Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Paris: day 3

Day 3 was off to a late (and wet) start which prevented some of my original plans (a visit to the Musee Jacqumart-Andre which was rescheduled) but was still a glorious adventure.I spent much of the day with the talented photographer Cedric Benetti, whom you may know from his fantastic blog Paris 2E (see link in my blog list). Cedric has started giving guided tours of the city, mostly spots off the main tourist beat, and with his background in art and architectural history he makes the perfect erudite guide. See information on his many tours at http://palaisroyalgrooming.blogspot.com, I can't recommend him highly enough!Highlights included the Opera Comique,tea at Le Grande Hotel across from the Opera Garnier (the Inter-Continental), an insider tour of the Ecole des Beaux Arts (where the architectural profession was born, so dear to my heart), the Louvre (where Cedric studied) and finally a walk through St. Germain des Pres.One of my favorite spots we saw today was L'hotel, also known as the Oscar Wilde hotel. Impossibly charming, right in the heart of St Germain, the hotel's restaurant is one which I plan on visiting later this week and hope to stay during a future visit. Tomorrow, Versailles and I'm so excited to visit it again that I doubt I will be able to sleep!

9 comments:

pve design said...

Sleep in Paris, heavens no! Hope you will have time to visit one of my most treasured spots, The Saint Chapelle. Enjoy and please have a treat along the rue de Rivoli, a Mont blanc!
pve

columnist said...

The tower of L'hotel is stunning. Would be interested in hearing abut the rooms. I thought the rest of the lobby was a bit subdued by comparison, (I think from memory).

Le Todd said...

Your photos are killing me (in the best way possible)!!! You definitely are utilizing your time well. I can't wait to pick your brain on where to go when/if I get to visit in the near future! Looking forward to days 4 through 7!

minerva @ real estate park city ut said...

I definitely wanna visit Paris because of the Louvre. :) And yes, Paris architecture is super amazing!

My Notting Hill said...

As I headed to the computer this morning I wondered what happened in Paris yesterday. So fun to follow along on your trip. I'm curious - do the French decorate their front doors with wreaths?

Blayne Macauley said...

that hotel is amazing!! lucky you! oscar wilde hotel? fun! have a great time tomorrow!

M. Denise C. said...

That first Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel picture is so beautiful . . . the tour sounded wonderful, too.

DarrinShane said...

Well, what about the wallpaper...

GRAYSONFAVOUR said...

What about the swimming pool?