Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine

Métro: Trocadéro (line 6 or 9)
Address: 1 place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris
Hours:Monday-Sunday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm (last ticket sold at 6:15pm)
Thursday 11:00 am to 9:00pm (last ticket sold at 8:15pm)
Closed on Tuesday
Cost: 8 euros. Free for kids under 18, EU students aged 18 to 25.
Free for all every first Sunday of the month.
Website: http://www.citechaillot.fr/fr/

Sometimes Paris is full of beautiful surprises that leave you just in awe. I had no idea this place existed and I have to say it is now in my top 3 museums. So basically it is the copycat museum of architecture. It is filled with moldings/replicas of the most beautiful buildings of France such as the cathedral of Reims or Rouen. Everything is clean, accessible and you can actually have a good look at it. It is divided unto 3 sections: the gallery of moldings, the gallery of murals and the gallery of modern architecture. First let's take a look at the Moldings Gallery:

What is really cool is the actual building which is more reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower of which we have a really beautiful view from the windows. It is a huge contrast with the moldings. Some of the castings date all the way from 1880 and has remained unspoiled while some of the originals have been damaged through the years. So it is a great record of what the originals were like prior to their state of deterioration.

 

 
Not all moldings are from religious buildings, you have here a replica of some of the sculptures of the Arc de Triomphe.

 

 I was really moved by the splendor of the following piece. Everything is so immaculate, detailed and refined. The emotions are real and it comes to life the more one looks at it. It took me a good 15 minutes and two times to fully admire all the details and the beauty of it.

On the second and third floor you will find models of more modern buildings. Personally it did not interest me that much and I went quickly through it. I almost missed the door to the third gallery: the Murals. I just could not believe my eyes: life size replicas of churches.
 

I really loved this museum. It felt more like I was traveling and visiting monuments rather than being in a museum. It was a really refreshing experience!

Boulangépicier

Métro: Ternes or Courcelles (line 2)
Address: 73 boulevard de Courcelles, 75008 Paris
Hours:Monday-Saturday 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Closed on Sunday
Cost: 4-6 euros for a sandwich
Website: http://www.boulangepicier.com/

I have to say I am not a huge fan of what French people call the "Jambon beurre" which is the typical baguette sandwich made with ham and butter. But cool and good sandwiches can cost a fortune so it's refreshing to find an affordable sandwich shop with original and creative sandwiches. Well, refreshing but not surprising coming from world reknown French chef Alain Ducasse. Huge kuddos for the even prices, (4.00 or 4.50 euros- no nonsense 4.79) which really makes me happy because I hate carrying all that necessary change. And you can also pay with your credit card! Can you say: Miracle!!!!?

I ordered the "Brioche parisienne au thon" which is a very fancy tuna sandwich on a sweet bread. A bit small compared to other sandwiches in the shop but the price is right: 4.50 euros for this baby. It's not made from a tuna can, don't insult the chef but instead it is a pure joy in mouth. It's made with thin slices of tuna steak, beansprouts, coriander and a horseradish sauce. It's a sublime combination. I might have to go back and try the other sandwiches or the full lunch box.

Grande Mosquée de Paris

Métro: Place Monge (line 7) or Censier Daubenton (line 4)
Address: 2 bis place du Puits de l'Ermite, 75005 Paris
Hours:Saturday -Thursday 9:00 am- 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm-6:00 pm
Closed on Friday
Cost: 3 euros
Website: http://www.mosqueedeparis.net/

 

Can I just be honest for a second? I don't know if you have seen A Mighty Heart (2007) or Black Hawk Down (2001)? Well I have and I have been traumatized ever since. So when my husband said he wanted to visit the Middle East, I about died. I know this is stupid and everyone that I know who has been there absolutely loved it. I say to that: good for them. Me? I belong to Paris.

But I also learned that if you want to save your marriage you need to compromise (honestly not much of a compromise because I really wanted to go) so I offered to visit the mosque of Paris. We went by a few times before and the people are always so friendly and welcoming. We started a few conversations on the street which NEVER happens in Paris. I am a Christian but I never felt like anything was imposed on me and talking about religions seems to be the norm there. I keep very fond memories of the people we have met at the mosque.

Obviously this is a place for worship so you will need to be respectful and you won't be able to visit the prayer rooms or go in on Friday. But you can walk around this gorgeous place and for a second feel like you have just traveled hundreds of miles to a small paradise. And unlike us, I wish your visit in on a sunny day. It makes a huge difference.

 

The decision to build the Mosque of Paris is made after World War I to honor the 70,000 Muslims who lost their life fighting for France. It is the very mosque built in France. It is inspired by the El Qaraouiyyîn mosque in Fez in Morocco which is one of the oldest in the world. All the beautiful decoration are realized by specialized craftsmen from North Africa. The mosque also is known as a Resistance center during WWII. Their mission was to save British paras and find a hiding spot for them. Later they also hide Jewish families and procured them with fake papers. (Thanks Wikipedia!)

The garden is a real delight. The tiles are just amazing. I am just in awe with all the details and craftsmanship that went into creating this place.

I really had a great time but a word of caution. Don't eat at the restaurant! We used the bathroom next to the kitchen to find gigantic cockroaches on the floor. Not so cool.