Our First Trip Together - France Discovering Paris and Bretagne

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Before Christmas 2019, we headed to Bretagne, specifically Lorient, to spend a few days with close friends. We took a train from Paris Montparnasse to Lorient Train Station, and then the adventure began:

1. Larmor Plage: We stayed a few minutes from the beach and enjoyed beach walks in the cold. The calm atmosphere and lively bars filled with happy people were delightful. (I also did an internship here for my last year of bachelor degree in 2016 and spent 5 incredible months working at Kasino Larmor Plage. It was a period filled with learning and experience. Going back there after 3 years was full of emotions and brought back many memories. I used to buy my wine at Cave de Bellevue Larmor Plage (https://www.facebook.com/cavebellevue), and the first thing I did was visit my friends there. They were so happy to see me, and we had a nice talk. They have the best wine and all types of spirits. The couple is always so welcoming and ready to help. If you are going to Larmor Plage one day, please go there and meet these two amazing people.)

2. Rochefort en Terre: This village invites you to travel back in time with its charming boutiques, galleries, and artisan shops. It was about a 1 hour and 15-minute drive, and well worth it. We bought lovely souvenirs and enjoyed a hot wine at a local bistro, which was an interesting experience.

3. Perros Guirec: A seaside resort with stunning pink granite cliffs, 13 km of coastline, and three fine sandy beaches. It was super cold that day, but the views were amazing. The charm of this Breton-style seaside resort and its inland region is truly irresistible.
During our trip to Bretagne, we also dined at a wonderful restaurant called Hôtel Restaurant L'Océan vue Mer, located at Le Croisic (https://www.hotelrestaurant-locean.com/). As mentioned earlier, I am a big fan of seafood, and Bretagne is known for its fresh and delicious seafood. I indulged in both a seafood starter and main course. What impressed me most about the restaurant was its huge bay window offering a panoramic view of the sea. ‘’Sa table gastronomique et bistronomique sont une véritable ode à la mer!’’ We had a great time, even though it was freezing cold that evening, at least 2 degrees. For people coming from a tropical island with 30-degree weather, 2 degrees is quite something.

4. New Year at Casino Larmor Plage: We celebrated an incredible New Year's Eve at Casino Larmor Plage. The food, the vibe, and the people were fantastic, with a French group playing amazing music. The Casino Larmor Plage is not just a casino but a great place for entertainment. They have a casino for gamers, two restaurants, a bar, special conference rooms for events, and an amazing view of the sea. If you are planning to go to Larmor Plage, please visit their Facebook page.

On January 1, 2020, we returned to Paris and stayed at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile, just a few minutes from Paris Gare de Montparnasse. The hotel offered a superb view of the Eiffel Tower. We booked all our stays through Booking.com, which we found very convenient. The breakfast buffet was diverse and very good.

During our stay, we visited the Picasso Museum. We bought our tickets through GetYourGuide for 28 euros per person, which included skip-the-line access. The experience was fantastic, with an entire floor dedicated to Picasso's art. Despite some negative reviews, we found the collection wonderful and the visit worthwhile.

We concluded our trip with a visit to the Montparnasse Tower, where we enjoyed a panoramic view of Paris. The weather was perfect that day. The ticket was 18 euros per person, booked through GetYourGuide. While a bit pricey, the view was priceless.

Throughout our trip, we had a few trips planned via the metro and SNCF. Unfortunately, we brought too many luggages with us, which turned out to be a nightmare. (Tip: Do not carry a lot of luggage if you plan to travel frequently; it makes the journey much more comfortable and manageable.)