 

Morning Brew

Remember when you wake up in France and go to make your coffee…there is no drip coffee pot! BUT, there is espresso! I was never a huge espresso fan. It was bitter, such a small amount, and made me jittery. Maybe it was the jet lag mixed with the excitement of being there, but that first little cup of espresso was the most delicious morning cup o’ joe I’ve ever had. I didn’t even care that there wasn’t any creamer. That’s a pretty big deal coming from the creamer queen.

Wandering into Paris, France

The most delicious breakfast

We woke up early and ventured out to find breakfast. Our only plan was to walk towards the Eiffel Tower and to stop wherever our noses lead us. We walked past so many bakeries. Steaming croissants being put up in windows, the most perfect pastries I’ve ever seen, macarons displayed in every color and flavor you could imagine, rows of baguettes being taken out of the oven. I gained 10 pounds just by looking at them. We couldn’t wait any longer to eat, so we stopped at a cute little cafe. It had a decent amount of people dining, and a little outdoor seating area with a view. We ordered a quiche and mixed fruit pancakes with a couple coffees and some fresh orange juice. The tables were so small that it looked like we ordered every item on the menu. The pancakes were so delicious. They didn’t even need syrup. The quiche was perfect. The crust was so light yet so buttery. And the eggs were so light and airy. This day was the best start to any day that I’ve ever had. 

The Arc de Triomphe

As we walked, we turned a corner and there was the Arc de Triomphe. There it was in all its glory. The streets were filled with people taking pictures, and a busy traffic circle surrounds it. You can walk to the base of it or pay a fee to walk the stairs to the top. This trip we were under time constraints, so pictures from the sidewalk will have to do! Until next time you beautiful arc you. 

Standing in front of the arc

La Piece de Resistance

And there it is. The Eiffel Tower. The structure is magnificent. It’s so tall. Like could you imagine having to build this thing and be all the way at the top?! No thanks. 

There was a lot of construction around the base of it. Which got in the way of a lot of our photo ops. I think we were at the back side of it. Later that day we were walking along the Seine and came across a big grass area where everyone was sprawled out on blankets having picnics, playing music, napping, children running around playing, all with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. This is what I have been waiting for. Everything about this view was perfect. I highly recommend getting a baguette, some cheese, and maybe/most definitely a bottle of wine, and posting up here.

Notre Dame

I would walk 500 miles

 We saw all the things that day. The Notre Dame, the Pantheon, the Place de la Bastille, and town halls that have the most beautiful architecture. It felt like we walked a million miles. Highly recommend a comfy pair of shoes. Good support. All the old lady things. I was totally picturing myself looking chic and wearing cute wedges all around. HA. Cobblestone streets are still a thing there. I almost broke my ankle walking around in my sneakers. I would have looked like a one legged baby giraffe if I wore my cute shoes. How do people do it?! Teach me your ways!

To the Louvre!

The next day we woke up early and headed to the Louvre! We purchased the skip the line tickets and audio guide, which I highly recommend.

To learn more about this, click here

We got there before they opened. We wanted to walk around the Palais Royale gardens and sip our espresso before expanding our minds with art history. There was a kinda cute, kinda creepy circus thing happening next to it. Man, I love it here. When the Louvre opened, we walked up and right in with our tickets. There was hardly anyone there. I cannot stress this enough: GET OUT EARLY WHEN VISITING A NEW PLACE. Especially during high tourist times. We got about an hour of silence before the place was packed. It is quite a surreal experience seeing these things in real life, when I’ve only admired them in pictures for so much of my life. I got a little teary eyed when I saw the Nike of Samothrace and the Mona Lisa. These will be core memories for sure.

The Champs Elysees Paris, France

No trip to Paris is complete without a leisurely walk down the Champs-Élysées, one of the world’s most famous avenues. Amid the luxury boutiques and charming cafés, we stumbled upon one of the most elegant McDonald’s locations in the world. Featuring gourmet desserts like colorful macarons, cakes, and pastries, this was no ordinary fast-food experience. Fun fact: only two McDonald’s worldwide feature white arches—the other is in Bruges, Belgium!

After a delightful lunch, we indulged in some shopping. My husband eagerly queued for the Supreme store, and after an extensive wait, he left with a $175 tank top. Meanwhile, I was drawn to the iconic Louis Vuitton store, where I admired the exclusivity of sipping champagne while shopping—an experience reserved for those making extravagant purchases. I contemplated buying a small souvenir, but a $650 keychain proved to be a bit too extravagant!

Celebrating Bastille Day in Paris

Our final day in Paris coincided with Bastille Day, France’s national celebration. The city came alive with parades, air shows, and a contagious patriotic spirit. As night fell, the grand finale unfolded—a spectacular fireworks display over the Eiffel Tower, illuminating the sky in a breathtaking celebration. The atmosphere was electric, with people dancing in the streets, waving flags, and enjoying the festivities until the early hours of the morning.

A Farewell to Paris

Paris exceeded all of my expectations. From its historic landmarks to its unparalleled charm, the city left an indelible mark on my heart. Experiencing this adventure with my best friend and the love of my life made it even more special. Paris, you have my heart, and I will be back!

Next Stop: Marseille!

Join us as we continue our journey through France, exploring the stunning coastal city of Marseille. Stay tuned for more travel stories and tips!