But my trip was almost over before it had begun. We had taken a taxi from the airport to the hotel. The taxi happened to be a mini-van, and as I got out, I twisted one foot on the cobblestone. As I was falling down, the taxi driver scooped me up like a bird and saved me from injury. I’m glad I had given him a good tip. From then on, I wore tennis shoes instead of sandals. Traveling isn’t for the faint of heart, but the kindness of strangers can make it easier.
“A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.” Thomas Jefferson Paris is all about walking and finding new treasures. There is so much to see and learn. I enjoyed reading The Most Beautiful Walk in The World by John Baxter, an Australian who used to give historic walking tours. It is a wonderful book, even if you don’t go to Paris. But my trip was almost over before it had begun. We had taken a taxi from the airport to the hotel. The taxi happened to be a mini-van, and as I got out, I twisted one foot on the cobblestone. As I was falling down, the taxi driver scooped me up like a bird and saved me from injury. I’m glad I had given him a good tip. From then on, I wore tennis shoes instead of sandals. Traveling isn’t for the faint of heart, but the kindness of strangers can make it easier. On my last night in Paris, I was strolling through the small streets of Saint Germaine back to my hotel and I felt like I was in a Woody Allen movie. People were sitting outside enjoying the warm summer night, and the store windows were full of beautiful tasteful displays. I didn’t want this to be my last night in Paris. I wanted to stay just a little bit longer listening to the saxophone player, keeping this feeling of serene beauty and ambience of the City of Lights. It had been hot the four days we were in Paris, but not as hot as in previous visits. And our hotel had air conditioning, which made all the difference in the world. Our hotel was in the middle of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris. This Bohemian part of Paris used to be home to many artists and intellectuals. It is so easy to get off the beaten track and end up in hidden lanes admiring 17th-century architecture. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you end up in a charming secret passage and don’t want to leave, or continue to the Latin Quarter or Notre Dame. There is always something that makes me feel like I belong there. Our hotel was right around the corner from the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which is being restored at this time. There are many famous cafés within walking distance, so you can pretend to be Hemingway, Jean Paul Sartre or Simone de Beauvoir sipping a pastîs, an anise-flavored drink which is also one of my favorites. Our four days went by so fast. On a hot Saturday morning, we decided to visit the Musée Jaquemart-André. This hidden gem of a museum is a treasure, located on the boulevard Haussmann. It is home to a huge collection of art, furnishings and sculptures collected by banking heir, Edouard André, and his artist wife, Nélie Jaquemart. During their lifetime, they transformed this beautiful mansion into a museum housing their extensive art collection. We enjoyed the visit very much as we didn’t have to fight the enormous crowds at the D’Orsay or the Louvre. But I regret not having tea at the café. We also signed up for the Opéra Garnier tour, which was over-crowded and too hot. But nevertheless, I got to set foot into this beautiful building. Maybe one day, I will get to see a performance. It’s a stunningly beautiful building and I recommend the tour. Do to the heat, we preferred our restaurants to have outdoor seating, since most places don’t have air conditioning. Years ago, we ate with a young friend at Le Procope, a legendary restaurant in the 6th arrondissement open since 1686. We decided to revisit this restaurant and had a delightful lunch. But it was hot and had no air conditioning— but neither did Thomas Jefferson when he ate here over 200 years ago. We also had another delightful lunch with friends from the States at Le Grand Colbert, which everybody loved for the fantastic food — and air conditioning. The architecture and design of this place is as great as the food and ambiance. Click here to read more about the Grand Colbert on a previous post. We left on a Sunday morning on a train to Zürich and and returned to Paris the following week to catch our flight back to San Francisco the next day. When we arrived at the train station from Zürich, we had our last meal at the LeTrain Bleu, an iconic restaurant in the Gare de Lyon. The restaurant is decorated in a sumptuous art nouveau style. The food is excellent and the surroundings are spectacular—and authentically French. If you go, have the Rum Baba for dessert. I hope I get another opportunity to visit Paris again, and enjoy it as much as I did this time. Click on the buttons below and read about my other trips to Paris.
15 Comments
What a lovely walk around this beautiful city. I've never been and don't know if I will ever go - the big cities are not calling to me like the Canadian Rockies or the plains of Africa :) But look at all I will miss! Wonderful eats and gorgeous photos - thanks Gerlinde.
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Gerlinde
9/11/2018 07:42:52 pm
Tricia, there is nothing wrong with loving nature instead of cities. For some unknown reason I have always been a city girl.
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9/7/2018 01:38:33 pm
Love Paris! LOVE IT! And walking and eating are my favorite things there. Well, looking at the art, too. Fun post and wonderful pictures -- thanks.
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Gerlinde
9/11/2018 07:45:14 pm
Thanks John, its fun walking around Paris and stopping for a drink or a snack at a cafe.
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9/7/2018 03:47:57 pm
Gerlinde, what a wonderful post! Thank you for (virtually) taking me to Paris. The photos are beautiful, and your words made me feel I was there. I'm amazed by the restaurant that has been open for so very many years!
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Gerlinde
9/11/2018 07:47:05 pm
Isn't that amazing Teagan that some of these places have been open for so long. They have so much history.
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9/8/2018 01:59:21 pm
Loved all your fantastic photos. It sounds like you had a great trip even if the weather was hotter than normal. Since we always travel in the fall, I never thought about restaurants not having air conditioning so I can see why you would want to eat outside as often as possible.
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Gerlinde
9/14/2018 06:13:51 pm
Fall is the a great time to travel in Europe but I hope to go to Paris for Christmas some day,
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9/10/2018 09:07:53 am
Thank you for sharing your Paris trip! The photos are excellent. I am glad you did not injury yourself with the mishap. It has been a hot summer for everyone, but as you said, Jefferson did not have ac either. I grew up in South Texas without ac in most places. Cheers for Paris!
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Gerlinde
9/14/2018 06:15:55 pm
Cheer for Paris Jo! When I moved to California we had a swamp cooler in my house. Did you have them in Texas?
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Oh, the memories! How wonderful to see my favorite place for «chocolat chaud» - Les Deux Magots! I have only been there in the winter and was unaware of their outdoor café seating! Le Procope! So glad to hear it is still good... I went there so many years ago, and have such fond memories... I still need to dine at Le Train Bleu! «La prochaine fois» to be sure! Thanks for all the lovely memories!
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Gerlinde
9/14/2018 06:21:26 pm
Thank you David for your lovely comment. I think you would like Le Train Bleu.
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9/22/2018 06:57:39 am
Totally jealous! LOL We are so delighted you were able to see so many gorgeous things along the way and you shared it with us. Each time one goes there are so many new things to see and do. Looking forward to returning soon.
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8/31/2019 01:18:09 pm
Wow! 2 blogs! So much work but so much fun. this post is just beaming with gorgeous photos and great information. Can't wait to go back.
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Gerlinde
8/31/2019 04:21:43 pm
Thanks Bobbie , I enjoy blogging.
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