Parisian Moments

In the words of Audrey Hepburn, "Paris is always a good idea" - especially when you come across these random, perfect moments.

Sitting on the steps outside Musee D'Orsay watching the water, when a beautiful couple arrives for a wedding photo shoot.

Looking up at the breathtaking architecture and seeing a man enjoying his corner suite, looking down on the streets of Paris.

Looking out the window of my hotel room for my own city view.  

Afternoon tea and a macaroon pastry at Laduree (yes, another one).

Taking a wrong turn, looking up, and seeing graffiti I like (oh, and the LV store helps).

Early morning walk and catching locals start setting up for the farmer's market.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower up close for the first time.

Blurred views from the top while enjoying a glass of champagne.

And with that, my Paris posts end.  Thank you for sharing my first trip to Paris with me!

Museum Hopping

Paris has no shortage of museums and while I enjoy visiting them (and I'd like to think I can actually appreciate them), I am not one to spend all day in a museum.  The benefit of that?  I was able to hit up four museums during my trip.

The Louvre. Overwhelming, and is anyone else surprised by the size of the Mona Lisa?

Musee Rodin.  Beautiful outdoor space with The Thinker.

Musee D'Orsay.  My favorite of the four.  After all, who didn't have a Starry Night poster in their dorm room...right?

Centre Pompidou.  As modern as they come with the Roy Lichtenstein Exhibit (and yes, more views).

J'adore

Still loving Paris to the fullest, from visiting and watching the sun set near the Sacre-Coeur (note: you exchange steps for views in this city):

To morning walks and stumbling across the local farmer's market (with a seafood and cheese selection LA has not seen):

And fine dining at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (because it's better having an extravagant lunch at the Paris location even if the same restaurant exists in Vegas...):

Lunch in Paris: A Different Love Story, Without Recipes

The aptly named book, Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes, came to mind as I continued wandering and eating through Paris. Not because I fell in love with a handsome stranger, or because I was consumed by divine french food, but because Paris - as a whole - was love at first sight.  Without knowing all of its substance, I was infatuated with the city's charm, cafes, coffee, greenery, density, and history.  I loved it all and immediately, despite the fact that I'm not a smoker, savory breakfasts do not exist (no egg white omelette...?), and I cannot actually live off cheese and bread. After all, it just "felt right."  If that's not love at first sight, I don't know what is.

Highlights from another day in Paris:  Patronize a much touted bakery, Boulangerie Poilane, for its croissants, pain au chocolat, raisin bread, and apple tarts (the croissant ended up being the highlight of several days).  Enjoy with cafe creme and jam next door, at La Cuisine de Bar (a great place to plan the day).

Meet a friend in the elite Champs-Elysee area for a worthy climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

Admire some of the best views in Paris.

Le dejeuner at Laduree in Champs-Elysees.

Continue down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees with pit stops at Balmain...

...and the Louis Vuitton flagship store with rooftop art exhibit (only a photo of the entrance was allowed after riding up in a pitch black elevator allowed).

Bonjour!

For my 31st birthday, I decided that aging gracefully could be done better in Paris than LA.  And I was right.  I spent a couple of days in Paris exploring on my own to be joined by the beau for the rest of the week.  For whatever reason, I had never been enamored with Western Europe.  Well, it's official - I should have been.  As cliche as it is, Paris is my new favorite city.  So, to capture as much as I can, what follows will be a series of posts - enjoy!

Day One: Land at CDG at 7:30 a.m. Check in to adorable and highly recommended hotel in St. Germain/Latin Quarter, Hotel Des Academies et des Arts.

Walk a few minutes to the nearby Luxembourg Gardens (one of my favorite stops).

Admire the fact that locals actually take time to sit in the garden and sketch.

Sit. Drink a cafe creme. And enjoy a baguette with jamon and cheese.  So Parisian.  Best part?  I did so at Les Deux Magots - once the "rendezvous of the literary and intellectual élite of the city," and where intellects (Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre), writers (Hemmingway), and artists gathered.

Wander the hidden alleys and streets.

Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Continue cathedral hopping to Saint-Chapelle (small but worth it in terms of beauty).

Grab crepe from street vendor. Eat while browsing various bookstores including Shakespeare and Company (as featured in one of my favorite movies, Midnight in Paris). 

End the night at another De Beauvoir and Sarte haunt, Cafe Flore (where an English philocafe was actually in action).