Flying into New Orleans

Eager to explore the part of US with great French influence (if you are first time reading my blog, my husband is French so naturally we were intrigued), we flew into New Orleans from New York and rented a car at the airport. Funny enough, they gave us a Mustang convertible that ‘vroomed’ everywhere we went. 

During our first few days in New Orleans, we stayed in the Holy Cross neighborhood on the east side of the city. The neighborhood was very residential and while it did not seem as nicely kept as some of the other neighborhoods we stayed in (Slidell and Garden District) the later part of our trip, we felt safe and enjoyed our stay. It appeared that it was a very old working class neighborhood and a few of the streets had houses that were yet to be renovated; a few even seemed abandoned. 

When one mentions New Orleans a few things must come to mind: Mardi Gras parade, live jazz, and French Quarter. To me, those things all represent the incredible passion for life and an incredible hub for culture this city births throughout the passage of time. Whether it’s through the live jazz we heard at Preservation Hall in the French Quarter, or the wonderful architecture and houses we walked past in the Garden district, or the delicious local Creole and Cajun food, this impression was prevalent throughout the nooks and corners of this city. 

“When one mentions New Orleans a few things must come to mind: Mardi Gras parade, live jazz, and French Quarter. To me, those things all represent the incredible passion for life and an incredible hub for culture this city births throughout the passage of time.“

New Orleans to Breaux Bridge and Lafayette

After three and a half days in New Orleans, we took our car on the road and drove two-and-a-half hours west to Breaux Bridge, a cute historical town east of Lafayette. We were intrigued by Lafayette, not only by its name, as I’m sure it was named after the famous Marquis de Lafayette, who by the way, is from a town that since changed its name to Village de Lafayette in Auvergne Region of France, where my husband is originally from. 

Breaux Bridge is an absolute hidden gem of that region and filled with cute cottages and houses as airbnbs. Conveniently located 20 minute drive from central Lafayette, we stayed within the historical neighborhood that was walking distance from many antique shops and local brunch favorites that serve traditional Cajun and Creole food – sometimes on weekends, it even comes with live Zydeco music!

Compared to New Orleans, Lafayette and Breaux Bridge area feels more predominantly suburban, rural and white. The prevalence of Cajun influences are also much stronger. And from what I observed, there were little seafood boil shacks everywhere! Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to stop by any of them but they all seemed very authentic and delicious from what I can read from the google reviews!

Next Stop: Avery Island

After a few days of enjoying Lafayette and its surrounding suburb of Breaux Bridge, we drove the car about an hour further south to Avery Island, formally private property that stretches miles upon miles, is home to the world famous Tabasco Sauce! The factory still runs today and it’s where they harvest, manufacture, and distribute Tabasco Hot Sauce across the globe. The Factory Tour was very insightful (see here for the full guide of Top Things to Do In and Near Lafayette, LA) and showed all the steps as well as the history behind the global brand.

There were signs of “Beware of Bears” in many locations. At first, I thought it was a joke! But upon further conversations with the park rangers, they said it’s absolutely true that bears do live onsite.

In addition to the Tabasco Factory, the natural beauty surrounding Avery Island also took me much by surprise. There were signs of “Beware of Bears” in many locations. At first, I thought it was a joke! But upon further conversations with the park rangers, they said it’s absolutely true that bears do live onsite. Moreover, this area was formerly a salt dome, where salt was regularly harvested! 

Avery Island to Baton Rouge

After a wonderful tour of the Tabasco Factory, we drove up north again for about two and half hours and took an overnight break in Baton Rouge. Even though it was November, it was warm and felt like spring, especially since we were met with an intense downpour that we could barely drive through even though our windshield wipers were whipping back and forth fiercely to remove the sheets of water upon our windshield. 

We stayed near LSU campus, which I definitely overwhelmingly felt its presence, since its gold and purple colors were everywhere, and not to mention the TIGER! Because we stayed next to the football stadium, I had to pay homage and see Mike the Tiger himself. It is wild to me that there is an actual living tiger with its own home across the street from the stadium. Truly, American school spirit and college spirit to the epitome! 

Unfortunately due to the weather, we did not explore too much of Baton Rouge. The only other point-of-interest we stopped by was the Old State Capitol, which looked like a medieval castle with its two round watch towers to its left and right. I have to say though, the enormous red and blue stained glass dome ceiling above the windy staircase was exceptionally beautiful and worth it to stop by and see- especially since the museum is free! 

Baton Rouge to New Orleans

Vacherie

We purposely planned so that the driving route was the most efficient as possible! Hence, we saved the plantation visits towards the end of the trip. We made a stop on the southwest suburb of Vacherie, where all the major plantations are located. There are so many along Vacherie all the way back to New Orleans. We visited Oak Alley Plantation, which did a wonderful job preserving the history of both the owners of the property as well as the terrible conditions slaves endured.

Slidell

Since we planned to fly out from New Orleans back home to New York, our last few days were spent in New Orleans once again. From Baton Rouge, we drove about two hours back to where our road trip first started. However, we stayed in two different neighborhoods this time: Slidell and the Garden District. 

Slidell, a quiet and very residential suburb on the northeast side of New Orleans is very close to a few natural reserve or wildlife management areas. It is also next to Lake Borgne that channels out to the Gulf of Mexico. The boating and marina community also seems very prevalent in this suburb. We stayed in this area to explore some of the local diners and to be closer to the swamp tour we booked (one of the best wildlife experiences I have ever had!)

Because it’s in the northern area of New Orleans, it’s also close to a few other quaint suburbs that’s worth a day trip to explore the local eateries. I absolutely adored our afternoon getaway at Mandeville where we enjoyed its beautiful lakefront park. 

Garden District & Magazine Street 

Our last few days during this Louisiana road trip were spent at this beautiful Louisiana Acadian-style brightly colored wooden house with pink roof framing, French windows accompanied by dark green shutters, and a front porch. I absolutely adored living here! It was walking distance from all the boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants. 

There’s something so special about being in a vibrant neighborhood with small local shops and the ability to have so many options to explore all within walking distance. And the few days that were warm and sunny, walking to the juice shop a block away to kick off my day before any meetings began was an absolute treat!

There’s something so special about being in a vibrant neighborhood with small local shops and the ability to have so many options to explore all within walking distance.

Road Trip Map

While New Orleans is an amazing place to spend a long weekend or even a week on vacation, a road trip is a must if you are looking to immerse into the depth of true Cajun and Creole culture! Here’s a summary of how to split your days for an epic Louisiana road trip.

Suggested itinerary

For a complete itinerary of what to do and where to eat in New Orleans and Lafayette area. See the two guides below

• 3 Day Itinerary for Top Things To Do in Lafayette, LA & Breaux Bridge, LA

• Ultimate 4 Day Itinerary: Must Do in New Orleans, LA

Enjoy exploring Louisiana! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Getting There

Unfortunately in America, the mode of public transportation once you leave a large city is almost nonexistent. The best way to travel to Lafayette and Breaux Bridge, a suburb 20 minutes on the east of Lafayette, is by car. We went to these two cities as part of our road trip in Louisiana, where we first flew into New Orleans and drove from there. The entire drive from New Orleans to Breaux Bridge took about 2.5 hours. I would imagine most of you guys would fly in from New Orleans as well so if you are looking for a full 4-day Ultimate Itinerary of the fantastic city of Mardi Gras, here it is!

Getting Around

• From and to Breaux Bridge and Lafayette: by car

• Within Lafayette: by car

• Within Breaux Bridge: walk.  Breaux Bridge is small and very walkable! All the cute restaurants and shops near main street are within walking distance.

Stay

We stayed in Breaux Bridge the entirety of 3 days we were in the region and I highly highly recommend it! A super cute and small suburb within 20 minutes from Lafayette, it’s very convenient to get to all the key points-of-interests and it is an incredibly charming and quaint town with boutique shops and local restaurants!

Day 1 Downtown Breaux Bridge and West Lafayette

Downtown Breaux Bridge

Breakfast & Brunch 

Kick off your morning by grabbing brunch at one of the many local favorites. A town featuring multiple family-owned, authentic Cajun and Creole restaurants, there’s an array of places to choose from! We opted for Tante Marie while we were there but there are so many additional places that we didn’t get a chance to try – some of them, depending on the day of the week, even feature live Zydeco music!

I got a little too excited and totally forgot to take a picture of my eggs and biscuit. Only have it in video form and not still form <.<

If you are looking for something lighter or a sweet pick-me-up, head to Cajun Market Donut Company, a retro diner-style decorated donut shop that makes freshly baked donuts on the daily! Got the glazed donut and bite-sized apple donuts that had fresh chunks of cinnamon spiced apples! 

Explore Main Street 

Main Street of Breaux Bridge has about 5-6 blocks of very nicely preserved and re-developed bright colorful buildings that feature rows of boutique shops in addition to the locally-owned restaurants and cafes. A few notable ones include Lagniappe Antiques (huge!!!) and the Rustic Relic. 

Afternoon – West Lafayette

After a morning in the historic downtown Breaux Bridge, drive 30 minutes westward towards Lafayette to spend the afternoon at Larc’s Arcadian Village and a few noteworthy food points-of-interests along the way!

LARC’s Arcadian Village

Don’t be alarmed and feel like you are lost as you drive from Breaux Bridge to LARC’s Arcadian Village! Prior to arriving, it feels like you are driving out to the middle of nowhere, but do follow google maps and the signs along the state highway and you will arrive onsite with a large parking lot. 

The Arcadian Village consists of a collection of different styles and functional wooden houses and cabins, many of those are that of the originals when the Arcadian settlers first moved down to Lafayette from Quebec. The houses mimic the original village-like settlement in that there are various cabins that represent types of residential houses during the 1700-1800 time period as well as a church, local store, and more.

Billy’s Boudin Cracklins

THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST-GO and on my #1 list for Lafayette and Breaux Bridge. The OG location is located in the town of Scott, Louisiana, to the west of Lafayette and less than a 15-minute drive from LARC’s Acadian Village. The lines may be long when you go but it is absolutely worth it!  We waited for about half an hour in line but do not regret it at all. And you know a place is good when you see all sorts of folks – white, black, asians all waiting at the checkout!

We met a really nice gentleman from the area while waiting in line and recommended these top things to try, which now I am recommending to y’all when you go! 

• To cook at home: Original Boudin (they are traditional sausages but the secret addition is the stuffed rice that gives it such a umami crunch when you cook them over the stovetop on a skillet!) 

• Ready to eat:

  • boudin ball (fried sausage ball with stuffing)

  • cracklins (so so so good! If you are not familiar with cracklins in general, they are a typical southern snack, which is basically deep fried pork fat/skin but it’s so crispy and good!)

Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe

Open since 1940, this retro-vibe ice cream sundae shoppe is so cute and delicious! Next to University of Louisiana Lafayette, it is largely student run as it was inherited by the University in 1981. Interestingly, there’s a woman named Ella Meaux who has worked in the shoppe for over 55 years! This fun-fact is displayed throughout the ice cream shoppe with local paper clippings and also on Borden’s website

We got the banana sundae and I loved it! I’m usually just a ice cream no toppings kind of girl but this was the bomb!

Day 2 Downtown Lafayette & Vermilionville

Begin Day 2 of your Lafayette and Breaux Bridge trip by exploring downtown Lafayette. Similar to downtown Breaux Bridge, although much bigger in size and scale, downtown Lafayette features cute boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants. 

Morning – Downtown Lafayette

Grab your morning coffee and breakfast pastry at Reve Coffee Roasters. 

Walk around and enjoy the beautiful murals and architecture throughout the vacant walls in the neighborhood. 

Afternoon – Vermilionville Living History Museum

Similar to LARC’s Arcadian Village, although much larger in size, Vermilionville features a full staff (most of them are descendants of Arcadians) to share stories of their ancestors. We met a really friendly old gentleman, dressed in traditional Arcadian clothing from the 1800s in the school house. He had an accordion with him and told us stories of the Zydeco and other Cajun music traditions, and sang many songs to us that were passed down from generation to generation. Interestingly, a few of the songs he sang were traditional songs from France that date back to the 13th century! 

