A Filipino in Paris

25/04/2025

23/04/2025

Rain falls soft on cobblestone lanes,
Umbrellas bloom like flowers in the grey,
Silent feet rush down the metro stairs,
No words, just the hush of a Paris day.

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23/04/2025

Paris exists to remind you that all your dreams are real.

21/04/2025

Painting the Eifel Tower, 1932

Every few years, something special happens in Paris. The Eiffel Tower, one of the most famous places in the world, gets a fresh coat of paint!

It’s not easy to paint something so big. The Eiffel Tower is very tall—like an iron giant! To keep it strong and safe from rust and rain, people paint it every 7 years. The job takes more than a year to finish. Imagine climbing all those stairs and painting every little part by hand!

Painters use about 60 tons of paint. That’s as heavy as 10 elephants! They don’t use machines. They brush the paint on carefully, just like artists.

The tower is painted a special color called “Eiffel Tower Brown.” But long ago, it was red… and even yellow!

Painting the Eiffel Tower is hard work, but it helps keep the tower standing tall and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

20/04/2025

Forest Fontainebleau

Yesterday’s hike took us to the legendary Forest of Fontainebleau, just under an hour from Paris. This forest isn’t just huge — it’s one of the most beautiful and historic in France, once the royal hunting grounds of French kings who stayed at the nearby Château de Fontainebleau, a stunning castle filled with centuries of history.

The forest covers over 25,000 hectares and has more than 300 marked trails, making it a dream spot for hikers, bikers, and especially rock climbers. Its giant sandstone boulders are famous worldwide, attracting climbers of all levels.

We spent the day exploring the forest’s magical paths, relaxing under the sun, and admiring the unique rock formations. It felt like walking through a storybook — full of nature, history, and adventure. We wrapped up the day with a cozy Japanese dinner before heading home, recharged and grateful.

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19/04/2025

In the area near Metro Vavin and Edgar Quinet.

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18/04/2025

Sitting on a chair in Paris light,
Sun is warm, the breeze feels right.
People pass, but I just stay,
Happy and calm in a quiet day.

18/04/2025

Saint-Sulpice Church is one of the biggest churches in Paris, located in the 6th arrondissement. It was built in the 1600s and took over a century to finish. The church is known for its beautiful architecture, large columns, and two towers—although one was never fully completed.

Inside, you’ll find amazing paintings by Delacroix, a grand organ that is still used today, and a special line on the floor called the Gnomon, which was once used to track the sun.

Saint-Sulpice became even more famous after being mentioned in the book The Da Vinci Code. It’s a peaceful and interesting place full of history, art, and mystery.

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17/04/2025

Breathe Paris in. It nourishes the soul. – Victor Hugo

16/04/2025

Bouillon was never meant to be fancy — it was made to be affordable. The word bouillon originally means “broth,” and that’s exactly how these restaurants began: serving hot, simple bowls of broth to working-class Parisians in the late 19th century. It was fast, filling, and cheap — a practical meal for people who needed comfort without the cost.

Step into a bouillon today, and the spirit is still the same. It’s loud, lively, and usually crowded. Waiters move quickly between tightly packed tables. The menu offers all the French classics — onion soup, beef bourguignon, escargots — but don’t expect finesse. The food arrives fast, sometimes too fast, and often tastes exactly like what it is: mass-produced, no-frills fare. Some dishes surprise you; others remind you why it was only 10 euros.

But that’s the whole point. Bouillon isn’t fine dining. It’s a time capsule — a way to eat like ordinary Parisians did over a hundred years ago. If you come looking for luxury, you’ll be disappointed. But if you come for the experience, the history, and a warm plate that won’t empty your wallet, you’ll understand what bouillon is really about.

16/04/2025

April 16, 2025 ☁️
It’s just after 8 in the morning at Pont Alexandre III in Paris. The sky is grey and cloudy. Cars pass by, probably people on their way to work. The river Seine is calm. No bateaux mouches are moving yet — maybe they’ll come later when more tourists are out.

A few people are already taking pictures. Some look like tourists, others maybe doing photo shoots. It’s quiet, just the sound of the cars and the river.

Pont Alexandre III is one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris. It was built for the 1900 World’s Fair to celebrate the friendship between France and Russia. That’s why it’s named after Tsar Alexander III. The bridge is famous for its gold statues, old-style lamps, and great views of the Eiffel Tower.

Even on a cloudy day, it still feels special to be here.

15/04/2025

Monday, April 14, 2025
Clouds cover Paris, soft and gray,
The Seine flows slow in a quiet way.
Cafés still buzz with life and light,
Even on a calm, cool, cloudy day

14/04/2025

Yesterday, we visited Stohrer, the oldest bakery in Paris, and it felt like stepping into a sweet piece of history. Founded in 1730 by Nicolas Stohrer, who was once the pastry chef for Queen Marie Leszczyńska (wife of King Louis XV), this patisserie has been serving delicious treats for nearly 300 years. It’s located on the lively Rue Montorgueil, a street full of charm, the smell of fresh bread, and the true spirit of Paris.

