Au Revoir Paris

Tour Eiffel glitters on the hour -

looking out our apartment window

 It is Christmas day - in Paris.  The sun is shining, not a cloud to be seen.  The brisk breeze, -3 temperature, and patches of snow on the ground make it seem 'just like home'.  It seems we may be here during the coldest period on record.  What luck!  But - Paris is Paris - and even cold and snow cannot take away the history and the ambiance.


We have spent our last few days in Paris wandering back to a few of our very favourite places and discovering one or two more along the way.

Rue de la Tour- our corner

 The local 'corner' just down the block from us will be remembered fondly.  Two bakeries, a boulongerie, shoppe de fromage, flower shop, pharmacie, brasserie/cafe, chocolate shop, wine cav, jewellery store, hardware shop, vegetable and fruit market, and two 'supermarkets' crowd the corners.  Joan found herself there several times a day doing that 'Parisien' shopping....and of course, bread must be bought daily....

Walking down our street

wandering down a street

 The hours spent wandering were one of our favourite parts of being in Paris.  Everywhere there is another interesting fence to see or door to admire.  It doesn't seem to matter what part of the city we are in.

Just another door

A different neighbourhood

Musee d'architecture

 We have strolled past the Palais de Challot countless times on our way towards Notre Dame, St Germaine or Montmartre, or during the evening to view the Eiffel Tower.  The other day we decided to check out the Architectural Museum located in one half of the Palais.  There were numerous replicas of doorways and other aspects of famous buildings ( still existing, such as the Cathedrale at Chartres).  A second floor was dedicated to modern architecture and detailed some of the environmentally friendly building projects, and social housing projects happening in Paris today.  All very interesting.

Une Chantreusse a la piano bar.

Richard found a great little piano bar in the Latin Quarter.  We have been back there several times and heard several different performers.  One, in particular, was exceptional.  She was from South Africa, performing in a musical in town, and doing this little gig on the side.

We have also enjoyed several great jazz concerts on Rue Lombard. 

a little jazz

 We stood in line in pouring sleet for twenty minutes the other night to get decent seats ( we had purchased our tickets prior to that evening....they tend to sell out).  It was all worthwhile.

Au Bon Coin

 We have been introduced to some great restaurants.  Our favourties are ones that are 'off the beaten track', and where we have to struggle to be understood ( as in, English really is a foreign language).  We have enjoyed so much great French cuisine....and have tried a few dishes that were completely unfamiliar to us.















While we have been known to walk 5-6 km to get  to a restaurant or a show, we generally take the metro home late at night.  Often, the entertainment continues there - typically budding musicians looking to make a few euro, however, occasionally something quite different - like this puppet act that 'magically' appeared at the front of the metro....with sax...

 One can never predict what will show up next.

 A final walk through Parc Monceau.  While it is very different in December than it was several months ago, it is still beautiful - and just as uniquely strange.  We will remember the beauty of the many parks found throughout Paris, and will return in warmer months at some point in the future to enjoy their beauty during a greener season.

 A farewell walk to Montmartre .  This has been a tough season for the street artists- hardly a dry or warm day in the past two months.

On the walk home, we found yet another amazing brasserie/cafe, and enjoyed un vin rouge as we warmed ourselves for the final leg of the journey.  The ceramic tiles that lined the walls were amazing.  It felt - so Parisien - and the best part - filled with 'locals' - wandering without a map has afforded us several of these wonderful discoveries.

What will we remember the most about our time in Paris?  Wonderful walks - incredible architecture and metal work - a beautiful little apartment up 72 steps - museums and monuments - beautiful parks - and wonderful visits with friends.  We are excited to be going 'home' for a few weeks to see children and granddaughters, and of course, are looking forward to the warmth of Australia, but it is difficult to be leaving Paris.  It has been ..... magnifique.....

Christmas in Paris

Aux Champs- Elysses  Au Revoir Paris!

Stay tuned - more in a few weeks -