I’m Avery, and I just finished my study abroad internship with The Earful Tower. When I started, Oliver asked me to write a list of five bucket list items, starting out easy and getting harder. I didn’t want to make it too simple, and I ended up making it too hard (I was only able to accomplish 4.5/5 goals). Here’s my list, what I thought of each item, how I did it – and how you can (maybe!) do it too.
Starting off easy: Shakespeare and Co for a coffee.
I’ve always been a big fan of the bookstore, and being Oliver’s intern means I got to spend some time delivering books to them and seeing behind the scenes. (You can find his books there now!) But I had never actually stopped at the coffee shop. One sunny day, I set off and was delightfully surprised.
I was expecting it to be a crowded tourist attraction, that’s one of the things that had kept me from it in the past, but I was immediately able to order and then take a seat on one of the sunny benches outside with my book. You absolutely cannot beat that view of Notre Dame, the park next door, and some of the classic Haussmannian architecture. My iced latte was delicious, but the ambiance is what really makes this place special.
The cafe is open Monday to Sunday from 9:00am to 7:00pm. Website here.
Not hard, but strange: The Paris Sewers Museum
The second thing I wanted to see was the Paris Sewers Museum, maybe a strange and smelly choice, but an incredibly interesting one. It costs 9€ to enter, and although all of the signs were in French, the workers at the ticket desk were incredibly kind, and offered me a book of English translations.
The museum loops around in a circle, showing you how the sewers are maintained, as well as their history. Did you know the first public tours of the sewers were offered in 1867? You really can get an understanding of how things are working underground around Paris, and you can see street signs posted on the walls to help orient yourself throughout the walk. All of this being said, be prepared for a smell. Go with an open mind, and maybe a clothes pin.
It’s open Tuesday – Sunday 10-5pm.
Website here.
Go to a rooftop bar in Paris
Well, okay, I actually went to five, not one (more on that here). But, the most interesting one in my opinion was absolutely Le Bar a Bulles. Not only is it a rooftop bar, but you are having a drink on top of the Moulin Rouge, next to the iconic windmill. You can reach out and touch it! I went around 7pm, the perfect time to watch the sunset on the classic Haussmann buildings. The drinks and snacks were great, but the novelty and experience were absolutely the best part.
They don’t take reservations, but I was able to walk in with no wait.
Website here.
Getting harder: get inside the US Embassy in Paris
For this one, I had to get Oliver’s help. But with it, I was able to get a private tour of both the Chancery (the offices) and the Talleyrand/George Marshall Center, (the home of the Marshall plan) which for a politics major like me, is an extremely cool experience. I think everyone was confused by how excited I was by the bureaucracy of it all.
The George C. Marshall Center was recently renovated, and I got to see it in all of its glory. The renovators left small pieces of each room unfinished, so you can see the extent of the work that was done, so if you ever find yourself in there, keep an eye out.
My favorite part by far was seeing the American products store in the basement and spotting all the familiar products. It’s a hidden slice of the United States in Paris with Swedish Fish and real Texan beef jerky.
Almost impossible: see a famous person on the street.
Okay, full honesty, I wasn’t able to run into a famous person. I did however see Natalie Portman’s house by the Champ de Mars. It’s way easier to see that, even though it’s cheating. Of course, it is unbelievably beautiful inside and outside. (I googled pictures of the inside when I got home).
Now I think I’m left with the rest of this goal for my next trip! I’ll just have to come back to Paris again!
Thanks Avery for all your help! To check out Oliver and Lina’s Bucket List, click here.
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