Apr 28, 2013 - Last Weekend in Paris

Mark, Valerie, Fanny, and Oscar arrived late Friday night, so we had our reunion at breakfast (croissants and chocolat chaud) at a neighborhood cafe early Saturday morning.  After Oscar and Mark retrieved Oscar's camera from their hotel room, off we went via metro on our weekend adventure (this was Fanny and Oscar's first experience on an underground metro). Our first destination was a special exhibition at the Musee D'Art Moderne of American artist Kieth Haring (1958-1990), who is famous for his subway graphics, paintings, drawings, and...

Apr 26, 2013 - Some last minute stops

Mark, Valerie, Fanny and Oscar arrive Friday night, joining us for our last few days of our Paris stay. So, we've been trying to get some odds and ends done Thursday and Friday before their arrival and our subsequent departure Tuesday morning. Of course, of primary importance was for Denise to make one more round of some of the shops, and she successfully plugged some unfilled space in our luggage with a few goodies quite essential for our Florida based island life, as well as our life of occasional travel. So Thursday was a successful day!...

Apr 25, 2013 - Sunshine Days and Fun Friends

Back again, hard to believe we are on our last week. The weather has definitely turned into springtime:  the trees and flowers are glowing brighter each day;  the French enjoying a sandwich or a salad on a chair in the park or along the Seine;  and crowds of tourists now in shirtsleeves, not woollies, lining up for the attractions. What a change from our first week! Monday we did some shopping, but without great success. Seems that a local brand Denise was searching for to replenish her lingerie wardrobe is no longer in business. But,...

Apr 21, 2013 - Weekend vist by Gay & Ian

Hello again Over the past few days, the temperature has moved back down toward normal (high 50's F) for this time of year, but the sun has been generally dominant, which makes it quite bearable, even for us with pretty thin blood. And what have we been doing?, you ask. Thursday, after a brief morning visit to the nearby street market, Denise and I headed out on a walk through the Tuilleries and across the River Seine to the Musee D'Orsay (seen over Denise's shoulder in this photo) In hopes of finding the crowds manageable, we timed our...

Apr 18, 2013 - Enjoying the sunny days

As forecasted, the weather has turned for the better, and we have turned ourselves out and about. Monday we walked through the Garden Tuileries on our way to l'Orangerie to see once again Monet's murals of the Water Lillies. Flowers were out, people were about, simply beautiful. Tuesday we went through the courtyard gardens of the next door neighbor (Palais Royal) on our way to visit L'Opera. A peaceful, elegant garden showing the fresh signs of early spring. A description of the old opera house would not do it justice. Have a...

Apr 15, 2013 - Spring is arriving!

Back in town after a quick and most enjoyable visit with the family in Lux.  The TGV, high speed train system is incredible! Like gliding over ice at close to 200 mph. Smooth and swift, the journey to or from Luxembourg takes just 2hr and 15 minutes, totally without hassle. We love them and use them as our primary choice of transportation across Europe. THE WEATHER BREAKS!! A few rays of hope on Saturday as we browsed the Place Vendome, and the Rue St-Honore. But then Sunday came. So did the sun in all of its pent-up glory. Paris was...

Apr 10, 2013 - A few rainy days

As our first week draws to a close, the weather systems of Europe are trying desperately to shake the scourge of winter. Showers and some winds the past few days. Fortunately not continuous, but sometimes they are heavy. Expectations are for sunshine in a few more days.  So, we decided that indoor activities were the discretion that is the better part of valor, and went to a lessor known museum, Carnavalet, who's exhibits portray the history of Paris.  Unfortunately, about a quarter of the exhibits were closed, and apparently have been for...

Apr 8, 2013 - France Day 11

That morning alarm came awfully early for us after spending the day before running up and down the stairs of an 11th century castle. But it was Paris day! Another country in our passport! We were out the door by 5:30 AM and made our way in the dark and deliciously empty streets to the Tube. Empty is good because London, especially during rush hour which is teaming with people much like New York and woe be unto you if you stop or slow down! We arrived at a very nice national railway station and walked for what seemed like miles to our...

Apr 8, 2013 - La Premier Weekend

Friday: Tried to go to the Musee d'Orsay. Too many visitors. We knew it was chancy because it is school vacation week in France this week and in Belgium next week. So our museum visits are postponed until later in the month. Had croissant & coffee nearby at a small place in the 6th (our usual stomping grounds here), and then, deciding that shopping could replace museums this weekend, we headed for Bon Marche to look for "warm legs" for Denise - and we found some! Out to dinner at "la Rotisserie" formerly "la Rotisserie d'Beaujolais," our...

Apr 4, 2013 - Getting Oriented in 2 days

The flight over on Air France was superb. We managed an upgrade to business where we found a wonderfully engaged cabin staff.  Certainly made the night's passing enjoyable and comfortable. Upon landing at CDG, the temperature was 0 C! And complete with frost on the runway! Fortunately, no snow. An easy clearance through customs, and a taxi into town (in morning rush hour) brought us to the front entrance to our apartment. Just across the street from France's gold storage center. (very secure area) Day 1 We unpacked, and went out to...

Apr 2, 2013 - Paris

Thank you to everyone who has posted comments – it’s encouraging to know someone is reading & enjoying my story. Today was a beautiful, sparkling, sunny day & I could tell that my favourite patisserie was open again just from the aroma when I went out the gate. The Conciergerie was high on my to-do list so I started off there. It’s right in the middle of Paris & has been a residence of the Kings of France since the 6th century. Even though they built & lived in lots of other palaces & stopped living here in the 14th century, it remained the...

Apr 1, 2013 - A Small Apartment in the 1st

Here's our great little apartment! Located in the corner of the top floor of a refurbished 5-story Parisian, renaissance era, "city house", it is situated in the heart of the 1st Arrondisement just across from the Louvre. Sleeping area Sitting area Kitchen We arrive here on the 3rd of April for the start of our adventure. Stay tuned.....