Another fascinating fact we learned from him was that the word “zydeco” was derived from the French phrase “Les haricots ne sont pas salés” meaning “the green beans aren’t salty” or idiomatically for “the times are hard.” The type of zydeco music originated from the rural communities in Louisiana, which similar to the blues, were a way for the low income farmers at the time to lament about their hardships through music. 

Many of the staff on site also speak Cajun! We also met a young man who is a descendant of the Arcadians and spoke Cajun with my husband, who is French. It’s very interesting to see that for the most part, Pierre was able to communicate and understand each other, even though the variation and transformation of the language evolved throughout the centuries! 

There’s also a lovely restaurant onsite called La Cuisine de Maman (Mama’s Cooking) that is absolutely lovely, super affordable, and offers a fantastic view of the wooden cabins and natural surroundings of the living museum!

Day 3 – Lake La Pointe & Day trip to Avery Island Tabasco Tour 

Lake La Pointe

Begin the last morning with a walk around Lake La Pointe near Breaux Bridge. The beautiful lake features incredible natural beauty of the Louisiana landscape. The morning we went was very cloudy and gray. The Spanish mosses that hung on the branches of the oak trees that stood in the waters of the lake looked incredibly haunting and beautiful as it swayed back and forth against the occasional wind.  

The lake is also home to a few swamp tours if you are keen to get into the water on a boat! 

Avery Island & the Tabasco Factory

Head towards Avery Island, about a 50 minute drive south of Breaux Bridge and Lafayette to visit the home and factory of the world-famous Tabasco sauce! For some reason, prior to this trip, I always was under the impression that Tabasco Sauce was from Mexico…? Even though it says very clearly on the bottom that it’s from Avery Island, Louisiana! 

A super interesting experience, the tour consists of both of the island itself in addition to the Tabasco Factory. The Factory tour includes several buildings with exhibits of the history of Tabasco sauce production. 

Did you know, these sauces are made from peppers grown on the island, aged in salted wooden barrels for 3 years, then, the fermented chili paste is mixed with a special vinegar mix in large industrial machines, and churned for 2-3 weeks until it’s bottled and packaged for distribution? Fascinating!

There is also a cute gift shop onsite for you to get your Tabasco Sauce memorabilia! 

As it sits on a beautiful island, the Tabasco Factory Tour tickets also come with a park tour of the entire island. The staff at the entrance told us we can walk or drive – but let me tell you, this island is HUGE! There’s no way you can walk the whole thing unless you plan to stay a full day and make a hike out of it! There are various points where you can park your car to take small walks around and for photo ops, but overall, I recommend driving around the island to see all the different points-of-interest!

Hope y’all found this helpful or useful! If so, feel free to drop me a comment or find me and send me a shout out on social media! xoxo

Getting Around

By Car

We rented a car during our time in New Orleans, which made it very convenient for us to get around different neighborhoods within the city. Free parking is relatively easy to find and we never had trouble during the few days we were there. 

Ubers

Ubers also seem readily available and not overly expensive. Most key neighborhoods are within 20 minutes from one another, hence making it easy to get around as well. The main downtown and French Quarter areas are also accessible by public transportation. 

Day 1 - ST. ROCH’S HALL & FRENCH QUARTER

Morning - St. Roch’s Hall

Po Boy from Elysian Market at Roch Hall, a food court celebrating local businesses and cuisines in New Orleans

Begin the day by heading to St. Roch’s Hall, a food hall with interesting architecture of tall Greek columns in the interior, which features local businesses with coffee stands, creole and cajun food, as well as French food choices! Not a large selection of restaurants but enough to bring diversity to the table. On Sundays there are also live music and other activities! 

We tried two different po boys from Elysian Foods. One was traditional shrimp and the other was local andouille sausage with mustard. The bread was very dry and I thought it was somewhat overpriced. But with the experience, ambiance, and supporting local minority businesses - why not!  

Afternoon - French Quarter

After lunch, head towards the French Quarter and soak in all the history and culture within this wonderful neighborhood! Roam around and take in the beautiful historical houses - many of them with intricate iron railing balconies. While you explore, make sure to stop by the classic Café du Monde and French Market to try classic Cajun food and snacks for an afternoon snack!

Key Buildings with Unique Architecture and History 

We followed this wonderful self-guided tour to hit all the key buildings. Below are a few highlights!

Iron balcony houses in the French Quarter, New Orleans

Another beautiful brick front house with iron frames and balcony railing in the French Quarter of New Orleans

Rows of colorful houses in the French Quarter, New Orleans

The most famous iron balcony house in the French Quarter complemented by a horse and a buggy in New Orleans!

Afternoon Snack and Dinner 

Café du Monde

One of the most famous food institutions of New Orleans with worldwide reputation, this cafe with its famous coffee and beignets will most likely have an incredibly long line throughout any time of the day. Depending on your desire to wait (we opted not to since the line was even longer than usual when we were there), you can grab your morning or daytime snack and pick-me-up here! 

French Market

A less crowded option is the large French Market that Cafe du Monde is adjacent to. Depending on the day of the week, the French Market is filled with vendors who sell produce, snacks and bites, as well as locally handcrafted items!  We grabbed a club crepe and crawfish mac and cheese that were quite excellent! There are many other options such as fried alligator bites and such. 

Fountain and courtyard views near the French Market in the French Quarter of New Orleans

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Napoleon House

I highly recommend this sit-down restaurant with excellent ambiance and its affordability! Great for both lunch and dinner, this traditional Creole restaurant sits in the historical building and has a large area for indoor seating with oil paintings and portraits throughout as well as a courtyard.

Formerly the residence of New Orleans Mayor Girod’s residence from 1812 to 1815, the historical house got its name through Girod’s plot to have THE Napoleon Bonaparte to reside here in 1821 during his exile. Unfortunately, Napoleon past away in Saint Helena before the plan came into full fruition. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here with the accompaniment of classical music in the background. Servings of Jambalaya, Gumbo, and more! 

Beautiful tile work from the Napoleon House, former residence of Mayor Girod in the 1800s, the house got its name from the mayor’s plot to have Napoleon Bonaparte come to New Orleans and live in this house during his exile. The historical house now functions as a Creole restaurant

Andouille Sausage from Napoleon House in the French Quarter, New Orleans

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Additional Points of Interests 

After brunch, head towards the iconic Jackson Square and walk through the park towards the St. Louis Cathedral. You can wrap up the French Quarter by heading towards St. Louis #1 Cemetery. The cemetery, I believe, is now closed to the public, but you can swing by before you head out and get a glimpse at the traditional crypts and where notable figures throughout New Orleans history are buried.

Jackson Square with St. Louis Cathedral in the backdrop in New Orleans, Louisiana

The bright interiors of the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans

If timing allows, take a walk in Louis Armstrong Park, within walking distance from the French Quarter. The park has a very French feel to it with rows of Parisian street lamps and a pedestrian bridge over the manmade lake.  

Stumbled upon this private French Garden on the way to Louis Armstrong Park from the French Quarter in New Orleans

View fullsize

View fullsize

Reflections at Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans

Nightlife

Bourbon Street

Most of y’all probably have heard of the infamous Bourbon Street. If you are looking for a no frills, casual, dive-bar type vibe which can sometimes get a bit rowdy later at night. Bourbon Street is the spot! Bars after bars, there is bound to be one that fits your liking! 

Obsessed with these tile street signs on sidewalks in New Orleans. Bourbon Street in the French Quarter lives up to its reputation as a party street in New Orleans!

Frenchmen Street

We opted for more of the live music scene and stopped by two places that are very different from each other but both equally fun and an incredible experience! 

1. Preservation Hall

What an absolute delight! One of my favorite things about this trip. Preservation Hall is a historic music venue that has been around since 1961. If you are a jazz fan, then this is most definitely a place you must visit! Focusing on the traditional New Orleans Jazz, there are multiple shows each evening but tickets do tend to sell pretty fast. You can purchase them online ahead of time. 

We got standing tickets, which were only $25 each. The room is very very intimate and each concert is usually about an hour, which is not too bad to stand for that long. It was absolutely incredible to see all the musicians, most of them in their 70s, who are truly masters at their art! 

Since 1961, Preservation Hall, this intimate live music venue of New Orleans, has kept the legacy of New Orleans jazz music alive

2. Blue Nile

A popular live music venue, the Blue Nile is a dive-ish bar with a stage and dance floor that features multiple shows per night too. Most of the artists are younger and more up-and-coming compared to the traditional New Orleans Jazz at Preservation Hall. You can buy your tickets online or at the door. We got ours online and had a fantastically good time there as well! 

Blurry nights of goodness at the Blue Nile, a prominent live music venue that features more of a modern twist on jazz and local New Orleans music

Day 2 - GARDEN DISTRICT, MAGAZINE STREET, & DOWNTOWN

Morning - Garden District & Magazine Street

Kick off your second day at New Orleans with the quaint and quiet neighborhood of the Garden District, where gorgeous 18th - early 20th style mansions that stand majestically in between rows of Spanish Oaks along the small streets. 

We followed this helpful self-guided tour that gave a glimpse of history behind these mansions. 

See below to see a few of my favorites! 

Gorgeous peach colored house in the Garden District of New Orleans

House in the Garden District of New Orleans with beautiful iron fence and detailed railing

Breakfast & Coffee

Still Perkin (permanently closed! 🙁)

As the Guide suggests, stop by The Ring, which is a mall with local stores, including a bookstore! Grab a coffee to go at Still Perkin. I was not impressed by the ambiance of the cafe, it kind of looked like a non-hipster, generic college or hospital cafe, but the coffee itself was quite good! And the location is perfect to take a grab-n-go along with a pastry to sip and eat as you walk around and enjoy the views of the mansions! 

The Vintage

Super cutely decorated with old Parisian Cafe style, this shop is excellent for sit down or take out! They have a great selection of beignets, both traditional bites with powdered and cinnamon sugar on top, as well as more inhouse modern interpretation with stuffed jelly! I got the traditional beignet bites. They came straight out of the (oven? skillet?). It was still hot and delicious! Other breakfast foods are also available and of course, coffee!

Powdered sugar beignet bites from The Vintage near Magazine Street, New Orleans

The Daily Beet

If you need a cleanse or simply want a healthier and vegetarian breakfast or snack option, checkout The Daily Beet with an array of smoothies, juices, breakfast bowls, and salads made with the freshest ingredients! 

I got the Starbuxxx smoothie with coast roast cold brew, banana, raw cacao, vanilla, raw agave and it was absolutely fab!

Lunch

Joey K’s 

A Creole restaurant and neighborhood classic, Joey K pretty much functions like a local diner with colorful decor by a local artist. Food was fantastic and really generously portioned! 

Beef brisket with gravy with cabbage on top of a bed of rice from Joey K’s on Magazine Street, New Orleans

Pomelo NOLA

Great Thai restaurant in the neighborhood. We actually went for dinner instead of lunch when we stayed in the area but lunch is also a great option for this cute restaurant! It’s not the typical southern Thai food that most of us are used to (pad thai, pad see eew, etc.) but rather northern Thai food that is slightly similar to Singaporean or Malaysian food that has a great selection of stir fries and curries. 

We tried the soup noodle, dry noodle with shrimp and pork, and dumplings. Very delicious! 

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Shopping on Magazine Street

If time permits, walk around Magazine Street, where there are so many cute shops and art galleries along the way and pick up a souvenir or two! 

Magazine Street of New Orleans is a great neighborhood to stay in during your time in New Orleans. Filled with shopping, great eats, cafes, and historical mansions!

View fullsize

View fullsize

Afternoon - Downtown NOLA 

After a full morning at the Garden District and Magazine Street, head over to Downtown, which is very close by. Book a free tour at the Sazerac Museum! We were not planning to go there at first, but it was raining heavily on one of the days we were there so I booked it on its official website. I’m so glad we did because this place is definitely worth checking out rain or shine! 

