Flashback Friday: Cruising the Seine
I’ve decided to jump on Janetha’s Flashback Friday train that so many bloggers are riding!
The place: My first trip to Paris.
The time: June, 2007.
The trip was a present from Matthew for my college graduation. Among other things, Matthew had planned a dinner cruise along the River Seine. I didn’t know what to expect, I just knew I got to wear a cocktail dress and presumably drink wine.
It turned out to be, quite frankly, one of the Experiences of My Life. I hate to get schmaltzy on the blog, but there was truly something so magical about this Parisian encounter! I will always, always remember it with pure happiness.
Luckily I was taking pictures of food long before I had a food blog. I suppose that is proof I am a true foodie. I am so glad I did so I can share the evening with you.
We started with a glass of pink champagne, some dinner rolls and an olive tartlet.
Then each couple received a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white wine.
Perhaps that contributed to my happiness?
For our first course, I ordered the salmon. I do have the menu but it’s back in California, so I can’t give you details as to how it was cooked. I can tell you, however, that it was very rich and flavorful.
Matthew ordered these.
See menu comment above. Sorry.
For my main course, I ordered the chicken. I don’t know how to explain this other than to say it was the best chicken I have ever had. I know you’re thinking, “how good can chicken be?" but this actually tasted like chicken. It tasted so fresh and nothing like the frozen chicken breasts we eat at home. It was truly delicious.
Matthew ordered beef of some sort. Again, the details are sort of fuzzy 
The cruise took us past many Parisian landmarks. This included the Musee d’Orsay, The Louvre, and Notre Dame:
There were singers, violinists, and dancing.
It was quite the experience, and perfect for our last night in The City of Lights.
Matthew even bought me a rose on our way back to our hotel in Versailles.
Got wine?
Have you ever been to Paris?
No related posts.
So beautiful in that last photo, even if you do got wine!! I’ve been to Paris a couple of times but not since I was like 15. I need to get back there as an adult!
You just made me honeymoon-sick! We JUST went to Paris for our honeymoon two weeks ago. It was amazing. I love that you took so many food pictures! I wish I would have thought of doing more of that… but I will always remember how WONDERFUL the food was!
I never went to Paris though I’d like to visit someday. I’m pretty close so it shouldn’t be too hard.
That foods looks amazing.
Aw, love the pictures and your long hair!! It’s gorgeous! I have been to Paris but it’s not for me. I prefer Venice! However, it’s Europe so I don’t hate it
Glorious!!! Paris sounds so romantic and unbeleiveable. Wow, I think I enjoyed reliving this memory with you more than you know. I am sure you have so many more fantastic moment of this trip and I would love to see more.
Hubby and I are doing a 2nd Honeymoon to Italy next year. Now I am entirely excited after getting this sneak peak of a Eruropean holiday.
Have a great weekend hun.
Holy crap girl, you look stunning! You can see the happiness just shining through
I went to Paris with my family several years back. We packed into an RV and drove around Western Europe while my sister was living in Germany. It was like something out of a Chevy Chase movie
I recall not liking any of the big cities we visited, including Paris. Just sort of dirty and busy. We did go to Versailles and that was amazing!!!
Oui! J’adore Paris
Beautiful, what a great night! Wine always makes me happy.
Wow. That sounds like such an amazing trip. I’ve always wanted to go to Paris. Thanks for sharing with us!
Ohhh La-La don;t you look gorgeous and lovely in the black dress pic! Love the long hair (or short hair now!) and no, never been to Paris. When Skylar is older and we can all go, we will!
You’re absolutely right about Paris, it IS magical. For me, it feels like a fairytale that is home at the same time.
What a wonderful graduation present! and the curls in your hair are gorgeous!
I’ve never been to Paris! I love the pic of the Eiffel tower.
How lovely! I have never been, but wish I could get there. And that is some present!
ow owwwww girl! what an awesomely romantic date
LOVE that you used to take pics of your food even before you blogged!
Your trip sounds truly magical. I’ve never been to paris, but hope to make it there someday.
You look amazing!
You are so beautiful! I’ve never been to Paris.. I’ve only been to a few states actually!
I went to Paris for 3 days April 2006 with my family – my cousin was studying abroad in Brussels so her parents & sister and my parents and me went to Brussels to visit her but obviously had to take a short trip to Paris. LOVED. IT. Our fav spot was the famous cemetary with Chopin and Morrison – it was quite the experience – we were reminicing the other weekend about it – too funny! I also loved the catacombs (ok maybe my family is really morbid) hahaha.
I went to Paris when I was 4 years old and sadly I don’t remember any of it. My parents said I spent the whole visit in the tower complaining that I didn’t have any mustard for my hot dog!
You really are a foodie from way back!
