Photo via Ecocult
Hello friends! I know I’ve been away for a bit. I’m currently touring around Europe with my honey. And he’s been so sweet about letting me drag him around to check out some sustainable restaurants and shopping in each city we’ve visited.
Our first stop on our grand adventure was in France for a wedding weekend at a chateau outside of Paris. Because I’ve spent so much time in Paris (a weekend after a study-abroad in Nice, a full summer in college, and then a week visit when I was I think 24) I only gave us one full extra day in the City of Light.
Photo via Ecocult
Here’s my biggest tip: look for the word “bio.” It’s French for organic!
28 Rue de l’Arc de Triomphe
I couldn’t think of a better place to stay in Paris with your honey than this cozy and sustainable hotel, located a three minute’s walk from L’Arc de Triomphe and the grand shopping avenue, Champs-Élysées. Contrary to how many Parisians deal with Americans – with a barely concealed sarcasm and boredom – when I called to ask if we could arrive after midnight, a most cheerful receptionist assured us he would be there all night. When we did finally arrive, he told us the fully stocked bar was open 24 hours. We could take a drink there, or call down using the phone located right above the bed to have something taken up. Then he escorted us upstairs to our room.
Photo via Ecocult
We were elated. It was a small room, but as Illich the architect pointed out, cleverly designed to maximise the space. The bed, tucked into a blonde wood dividing wall and flanked by white curtains, had fluffy white pillows and comforter, and a supremely eco-friendly Coco-Mat mattress (they have a store in NYC and I’m seriously considering heading there). A wonderfully deep bathtub shower was next to it. I didn’t have time to take a bubble bath, but the shower had great pressure and was temperature sensitive. The sink basin was stone. The windows opened out onto the quiet and pretty street. We don’t have TV at home, so we switched on the flatscreen at the end of the bed to a nature station for a half hour while we got ready for bed.
Photo via Ecocult
Photo via Ecocult
In the morning we slept in, and then I called down and talked to another incredibly cheerful receptionist, who carefully took down my order from the continental buffet: organic yogurt, green tea, mimosas with fresh squeezed orange juice, chocolate crunch cereal (for Illich), and a huge bowl of fresh fruit and watermelon slices.
I checked out downstairs, and found several comfortable spaces to work and eat, plus – this being Paris – a beautiful outdoor space for smokers to enjoy a quiet smoke.
My only regret is that we couldn’t stay longer in such a wonderful hotel! Next time we come back, it’s this place, hands down.
Other Sustainable Hotels:
Solar Hotel – 22 Rue Boulard, 14th
Gavarni – 5 Rue Gavarni, 16th
Photo via Ecocult
GET AROUND: Velib
I was determined to see the city with fresh sustainable-blogger eyes, so I split up from my fiancé (he went to check out the Pompidou) and met up with Holly Rose of the gorgeous blog Leotie Lovely. I pulled out a bike from Velib, it being the fastest way to travel in the city, even though it was raining. Luckily, Holly had the same idea so we both looked like drowned rats! The café we wanted to try, Gentle Gourmet Cafe at 24 Boulevard de la Bastille, was closed. Such is Paris – they do not care about your feelings or schedule – so we skipped breakfast and walked over to the offices of Veja, the popular French sustainable shoe brand.
Other ways to get around: Walking (it’s a gorgeous city; do it) or taking the Metro.
Read the read via the original article on Ecocult!