The museum is very interactive and well curated and I learned so much about not only New Orleans history but also the development of American spirits in general! Free samples are also provided throughout ;)

Gorgeous display wall of bourbon at the Sazerac House in Downtown New Orleans

View fullsize

View fullsize

Dinner - Cochon Butcher

Wrap up the day with a nice dinner at one of New Orleans’ hip restaurants - Cochon Butcher. (I had to go because I am obsessed with piggys and cochon means Pig in French!) New American with Creole, Cajun, and Southern focus, it was one of the most memorable meals we had in New Orleans. 

We had catfish and compacted pulled pork topped with okra, sitting on top of a bed of collard greens and cheesy grits. Both were so flavorful and deliciously tender! Definitely book reservations as it tends to get very full and booked quickly. 

View fullsize

View fullsize

Day 3 - SLIDELL & MANDEVILLE & SWAMP TOUR! 

In addition to the city center itself, the suburbs within a one-hour driving radius from New Orleans have much to offer as well! Two of the must-dos when you come to New Orleans are swamp tours and plantation visits. Many tour operators offer both in a day trip package. But if you rented a car like us and have flexible timing, I strongly suggest splitting them into two days! 

Head out in the northeast direction from NOLA to the town of Slidell. A suburb near one of the many swamps in the region, grab a bite of breakfast and coffee first before jumping in a boat to do a swamp tour!

Morning - Slidell & Swamp Tour

Breakfast & Brunch

Dong Phuong Bakery and Restaurant

Depending on where you are staying in New Orleans, most likely, you will pass Dong Phuong on your way to Slidell. It’s definitely worth it if you are on your way to make a pit stop and grab something from the bakery - all the selection from a traditional Cantonese/Vietnamese bakery of moon cakes, coconut breads, red bean breads, wife cakes, husband cakes, shortbread cookies and wide selection of Bahn Mis from the Deli! If you are around during Mardi Gras or on Three King’s Day (L'Épiphanie sometimes referred to as “La fête des Rois”), you can also get their special King’s Cake! 

We grabbed all sorts of snacks from the bakery and two different kinds of bahn mis just before they closed. The bahn mis were so good and just them alone make it worth stopping by! The baked goods were good but I wasn’t as blown away. Because they were closing, they threw in two boxes of coconut cookies for free!

Very very unfortunately however, the restaurant was closed and I did not get a chance to try the pho that I really wanted. In fact we were so confused and thought we couldn’t locate the restaurant (even though logically it would make sense that the restaurant would be next to the bakery). And we ended up circling the block twice with no luck. Finally, the owner was hanging out in the parking lot and told us that the restaurant closed at 3pm for the day and we were too late! :( 

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

La Pines Cafe

This classic local diner was featured in Guy Ferrari’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” on the Food Network. We could tell by people-watching and overhearing conversations that everyone here was a weekly regular!

Cannot resist taking a picture with the Guy Ferrari banner in front of La Pines Cafe in Slidell, Louisiana, a suburb northeast of New Orleans

Egg Hollandaise from La Pines Cafe in Slidell, LA, featured on Guy Ferrari’s “Drives, Dine-ins, Dives” on the Food Network!

Beignets au Lait

In the same parking lot as La Pines Cafe, this local favorite boasts of making some of the best beignets in the region! Unfortunately, it was on my list but we didn’t have time to try.

Phil’s Marina Cafe at Oak Harbor

Like its name, Phil’s Marina Cafe is next to the Oak Harbor Marina. Food aside, this area of town is an enormous area that are filled with multiple marinas - intricate waterways in between manmade concrete canals, some filled with boats, some sitting empty. A sight to see just on its own. 

This lovely cafe by the marina with great views serves excellent sea food and casual bites. Excellent taste and great portions. I had the fish of the day with spinach and mac and cheese that I absolutely loved! Incredible tender piece of fish with so much flavor and the creamiest mac and cheese!

Fresh fish with spinach and mac and cheese from Phil’s Marina Cafe Oak Harbor in Slidell, LA

Honey Island Swamp Tours 

After breakfast, drive over to Honey Island Swamp Tours. Make sure you book your tickets ahead of time! I called them 2 weeks ahead of time to book my tickets ($29 pp). It is an absolute highlight of the entire trip! 

The guides are very knowledgeable and entertaining. On this day we were able to see multiple alligators, turtles, birds, and an entire camp of 20+ raccoons! You will also get to witness the incredible landscape as well as the floating houses along the bayou, that is only accessible by boat.

Meeting spot and front office of Honey Island Swamp Tours in Slidell, LA near New Orleans

Floating houses in the bayous of New Orleans from Honey Island Swamp Tours

Floating Houses that are only accessible by boats in the bayous near New Orleans

Animals spotted on a swamp tour near New Orleans: Row of 20 turtles on a log, sunbathing in the bayous!

Spotted: alligator in the swamp during our Honey Island Swamp Tours near New Orleans!

A school of raccoons in the bayous, fighting for marshmallows thrown out by our guide during our swamp tour near New Orleans!

Afternoon - Mandeville

After spending the morning in Slidell, drive west for about 30 minutes to another suburb of New Orleans, Mandeville. Park your car somewhere in downtown Mandeville and take a nice 10 minute walk towards the lakefront. You will walk past beautiful neighborhood houses intermixed with cafes, restaurants, and a few bars along the way. 

Adorable storefronts, a hipster and cute lakefront suburb north of New Orleans across Lake Pontchartrain

Lakefront Park

Enjoy the beautiful lakefront park with such good vibes - kids flying kites, people taking jogs or walking their dogs. 

Lakefront park in Mandeville, LA, a suburb north of New Orleans

Gorgeous lakefront views in Mandeville, LA a lakefront suburb north of New Orleans. Reminds me of Lake Michigan in Chicago!

Fontainebleau Beach and Park

Next, drive 10 minutes to Fontainebleau Beach and State Park. The park’s name piqued my interest as it shares the name with one of the famous castles in the suburbs of Paris, France. It’s $3 to get in but totally worth it! The beautiful park is decked with oak trees with Spanish mosses. There is a small beach front to lay out and take a dip. A long deck is also available to chill and fish. 

I noticed that the main building, which was closed when we visited due to construction, appeared to be a traditional bath house from the 19th century. The entire park exudes beautiful ambiance and relaxing environment. It’s perfect for a picnic, stroll, day out with your loved ones and watch the sunset. We also ran into a few wedding photoshoots out there! 

Hauntingly beautiful oak trees with Spanish moss at Fontainebleau Park in Mandeville, LA

Lake beach views at Fontainebleau Beach and Park in Mandeville, LA near New Orleans

Drive Back to New Orleans

If it is not too out of the way to where you are staying in New Orleans, I strongly recommend driving back to the main parts of NOLA across Lake Pontchartrain on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. The longest bridge overwater in the world according to Guinness World Records, this 23.83 mile long engineering masterpiece provides magnificent views and continuous open water views throughout the entire ~30 minute drive! 

Day 4 - PLANTATION DAY

Enjoy your last day at New Orleans by driving out to the western suburbs along the Mississippi River towards the town of Vacherie to see the plantations. Dubbed “plantation row” as there are many of them, albeit miles apart, along both banks of the River, the plantations share a very dark but key part of US history and agrarian society in the 18th and 19th century, slavery. 

Oak Alley Plantation

The majestic long driveway with grand oak trees that has Spanish moss hanging down along both sides of the main road leading up to the main house is absolutely breathtaking. The visit includes a guided tour throughout the main house along with the history of its owners (The last one lived there until the 1970s!), the gardens, and a curated exhibit about slavery on the property, displayed  throughout the remaining cabins. Tickets are $35 per person and can be bought onsite. 

The road leading up to the main house at Oak Alley Plantation near New Orleans

The oaks of Oak Alley Plantation near New Orleans

More oak trees and stream on the property of Oak Alley Mansion on southwest suburbs of New Orleans

Rose garden and front of the Main House of Oak Alley Plantation near New Orleans

Whitney Plantation

Although we did not visit this particular one, the Whitney Plantation is just a 12 minute drive from Oak Alley. The plantation solely focuses on telling the history and legacies of slavery in the United States. 

Final Thoughts

Compared to many other places in the United States, New Orleans truly is a wonderful gem, filled with history and culture that truly exudes a spirit and passion for life. I absolutely loved the few days we spent there and it is one of places I genuinely highly recommend to visit! 

I know that oftentimes in the news we read about gun violence and safety concerns - which I am sure happens. However, I have not felt threatened or endangered at any point during this trip. But of course, as you should take precaution anywhere you go, especially metropolitan cities, use caution and be aware of your surroundings! 

NOLA is a wonderful place to discover and like their saying goes Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!) 

La Braisière

A charming restaurant with two floors that has been in Toulouse since 1972, La Braisière is known for its steak and traditional southwest French cuisine such as cassoulet and duck confit. We were seated on the second floor next to the iron railing with nice people-watching-view of the entrance on the first floor. Furthermore, we had an unobstructed view of the open flame brick oven downstairs as well, where all the steaks were grilled. 

And ordering according to what it’s known for, we had a filet mignon and cassoulet duck confit – which was an extremely filling comfort food service with a very generous portion of duck confit, bacon, sausage, and white beans. In addition, we ordered duck confit spring rolls as an appetizer. 

Highly recommend the steak and cassoulet but maybe skip out on the duck confit spring rolls. 

Le May

A local favorite since 1986, Le May is located in the historical town center of Toulouse and from what I can observe, a frequently visited restaurant by the student population close by! The food is great quality, great portions, and very reasonably priced. It is also a great restaurant to people watch and be amongst the locals! 

We ordered a grilled fish of the day with vegetables and baked potato on the side and a kebab with the same vegetables and baked potato on the side. The fish was so tender and flavorful that it was definitely a fresh catch of the day! 

The only downside was that the restaurant was so crowded the evening we went so we had to sit at a table by the door, which was broken! So it had to be bolted in to stay closed but there were so many people coming in and out of the restaurant that I ended up having to play the role of butler! I didn’t mind it too much and the waiters felt so bad that they offered us a discount and shots of rum when we paid our bill…

Le Bazacle

Saving the best for last! Our favorite restaurant thus far since our two trips to Toulouse and we have been there a total of 3 times already! Every single time, the food did not disappoint, whether it was lunch or dinner. 

Nestled in between the Canal de Brienne and Garonne River and next to Toulouse University, this lovely bistro offers Asian French fusion cuisine that is absolutely delightful! 

We randomly discovered it for lunch on our first trip to Toulouse and had the best roasted cornish chicken over mashed potatoes that I have ever had in my life! I was so blown away by that simple dish that this summer when we were back in town, I had to go back and try their new menu! 

Below is a sneak preview of all the items we have tried from Le Bazacle – all quite phenomenal. It will remain a frequent visit of ours when we go back to Toulouse in the future! 

If you plan to visit Toulouse, Le Bazacle is absolutely one of my suggestions of a must-try restaurant in town! 

Alright, that is all for now! Until next time~ xoxo

Dome de la Grave and the Garonne River, Toulouse, France

Day 1

Place du Capitol 

Start of your day at the main square of the city, Place du Capitol. Depending on the season you visit, there can be Christmas markets or special festivals. Certain days also cater to farmers’ markets to get some fresh produce and local delicacies! 

Christmas Market at Place du Capitol, Toulouse, France

There are a few cafes and restaurants along the square if you want to grab a quick snack and people watch. 

*Tip: if you are driving, there is parking directly at and near the Place du Capitol. The location is super convenient since it’s within walking distance to all the points of interest and the prices are not crazy.

Le Capitol

In addition to the exterior of the plaza, the Capitol itself is open to the public and free! An absolute majestic building with exquisite architecture and interior design, the self-guided tour inside is not to be missed! You can even get a sneak preview of the assembly rooms where the local Toulouse politicians hold meetings and hearings. 

Interior of Place Capitol, Toulouse, France

Inside of Place Capitol, Toulouse, France

Assembly Meeting Room at Place Capitol, Toulouse, France

Basilica de Saint Sernin

One of the main churches in Toulouse, the Basilica de Saint Sernin sits on the former site of the 4th century basilica that contained the first bishop, Saturnin of Toulouse from 250 AD. The current Basilica began construction in 1080 and continued throughout the years. It remains the largest Romanesque building in Europe. 

