Paris April trip is done and what a fabulous week it was. I went with Tiffany, Chris, Penny and Jules on their spring break. What a great trip and we jammed in a lot in those days. We rented an apartment in the Marais district which turned out to be a wonderful alternative to hotel rooms. We were in the heart of everything and explored nearby restaurants and patisseries. Each morning Chris ventured off to bring back croissants and coffee for us. Marvelous! The high quality is stunning and we are ruined for life I fear.
First day was a blur after flying all night but we persevered on and tromped all over until we couldn't walk anymore. Popped in and out of stores, cafe stops, and checked out the local grocery store around the corner from the apartment. Even that was fun.
 |
| Bo & Mie bakery - visited frequently |
And it is Easter soon and the store windows showed it.
Next day the shopping intensity ramped up. Believe it or not we spent 5 hours total at Galerie Lafayette. It's enormous, gorgeous domed ceilings, with wonderful food with a Laduree inside it for special macaroons, coffee and hot chocolate service, and spectacular views from its roof top terrace.
Next day Louvre with a private guided tour. Our guide was excellent and maneuvered us through the madness of the crowds, showing us the most famous pieces of art along with lessor known. A lot of fascinating history while providing a scavenger hunt for the girls. Highly recommended.
Notre Dame was breathtaking. The first photo was a day before we decided to go in. We went early another morning and look, presto, no line. Still of course many people inside but it was easy to see everything.
Paris famous bookstore: Shakespeare and Company. It was an amazing place where you felt like you were time-traveling back to the 1920's and 30's. Many famous authors have visited this place and the lines are long to get in unless you go early when they open at 10am. No photos are allowed inside which was too bad - it's wonderfully eccentric. Someone has though - search online for interiors.
Montmartre chocolate and pastry tour. Lots of fun and enormous quantities of chocolate, macaroons, crepes, and other sweet treats eaten. (or so it seemed to me). We wandered around the area, had lunch in a park, and generally enjoyed the day.
 |
| Moulin Rouge in the background |
 |
| our food tour guide Olivia |
 |
| The stragglers in a long line of preschool children out and about |
 |
| Wall of love in every language |
 |
| This is a homeless person's abode -I'm sure there's an astonishing backstory. |
 |
| Hare Krishna who seemed to be everywhere we were |
 |
| "Sh**t" in French - imagine, a whole store dedicated to it. |
Last day - Eiffel Tower, Champs de Elysees, and last shopping. Window shopping only at the high end stores.
 |
| Escargot - the girls both loved it and had it multiple times. Amazing! |
 |
| Last night dinner at Sacre Frenchy's Sigh...bye bye Paris. |
