Return to Paris
In celebration of completing my 10 week Absolute Beginners French course, I popped over to Paris for the weekend.
Bless the Eurostar, making France the closest international destination to London.
I stayed at Hotel Les Arts in Charonne, near Bastille. While the room was small, as they typically are in Parisian hotels, this one was very clean. It looked newly renovated and was cheap too. The 1 star rating was no reflection it's condition as I've paid more for a dilapidated hotel rated 3 stars!
I did alot of walking which was good for exercise and I've come to hate the metro. It's not pleasant, iffy on the nose and where you find alot of people begging for a living.
On Saturday I walked from Charonne to Bastille, Jardin du Luxembourg, St Michel-Germain, Chatelet and Printemps for a special purchase. Had dinner at La Nouvelle Epoque where I ordered the most tender and tasty braised beef with ratatouille. The house Bordeaux was exceptional, velvety and well balanced. Ahhhh...I love this restaurant! No tourists (aside from myself), good service, good food and wine and great value.
Kids playing with mini sailboats at Jardin du Luxembourg.
A cute duckling tries to get away in the pond.
On Sunday, I slept in and visited the Bastille street market. A favorite haunt because it's packed with fresh food, glorious food. The most interesting thing I saw was tubular shellfish, the stick-like things in the centre of this pic.
A seafood buffet....I wish!
On the way to St Michel, Les Invalides-one of the many majestic buildings of Paris. Imagine seeing this everyday on your way to work.
Hiked up to the Sacre Coeur, went to Champs Elysees, St Germain (for one last crepe) and visited the local's eat street near Etienne Marcel. Sadly my time was up in Paris and I did not want to return to London.
Anyway, presenting my souvenir from Printemps, a 2008 Spring/Summer Amethyst Balenciaga Day bag. Can't wait to break it in. The leather is thick and scrummy.
While I paid homage to mecca in Paris, I did'nt buy a thing a Sephora Champ Elysees. I think forking out for my new handbag had something to do with it...
Bless the Eurostar, making France the closest international destination to London.
I stayed at Hotel Les Arts in Charonne, near Bastille. While the room was small, as they typically are in Parisian hotels, this one was very clean. It looked newly renovated and was cheap too. The 1 star rating was no reflection it's condition as I've paid more for a dilapidated hotel rated 3 stars!
I did alot of walking which was good for exercise and I've come to hate the metro. It's not pleasant, iffy on the nose and where you find alot of people begging for a living.
On Saturday I walked from Charonne to Bastille, Jardin du Luxembourg, St Michel-Germain, Chatelet and Printemps for a special purchase. Had dinner at La Nouvelle Epoque where I ordered the most tender and tasty braised beef with ratatouille. The house Bordeaux was exceptional, velvety and well balanced. Ahhhh...I love this restaurant! No tourists (aside from myself), good service, good food and wine and great value.
Kids playing with mini sailboats at Jardin du Luxembourg.
A cute duckling tries to get away in the pond.
On Sunday, I slept in and visited the Bastille street market. A favorite haunt because it's packed with fresh food, glorious food. The most interesting thing I saw was tubular shellfish, the stick-like things in the centre of this pic.
A seafood buffet....I wish!
On the way to St Michel, Les Invalides-one of the many majestic buildings of Paris. Imagine seeing this everyday on your way to work.
Hiked up to the Sacre Coeur, went to Champs Elysees, St Germain (for one last crepe) and visited the local's eat street near Etienne Marcel. Sadly my time was up in Paris and I did not want to return to London.
Anyway, presenting my souvenir from Printemps, a 2008 Spring/Summer Amethyst Balenciaga Day bag. Can't wait to break it in. The leather is thick and scrummy.
While I paid homage to mecca in Paris, I did'nt buy a thing a Sephora Champ Elysees. I think forking out for my new handbag had something to do with it...