Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Spring time in Paris
Paris, France
Paris is one of my favorite cities that I have traveled. I go to Paris, France 2-3 times a year on business/ shopping sprees. (to get inspired for designing my next line) I am lucky my company pays for me to stay in lavish hotels and enjoy fantastic dining and culture. This just makes the spring time in Paris all the more beautiful. Let me paint a picture...
It is so refreshing to wake up in the morning, open my french doors out to a delicate, wrought iron balcony and be excited to start my day. Down below, the soothing sounds of a man playing the saxophone fill the narrow, cobble stone streets. A woman strolls by on a bicycle with a basket full of fresh baked baguettes, croissants and a square of cheese. To me, this city is almost unreal. It makes me feel romantic and old fashioned.
The women dress beautifully. Their style is impeccable. Always in heels and skirts (even on bikes). Europe is about 3 months ahead of the USA in fashion and trends so, it's nice to get a sneak peak and some inspirational style from the french.
The men, well dressed with a paper boy twist. kids and teens are trendy and hip. All in converse sneakers and skinny jeans.
The buildings are beautiful. Enormous wooden doors with intricate, wood carved knockers flank the front of almost every building. We walk everywhere. (even though the subways are very easy to follow) Remember to save you ticket if using the subway. You need it to exit.
I love wondering down the back streets and stopping in all the small boutiques. The larger shopping areas, along the street of Champs de Elysees, have multiple designer stores. Dept. stores, like Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marche are great for one stop shopping. The cafes in these stores are some of my favorites along with the traditional french markets on the ground floor (at le bon marche). The roof top of Galeries Lafayette has incredible views of the city. Rue Saint Honore' has great stores too. be sure to visit, Colette. (design concept store) As seen in "sex and the city." Great for style, design, art and food.
We hit almost every nook in Paris, from the Arc de Trumph to Notre Dame. We stop for lunch at one of the many outdoor cafes. Cafe le Flore being the most famous. Croque missior, crepes with nutella, sorbet and of course wine, are a few of my favorites (the best crepes are at a stand just outside of st. Germain church- Cafe la Flore is across the street)...oh, and french onion soup, quiches and creme burlee are a must.
There are many tours and sites to see in Paris. The most popular is going to the top of the Eiffle tower. At night the tower sparkles and illuminates every hour on the hour. The flashing light show lasts for 10 minutes. just beautiful! The shaky, cage elevator is a little scary but, but the views of the city from the top are incredible!
Of course all the museums are great. Don't try to conquer the entire Lourve, because you will never finish- It is huge. Seeking out the iconic pieces like the "Mona Lisa", "Winged Victory of Samothrace" and "Aphrodite" are quite a view. My favorite is "Psyche Revived by Love's Kiss" I could stare at it for hours, such a romantic and beautiful piece of art. There is a great restaurant in the Lourve called Cafe Marley. Make arrangements for dinner while you are there. It is a bit expensive but, it's nice to sit outside a people watch. Outside the massive museum, many college students hang around the fountain or lay on blankets in the maze garden. I suggest grabbing a baquette sandwich for lunch, a bottle of wine and picnicking in Luxembourg Gardens or on the river side... just take it all in.
The musée D'orsay is smaller and easy to get through. Museum passes are available and allow no-line access to all cathedrals and museums around the city. There are beautiful Vangouh and Monet paintings throughout. The roof top terrace at the museum allows you to look down below at the river seine. Boat tours along the river are fun and you get a great view of the Eiffle tower and the Notre Dame. Buy a day pass, which gets you on and off at the 8+ stops around the city. Other good tours are Verssilles (all day tour) and Moulin Rouge.
I especially liked visiting Montmartre. A long hike up the steep stairs and through the tiny artist village was impressive and the street performers were entertaining, but the massive cathedral at the top is what everyone comes to see. (La basilique du Sacre' Coeur de Montmartre)
At Night, underground Jazz clubs and small pubs are great for nightlife. I especially liked, Le caveau des Oubiettes (pub & club de Jazz) make your way to the back and go down the spiral stair case to the stone-lined, underground pub. Enjoy endless beer and great live music all night long. There are dance clubs and late night cafes as well.
For dinner, we went to a very cool fondue place where they serve endless wine out of baby bottles!! It's called Le Refuge des Fondues. It is a small space and everyone sits at a huge, graffiti tagged table, so make a reservation. A very different, fun/hip environment. It's a great way to start the night and is easy to talk and meet new people.
Another easy, but fantastic dinner I would recommend is steak frites (steak and french fries) The secret green sauce is to die for. I make sure to come to this place on every trip to Paris. The restaurant is, Le Relais de L'Entrecote. This is all they serve, just steak and fries so all you have to do is choose red or white wine and your all set. Expect a line, so arrive by 7pm to get a seat. I also experienced some of the best mussels ever! They were in a light, white garlic cream sauce. I can't even explain how good they were. A new eat for me was Foie Gras. (duck liver) not bad, if it's with garlic. Great on bread as an appetizer. Eat dinner late, around 8:30pm/ 9:00pm and be sure to make reservations.
I could go on and on about Paris. The city and the language just makes me feel happy. I would recommend going in the month of May. The weather is perfect and the flea markets on the weekends (in the country) are fun and full of unique finds and antiques.
Happy Travels!
Hotels:
Hotel Costes: 239 Rue Saint Honore'- T: +33 1 42 44 50 00
Hotel Lutitia: 45, Boulevard Raspail- T: +33 1 49 54 46 46
Hotel Bel Ami: 7-11 Rue st. Benoit- T: +33 1 42 61 53 53
Hotel Castille: 33 Rue Cambon- T: +33 1 44 58 44 58
Hotel Jeanne D' Arc: 3 Rue De Jarente- T: +33 1 48 87 62 11
Restaurants:
Cafe Marley: Palais Du Lourve- T:+33 1 49 26 06 60
Le Relais de L'Entrecote:(steak) 20 Rue St. Benoit T:+33 1 45 49 16 00
Le Refuge des fondues:17 Rue Trois Freres-T: +33 1 42 55 22 65
Chez Flottes: 2 Rue Cambon (English menu)- T: +33 1 42 60 80 89
L'Envue:(cool bathrooms) 39 Rue Boissy d'Anglas- T: +33 1 42 65 10 49
Le petit Marche: 9 Rue de Bearm- T: +33 1 42 72 06 67
Le Caveau des Oubliettes:(Jazz Bar) 52 Rue Galande-T:+33 1 46 34 23 09
Shopping:
Great Brands: Kookai, hartford, Loft, Paul and Joe/ (sister), Comptoir du Cottones, Mossimo Dutti, Hakket, Gant, Henry Cottons, Daniel Cremieux, Long Champs, Sea by Chloe.
Le Bon Marche: 24 Rue de Shvres: Paris' most chic dept. store
Galeries Lafayette: 40 Bd Haussmann: (by the opera) Huge dept. store
Au Printemps: 40 Bd Haussmann: Dept. store
APC: 3 Rue de Fleurus
Arthur & Fox: 20 Rue du Vieux Colombier
Blanc Blue / Escales: 28 Rue Bonaparte
Cafe' Cotton: 25 Rue du Dragon
Colette: 213 Rue st-Honore
Cotelac: Rue st-Honore
E Goyard: 233 Rue st-Honore
Hermes: 24 Rue du Faubourg, st-Honore
Murphy & Nye: 18 Rue du Vieux Colombier
Victoire: 15 Rue du Vieux Colombier
Hartford: 2 Rue Vide Gousset (place de Victoires)
- comments