Basilica Saint Sernin, Toulouse, France

Majestic Columns and arches inside the Basilica Saint Sernin, Toulouse, France

Explore the streets and shops up to Galaries Lafayette

My favorite part about Toulouse is how walkable the center of town is and how many cute streets, alleyways, and shops there are throughout! If you are in the mood for shopping, Galleries Lafayette Toulouse is a good anchor point and the streets around it have a wide options of stores ranging from international designer labels to boutique stores! 

Night walk along Pont Neuf

Cap off your night with a romantic stroll along Pont Neuf. The bridge has wide sidewalks along the side and gives a perfect view into the romantic lights of Pont Saint-Pierre (Saint-Pierre Bridge) and the city with the Garonne River in the backdrop. 

Romantic views at night along Pont Neuf, Toulouse, France

Day 2 

Cloître des Jacobin

Start of the day at Cloître des Jacobin (Cloisters of the Jacobins), another iconic church in Toulouse with a grand clock tower accompanied by a beautiful cloister. The visit inside the cloister is completely worth it as it gives you a history of the site but also different views of the clock tower. 

Cloître des Jacobin, Toulouse, France

Courtyard of Cloître des Jacobin, Toulouse, France

Fondation de Georges Bemberg

Unfortunately, the Fondation was closed for renovation so we didn’t get to see the interior of the mansion along with its expansive collection of art. Heard it’s worth the visit so putting this on my itinerary suggestions :) 

Fondation de Georges Bemberg, Toulouse, France

Sad that the Fondation de Georges Bemberg is closed! - Toulouse, France

Marché de Victor Hugo 

For lunch, stop by the Victor Hugo Market to not only soak in the true French local experience but also get some bomb fresh bites - baked goods, cured meats, cheeses, dessert, fresh fruits and more! The first floor has all the markets sectioned by the type of food and the second floor has a few restaurants with seating! Depending on the time of day, the market also has a wide outdoor section with fresh artisanal products! 

Market Victor Hugo, Toulouse, France

The aisles of a French Market - Marché Victor Hugo, Toulouse, France

This cultural institution has been around the city since 1896 and is sure not to be missed! 
Museum de Augustins

Also closed while we visited, heard great things about this museum and definitely worth checking out if it’s open and museums are your thing! 

Place de la Daurade 

Wrap up the day by finding a nice spot near Place de la Daurade to enjoy the beautiful sunset with the Toulouse skyline of Dome de la Grave and Pont de Saint Pierre (Saint Pierre Bridge) in the background. Either buy some snacks and drinks and have a relaxing picnic or there are a few bars around the plaza to enjoy a few sips while taking in the magnificent view! 

Views from and around Place de la Daurade, Toulouse, France 

Gorgeous views from Place de la Daurade, Toulouse, France

Street Scenes 

Before we wrap up this 2 Day Guide, I would like to highlight that Toulouse is just an absolute gem of a city and beautiful to walk around and explore! The breathtaking views from the shades of pink and orange are perfect for a free day of flaneuring to feast your eyes and camera!

Of course, there are so many additional things the city has to offer and I didn’t get a chance to explore this time around but I truly enjoyed this trip with the few days we spent at the beautiful City of the Rose! Definitely going back and will be reporting back on additional recommendations! 

XOXO

Having the reputation for one of the most unique and visited tourist destinations, the Paris catacombs are often impossible to get tickets for. Either that, or the lines are ridiculously long! However, the combination of COVID-19 and low season gave us the perfect opportunity to visit this infamous underground empire during December of 2021. I was truly shocked but of course, thrilled that having landed in Paris in the morning, I was able to roam around the tunnels dead by evening!

My husband and I were wandering around the neighborhood and had the random idea to check if the Catacombs were open. Not only was it open but there was no line! Here is what went down at our impromptu visit of the Paris Catacombs and what to expect when you visit. 

Overview

• Where: 14th Arrondissement 

• Price: 15 euros day of purchase / 3 euros additional for audio guide (English available)

• How to get tickets: Ticket window but there are also plenty of online bookings available 

• Duration: 50 minutes (without other visitors) maybe longer if it’s crowded!

“Stop! This is the Empire of the Dead” Entrance into the Catacombs of Paris

History of the Catacombs - it used to be a limestone mine

The way the catacombs came about is absolutely fascinating! According to my audio tour, the catacombs began its initial construction in the 1770s as a result of limited cemetery space due to the increase in population of Paris which resulted in the increase in demand for housing spaces. 

To my surprise, I was completely unaware that many of the original tunnels and underground space of the catacombs were originally large limestone mines! Many of the famous Parisian buildings and monuments, including the Versailles, used limestone from where the complex tunnels of the catacombs now reside. 

Restricted hallways within the Paris Catacombs

The catacombs are sectioned in a way that many of the tombs are labelled to show the cemetery the bones were moved from as well as the year it was done. This section here is from the Ossements de L’Ancien Cemetery.

The Tour - Less intimidating and creepy than I thought

The tour was not incredibly long and took a total of 50 minutes - and we definitely took our sweet time looking through all the different elements of the tour. The tour begins by going down a set of stairs for what seems like FOREVER. I would estimate it to be about 8 minutes. Once underground, the tour begins in a bright exhibition room that provides an history overview of the space before entering the tunnels. 

Shortly after, the Gates of the Underground can be seen and this is where the catacombs tour truly begin! 

The sections are well organized by different cemeteries. The majority of the sections are placed in large bone block formations or skull formations. It felt a bit unreal and creepy for the first 5 minutes or so, standing so close to piles of human bones. But with the accompaniment of the audio tour as well as the few people with us walking around, I quickly adapted to the atmosphere and honestly was even surprised at how comfortable and calm I felt while walking through the darkly lit tunnel of eternal rest. 

I thought the audio tour was very interesting and gave different perspectives and historical references of the catacombs, from being a limestone mine to the current cemetery that it is today. However, my husband was disappointed that they didn’t include anything about the role it played during World War II, in which the soldiers used to fight off the Germans. 

Random Side Story - the crazy security guard at the entrance

Before I tell the story, I would just like to clarify that all the other staff at the Catacombs were super friendly and helpful :)

On with the story. 

We were waiting in line to scan our tickets to enter the Catacombs. There was an American or Canadian family in front of us. The dad was a bit confused about how to scan the ticket so after a few attempts, he gave up and stepped over the gate. 

Suddenly, the security guard stationed at the entrance went BALLISTIC! He started yelling (really yelling) at this room of maybe 8 people total and in English, the most bizarre things. 

He began his rampage by first yelling, but still sitting on his stool, “SIR! SIR! COME OUT OF THE GATE NOW!” 

The poor dad was confused and did not realize the security guard was talking to him, which frustrated the security guard even more. 

“I AM TALKING TO YOU. SIR! GET OUT NOW!”

There was some confusion and chaos among all of us. And suddenly the security guard jumps out of his stool and storms toward the poor dad, still yelling. 

“YOU THINK I DON’T SPEAK ENGLISH?! I SPEAK ENGLISH! SCAN YOUR TICKET NOW! STEP OUT!!! STEP OUT!!!”

It was really crazy. First of all, the security guard didn’t bother to help the poor confused man and was just yelling these absurd things on the top of his lungs. Finally, the man’s daughter grabbed her dad’s ticket and gave it to the security guard for him to scan. 

Anyways, besides that random rude incident. The catacombs were a fascinating visit and definitely worth the visit! Especially when there are no lines! 

“Thus, everything passes on earth; Spirit, beauty, grace, and talent; like the fleeting flower when the slightest wind blows.” The Catacombs, Paris

Overview

The largest concentration of flea markets in the world, The Puces de Saint Ouen in Paris receives more than 5 million visitors each year! It’s only open on Saturday, Sunday, and Mondays and the fifth most visited tourist destination in France! 

Although the entire flea market area is known as Puces de Saint Ouen in French or Saint Ouen Flea Market, the entire area is actually composed of twelve covered markets, five shopping streets, and sidewalks filled with goodies, each specializing in an area of antiques and items. For example, the Market begins with a massive outdoor market that specializes in knockoff designer clothes, jerseys, and sneakers. Some markets focus on vintage paintings, some on vintage furniture, and others on clothes and collectibles. It is a fantastic area to spend a day if you love to find hidden treasures. Although, some of the items are not necessarily good deals… 

Getting There

There are a few metro and RER stations near the flea markets but the main one is Porte de Clignancourt if you are arriving from Paris Center. 

*Tip: Be mindful of your surroundings as the Porte de Clignancourt area sometimes has hustlers and dealers roaming about. Go during daylight and with a group of friends if possible, especially if you are not familiar with Paris!

Where to Shop

Sadly, I didn’t have enough time to visit all the markets within Saint Ouen but did go to Marche Vernaison and Jules Valles Market! I definitely need to go back and explore some more!

Marché Vernaison 

Narrow streets and independent shops, mostly focusing on home decor and furniture. Super cute because the shops a lot of times overflow onto the sidewalks. It’s next to the streets that specializes in knock off sneakers and designer clothing but has several gates as entrances that transform itself to a different realm! 

Jules Valles Market

An indoor market with beautiful orangerie type iron and glass work as part of its ceiling with individual stalls focusing on vintage clothing, records, posters, and postcards. There were also a few shops that sold furniture as well as collectibles like old-school Nintendo characters!

Places to Eat

There are restaurants throughout Saint Ouen Flea Markets vicinity, especially on Rue des Rosiers. We went to a cute bistro called Le Voltaire for a quick bite and coffee. It is slightly more overpriced than other areas in Paris, but the food was great and the restaurant was super cute! 

Housed in the Hotel Biron, a gorgeous villa in the middle of Paris, with neatly maintained geometric French gardens, the Musée Rodin features many of Auguste Rodin’s famous pieces indoor and outdoors, in a chronological fashion. Interestingly, Rodin also lived and worked in this mansion during his lifetime. Initially, he shared it with other artists, including writer Jean Cocteau, painter Henri Matisse, and dancer Isadora Duncan. But as of 1911, Rodin became Hotel Biron’s sole occupant.

In addition to Rodin’s famous works, like Lovers’ Hands, The Walking Man, and The Kiss, the second floor of the museum also features works by some of Rodin’s friends as well as his personal collections. One section of the exhibition featured his collection of Chinese themed sculptures as well as works by Vincent van Gogh.

Because of the location of the mansion, many points throughout the property also provide magnificent views of the Eiffel Tower and the Invalides.

Besides the interior of Hotel Biron, the Sculpture Garden of the Musée Rodin also houses many, if not the most famous works of Rodin, including the Gates of Hell and The Thinker. Featuring a rose garden (too bad there weren’t many roses when I visited because it was in the middle of winter), geometric French Garden, and an open park area with a large bronze fountain, the exterior portion of the museum is also equally beautiful and a great place to walk around and enjoy its surroundings.

Quick Overview of Musée Rodin

Price

• $14 euros per person (adult)

• $6 euros audio guide

• Free first Sundays of the Month between October and March

• Tickets include both interior and exterior of the MuseumLocation:

Location

• 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France

Things to Explore Near Musée Rodin

• The Invalides (Army Museum where Napoleon’s remains are held)

• Museum d’Orsay

• Rue Cler neighborhood for traditional French bistros, cheese shops, and chacuterie shops

• Eiffel Tower

When we arrived at the shop, it was relatively empty. The owner told us to wait for two minutes before coming in because he was just about to pay respect to Caishen, which is a traditional Chinese God of Wealth that almost all restaurants and local businesses in Hong Kong have a mini shrine with incense and offerings inside their shop. Immediately after he finished speaking, the owner dropped to his knees and kowtowed three times with large incense in his hands to Caishen! This really took me by surprise because while I know owners often light incense and put offerings near the shrine, I have never seen anyone drop to their knees and pray! After his prayer, we were invited into the shop. 

The interior of the dessert shop is very simple with round foldable tables and red plastic stools or diner booths. Menus were landscaped laminated A4 paper on the tables with no photos – just the names of the dish and the prices. There were also additional menu items posted in Chinese on the walls, also no photos. The only document with photos, which I honestly believe they made for occasional expats who came out of curiosity, had only 8-10 options on display out of the 90 they had on the Chinese menu.

