Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Paris vacation - first days

Dear Reader, I again find myself blessfully and blissfully on vacation in Paris.  The first two days have been spent organically, wandering around the city and reacquainting myself with different charming nooks.
I spent a fair part of the afternoon wandering around the Luxembourg gardens after a delicious lunch at one of my favorite restaurants that I come to again and again; Chez Fernand on the Rue Christine.
I particularly loved these stone urns planted with simple geraniums in the gardens. Also not to be missed is the Chagall exhibit at the nearby Musee Luxembourg.
A walk past the wonderful Invalides convinced me I need to visit inside sometime this trip!
No post on Paris is complete without the ubiquitous shot of the Eiffel Tower.
On the left above is the Hotel Crillon (the clean part of the building) which is sadly closed for renovations. We caught them loading the last of the contents into trucks(famously auctioned off last month at staggering prices).
Paris is full of beautiful doorways but the one above, in a very Parisian turquoise, boasts newly cleaned brass hardware. While I love the patina of age something is just so beautiful about frequently and lovingly maintained old hardware.
After a long day of wandering around the city nothing is better than returning to your own little apartment in the city seen above (rented of course) with copious amounts of stinky cheeses and a still-warm baguette from the local boulangerie. I am again staying in a cozy apartment on the well-located Ile St. Louis which I can't recommend more highly; just say no to hotels!
at

13 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 14, 2013 at 5:53 PM

    Have a fabulous time, there is nothing like the City of Lights. You must share your apartment rental resources :-)
    Betty Lyn

    ReplyDelete
  2. pve designMay 14, 2013 at 6:31 PM

    Looks like a perfect spot to live like a Parisian!
    Enjoy,
    pve

    ReplyDelete
  3. SplenderosaMay 14, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    I so agree with you on trying to be "native" when visiting any beautiful place. In Paris one of my favorites is Place des Vosges and the surrounding area, filled with tiny shops and cafe's. Have a wonderful time, and tell us more.

    ReplyDelete
  4. BlueMay 14, 2013 at 8:50 PM

    Lucky, lucky man! I'm being pressured into renting in Rome rather than go to a hotel but I cannot say I'm enthusiastic about it. I love a good hotel.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ArchitectDesign™May 15, 2013 at 2:08 AM

    blue -you can still go to hotel bars (which we have already done)!
    I found this apartment through "ale carte paris" -I've used them a few times -they have a few apartments throughout the Marais, Ile St Louis, and St Germaine du pres.

    ReplyDelete
  6. HelsMay 15, 2013 at 6:20 AM

    I agree with you about the Luxembourg Gardens and the nearby Musee Luxembourg. Both well worth spending time in.

    But how did you know about the Chagall exhibit? I have to book my travel plans six months before leaving home, so if I don't know about special exhibitions, they come and go before I know it :(

    ReplyDelete
  7. columnistMay 15, 2013 at 7:14 AM

    Are you again staying in Ile St Louis? My friend very kindly lent me his on one of my trips to Paris - very complicated door lock! Renting an apartment can be great, but sometimes you can be unlucky. We had a disaster in London a few years ago, which has quite put me off the prospect, but I dare say there are good and decent rentals out there, and it's always good to hear of good ones, like yours. Bisous!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Habitually ChicMay 15, 2013 at 6:00 PM

    I just found out today that I will be in Paris in two weeks so this is perfect timing! I can't wait to hear all about your trip, without me, and where I need to visit! Hope you're having a fantastic time! XOXO!

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownMay 16, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    OH MY Stefan, I am so envious you are in Paris! Soak up the flavor of it all for me please and transport it home to me!!! Have a glorious trip and share every bit of it!
    xo Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mark D. RuffnerMay 16, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    You've obviously done your homework — the apartment looks like a great place, and I agree that it's much more fulfilling to get off the beaten path.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Eric HMay 16, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    Can we see the inside of the apartment? I'm so curious to see what it's like!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Deana SidneyMay 17, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    Oh no! The Crillon under construction? I got engaged there and have a soft spot in my heart for it... looks like you are having too much fun. Very cool to be in an apartment.. I am terribly jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  13. WindlostMay 17, 2013 at 9:49 PM

    Jealous!!!!!!!!

    Do share your apartment photos. I need to check out your favorite lunch places. What else? Oh, I love the Medici fountain and want to see the Chagall exhibit. I think we need to live in Paris.

    :)

    So glad you are having a grand time!!

    xo Terri

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment and being a part of the dialogue here at ArchitectDesign! Unfortunately I no longer will allow anonymous commenting due to the amount of SPAM. I value your comments!