I was as prepared as I could be having done my research ahead of time and I had maps, a French phrase book and a list of places that I wanted to see before my tour started.
(A few things that were not on the Ooh La La Tour.)
The direct flight from Vancouver was 9 + hours long but time passed quickly...(I was very excited!)
There were in flight movies and I cannot praise Air France enough...from their warm greetings, smartly dressed stewardesses, champagne reception and their tasty meals and snacks...their in flight safety announcement is just an example of the quality of service they offer!
When I arrived at CDG airport arrivals gate there was a sign with my name on it and I was whisked away to my hotel in a comfortable car...thank you to the Ooh La La Tour leaders Stephen Solosky and Jamie Cat Callan for arranging such a lovely warm welcome!
After I got settled into my room of Hotel Belloy in the 6th I went out and explored the streets and shops in the area near the Sorbonne...lots of people were out and about and the cafes were full of smartly dressed men and women. (The men looked particularly well turned out in their scarves and stylish jackets!)
Rue Racine near the Sorbonne where my Hotel was located.
Many cobblestone streets beckoned...
The Metro stations were conveniently located...
I preferred taking the bus or walking as I wanted to see all the sights.
my Parisian instructor would have been proud of me as I spoke French when I ordered.
Everyone it seems wears scarves in Paris even the children!
Some friends were staying in the next arrondissement...they had arrived 4 or 5 days ahead of me and they kindly took me under their wing and walked me through the neighbourhood and far beyond the first two days after I landed! I was glad that I had brought comfy walking shoes as we walked 6 1/2 hours the first day and 6 the following...our stops were for coffee and a wee pastry and in the mid afternoon for lunch.
We ventured along the rues of the art district, then along the Seine where kiosk sellers have books and posters for sale...this is a very "touristy area"...with lots of shops selling souvenirs and Tee Shirts...
I was cautioned to be on the look out for pick pockets!
After crossing over the Seine we wandered through The Marais...which is full of small boutiques and cafes.
Loved this area for shopping as you get a real taste of the fashions worn here and there are so many chic Parisian femmes street sightings!
We cruised through the large BHV department store where we discovered the "pop up vintage shop" where I bought a vintage silk Jeanne Lanvin scarf.
We lunched in their cafeteria which served a wonderful array of foods and wines...and a wonderful view.
I opted for a healthy salad and a bottle of Badoit water...
after several more hours of exploring we made our way back to the 6th.
I decided that I needed a rest and went into the well stocked Monoprix to see what I could find for dinner.
Fresh strawberries, a cheese plate and a demi baguette with wine.
I nibbled this in my room and had leftovers for another day.
It was lights out by 10:00, physically tired but blissfully happy.
Pinch me I must be dreaming!
42 comments:
Oh that was lovely. I was right there with you. Keep the lovely photos coming!
So lovely. I can imagine wandering those inspiring streets with you. We did the same with finding occasional meals at the Monoprix and eating in our room.
Walking is the best way to really see a city. Wonderful photos!
Oh my gosh, the memories! I love the Art Nouveau signs on the Metro - we rode it to Montemarte. Mmm...I want wine, cheese and strawberries for dinner!
Lovely post. I live in Paris and you've captured it! I'm glad you had fun.
What a lot of walking. Otherwise it sounds divine.
Welcome back Hostess! Love seeing all your photos and I am looking forward for the next installment. So glad you are home safe and sound. Tracey.
Love your blog. Went to Paris in November and I am sure I took a pic of the same shop with foxes? and kimonos, although different childrens clothes at the time!
Love your blog. Went to Paris in November and I am sure I took a pic of the same shop with foxes? and kimonos, although different childrens clothes at the time!
It was wonderful exploring the streets and shops of Paris with you, Leslie, and I hope that we have the chance to meet again on our travels. Be sure to let me know if you come south and east to the Boston area, and we'll take a tour of the vintage clothing and jewelry shops!
I'm so happy you had such a wonderful trip. You've really captured the excitement of Paris, isn't is amazing that it is just as you would imagine from pictures, movies and books but only more so?
I feel your joy and almost want to cry! So glad you had a wonderful time. Thank you for sharing.
Isn't Paris wonderful? The windows are so beautiful. Monoprix has a great selection of healthy nibbles. You could walk every day for months and still not see all there is to see.
so many thanks to you for sharing your pictures and impressions-makes me want so much to go again to Paris!