Luckily I read Chinese! But also, the item we ended up ordering was on the one-page picture menu. After long consideration, we took an order of Papaya Coconut cold dessert soup that came in a small bowl. The soup was very refreshing and sweet from the coconut milk. Chunks of papaya added to the soft texture. Very enjoyable and refreshing in the summer! 

If you are in the Kowloon City neighborhood, I highly recommend checking out this traditional dessert shop that has been around for more than 60 years! The entire experience, down to the architecture, interior, service, and of course the dessert itself, is very uniquely Hong Kong and a great way to get a glimpse into its local history and culture. 

Living up to its hype, Islam Food is a family-style Halal restaurant in the Kowloon City neighborhood of Hong Kong and my favorite place to get Pan Fried Beef Buns! Even during COVID-19 stricken times, where most people were eating out less, the restaurant had long lines! I waited more than 30 minutes when I went in September. 

Ambiance

Like a typical bustling family-styled restaurant, Islam Food is composed of multiple round tables and simple chairs. If you are lucky, you may get a table for yourself. But many times then not, you will have to share a large round table with other customers. The restaurant is rather rowdy and customer service is what you may expect from this type of Chinese restaurant but it’s all part of the experience! 

What to Order

The pan-fried beef buns are hands down an absolute must-order. It’s also what the restaurant is known for. Their lamb dumplings are also very legit! Honestly, there’s nothing we didn’t like from the menu. You can’t go wrong with this restaurant! 

Pan-Fried Beef Buns

Juicy, hearty, generously portioned wrapped in a crispy flaky Chinese style pancake, this beef bun has so much going on that every bite is just bursting with flavor and texture! Be prepared to eat though because this beef bun fills you up quickly but there are so many other things you have to try on the menu! So come hungry!!!

Beef Dumplings

Same as the beef buns, these lamb dumplings are juicy down to the last bite! Make sure you eat it with a spoon so all that juice doesn’t go to waste! The skin is just the right amount of thickness for a dumpling and carries the meaty flavor that has been transferred to the skin through the steaming process. 

Dried Scallop and Egg Fried Rice 

I was not sold on the name and description at first but Pierre insisted that we try this fried rice as it intrigued him. So glad we went with it! It was so good! First of all, I didn’t know you can use dried scallops in fried rice and second I didn’t know that salty, fresh flavor could match so well with fried rice! A must-try!

Cumin Fennel Lamb

Yum! It’s common knowledge in Chinese culture that Halal restaurants always do beef and lamb dishes very very well. Although this one could’ve been even more flavorful with extra salt and cumin, it was delicious nontheless!

A Local Institution and Must-Try for Any Hong Kong Visitor

Every metropolitan has local institutions that play a great role in the history and culture of the city. Hong Kong’s Islam Food can be considered as such. In the Kowloon City neighborhood, which was a walled-up slum that was demolished in 1994 and now a beautiful Chinese garden and public park, Islam Food has been around since the 1980s. But its founder, Mr. Ma has been in the business since the 1920s in Mainland China and opened his first bun-themed restaurant in Hong Kong at Hung Hom in the 1950s. 

Delicious with a unique piece of local history, Islam Food is definitely on my recommended list and a place you cannot miss if you live or visit Hong Kong! 

Name: Jiangsu & Zhejiang 江浙滬

Location: 37-39 Jardine's Bazaar, Causeway Bay

The front of Jiangsu & Zhejiang Restaurant in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

What to Order

We’ve been here so many times and tried so many dishes on the menu and honestly, haven’t had a dish that we did not like! Here is a list of our most frequently ordered dishes that you can’t go wrong with! And of course we kick off with what the post’s title mentions: pan-fried buns!

Pan-fried Buns

Hands down the best in town! The buns are done to a perfect crisp at the bottom while the top is still white and fluffy. The meat is tender and juicy, hence making each bite into the bun a perfect combination of soft turn into crunch paired with the umami flavor of the pork fillings. A must order every.single.time! 

Enjoying a deliciously plump, crunchy, soft, juicy pan-fried bun from Jiangsu & Zhejiang, the best panfried bun in Hong Kong!

Pork Stir-Fry with Peas and Peppers

The wokhei (smoky heat infused into a dish, especially in Chinese cuisine) is off the chain on this dish! The pork embodies the spiciness and smokiness from the stirfry and peppers while the peas add an additional flavor profile to the dish. Recommend ordering some extra rice to pair with this one! 

Pork Stir-Fry with Peas and Peppers at Jiangsu & Zhejiang, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Dumplings in Chili Oil

A traditional Sichuan dumpling where the skin is so thin and has the consistency of a wonton with drizzles of chili oil on top, this dumpling is also very well done here and a great appetizer dish to kick off the meal. 

Sweet and Sour Pork

I am personally not a fan of anything sweet and sour from any restaurant but this is one of my husband’s favorite dishes to order, especially at Jiangsu & Zhejiang! A well-balanced taste between sweet and sour, each piece of pork is marinated with the flavorful glaze, guaranteeing a burst of flavor in every bite. 

Sweet and Sour Pork from Jiangsu & Zhejiang Restaurant, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Dan Dan Noodles

Not exactly like the traditional dan dan noodle, where it’s a dry noodle dish, the dan dan noodle from Jiangsu & Zhejiang has a soup base and is not as spicy as variations from other restaurants. However, the noodles are cooked to the exact texture that gives it a nice chew! 

Dan Dan Noodles from Jiangsu & Zhejiang Restaurant, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Jiangsu & Zhejiang is definitely not only an authentic family-style restaurant in Hong Kong but also a very affordable place to grab a delicious meal. Average spending per person ranges around $150 HKD and is a great place to get recharged from a day of shopping in Causeway Bay!

I’ve been to The Mills a handful of times during my little over two years in Hong Kong, and have to say it is one of my favorite “shopping malls” (although that term doesn’t seem to quite fit this place) in the city that is filled with so many. Compared to its peers such as PMQ and Tai Kwun in Central, The Mills’s glass ceiling and hallway structural design with its brand positioning provides a more inclusive and locally Hong Kong oriented experience.

And not to mention The Mills is a pet friendly spot so if you swing by on weekends you can bump into so many pet owners with their cute dogs all decked out in adorable outfits taking photos near the grand staircase in the main atrium! 

THE RETAIL – Creative and Hipster Focusing on Local Hong Kong Culture and Designs

I am so obsessed with quite a number of stores in The Mills! The selection of retail ranges from clothing to stationary to sustainable lifestyle shops. 

Garment 2 Garment

The first one I’ve seen of its kind, Garment 2 Garment has a special machine that makes new clothes from scrap cloths or old t-shirts and socks that no longer can be used. It’s a great way to upcycle old clothes and get a complete new sweater or shirt from it! 

Book B

Sadly, I believe Book B left The Mills in summer of 2021 but it was a great bookstore with an attached cafe in a Nordic decor style that featured independently published books in design, art, and cultural heritage. 

Pimary

Similar to Slo-Wood, Pimary is a sustainable lifestyle store that features a lot of household items that are sustainably made. For example, I found a lot of baking supplies such as waxed paper, cupcake liners, etc. that I used to find in Wholefoods at Pimary. They also have an array of mugs, water bottles, and other kitchen items made from sustainably sourced wood or recycled materials. 

Mille-Feuille 

Last but not least, my absolute favorite store in The Mills! Because I’m such a stationery addict…any type of stationery product that has an ‘interesting’ design -interesting can embody a very wide range of factors, I just love going there to discover new items in their inventory. My absolute favorite are the Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teen series of stickers by Milkteaology featuring items like egg tarts, milk tea, noodles that are so unique to Hong Kong! 

THE OPEN SPACES – DECK AND ROOFTOP

Unbeknownst to me until the last time I went to The Mills, it has not only one outdoor space, but two! The first one being the deck, which features a small vegetable garden with some public seating. The more popular one is the rooftop on its top floor next to bars and burger joints. The rooftop features a lovely mural and open views of the Tsuen Wan District. It’s a perfect place to grab a beer and relax on a nice sunny day! 

THE CENTRE FOR HERITAGE ARTS & TEXTILE 

Similar to the deck, I did not discover the exhibitions by the Centre for Heritage Arts & Textile until my most recent trip to The Mills. It is such a delightful and well-put space that has permanent and temporary exhibitions and workshops. The one regarding the history of the building in which The Mills is located is particularly interesting. 

Nan Fung Textiles, the former manufacturing giant, was the home to the buildings that have now been revitalized and reopened to the public as The Mills in 2018. The exhibit gives an excellent overview of Nan Fung Textiles’ leading role in textile manufacturing and the impacts it has had on Hong Kong’s post-World War II economy. 

Founded in 1956 by Dr. Chen Ding Hwa, who moved to Hong Kong in 1949 after the Chinese Civil War, Nan Fung Textiles created products ranging from clothing to signage to flags and drapes that were often displayed during festive times, such as on the dragon boats for the Dragon Boat Festival Holiday. 

Besides the permanent exhibitions regarding the history of Nan Fung Textiles, the Centre also had a temporary exhibition featuring other types of weaving and textile production as well as a community arts and poetry display by local students. 

While it is a bit out of the way from Central, the Mills in Tsuen Wan District is definitely one of my favorite spots to spend an afternoon in Hong Kong. As a landmark revitalization project completed in 2018 – a destination consisting of business incubator, experiential retail, and nonprofit cultural institution, it definitely lives up to its vision and mission.It’s not only a great place to hang, relax, and get immersed in the local Hong Kong culture but also an amazing place if you are looking to find Hong Kong themed gifts and souvenirs for friends and loved-ones!

On one of our last remaining weekends together in Hong Kong, we decided to take the ferry from Central Pier to Ma Wan, as it was one of the few remaining areas in Hong Kong that we have yet to explore. The ferry ride from Central was, of course, beautiful as always - with views of the Kowloon skylines as we inched closer towards the west. Once arriving at Ma Wan, we took the liberty to walk around to a few points of interests: the beach by the ferry pier, Noah’s Ark, Ma Wan Park, and attempts to locate an abandoned village without much success. 

Points of Interests

Views of Tsing Ma Bridge & Kap Shui Mun Bridge 

Both within walking distance of the ferry pier are views of either Tsing Ma Bridge or the Kap Shui Mun Bridge. In regards to the Tsing Ma Bridge, I prefer the views from our hike on Tsing Yi’s Tsing Yi Nature Trail Hike since it gives a more elevated view,  however, this one does have a nice beach area as its backdrop which provides an interesting contrast. 

Views of Tsing Ma Bridge from Ma Wan

Neighborhood Streets of Ma Wan, Hong Kong

The Beach

Pleasantly empty and within walking distance from the ferry pier was the public beach. When we passed by, there were only a few families and children playing and a couple of kayakers who just finished their latest trip. 

Noah’s Ark Children’s Theme Park

Next to the public beach is the somewhat bizarre Noah’s Ark Theme Park, which as you guessed it, is shaped like an ancient vessel, hence the name Noah’s Ark. We didn’t go inside it though so I can’t comment on how it is, although, I am quite sure, just like most things in Hong Kong, you will probably be pleasantly surprised and it is a very nicely curated and programmed children’s theme park! 

Ma Wan Park

This was probably the highlight of the day! I’m always amazed at how many wonderfully operated and maintained parks there are in Hong Kong. This one is no exception! With nicely paved pebbled pathways, the park has a family-friendly trail accompanied by lush and exotic vegetation. There is a round gazebo with plants and a flower tunnel that is a great spot for photos. Lastly, the park is home to a mini museum and excavation site of Neolithic human remains, who apparently used to inhabit the island more than 5,000 years ago! 

Ma Wan Park, Hong Kong

Flower Tunnel at Ma Wan Park, Hong Kong

Abandoned Fishing Village

This title is somewhat misleading as I’m not sure if we ever successfully located the so-called “abandoned fishing village” that I read about on blogs as well as encountered throughout the wayfinding signs on the island. We did, however, stumble upon a newly built village, which consisted of 3 story tile exterior country houses. Next to the last row of houses was a small pier that housed about 15 to 20 small fishing boats. 

