Last Days in Paris

As it had been 46 years since my friend had last been in Paris, it was almost a given that we would go and see some of the iconic sights that Paris is so famous for.  For her first day here, we took the Bateaux Mouches cruise along the Seine.  It is only 14 Euros and a lasts about 1 1/2 hours.  The wonderful thing about Paris is that most of the famous buildings lie along this river.  So, with the exception of the Champs Elysees, the Opera, the Madeleine, Sacre Coeur, Luxembourg Gardens, and Place Vendome, you can see a lot of Paris from the boat trip.  Okay, now that I think about it, I admit there is a lot you can't see from it!!  However, it is a lovely way to orient yourself to this city.

The Hotel de Ville (on our walk to the boat)

Notre Dame 

The Conciergerie

Notre Dame from the boat

And, the Eiffel Tower - the most photographed tourist site in the world

Following the boat ride and our visit to the Taste of Paris exhibition, we walked from the Grand Palais back to our apartment.  It was a route that took us through Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries Gardens, by the Louvre, and along the Seine back into the Marais where our apartment is.

The following day, after our visit to the Ateliers-Lumieres, we took the Metro to the Champs Elysees.  We walked up that wide avenue, now filled with stores such as The Gap, Levis, Zara, Zara Home, for example, plus restaurants/cafes such as Starbucks, McDonalds, etc.  It is certainly not the Champs Elysees of old!  Of course, at the end of it, you get the jewel, L'Arc de Triomphe.  It has been quite a long time since I last saw it and it never fails to make you feel some level of awe. 

 After that, we walking along Avenue Georges V where we got to see some Ferraris and Lamborghinis.  I can't imagine what those would be worth.  Then, we stopped for a crepe at a cafe near Pont Alma from which we could see the rather tacky memorial to Diana (at least in my opinion).  Then we walked to the Trocadero for that photo everyone has to take. 

The Memorial to Diana

Delcie at Le Trocadero

Next we crossed the Seine and I have to say this was probably the most disappointing part of my visit to Paris.  All the area under the Eiffel Tower is dug up and surrounded with fencing.  No longer can you casually stroll under that wonderful structure.  Everywhere we looked there were blockages and high fences.  Not sure what the plan is for this space but suffice it to say it is ruined for me.  I vowed to never return!  I couldn't bring myself to take photos of the mess!  I somehow managed to take a photo that makes it look normal.  It doesn't!

By the time we had done all that, we were both tired so we took the Metro (Ecole Militaire) back to close to our apartment.  We were done for the day,

On our last day in Paris, we started off by going to Les Jardins de Luxembourg before heading to Saint Germain des Pres for lunch (another creperie) and return to the little Provencal store where I had found so many treasures on my Flavors of Paris tour.  Of course, we both bought more stuff!

Then, we went for a drink at the top of the Centre Georges Pompidou.  The bar is called, appropriately, Georges, where you really do pay for the location.  An Aperol Spritz was 15 Euros but it was one of those once in a lifetime experiences.  The views across Paris were fabulous.

For dinner we went back to the restaurant where we'd eaten the previous evening.  It is called Le Gai Moulin (and it lives up to its name - gay, gay, gay).  However, we enjoyed our dinner and Christophe's antics until he told us we had to leave because there were a lot of people waiting for a table.  I don't think I have ever been kicked out of a restaurant before - and we were only sitting there finishing our wine and chatting.  So much for classy French behaviour!

Well, at least we are now moving on from Paris and will catch a midday train to Tours where we will pick up a car and start the French countryside part of our vacation.  First up:  the Loire Valley.  I am ready for a change!
   

Klimt from a Different Perspective

As I mentioned in my last blog, there were two events being held in Paris while I am here that I wanted to see.  One was A Taste of Paris which we went to yesterday.  The other one was Ateliers-Lumieres. This is an art exhibition being held in a former warehouse (or maybe a factory) in the part of Paris not far from Pere Lachaise Cemetery.  The exhibition features the works of Gustav Klimt and several other artists digitally projected onto the walls, floors and ceiling of the veune.  There was a similar exhibition held in a rock quarry in Les Baux en Provence several years ago.  Several friends of mine saw it and told me it was fabulous.  So, naturally, when I heard there was something similar in Paris, I had to see it.  The entrance fee is only 14.50 Euros for seniors.  What a bargain!  

So, we when we walked through the two sets of black doors (necessary to make sure no outside light gets in) I am not sure I was prepared for magical the experience would be.  All the visuals, which were astounding, were accompanied by wonderful classical music which seemed to partner with the art projected everywhere.  I feel very lucky to have been able to have seen this.  So, without further ado, here are the photos I took.  Unfortunately, the videos I recorded didn't really do it justice so I am not posting them.

If you are going to be in Paris between now and when the exposition ends, I strongly recommend you see it.

    

A Taste of Paris

When I was planning my visit to Paris, I found two articles in a magazine called France Today about events taking place this year in Paris.  One was called A Taste of Paris which was an exhibition in the Grand Palais of some of Paris' chefs and food suppliers.  It happened to be scheduled for the weekend I was going to be in Paris so, of course, I wanted to attend.  The VIP tickets, which were not cheap (about $90 CAD) included access  to an "open bar" with unlimited drinks and, as the Laurent Perrier booth was there, it didn't take much to convince me I wanted to go.  While our tickets Friday were for 11:30 am to 4 pm, because of the way our day unfolded, we didn't arrive until about 1:30.  That might have been a blessing disguise because I don't think the temptation of drinking unlimited amounts of Champagne for that many hours would have been at all good!

So, we entered the Grand Palais and, even without the event, it would have been impressive.  It is one of the buildings built at the same time as the Eiffel Tower for the exposition held here in 1900.  It is a very impressive structure both inside and out.  Then, add to that booths and other displays from some of the big name food people in France and it was amazing.

With our VIP tickets, we got to follow the red carpet to the grand staircase which then took us up to where the "open bars" which were gourmet juice bars, specialty beer offerings, and my focus, the Laurent Perrier bar were.  What's not to love about that!  The only issue was that if you wanted food, you had to go back down the staircase, buy your food (using a "loaded" card as it was cashless system), and then take it back up the stairs to the VIP area. 

Delcie enjoying her Chamagne

Unfortunately, by the time we finished our first (or for me, second) glass of Champagne, many of the food booths were out of our selections.  However, we did select a couple of amazing desserts which went perfectly with the Laurent Perrier:  a "swan creation" and a fabulous tarte au citron.
  

After that, we wandered around looking at the various booths featuring French wines, cheeses, kitchen gadgets, vinegars, etc.  However, we should have planned our day better as we needed at least another hour here - or, on second thought, with that unlimited supply of Champagne, maybe not!

I wondered if any of these guys were famous French chefs

 

Tomorrow, the other event taking place in Paris that I wanted to see is on our agenda.  However, more about that in the next blog!