Last weekend, I had the chance to meet my friend, Marvel, and her daughter, Sopahn, whom were visiting Paris for spring break. They were there for about 10 days. I joined
them for the last four.
We stopped for a bite to eat ... too early for dinner, too late for lunch, but hungry just the same.
We had an early night Friday as we had walked our tails off!
After some more time in shops picking up some new outfits for Marvel, we took a break and I tried to locate a restaurant for dinner that served crab. Sopahn and I saw several on Friday when we were walking through St. Germain and we decided that's what we would have for a 'birthday' dinner [mine]. Let's just say that the American visitor [me] trying to lead the 4 of us through the streets of Paris using Google maps on my Blackberry could not compete with our local 'host' that did not know where we could get crab, but wherever it was that I was trying to lead them, it was wrong. We never found the first restaurant. The second one was full [I only located 2]. In the end, we made a big circle and located the first restaurant [same name, different local than on the Web] ... and I had crab. We also had escargot and oysters. All very good!
I walked around, took some more photos, had a warm, dry lunch, and then walked to the train station. It was a good visit. A little bit of everything!
them for the last four.Of course, the city was beautiful, as it would be this time of year. And it wasn't too crowded with tourists yet.
I arrived on Thursday and met Marvel at the hotel. She was out gathering items for lunch with her friend, Yvette. Yvette is French, now living in Paris, but has a man in her life from Los Alamos, NM [thus the Marvel connection]. Marvel and Yvette play tennis together and I suspect it is quite competitive!
We rescued Sopahn from having a lie-in, had some lunch, and then went exploring some shops and streets. Yo
u can find a little bit of everything in Paris, high-end and low-end. We headed West from Nation [the East side of Paris] towards Saint Germain des-Pres. Yvette's brother and sister-in-law own a boutique garden shop and we stopped in for a visit and a look around. We also went to the park across the from the shop [Jardin du Luxembourg] and walked around. The grounds keepers were busy getting the flower beds ready for planting.
u can find a little bit of everything in Paris, high-end and low-end. We headed West from Nation [the East side of Paris] towards Saint Germain des-Pres. Yvette's brother and sister-in-law own a boutique garden shop and we stopped in for a visit and a look around. We also went to the park across the from the shop [Jardin du Luxembourg] and walked around. The grounds keepers were busy getting the flower beds ready for planting. The park is the second largest in Paris [about 55 acres] and originally owned by
the duke of Luxemburg [hence the name]. The domain was purchased in 1612 by Marie de' Medici, mother of Louis XIII.The gardens were laid out in Italian style on request of Marie de' Medici. She was of Italian descent. In the 19th century when the private park opened to the public, it was redesigned in a more French style but the original layout has been preserved.
the duke of Luxemburg [hence the name]. The domain was purchased in 1612 by Marie de' Medici, mother of Louis XIII.The gardens were laid out in Italian style on request of Marie de' Medici. She was of Italian descent. In the 19th century when the private park opened to the public, it was redesigned in a more French style but the original layout has been preserved. At the center of the park is an octagonal pond, known as the Grand Bassin. Here, children can rent small boats. There are many other attractions for children such as the puppet theater, pony rides and a merry-go-round. Around the pond are nice lawns and alleys, all laid out in a geometric
al patterns.
al patterns. There was a pavilion at one end near the arboretum where
they house the portable trees and plants during the winter with dozens of chess players gathered, playing.
they house the portable trees and plants during the winter with dozens of chess players gathered, playing. After going through the park, we headed over to Judy's, an American friend of Yvette's. Judy is the international marketing director for a medical equipment company; originally she's from Seattle. It was really nice to meet her and see her flat. She travels through Europe like I used to travel in the States, supporting sales and marketing.
After a quick dinner with Yvette of good cheeses, sausage, and wine, I was nearly toast, having been up since 4:00 am, so we headed back to the hotel to crash.