Potentially the Ma Wan Village? But one cannot be sure…

Chan Family Ancestral Temple

Because it was a scorching hot summer’s day in July when we visited and we walked around the same neighborhood 3 to 4 times attempting to find the fishing village without much success, we decided it was time to call it a day and head back to Hong Kong Island. During our walk back to the ferry pier, we stumbled upon this ancestral temple that was wedged between two lowrise apartment buildings. 

Chan Family Ancestral Temple in Ma Wan, Hong Kong

Soon after, we made our way to the bus station and embarked on a trip back to Tsing Yi and stopped at the Maritime Mall for some Chinese food. I regret we did not go to the Door Northern Chinese Dining again to get Peking Duck but instead went to Paradise Restaurant (乐天皇朝）instead. We got the multi-flavored soup dumplings among other things but the food was just mediocre and nothing to be raving about! 

Specialty Soup Dumplings at Paradise Restaurant 乐天皇朝 in Maritime Square Mall of Tsing Yi, Hong Kong

Needless to say, this was not one of our best day trips, but perhaps you’ll be able to have a more adventurous time when you visit Ma Wan! 

Luckily, my husband and I were able to catch the momentary relaxation of the travel restrictions and only had to do 7 days of mandatory hotel quarantine (all self-expensed), the regulation in place for fully vaccinated individuals, upon our return. Unfortunately, as of the date I am writing and publishing this, the mandatory hotel quarantine for returning from France has increased to 21 days. 

My full review of Nina Hotel Island South for mandatory quarantine with room tour, meal previews, and tips on surviving quarantine!

Pre-Departure from Hong Kong

As it is required by the Hong Kong Government, we had to book our quarantine hotels prior to leaving for our trip. The government regularly publishes the list of hotels designated for quarantine purposes. Make sure you book from the list and book early! Hotels not on the government issued list are not recognized! So don’t think you can just book any random hotel in Hong Kong! Additionally, the booking must be confirmed prior to boarding the flight if you have a round-trip ticket since airlines are required to check for proper documentation or else they will prohibit you from even leaving!

Booking at Nina Hotel Island South 

While various OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) such as Trip.com have quarantine packages that are slightly cheaper than booking directly with the hotel, I strongly suggest booking directly with the hotel from the Hong Kong SAR Government approved quarantine hotel list. Reasons being that due to the complex nature and constant changing COVID-19 regulations and travel restrictions not only in Hong Kong but wherever you are traveling from or having a layover at, your trip most likely will change. Changing your itinerary or getting your money refunded will be much simpler when going directly through Nina Hotel Island South than with a third-party site. 

For instance, Nina Hotel Island South confirmed for me that our itinerary can be adjusted without a fee if it is a change due to Hong Kong SAR Government policy: 

• When I originally booked, I booked it for 14 days but a few days before our trip, we learned that we would be eligible for 7 days of quarantine if vaccinated and had an antibody test done prior to departure. Nina Hotel told us that we can just tell the front desk when we check in and they will adjust the booking accordingly without a fee. This was indeed the case!

• Although this wasn’t a policy impact, our flight got 1 day delayed due to our airline changing our flight two days prior to our departure from France back to Hong Kong. As a result, we checked into Nina Hotel for quarantine one day later than originally booked. They did not charge us for the day we booked but missed and only charged us for the 7 nights that we stayed for mandatory quarantine.  

Quarantine Experience

Overall 

Honestly, for 7 days, it was not bad at all! The time seemed much shorter than 7 days and that was probably due to the fact that I slept through 60% of it. I was so jetlagged from the trip and definitely needed the extra sleep to catch up on rest! 

Checking In

The check in process took much longer than usual because the staff are required to check a long list of paperwork prior to providing the keys to our rooms. We were one of the firsts in line and the entire check-in took at least 15 minutes to be completed. Upon completion, we were provided with a quarantine booklet, a list of rules for mandatory PCR-testing, an re-emphasizing statement on not violating the quarantine order since it would result in up to 6-months in prison and a 50,000 HKD in fine, as well as test kits for PCR-testing. 

Mandatory PCR-tests

We got tested twice during our stay at Nina Hotel. And you are required to be tested every 3 days for a total of 21 days upon arrival to Hong Kong. Because of the remaining 14 days, we were no longer in mandatory hotel quarantine, so we had to go to the Community Testing Centers every 3 days to complete the PCR tests. The tests were free but nonetheless, it was such a hassle to go to the Community Center every 3 days for the rest of our “watch period…”

The first time was a rapid test self-kit that was given to us upon arrival as mentioned earlier. The staff called us for a reminder and came to pick them up at the designated time. 

The second time we were tested was with official staff from the Health Department. We received a phone call a few hours as a reminder and 3 staff from the Health Department knocked on our door with their full gear of PPE, goggles, and masks came and did the nose and throat swab after we presented them with our HKID and appropriate paperwork. Super intense but quick nonetheless! 

The Room 

So glad we purposely looked through all the hotels and chose Nina for the bigger space! The standard rooms are 30 sqm, which gives us an ample amount of room to spread out. There was even a little nook which was large enough to place a yoga mat and do some simple exercises. 

Luckily, the street next to the hotel is a very wide one, which allowed the view into Aberdeen to be very open. Our particular view looked upon a few skyscrapers across the street and a soccer field in the nearby park. It also provided a great amount of sunlight into the room throughout the day, which is a big plus! 

The bathroom was also spacious enough and came with a bathtub. I usually don’t take baths in hotels for sanitary reasons but being stuck in one for 7 days and nothing else to do definitely enticed me to take one during my stay here! 

Amenities & Snacks

Because there was no room service during our entire stay, the staff kindly provided us with an ample amount of alcohol wipes, lysol, a swifer, swifer pads, disposable gloves, disinfectant spray, and other cleaning materials. They also gave us clean sheets and pillow cases. 

In addition to the goody bag of cleaning supplies and fresh sheets, the staff also gave us two big goody bags filled with snacks and drinks that included: Pringle Chips, cookies, pastries, Coca-Cola, Vitasoy soy milk, Perrier, and two huge multi liter jugs of water. 

The Meals

Like all of the quarantine packages, the one at Nina Hotel comes with 3 meals a day. Overall, the food was much better than I anticipated. The menu is published on the website and there are 3 Choices for the weekly menu: Regular, Healthy, and Halal. We opted for the Regular Menu, which tries to switch it up between Western and Chinese food from meal to meal. 

The food does appear to be prepared with higher quality ingredients and the taste was honestly not bad at all. In fact, there were a few meals that I actually thought were quite delicious! It’s always served with a side of grain or starch, meat, and vegetables. They do end up serving cabbage and carrots for its vegetable side quite often, which I got kind of tired of eating towards the end because it was so bland. Definitely prefer the Chinese greens like Bok Choy that they also serve from time to time! The portions are also generous and we oftentimes had a lot of food left over due to the amount given as well as the lack of appetite being stuck in a room for so long. 

My only complaint about the food is that there is no fresh coffee served in the morning. We were given instant coffee packs everyday and that stuff was NOT GOOD! Definitely bring your own drip coffee if you are able to stuff it in your suitcase or drop off a goody bag prior to departure, which leads me to my next section! 

My Top 6 Quarantine Tips

So with that being said and a quick overview of what the experience is like, here are my top 6 tips on how to make the best out of your time in mandatory hotel quarantine! 

Tip 1. Drop off a Goody Bag Prior to Departure (if you already live in Hong Kong) or Pack Quarantine Items in Your Luggage. We packed extra luggage, mostly filled with snacks and condiments, but they were life saving and made our time during quarantine so much better!  We brought some Kinder Chocolate, my favorite Japanese Calbee cereal, Oatly oat milk, chili oil, drip coffee, tea, etc. We also brought a monitor for work and a yoga mat for exercise! 

Tip 2. Check Reviews of Hotels within Your Budget from the Designated Government List Because All Hotels are NOT EQUAL! The list of designated quarantine hotels regularly published by the Hong Kong SAR Government usually has groups of hotels in various price ranges. And not all hotels are worth the same value for the same price! In fact, some of the hotels offer less square footage, worse food, and poorer service for a higher price compared to some others so be sure to check the reviews out and book early! I highly recommend Nina Hotel Island South as they are one of the more affordable ones with the largest space, super clean, and decent meals! 

Tip 3. Book Your Quarantine Hotel as Early as Possible! While finalizing your travel plans during COVID-19 times can be challenging, still try your best to book your quarantine hotel as early as possible! We booked our reservation at Nina Hotel in early May for our mid-August stay and while it was still available, a lot of the other hotels within the same price range and great reviews, like Jen Hotel or Ovolo Hotels were completely booked. 

Tip 4. Book Directly with the Hotel. As I mentioned earlier in the post, it is usually much simpler to change your booking when you book directly through the hotel than through a third-party. Because there are often travel disruptions, flight cancellations, changes among other things when traveling under COVID-19 times, it’s best to book directly with the hotel!

Tip 5. Try to Get to the Beginning of the Check In Line when Arriving at the Hotel (Sit in the Front of the Quarantine Bus from the Airport). The entire check in process at the hotel can take up to 15-20 minutes since the staff are required to check a long list of documents and paperwork. Hence, if you are completely exhausted from your flight and travels and want to get to your room ASAP, then try to get in the front of the check-in line! If there are a lot of guests waiting to check in then the entire wait can take up to more than an hour.

Tip 6. Make Sure You Have Good Access to Wifi and Data Prior to Going to Your Quarantine Room. This is related to tip #2 to make sure you read the reviews to see if there’s good wifi connection at your hotel! If not, try to buy a hotspot device or get access to a data network or else you will be bored out of your mind during quarantine! 

That is all my beautifuls!

Hope it’s helpful and best of luck with your travels and quarantine planning. Hopefully, travel restrictions will be lifted soon so there won’t be any quarantine needed when traveling from and to Hong Kong!

• Guide to Chavaniac Lafayette - Birthplace of American Revolutionary War hero, Marquis de Lafayette

• Guide to La Chaise-Dieu - a 1,000 year old abbey church and burial site of Pope Clement VI

• Forteresse de Polignac - a medieval estate and fortress belonging to the Polignac family, who played an interesting role in French history

Mont Mézenc

I really got the chance to live my the Sound of Music fantasy when hiking through this gorgeous peak! 1,700 meters above sea-level, the summit provides fantastic panoramic views of its surrounding hills and landscape. The mountain has numerous hiking trails with varying difficulties as well as camp and picnic sites! 

Sneakpeak at my adventure at Mont Mezenc and Les Estables and Moudeyres Villages

The air was so crisp, even in the middle of the summer. Accompanied by pink, purple, yellow, and white wild flowers throughout and with clear view upon miles and miles, I really imagined myself as Maria, Julie Andrews’s character from the Sound of Music. 

While there are multiple unpaved hiking routes throughout the forest, we took the easy paved pathway that leads up to the hill into a parking lot. There were minimal cars and provided great views along the way, including a group of cows who were munching on wild grass! 

Les Estables - the Small Village at the Foot of Mont Mézenc

Just before driving up to the summit of Mont Mézenc is the little village of Les Estables. There is a boucherie and charcuterie (place that sells meat and sausages) and boulangerie (bakery) that is definitely worth checking out for authentically made French gourmet foods! 

We bought some caillette, which are cooked cabbage meatballs that you can either eat directly or heat it up in the oven. 

Delicious Boucherie and Charcuterie at Les Estables Village near Mont Mézenc

Moudeyres - Small Village with Museum for Thatched Roof

A village of less than 100 residents, Moudeyres is home to the Ferme des Frères Perrel Museum. Known for its traditional, artisanal hand-made thatched roofs, the Museum explains the history of the tradition that’s well-known throughout the region. 

Ferme des Frères Perrel Museum located at Moudeyres Village near Mont Mézenc

Although I did not go inside the museum as it was closed when we visited, the village is home to a number of houses that feature the traditional thatched roofs. There is also a really really beautiful house at the end of the village with a beautiful French countryside garden. I didn’t take any photos out of respect for the owners privacy but it’s definitely a cute town that’s worth putting on your to-check-out list when hiking through Mont Mézenc!

