Paris Again??Continuing trip report
Sep 19th, 2008, 09:08 AM
#1
Paris Again??Continuing trip report
I,m back again with more on our 6th trip to Paris.
Going back to day 1 & 2(I was sort of jet lagged yesterday). When we went to Luxembourg Gardens we made our usual stop on Rue Vavin, just outside the park, to shop for our granddaughters(ages 3 &7). There's several childrens shops and we purchased some very cute outfits. There's also a more expensive kids shop on Montparnasse at the corner of Raspail. More expensive, but very different outfits.
The weather was very good. Cool until about noon, then in the 80's during the afternoon, and 70's up until about midnight.
On night 2 on our way home from dinner we watched them making a French movie outside of Notre Dame. Interesting, but very slow.
Also on nights 1 & 2 we made our dessert stop after dinner at Amarino. It's a gelato(sp?) shop on Rue St. Louis en I'lle right across from our apt. that stays open until 11pm. They make the gelato in small pieces in the shape of a flower in the cone--very cool. My favorite flavor is coconut, and I always have that on the outside with different flavors in the middle. There also are 3 or 4 Berthillion ice cream shops on the island, but we prefer Amarino.
Day 3-Thursday. Same old breakfast, croisants, etc. I could get used to this!
Today we took the Metro to Park Monceau. Watched them making another movie, or maybe it was the same one. Again slow.
Next stop, Nissim de Camondo Museum. Beautiful, we were impressed. Then on to the Jacquemart-Andre Museum. Again, impressive. It also has a nice cafe for lunch or coffee. We enjoyed the break.
We did the 2 in one day because they were close together. The right bank is not our favorite place, too commercial with huge, busy streets. But we were glad we saw the museums. Metro home about 5pm.
That night it was raining, so we took a short walk up the street to Le Fleur en I'lle, on the corner near the bridge, for dinner. A little more expensive, but we had more to eat. Starter salad, me cod & potatoes in a creamy dill sauce,MDH roast chicken & FF's, dessert, wine , & coffee about 95 euros.
What a leisurely vacation. My husband says Paris is like a Faberge Egg. The first time you rush around, but all you see is the outside of the egg. Then every time you return, you unfold another layer inside. You go a bit slower and find something new round every corner.
Day 3-Friday. Late breakfast and then walked to shop on Rue Bonaparte and Rue de Rennes. Stopped at Marco Polo restaurant at 8 Rue de Conde, near the Odeon, to make a dinner reservation for that night. A must on weekends after 8pm, can probably walk in on week nights and at earlier times. This is our all around favorite in Paris. I know, it's Italian, but we just love it.
Continued down St.Germain, and another surprise. Police and barricades everywhere. The Pope is coming! We watched his motorcade drive down the street. Couldn't really see him in the car, but the people-watching was great. Everyone loves "Papa".
On to the Buci to a few shops and home to relax. A little wine, cheese, put your feet up and open the windows and listen to the street noise of Paris. I'm loving every moment.
That night, back to Marco Polo for dinner. Outstanding starters, melon with ham and a little balsamic, grilled vegetable antipasto. Then veal and pasta, wine, coffee, and great desserts. About 115 euro.
Sitting next to us was a very famous French newsman that everyone knew, except us. The staff is very gracious, and the 2 older waiters always seem to remember us from year to year. Either that, or they are very good actors.
A slow walk down St. Germain home to another big surprise. Where are all these people going? When we got to Notre Dame area, it was crazy!!
We found a good spot in the square in front of N.D.---they handed us candles lit in paper cones and the festivities began. Tens of thousands of people, all with candles, waiting. Out came a huge silver Virgin Mary on the shoulders of priests, with Cardinals and beautifully dressed Knights of Columbus.The procession started behind them with all the people singing. Everyone was calm and orderly. It was quite thrilling.
You can't beat Notre Dame at night, especially on Fri. & Sat., for street entertainment, but this was over the top.
I'm getting wordy again. If you're still interested,I'll continue tomorrow.
Thanks for all the comments on my first report.
Going back to day 1 & 2(I was sort of jet lagged yesterday). When we went to Luxembourg Gardens we made our usual stop on Rue Vavin, just outside the park, to shop for our granddaughters(ages 3 &7). There's several childrens shops and we purchased some very cute outfits. There's also a more expensive kids shop on Montparnasse at the corner of Raspail. More expensive, but very different outfits.
