At the time of writing I am returning home on Thalys. A snoring baby and ditto dog to the left and right of me, a puzzling man and a book in front of me. I'll grab it (the book) soon, but I can't resist writing down the first memories of Vito's very first visit to Paris. Because man, what an unforgettable trip it was, for the first time as a complete family. Lazing around in the park with the four of us, as if the day has no hours. The picnic in the sun on the edge of Canal St. Martin while the French gathered around us. Visiting all those places where we have been happy together so often, now and then #familyoffour. So different. So nice. The feeling that the beauty of the city gave me when we all crossed the Seine for the first time... Strolling through the museum where I had been alone so often, now with a sleeping baby on my stomach. Even though he doesn't understand it yet, the memory is already priceless to me. Paris is and remains one of the most inspiring places in the world for us, and I experience that most when we leave the city behind us and I am secretly already looking at when we can go again.

Anyway, trains are the bomb. To Paris if possible, preferably a few times a year. If you book on time, it will sometimes cost you less than 70 euros for a second class return ticket. Without (airport) stress. Plus: in addition to being together, the train is also the ultimate moment for just doing nothing at all. Baby Vito never sleeps better than on 'kedenkedeng' and dog Willem always sleeps. Don't bother with Netflix at all, because the Thalys (premium) Wi-Fi connection is great. Call us luxury cats, but we always book first class. You pay a little more for it, but those seats are not busy during the weekend and it is such a treat when the train managers come by at regular times with drinks and treats (all inclusive).

Then of course you want to know where we are going when we go. And above all: where we dine! Morning, afternoon, evening… Don't forget snacks and coffee. Snap. First things first:

When we go to Paris by train, we discover new things every time and we prefer to explore new neighborhoods. But, and this is important: we always do our regular rounds. One of those regular walks is the walk from Le Pigalle to Canal St. Martin, also a neighborhood where you once didn't want to be caught dead, nowadays - sorry my French – a vibrant neighborhood. We always discover the nicest (coffee) places, bars, restaurants and creative shops here.

Everyone probably knows the Tuileries, the enormous (and fantastic) park in front of the Louvre, but damn, no dogs are allowed there either. It doesn't matter because the metro takes you straight to a park unknown to tourists and actually much nicer: Parc des Buttes Chaumont. It is the third park in Paris, built by Napoleon and it has many height differences, making it 1) a wonderfully varied walk, 2) you can always find a nice spot for yourself and 3) you have a beautiful view of the city in various places. have. We think it's the nicest thing about the park Puebla Pavilion, a fairytale pavilion not far from the main entrance of the park. A building covered in plants and flowers with lights in the trees, a bar for passers-by and a wonderfully uncomplicated restaurant.

Admittedly, this site is mainly about addresses for the inner person, but that does not alter the fact that 'the Stoofjes' (that's what we are all called from the back, don't tell us any further) also do culture. Three trips from Hotel Le Pigalle you will find the Musée Gustave Moreau. In the painter's house you can see the beautiful rooms of the best man, on the top floor some of his gigantic works and of course the iconic staircase. This museum is the husband's preference, I might prefer modern art a little more.