Views of Moudeyres Village in Haute-Loire, France

The specific location I’m referring to in our 20-minute drive is Forteresse de Polignac. 5 kilometers northwest of Le Puy en Velay in the Auvergne Region of France, this 1,000 year old fortress built on top of ancient volcanic rocks is home to a few figures that played quite an interesting role in French history. Hence, in addition to A Day Trip to La Chaise-Dieu and Chavaniac-Laffayette when in Auvergne, be sure to also visit the Forteresse de Polignac when you are visiting the region! 

Eglise de Saint Martin (St. Martin’s Church)

Like most castles or fortresses, the Forteresse de Polignac is the prime residence and watch-tower of the small village, Polignac. Set on top of a hill, the Village of Polignac is also home to the Eglise de Saint Martin (St. Martin’s Church) that dates back to 1062. The church features frescos that have been preserved from the 12th-century still on display on its walls and ceilings. 

Forteresse de Polignac

A grande elongated rectangular tower sitting on top of the hill in the Village of Polignac, the Forteresse de Polignac was built more than 1,000 years ago. It was formally 3 stories tall, in which the first floor was the dining and kitchen area, second floor for the female head of the house as a bedroom, and the 3rd floor as the grand master bedroom for the male head of the house. The structure was more functional than beautiful and only the first floor was preserved for viewing. 

Duchess of Polignac

The most famous member of the Polignac family is perhaps the Duchess of Polignac, Yolande de Polastron, whose husband, Jules de Polignac is the first Duke of the family. The Duchess was considered one of the great beauties pre-French Revolution and was said to be the favorite of Queen Marie Antoinette. I was googling her and there are even a few historical accounts saying that it was rumored at the time that she may have been Queen Marie Antoinette’s lesbian lover. However, that was never officially proven. 

The rumor may have started due to the fact that she was not only beautiful, a favorite of the Queen, who was not exactly the most popular person in France at the time, and she was also known for her extravagant lifestyle (although that is also disputed by some sources). Long story short, the girl had a lot of haters!

She was appointed the Governess to the Children of France (children of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette) in 1872, and as a result, was given a 13-room apartment for herself in the Palace of Versaille. 

Exterior Garden and Landscape of Polignac

Accompanied by an adorable Medieval Herb Garden, the exterior of the Forteresse sits on top of the volcanic hill and provides 360-degree view of its surrounding countryside and the city of Le Puy en Valey. Because I went during the summer, some of the millet fields were just turning golden brown, patched next to the fresh green corn or vegetable fields. The breathtaking beauty truly feels like walking into an iconic 18th-century countryside themed oil painting!

La Chaise-Dieu

Meaning the “House of God” in English, La Chaise Dieu was founded by Robert de Tourlande in 1043. In the Languedoc Gothic Style, the abbey church is also the burial site of Pope Clement VI, who entered the Catholic Church through the Benedictine order as a boy in 1301 at La Chaise-Dieu in the Diocese of Clermont in Auvergne. 

Upon entering, the staff at ticketing booth at La Chaise-Dieu, who were all very young and looked like college students on their summer jobs, were very friendly and helped me navigate through the recently approved COVID-mandates (negative of COVID in order to enter) by examining through my Hong Kong vaccine papers. 

Unfortunately, the headsets we received only had French guided tours. But lucky for me, many of the rooms had plaques or printed English materials explaining the history of the abbey. Upon entering, we were greeted by the beautiful cloister hallway with a sneak peek at the outdoor terrace. 

The main church area, breathtakingly beautiful with high gothic ceilings, has several significant art pieces. One being the massive pipe organ dating back to the 17th century that consists of gorgeous and intricate redwood carvings. The other art piece is 3 panels of the 15th century fresco, Danse Macabre, with skeletons and cadavers showing dancing motion as a reference to the Black Death, in which it heavily impacted the village and surrounding area of La Chaise-Dieu. 

Besides the art pieces in the main church area, La Chaise Dieu also has fourteen Flemish tapestries from the 16th century on display. All of the designs are themed around the life of Jesus Christ.  

Lunch Break at Le Lion d’Or

Upon finishing our visit at La Chaise-Dieu, we stopped at the village to enjoy some lunch. There’s an area in the central area next to the abbey with a few restaurants, bed & breakfasts, and shops. We stopped by a restaurant named the Golden Lion, or Le Lion d’Or. Surprisingly, it’s an authentic traditional French and Thai restaurant. After speaking with the owner for a while, we learned the reason behind the interesting choices behind the menu selection and decor is because his wife is Thai!  

Funnily, I ordered a traditional French meal of Tripe with Lentils while my in-laws ordered Thai food! The tripe I ordered was so so so delicious. The tripe, infused the flavors of the lentils that were stewed with a generous amount of shallots and bay leaves. 

Chavaniac-Lafayette

After lunch, we took a 20-minute drive to our second stop of this day trip: Chavaniac-Lafayette. Originally named Chavaniac, this 300 person commune was renamed to Chavaniac-Lafayette in 1884 in honor of the famous Marquis de Lafayette. The Chateau Chavaniac is the highlight of this commune as it was the birthplace and childhood home of the Marquis. While large in its size, the estate did not appear to be extremely extravagant or grandiose. And it is very apparent that the Marquis and his relationship as well as contribution with America is greatly reflected throughout the estate in the forms of sculptures and portraits of or with George Washington and the display of American flags.

Interior of the Chateau Chavaniac

The tour of the castle began at the first-level kitchen and dining room, which consisted of all the original furniture and cooking ware from Lafayette’s time. The room formally functioned as a guard room. 

The headsets for the tour at Chateau Chavaniac, unlike that of La Chaise-Dieu, had English capabilities. The tour of course included both the bedrooms of Lafayette – which had a portrait of George Washington(!) and his wife, Mrs. Lafayette. 

But my favorite room in the house was the drawing room, which had these magnificent chairs painted on upholstery depicting the French countryside. It was also very well lit with large french windows and Louis XV mirrors. 

Exterior of the Chateau Chavaniac

Perhaps more interesting of the estate is the extremely large garden, which includes a well-kept French Rose Garden and a large English styled backcountry garden. The rose garden was immediately next to the Chateau and has more than dozens types of rose varieties blooming in beautiful beige to bright pink colors. 

The English garden expands across many acres and features plants from the American South, especially in the Virginia, Tennessee, and Carolinas region. It also has a beautiful water lily pond that was formerly a pool. 

France never seizes to amaze me with its diverse offerings of landscapes, history, and food! Auvergne Region, although not as familiar to many compared to the rest of the country, is by no means shy of any of its wonderful offerings. It is just waiting to be discovered by international tourists and those curious to venture out of the well known. 

The Palais Garnier, Paris, France

The Grand Staircase of Palais Garnier, Paris

Because I went during the first week of France implementing its policy of must having the vaccine or a negative antigen test to enter any public spaces, I was afraid that they may not let me in, even though I had my Hong Kong vaccination papers with me. I’m glad I was wrong! It was a rather seamless process and I was even lucky enough to get a $2 euro discount because I attempted to buy my ticket through the vending machine and didn’t have the appropriate change required. One of the staff members was nice enough to just let me in without the additional $2 euros…

The initial entrance to the Palais Ganier was subtle, in the sense that I was greeted by a rather modest statue of (cupid?) and intricately carved marble columns. But a few steps later, the grand staircase greeted me with its majestic elegance and soon after, the paintings on the ceilings shined through. With Rachmaninoff playing in the background, I felt like I was transported back to a time. 

The entrance into Palais Garnier, Paris before being greeted with the majestic grand staircase

After gazing in awe and finally making my way upstairs to the second floor, I walked through towards the Grand Foyer. My goodness! This place is exactly like a combination of the Sistine Chapel and the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. Absolutely stunning as the long hall was plated with gold and long mirrors with a straight row of beautiful chandeliers complimented by paintings along the ceiling. And to my surprise, I was correct! The painter who completed the ceiling paintings under Chief Architect Charles Ganier, is a gentleman named Paul Baudry. Baudry studied extensively in Italy and held an apprenticeship in Rome, in which part of his work consisted of renovating the Sistine Chapel. Hence, my comment about the Foyer being a combination of Sistine Chapel and Versailles Hall of Mirrors was in fact quite accurate, especially for a non art history major! 

Grand Foyer of Palais Garnier, Paris, France

Grandiose chandelier and ceiling paints by Paul Baudry at Palais Garnier, Paris

The Grand Foyer of Palais Garnier, a mix of Sistine Chapel and the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles

The Palais Ganier also houses a slightly less grandiose and subtle hall that had large paintings of ballerinas and dancers along its walls. I wonder if some of them were commissioned to Degas as many of them reminded me of his ever-so-famous ballerina themed pieces. This hall was not as well maintained as the Grand Foyer as some of the burgundy wallpaper was peeling off at various corners. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful space. Along this hall led into another circular room, in which many marble busts of past singers, dancers, and performers of the Opera were commemorated. Many of whom were women, and I love that! A bonus of this lowkey hallway is that its windows provide unobstructed views of the Sacre Coeur on the hills of Montmartre - my favorite outdoor space of Paris! 

The more subtly beautiful ballroom and hall at the Palais Garnier, Paris

I ended my tour of the beautiful Opera of the actual theater itself. The red velvet seats with gold plated columns and the fabulously vibrant ceiling painted by Marc Chagall! If only I was in the theater to catch an actual show! This will be on my bucket list for the next time I am in Paris. 

The theater of Palais Garnier, Paris

Gorgeous ceiling by Marc Chagall inside the theater of Palais Garnier

Velvet red seats of Palais Garnier, Paris

In conclusion, I cannot believe it took me this long to step inside this architecture stunner! But better late than never as the saying goes I suppose. If you are visiting Paris, even if it’s for the first time, I highly highly recommend it as one of the must-sees! I definitely regret not having gone earlier. And you can bet on it that I will be visiting it again next time I’m in town! 

Palais Garnier, Opera Garnier, Paris Opera among its many names - a magical place!

Couldn’t resist a mirror selfie at this over the top Grand Foyer!

For a more personal detailed account of my Palais Garnier adventures and how it took me awhile to even find where to buy a ticket - watch & subscribe to my youtube channel! <3

The food research journey actually began before we arrived in Bordeaux. I had a list of about 8 restaurants that I wanted to pick from to try from my research before the trip, but unfortunately none of those were open during Sundays or Mondays! (apparently that’s quite common? I suppose a lot of restaurants take their break during those 2 days??). 

Luckily, Bordeaux does not run short of great restaurants so here was my overall experience and what I recommend! 

For a more detailed account of my experience in Bordeaux, check out my youtube channel!

Chez Thérèse

A traditional French restaurant, Chez Thérèse is my absolute favorite! The food was just so so so good! One of my most memorable meals during this particular trip and perhaps ever in a restaurant in France. Definitely will be going back next time I’m in town! 

Location: 28 Place Meynard 

Next to the famous Basilique Saint Michel and its Tour de Pey-Berland

Ambiance: Both indoor and outdoor seating is available. Excellent outdoor seating overlooking the Plaza and church. Great for people watching. The interior is also very cutely decorated in a French country cottage vibe. We sat outside and enjoyed a long leisurely lunch overlooking the plaza, its market of the day, and people walking and biking by.

Coffee with a View at Chez Thérèse, Bordeaux, France

Food: I adored all 3 dishes we ordered! They were all so good and made with fresh ingredients! I seriously have 0 complaints about the restaurant.

Pâté de Thérèse

Very well made staple! And I love the creativity of serving it with pickled chili on the side that added an extra kick! 

Pâté de Thérèse with Pickled Chili at Chez Thérèse, Bordeaux, France

Coquillettes Sauce Truffée Chips de Jambon Sec 

(Mini Macaroni Pasta with Truffle Cream Sauce and Crispy Ham)

So smooth and rich! The unique flavor of the truffle mixed with the crunchy and saltiness of the ham is a perfect pairing! It’s one of the most popular dishes in the restaurant. 

Coquillettes Sauce Truffée Chips de Jambon Sec, Chez Thérèse, Bordeaux, France

Razor Clams in Pesto White Wine Sauce

My favorite dish! My god, these razor clams were so fresh and tender. The olive oil with the fresh pesto brought out the sweetness of the clams even more. They were also very generous with the amount of clams in our serving! Loved this dish so much but I think it’s seasonal on the menu. 