The weather was very good. Cool until about noon, then in the 80's during the afternoon, and 70's up until about midnight.
On night 2 on our way home from dinner we watched them making a French movie outside of Notre Dame. Interesting, but very slow.
Also on nights 1 & 2 we made our dessert stop after dinner at Amarino. It's a gelato(sp?) shop on Rue St. Louis en I'lle right across from our apt. that stays open until 11pm. They make the gelato in small pieces in the shape of a flower in the cone--very cool. My favorite flavor is coconut, and I always have that on the outside with different flavors in the middle. There also are 3 or 4 Berthillion ice cream shops on the island, but we prefer Amarino.
Day 3-Thursday. Same old breakfast, croisants, etc. I could get used to this!
Today we took the Metro to Park Monceau. Watched them making another movie, or maybe it was the same one. Again slow.
Next stop, Nissim de Camondo Museum. Beautiful, we were impressed. Then on to the Jacquemart-Andre Museum. Again, impressive. It also has a nice cafe for lunch or coffee. We enjoyed the break.
We did the 2 in one day because they were close together. The right bank is not our favorite place, too commercial with huge, busy streets. But we were glad we saw the museums. Metro home about 5pm.
That night it was raining, so we took a short walk up the street to Le Fleur en I'lle, on the corner near the bridge, for dinner. A little more expensive, but we had more to eat. Starter salad, me cod & potatoes in a creamy dill sauce,MDH roast chicken & FF's, dessert, wine , & coffee about 95 euros.
What a leisurely vacation. My husband says Paris is like a Faberge Egg. The first time you rush around, but all you see is the outside of the egg. Then every time you return, you unfold another layer inside. You go a bit slower and find something new round every corner.
Day 3-Friday. Late breakfast and then walked to shop on Rue Bonaparte and Rue de Rennes. Stopped at Marco Polo restaurant at 8 Rue de Conde, near the Odeon, to make a dinner reservation for that night. A must on weekends after 8pm, can probably walk in on week nights and at earlier times. This is our all around favorite in Paris. I know, it's Italian, but we just love it.
Continued down St.Germain, and another surprise. Police and barricades everywhere. The Pope is coming! We watched his motorcade drive down the street. Couldn't really see him in the car, but the people-watching was great. Everyone loves "Papa".
On to the Buci to a few shops and home to relax. A little wine, cheese, put your feet up and open the windows and listen to the street noise of Paris. I'm loving every moment.
That night, back to Marco Polo for dinner. Outstanding starters, melon with ham and a little balsamic, grilled vegetable antipasto. Then veal and pasta, wine, coffee, and great desserts. About 115 euro.
Sitting next to us was a very famous French newsman that everyone knew, except us. The staff is very gracious, and the 2 older waiters always seem to remember us from year to year. Either that, or they are very good actors.
A slow walk down St. Germain home to another big surprise. Where are all these people going? When we got to Notre Dame area, it was crazy!!
We found a good spot in the square in front of N.D.---they handed us candles lit in paper cones and the festivities began. Tens of thousands of people, all with candles, waiting. Out came a huge silver Virgin Mary on the shoulders of priests, with Cardinals and beautifully dressed Knights of Columbus.The procession started behind them with all the people singing. Everyone was calm and orderly. It was quite thrilling.
You can't beat Notre Dame at night, especially on Fri. & Sat., for street entertainment, but this was over the top.
I'm getting wordy again. If you're still interested,I'll continue tomorrow.
Thanks for all the comments on my first report.
Sep 19th, 2008, 11:56 AM
#5
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Vicarious is good!
We were actually coming back from Aix on Saturday but missed the pope. I wonder if we passed you at some point. Certain people had me wondering, "Is that a Fodorite?"
Keep 'em coming, please!
We were actually coming back from Aix on Saturday but missed the pope. I wonder if we passed you at some point. Certain people had me wondering, "Is that a Fodorite?"
Keep 'em coming, please!
Sep 19th, 2008, 02:36 PM
#6
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we've coerced TPAYT to continue the report on the original thread:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35157342
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35157342
