Paris (Part 2) - Marché Bastille & The Eiffel Tower

Hello, and welcome to part 2 of my trip to Paris! You can catch part 1 here featuring a visit to the Notre Dame.

Our 3rd day was quite relaxing, mostly spent shopping. We headed to Opéra to take a wander around one of the most beautiful shopping destinations I've ever seen - Galeries Lafayette. It has a truly breathtaking stain glass ceiling, you may remember seeing it during my last trip to Paris with Chloe. This time we ventured up, rummaging through the many brands on offer and eventually taking in quite a view from the rooftop.

After a spot of lunch inside the retail complex, we took to the streets to carry on our shopping spree. I got quite the haul from a nearby UniQlo, including this stripey dress! We also came across a whole shop dedicated to delicious Lindor chocolates. Too bad I was still on lent so couldn't enjoy the free samples *sad face*. Once we were all shopped out, we walked back to our apartment, enjoying more of the Parisian architecture. I spotted this totally rocking hairdressers which was right on our road. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance this trip to go in to Rock Hair for a cut and style, but it's definitely on my list for next time! We finished our night back at the apartment, where we had found a big puzzle. So with a bottle of wine and plenty of cheese, we set to work...

The next morning, we woke nice and early - okay, not that early, but earlier than the last 2 mornings! We'd heard there was a big market in Bastille which happens twice a week. So off we went! It was mainly a food market, with a few stalls selling crafts and little souvenir trinkets.

This usually quiet side street was suddenly abuzz with people and colourful fruit and flowers. Even in the grey skies and light drizzle, there was quite the turnout!

Having filled our pockets with Paris keepsakes (and my tummy with fresh croissants!), we hopped on the metro and headed towards the Iron Lady.

The Eiffel Tower is such a glorious sight, always making me feel all warm and romantic inside. I had visited the Tower before, but had never actually travelled the elevator (or the stairs) up, so this was a first for all 3 of us. It's so strange to see all of Paris, with it's old, classic buildings being towered by the shiny, new skyscrapers in the North-West.

It was extremely windy up there, they even had to shut the top viewing platform. We decided to take shelter and grab a bite to eat inside the restaurant.

Le 58 Tour Eiffel is a very snazzy place indeed with their waistcoated waiters and dimmed lights. I only ordered a starter and was warned it was very small, like a mini picnic. They weren't lying! My cream of pumpkin soup came with a little tub of garlic croutons. At the bottom of the soup was some ricotta filled ravioli. It was all absolutely scrumptious, probably my favourite meal of the trip. I washed it all down with a champagne cocktail, which pays homage to the French flag.

Enough of being windswept, it was back down to ground level.

We took a rather wet walk around the perimeter of the Army museum. With the Eiffel Tower still visible in the distant drizzle, it made it all still quite beautiful and romantic (especially when you put it in greyscale). We didn't go inside as we were very dishevelled from the wind and rain, so instead went back to the apartment to freshen up before dinner.

I still had a quick minute for an outfit shot!

Jumper - ASOS // Super Stretchy Trousers - UniQlo // New Balance Trainers - ASOS // Coat - Joy // Camera Bag - New Look

Thought I'd mix and match some stripes and checks. This is one of my many stripey jumpers, but is one of my favourites, mainly for the anchors on the elbows - how cute and utterly me! I picked this up in an ASOS sale last year. The checked leggings are from UniQlo and are oh-so comfy. They're slightly higher waisted than most of my other trousers, which I prefer. I've tied in the navy and red with my New Balance trainers. These were perfect for all the walking we did. My stripey camera bag is from New Look, and let's not forget my trusty duffel coat from Joy (available in green here!).

After putting out feet up for a bit, and continuing with our puzzle, we were off out again for dinner.

We decided to head in the opposite direction to usual, towards Republiqué. Whilst on our short walk, I spotted that shop with the coolest name ever, inspired by a certain Doors song. After perusing a few restaurant menus, we all agreed on Café Republiqué. The food was divine here, not to mention the wine! I ordered a type of macaroni cheese with cepe mushrooms, chunks of chicken and a slither of foie gras on top. There was so much that I only managed about half of my dish. Of course I still had room for another créme brulée!

Be sure to give me a follow on Bloglovin so you'll be the first to know when part 3 from Paris goes live (you didn't think this was it from Paris, did you?!)

Also, make sure to check out my eBay, as I've added a few bits this weekend, and should be adding more this week

Thanks for reading :)