Stohrer is known for many things, but its most iconic pastry is the baba au rhum — a soft cake soaked in rum syrup. It was actually invented by Stohrer himself, and people still come from all over to try it.

Of course, we had to taste it! But as soon as we took a bite, we were surprised — the rum flavor was really strong. It didn’t quite work for us, especially with the kids. It’s clearly a dessert meant for adults or people who enjoy rich, boozy flavors. Maybe they’ll like it more when they’re older.

Luckily, we also got the tarte au citron, and it was amazing! Sweet, tangy, light, and baked just right. It completely saved the day and made the visit even more special.

So even though the baba au rhum wasn’t for us this time, visiting Stohrer was still such a great experience. It’s not just a bakery — it’s a delicious slice of Paris history.

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14/04/2025

After the big tournament yesterday, Ate and I decided to take it slow today and give ourselves a little break. Our mission? Visit the oldest bakery in Paris — Pâtisserie Stohrer. We had read about it so many times, but never got the chance to actually go. So today, we did! It’s just under 3 km from where we’re staying — perfect for a nice spring walk. We strolled along the Seine River, passed the Louvre Museum, and wow — it was so crowded! We’ve never seen that many people there, maybe because we don’t usually come by during the day.Finally, we made it to the beautiful and iconic Pâtisserie Stohrer. It was founded in 1730, making it the oldest pâtisserie in Paris. The shop was started by Nicolas Stohrer, who was once the pastry chef for King Louis XV’s wife. Everything inside looked amazing — like a pastry museum you could actually eat!Their most famous dessert? The baba au rhum — a small, soft cake soaked in rum syrup. It was invented right here by Stohrer himself! It has a big history and is loved by many. So of course, we had to try it. We found a nice little spot to sit and enjoy our pastries. I took a bite of the baba au rhum… and wow — it was strong! The rum taste and smell were really intense. Honestly, I didn’t love it — but maybe that’s because I’ve never had anything with alcohol before. It’s definitely something grown-ups would appreciate more. I think it’s an acquired taste — something you might learn to like when you’re older.In the end, I shared Ate’s tarte au citron (lemon tart), and it was amazing — sweet, tangy, and just perfect.We’ll definitely go back to Stohrer to try more of their pastries… but for me, no more baba au rhum — at least not for now!

13/04/2025

Step into Chartier Bouillon Montparnasse and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. The tall ceilings, glowing chandeliers, giant mirrors, and classic wooden decor bring the Belle Époque charm to life. With waiters in crisp black vests and the lively buzz of diners all around, it’s not just a meal — it’s a true Parisian experience.

13/04/2025

Tonight, we went to Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse, a true Parisian treasure! This historic restaurant first opened its doors in 1903, during the Belle Époque — a time when Paris was full of artists, writers, and big dreams. It was made to serve good French food at low prices, so everyone could enjoy a real meal. Over 100 years later, it’s still doing just that!

The dining room looks like a scene from the past — tall ceilings, big mirrors, warm lights, and waiters in classic black-and-white uniforms. It’s busy, cheerful, and full of life — just like Paris itself.

For entrée (starter), we went all in with escargots (snails with garlic butter — a French must-try!), hareng mariné (marinated herring), and museau de porc (a pork snout salad that’s much better than it sounds!). These are true French classics, and they all have that homemade, old-school charm.

For the main dish, you’ll find everything from beef stew and roast chicken to duck confit and sausages. The portions are big, the flavors are rich, and everything goes perfectly with a glass of house wine. You can even end with a little plate of cheese, the French way.

And the best part? Dessert! We had their famous profiterole — soft cream puffs filled with ice cream and topped with warm chocolate sauce. Sweet, melty, and totally delicious.

Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a piece of living history. If you want to taste the real Paris, this is the place to go!

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13/04/2025

🐷 Au Pied de Cochon:
A Paris Classic That Never Sleeps

Right in the middle of Paris, near Les Halles, there’s a restaurant that’s always open — day or night, rain or shine. It’s called Au Pied de Cochon, and it’s been welcoming hungry people since 1947. This isn’t just any place to eat. It’s a piece of Paris history, full of charm, great food, and fun piggy decorations that make you smile as soon as you walk in.

The name means “At the Pig’s Foot,” and yes, they really serve pig’s feet! It’s their most famous dish — soft, juicy, grilled until the outside is crispy, and served just the way Parisians have loved it for decades. But don’t worry if you’re not ready for pig’s feet just yet. They also have warm cheesy onion soup, crispy croque monsieur, buttery steak and fries, sweet apple tarte Tatin, and big seafood platters with oysters and shrimp piled on ice. Everything is made the old-fashioned French way — full of flavor and love.

What makes this place really special is that it’s always open. You can eat here at 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning. People from all walks of life come here — from chefs finishing work late at night, to tourists discovering real French food for the first time. Even famous people have stopped by over the years, like President Jacques Chirac and maybe even Ernest Hemingway.

The whole restaurant is decorated with fun little pig statues and paintings, and the feeling is warm and welcoming — like a celebration of food and life. Au Pied de Cochon is not just a place to eat. It’s a place to experience Paris the way it’s meant to be: tasty, joyful, and full of stories.