What a sweet post. You’re so photogenic Lara! Love Paris – used to go often when I lived in London, but haven’t been in a while. Oh how I would love to go back. Just loved walking all over the city for hours. Such an amazing place.
omg! what a romantic night in paris!! and i love that you took pics back then! i visited a few years ago and shopped my heart out
What a romantic getaway! I love that last pic of you with the roses…..very model of you
Enjoy your weekend Darlin’!
i have been to Paris, but i didn’t eat nearly as well as you did!! i can’t believe the 2 bottles of wine per couple + champagne! sounds fun, but i would be super drunk…
and i know this has already been said, but your hair is gorgeous! like shampoo commercial hair, except yours is real
ah lara, you’re so pretty. and i love that you and your hubby have such a cute, fun relationship. parisss?? sign me up. despite having taken french in high school i have yet to go to france or speak much of the language. someday maybe!
lovely flashback.
You do look absolutely radiant in those photos and honestly girl you are one of those people who look great with long OR short hair.
I have been to paris a couple of times. One time I remember forgetting my workout clothes and as it was the last day of our trip I went jogging along the seine in my corduroy jeans…needless to say I was desperate, but also mortified!
Those were the cardio queen days. Had it been now I would have done my hotel room Lunge & Squat routine.
PS I’m so impressed with the food shots- even before you were a blogger!!
Thanks for sharing those photos with us!
D
love all the pics! and you look so stunning
ive been to paris once before but it was on a school triip, so it wasnt as fun as it could have been. I definetely want to go back though, especially after seeing your fun pics
enjoy your friday night hun
Lara, you are soooooo beautiful! I’ve been to Paris and it was one of the most amazing adventures of my life. Thanks for sharing your pics and bringing my own memories back for flashback friday! xoxo
I word…JEALOUS!!! I’ve never been to Paris, but boy does it look gorgeous!! I have actually never been overseas, period, so sad!
You guys look great! So happy and the food looks delish! I cant wait to visit Paris. One day
~Justine
Loved this post and loved that you took pics even before you blogged – a true foodie
I have similar pics from when I lived in France (mostly things like alcohol and ice cream sundaes decorated with sparklers!)
AND you look absolutely gorgeous. And your hair, that’s a whole other post. To die for!
awwwwww…loved this post. what an amazing grad present!! you guys are so cute
That looked like such an amazing night!! So glad that you were taking pics of your food back then because everything looked fabulous.
I want to go to Paris so badly. My boyfriend, Chris, has been a couple of times and wants to go back, so I’m trying to give him some not so subtle hints that it might be time.
We’ll see how that works out!
I love this post! What a special evening! And how great that you took such nice food pics back then without even having a blog!
Yes, I have been to Paris twice, and it was beautiful… But it was a loooooong time ago; I’d love to go again some day….
No, I’ve never been to Paris but this post makes me want to jump on the plane now
Wow, everything looks gorgeous and sounds amazingly delicious! You look beautiful in that black dress too! Love this post!
such a fun flashback!! you are stunning!
I hope to visit Paris someday!!
Aw Paris, that is somewhere i’ve ALWAYS wanted to go. You make me jealous:)
All of that food looks so pretty! Now if only I could get my meals to look like that..
You look so BEAUTIFUL! I love your hair all long and curly
I am absolutely dying to go to Paris, and this post made me want to go there so much more.
That was such a romantic experience
I went to Paris a couple years ago and had lunch on a boat with my parents. It was really nice because we were the only ones on there and they had a pianist on board.
By the way, you looked stunning! I would’ve given you a rose as well
I visited Paris about 3 years ago with my now-husband/then-boyfriend. For me, it was not all that romantic of a city. Beautiful, yes, but the only difference from NYC was that the buildings were older. We stayed in Montmartre, which is one of the more romantic arrondissements, with a fantastic view of the Eiffel from our hotel room. This is not to say I did not have a perfectly wonderful, albeit short, trip to Paris. I travelled a good chunk of Paris on foot, dined well, watched in horror as my husband walked into a unisex restroom…good moments, lots of fun, but it did not have that romantic spark for me. Perhaps it was the frequent whiffs of historic sewer systems as we walked the city or the jostling from tourists and people trying to get to work. I must admit, though, we encountered none of the reputed rudeness in Paris — every Parisian we encountered was very pleasant and helpful. And all the stray Parisian cats let me pet them
We’re going to Belgium later this Spring or early Summer to meet up with a friend and she’s recommended another quick jaunt to Paris. I am still debating whether it would be more enjoyable to take a side trip elsewhere, or if I want to give Paris another chance.
absolutely gorgeous! you two look so in love – not only with each other but with the city! ahhh, that’s why i love traveling
Haha, I loved this post! I can’t believe you used to take pics of food even before you had the blog. Impressive
I’ve been to Paris a few times during my Junior year of college (when I lived in England) and then also took Adam there on our very first trip abroad (we went to London and Paris). I loved it before, but it was so much more romantic with someone I love. I would go back there in a minute.
I love these pictures of you and Matt in Paris. You are beautiful Lara!!!! I was actually just there with Chris this summer. It is an amazing city…
yay i am so glad you participated! i am a little behind on blog reading but i was happy when i saw this. i am jealous of your adventures and all the places youve been (and where you live!) xoxo