On Friday, Marv
el and I got breakfast in the morning and caught up. We were going to meet Yvette later [5-ish]. Sopahn had found a shoe shop that she had tried to visit three times before, always seeming to find it closed. The shop advertised Adidas, but was filled with 'runway' shoes, made especially for a show worn at least once. There were some pretty creative designs to try!
el and I got breakfast in the morning and caught up. We were going to meet Yvette later [5-ish]. Sopahn had found a shoe shop that she had tried to visit three times before, always seeming to find it closed. The shop advertised Adidas, but was filled with 'runway' shoes, made especially for a show worn at least once. There were some pretty creative designs to try!We were meeting Yvette at the Ralph Lauren store on Boulevard Saint-Germain. The shop used to be a hotel, so it is large and absolutely beautiful. We wondered through all of the floors. Definitely out of my price range!
We stopped for a bite to eat ... too early for dinner, too late for lunch, but hungry just the same.
After that, we headed to Bonpoint, boutique for children, where Michelle Obama visited when she was in Paris. Stores are closed in Paris on Sundays. For Michelle, not only did they open, but they blocked off the entire street and sharp shooters on the rooftops, as you would for the First Lady. Take a look at the website: http://www.bonpoint.com/#/home/
We walked North to Notre Dame right as the sun was beginning set low and reflect off of the church. On the way, we noticed bridges with 
link fencing that were covered in padlocks with messages enscribed on the locks. Paris is known as the 'City of 
Love' and people leave their declarations on the bridges. And of course, the one I looked closely at has this enscribed: 'FOR LYING'. The cynic in me loved that!
link fencing that were covered in padlocks with messages enscribed on the locks. Paris is known as the 'City of 
Love' and people leave their declarations on the bridges. And of course, the one I looked closely at has this enscribed: 'FOR LYING'. The cynic in me loved that! Lots of flowers. Lots of people [as always]. It was really pretty.
We had an early night Friday as we had walked our tails off!
Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day [25C/80F]. Marvel and I set out for a power walk in the morning, and then came across an outside market on Cours de Vincennes [that slowed us down!]. We had brunch at Yvette's and then headed out to pick up a tank top for Sopahn [the 95 Euro ones in Ralph Loren were a bit steeper than we wanted!].
In the afterno
on, I booked two Citroen cars to tour Paris. Pam had recomme
nded doing this. The cars are from the 1950's and the guys that drive were little flat caps to complete the look. It was a beautiful day, so the soft tops on the cars were rolled back for a little sunshine! It was a LOT of fun.
on, I booked two Citroen cars to tour Paris. Pam had recomme
nded doing this. The cars are from the 1950's and the guys that drive were little flat caps to complete the look. It was a beautiful day, so the soft tops on the cars were rolled back for a little sunshine! It was a LOT of fun. After some more time in shops picking up some new outfits for Marvel, we took a break and I tried to locate a restaurant for dinner that served crab. Sopahn and I saw several on Friday when we were walking through St. Germain and we decided that's what we would have for a 'birthday' dinner [mine]. Let's just say that the American visitor [me] trying to lead the 4 of us through the streets of Paris using Google maps on my Blackberry could not compete with our local 'host' that did not know where we could get crab, but wherever it was that I was trying to lead them, it was wrong. We never found the first restaurant. The second one was full [I only located 2]. In the end, we made a big circle and located the first restaurant [same name, different local than on the Web] ... and I had crab. We also had escargot and oysters. All very good!
Sunday morning, Marvel and Sopahn left early to get to the airport and begin their journey home. I had a 
day to myself. As was now cold and raining again, my first thoug
ht was to visit the Louvre. I have been around it, but never in it. Apparently, every other tourist in Paris had the same idea. There were at least 3,000 [I'm not exaggerating] people waiting in line to get in! As the shops are closed on Sunday in Paris, probably isn't a lot for folks to do to stay out of the rain. Although the hours that you would be standing in line, I would think you'd be pretty wet before getting in! Note to self: next time visit on a week day.
day to myself. As was now cold and raining again, my first thoug
ht was to visit the Louvre. I have been around it, but never in it. Apparently, every other tourist in Paris had the same idea. There were at least 3,000 [I'm not exaggerating] people waiting in line to get in! As the shops are closed on Sunday in Paris, probably isn't a lot for folks to do to stay out of the rain. Although the hours that you would be standing in line, I would think you'd be pretty wet before getting in! Note to self: next time visit on a week day. I walked around, took some more photos, had a warm, dry lunch, and then walked to the train station. It was a good visit. A little bit of everything!