I cannot recommend this restaurant enough! Go check it out if you are in Bordeaux!!! And enjoy the magnificence of the towering Basilique Saint-Michel afterwards! 

Razor Clams in Pesto Sauce at Chez Thérèse, Bordeaux, France. My absolute favorite dish!

Le Michel’s 

A traditional French bistro, we came here to grab a snack and some wine. Another one of my favorites discovered during this trip to Bordeaux! 

Location: 15 Rue du Pas-Saint-Georges

At the corner of a bustling part of the old town and 3 minutes walking distance to Place de la Bourse, this cute restaurant was packed with people enjoying a glass of wine (such as ourselves), and ladies taking a coffee break to read a book :) 

Ambiance: Both indoor and outdoor seating available. This place embodies the epitome of a typical French bistro! It felt much more local and gave me the impression of a neighborhood spot. 

Food & Wine

Excellent selection of wine - goes without saying. 

Because we came during the late afternoon hours prior to dinner time (*Tip: by the way most of the good restaurants do not open during 4pm-6pm. This was one of the rare ones that served a decent amount of food! Albeit more like appetizers and not full size entrees but they were really good appetizers!)

Melon with Jambon 

So fresh and of course, one of the classics! 

Melon with Jambon at Le Michel’s, Bordeaux, France

Terrine with Cornichons

Another classic! Thoroughly enjoyed this flavorful terrine with our bucket of baguettes!

Terrine with Cornichons, Le Michel’s, Bordeaux, France

Restaurant I DO NOT Recommend 

La Terrasse de Saint Pierre

Excellent location as it is right next to Place de Saint Pierre. The restaurant has a beautiful outdoor space under the trees next to the St. Pierre Plaza. However, the food was very mediocre! It was edible but definitely not good. 

We had a fish of the day in cream sauce and the Magret de Canard. Both were so bland and unexciting that I definitely do not recommend wasting a meal here when you have so many other wonderful choices in Bordeaux! 

Last but Not Least: Try a Canelé! 

There are two main chains in Bordeaux that make these cute little dessert pastries, which according to legends, originated in Bordeaux sometime between the 15th -18th century. These rum filled vanilla flavored crusted mini dense cakes are very famous, as they should be, in their city of origin. 

Canelé Baillardran 

The more high-end chain across Bordeaux, this Canelé pastry shop is literally everywhere! Boxes of Canelés range anywhere between 25 euros to 200 euros

Canelé de Bordeaux La Toque Cuivrée

The more affordable Canelé chain of the two, this shop sells by individuals of various sizes and boxes. Prices range from 0.40 euros to 3 euros per Canelé. 

La Toque Cuivrée, Traditional Canelés Chain in Bordeaux, France.

Canelés of La Toque Cuivrée

We tried the ones for La Toque Cuivrée. I don’t think Canelés are really my favorite type of pastry...too sweet and too dense for my liking! But it’s still worth a try if you are ever in Bordeaux! 

My vlog on how I spent a weekend in Bordeaux, France

First Impressions

To be completely transparent, my first impressions of Bordeaux within the initial 2 hours were not so great! I was starving, hence, hangry - but also the streets were so empty and quiet! The city seemed dead. Furthermore, we went down a wrong street that was filled with graffiti and broken windows, and we were just 7 minutes walking distance from downtown aka supposedly not a sketchy part of Bordeaux. Obviously, that made me even more sketched out!

And I’m sure the following is a France thing, not just a Bordeaux thing, but because I was starving, it was this awkward time period between lunch and dinner time in the late afternoon, SO MANY restaurants were not even open! The few that were open did not serve actual lunch or dinner menus and only had snacks available. I was so dejected and annoyed by that point, which made my impression of Bordeaux even worse! 

Luckily, my mood and overall experience took an upward turn once I found a restaurant that served comforting enough “aperitif” with wine….and after the entire 24 hour experience in Bordeaux for the first time, I have to say, it is quite a charming city indeed. 

Panoramic view of Bordeaux with Basilique Saint-Michel and Grosse Cloche in the Backdrop <3

Moving on to the Itinerary! 

We arrived around 3pm in Bordeaux from Paris on a Sunday and left around 4pm on Monday, so technically it’s 24 hours in Bordeaux. But since we stayed one night, it helped us break down the points of interest. Here’s what I recommend if you are spending one or more days in Bordeaux!  

My curated list of points of interest were based on both the Lonely Planet and Michelin Guides. All within walking distance! We did end up taking an uber from a few points to another but it is totally not necessary. We just got lazy :P 

Day 1

Arriving early in the afternoon from Paris, we took a leisure walk around Bordeaux and took 2 breaks in between to grab drinks and food (because obviously that’s one of the best things to do while in France!) 

Place de la Bourse

One of the signature spots in Bordeaux, the Place de la Bourse is a must and also a great spot to begin the exploration. It’s also a spot that’s worth walking through more than once as the scenery is very different during the day when compared to the night. During the day, there are many parents with kids, especially near the fountains. The wet flooring also creates a magnificent reflection of the rows of buildings in front. At night, the romantic view of the Garrone with Pont de Pierre and other bridges gives a completely different ambiance. 

Reflections from Place de La Bourse, Bordeaux, France

Place de La Bourse, Bordeaux

Fountain in Place de La Bourse, Bordeaux, France

Enjoying the Sun in Place de La Bourse, Bordeaux

Pont de Saint Pierre, Bordeaux, France

Le Chat de Philippe Geluck along the Garonne River in Bordeaux

Grande Theatre de Bordeaux

This Greek architecture inspired theatre sits magnificently within 450m from Place de la Bourse. Unfortunately, it was closed when we visited so we only got to see the exterior. 

Front entrance of Grand Theatre, Bordeaux

L’Eglise Notre-Dame de Bordeaux

Bordeaux is home to a plethora of churches built throughout different time periods and influenced under varying architectural styles. The Eglise Notre-Dame de Bordeaux is a relatively smaller church under the Baroque style that began construction in 1684 and finished in 1707. 

L’Eglise de Notre-Dame, Bordeaux, France

Detailed Stonework from Facade of l'Eglise de Notre Dame, Bordeaux

Interior of l'Eglise de Notre-Dame, Bordeaux

Jardin Public

A gorgeous public garden with walking paths, open grass area for picnics, and a botanical garden. Beautifully landscaped, the park was built in 1746. We spent about a little more than an hour in this park just walking around and taking in its lush greenery and serenity! 

Jardin Public, Bordeaux, France

Excellent picnic area in Jardin Public, Bordeaux

Botanical Garden of Jardin Public, Bordeaux

Le Palais Gallien 

Upon finishing exploring Jardin Public, head back towards downtown Bordeaux in the direction of Place de La Bourse. The Palais Gallien will be on the way. Remnants of a Roman coliseum, the Palais Gallien is much smaller than I imagined and hidden in a very residential street. 

Remnants of Palais Gallien, Bordeaux, France

“mystery stolen from history, for it was neither a palace nor was it home to Emperor Gallienus. Instead it was the amphitheater of Roman Burdigala - the city’s Coliseum. Some 15,000 people would regularly squeeze into it, to cheer on the gladiators as they wrestled with wild beasts. But at the end of the 3rd century, the curtain of oblivion came down, with brick and rubble stone taking over. Formerly believed to date from the Severan dynasty (193-235 AD), it is now thought to have been built during the first century in the year of our Lord.”

-Official Plaque at Palais Gallien

Basilique Saint-Seurin de Bordeaux

I wasn’t kidding when I say Bordeaux is home to many architecturally diverse churches! According to legends, the basilica is built on top of a Christian metropolis that goes back as early as the 4th century CE and named after Saint Severinus, who arrived in Bordeaux during the same era. 

Basilique Saint-Seurin de Bordeaux, France

Backview of Basilique Saint-Seurin de Bordeaux, France

Place Saint Pierre

End the day with Place de Saint Pierre, a plaza in the Old Town of Bordeaux where it’s surrounded by restaurants! It’s a great place to grab a drink and food before heading back to the hotel for the day. 

Day 2 

The day will begin with a nice pleasant walk through the old cobble stoned streets of Bordeaux with a stop around noon for brunch! This day will also be filled with varying architectural styles of ancient churches. 

Eglise Sainte-Croix (Church of the Holy Cross)

A Roman Catholic Church that was constructed in the late 11th century, this Romanesque architecture style church was built on the former site of a Benedictine abbey founded in the 7th century. 

I absolutely adored the stone carvings and statues on the facade of the entrance wall. Stunning handiwork! 

Magnificent stonework at the Eglise Sainte-Croix (Church of the Holy Cross), Bordeaux, France

Basilique Saint-Michel 

One of the most famous landmarks in Bordeaux, the basilica along with its clock tower is a Gothic styled Roman Catholic Church in Bordeaux. Supposedly, there was a crypt that housed over 60 mummies that were on exhibition from the late 18th century until 1979! 

You can purchase a ticket to climb the tower but we resorted to doing that at the Cathedral de Saint Andre instead.

Clock Tower of Basilique Saint-Michel

Interiors of Basilique Saint-Michel, Bordeaux

Magnificent Arches in the Interior of Basilisque Saint-Michel, Bordeaux

Basilique Saint Michel with a glimpse of the market in Place Meynard, Bordeaux, France

Place Meynard

The Place Meynard is the plaza in which St.Michel Basilica sits. The plaza often hosts markets. There was a clothing and shoe market going on when we visited. They were selling sneakers (not sure if it was second hand or knockoffs) for $10 euros!

*tip: There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants around the plaza, which is a great spot to grab lunch and drinks; and of course, people watch. We ended up going to Chez Therese for brunch and my goodness! Probably one of my favorite meals of this trip! The ingredients were so fresh and prices were really reasonable. Highly recommend it. 

Place Meynard where Basilique Saint-Michel sits, Bordeaux, France

Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux 

Another signature landmark of the city, the Grosse Cloche (Big Clock) is about 550m from St. Michel Basilica! You know I had to take a touristy photo with it! :) Reminds me of Zurich.

The Famous Grosse Cloche (Big Ass Clock! Okay not the actual name…) Bordeaux, France

Cathedral Saint-Andre (St. Andrews Cathedral)

900 meters west is the other ultimate landmark of Bordeaux, the Cathedral Saint-Andrew. Interestingly, like St.Michel, it is also built in the flamboyant Gothic architecture and comes with its own clock tower. 

*tip: Definitely book an appointment online and climb this magnificent clock tower for a panoramic view of Bordeaux! It’s 332 somewhat steps but completely worth it! 

We got super lucky because I wasn’t aware we had to book in advance - but fortunately, the lady at the ticket counter was very friendly and made an exception since she had capacity up on the tower. 

Front facade of Cathedral Saint-Andre (St. Andrews Cathedral), Bordeaux, France

Cathedral Saint-Andre (St. Andrews Cathedral), Bordeaux. Absolutely stunning!

Clock Tower of Cathedral Saint-Andre (St. Andrews Cathedral) - highly recommend buying the ticket to climb on top for a panoramic view of Bordeaux!

View of Cathedral Saint-Andre (St. Andrews Cathedral) from the top of its Clock Tower

Panoramic View of Bordeaux from Saint Andre Clock Tower, Bordeaux

Panoramic Views of Bordeaux, France

St. Andrew's Cathedral, Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux, France from Saint Andrew's Cathedral

Place des Quinconces

Almost skipped out on this but I am so glad I did not! The elongated rectangular plaza is home to the magnificent Monument aux Girondins which is a grandiose 360-degree fountain. Absolutely stunning and I cannot think of a better way to conclude our short stay in Bordeaux with such a breathtaking structure! 

Gorgeous Monument aux Girondins at Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux, France

Monument aux Girondins at Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux, France

Getting Brandenburg Vibes from this Magnificent Fountain Monument at Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux, France!

One of the entrances to Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux, France

Although there were a number of other things on our list we didn’t get to do next time, I can definitely see Bordeaux as a place that I need to go back to! Especially to explore the wineries next time. 

Reflections of Place de La Bourse, Bordeaux, France