Did you just use your iPhone for the pictures or a camera ?
and thanks again for your ongoing writings and pictures-so wonderful and fun to read!
don't you feel great that you can so easily take pictures and send them to us your readers?!
Beautiful post. Keep the pictures coming
You did so well for a first visit to Paris -- all your planning and preparation paid off well. I'm glad to hear that new Air France service is so good -- we're flying with them next time. So much better than having to change in Montreal or Toronto!
I think you were quite brave to head off on your own. When I travel I am always with someone, which is probably a good thing since I have absolutely no sense of direction. Isn't it amazing how much walking you do when sightseeing? Your pictures are all wonderful!
I used my IPhone! I do love Instagram for a quick and easy way of sharing images.
Browsing in vintage jewelry shops does sound tempting...that one in The Marais was a great find and I ventured into Darcy's on rue Saint Honore...did you shop there too?
My sense of direction is not that great but The Seine is a good point of reference and the major rues and boulevards help. I also google mapped a few destinations and then took a screen shot with my IPhone so I could look at them without using extra data.
Walking while sightseeing is so much easier than just walking for fitness...I suppose that's why I walk on the waterfront most days...another kind of sightseeing.
I love how you ventured off on your own and I am awestruck at your capacity to stay awake so late on your first day in Europe! Jet-lag kills me:).
Fabulous!! That necklace made me scroll back for a second look.
You take gorgeous photo's!!
Bonjour Hostess,
Wonderful photos, capturing the essence of Paris. I hope you have/will visit the Latin quarter - my favourite for watching the BCBG.
Bisous,
Suzi
Sweet to see your first steps and delight at being in the city of your dreams.
Lovely. Thank you for letting us live vicariously through you. Can I ask - since you mentioned having your iPhone for pictures - did you do anything special to be able to use your phone while in France and not have to pay huge costs?
I have been waiting to all about your trip; can hardly wait for Chapter 2...I could not have done what you did all on your own and I am 67....you amaze me..and can hardly wait to hear the rest....so happy you had a great trip...
Lovely photos. Thank you for sharing your happiness with us.
I am currently on Vancouver Island, in Victoria - but only for 24 hours - and enjoying the beauty that is here.
The Latin Quarter was vibrant, rich in culture and there were so many interesting shops and chic sightings!
I purchased a plan for unlimited texting, a preset time for calling and data.
I turned off my data roaming so I would not access them unknowingly...
You'd be surprised how easy it was to travel solo...I needed to ask directions a few times in the major airports but other than that it was a breeze.
Oh I hope that you find some time to explore our beautiful city...if you need any ideas of places to dine or things to see please do not hesitate to ask!
I'm glad you decided to go on your own. I find you meet more people when you are a solo traveller and it gives you so much confidence afterwards. A blog you might enjoy is called paris breakfasts. Gonzales beach cottage.
Well, I wouldn't exactly categorize this trip as 'traveling solo' because your whole trip was planned around meeting friends each day, but I'm really glad you had a good time. Many wonderful memories to bring back over the years to come, I'm sure. By the way, do you mind letting me know how much your trip costs in total (minus gifts, souvenirs, and other incidentals)? Thanks, Barbara x
So much fun sharing your pictures of Paris...makes me want to go back!! Keep them coming ;) You were very brave going alone...good on ya, girl!! (Were meals expensive there?)
When we went, we were with my Dutch cousin and her family, and she packed meals. We do know that the wine is inexpensive though ;)
Thanks, Leslie. My son is going to Denmark in July which is why I was wondering.
Like others I think all your forward planning and organisation helped. It must have been lovely to have friends there who could guide you for the first couple of days. Love all of your photos. . . I felt as though I was walking around Paris with you.
Rosie
How can you put a price on a trip of a lifetime?
It was expensive, but price is all relative...for some it would not be considered extravagant but considering that I am a humble gal who is not used to spending much money on travel I think it was a splurge and I didn't want to scrimp on anything in Paris.
If you are interested in the tour Jamie Cat Callan is planning another one next May...you can go to her website where she has the information.
I thought that the meals were priced a but higher than what we would pay here but they were so delicious and beautifully presented...wine is cheaper than a bottle of pop!
That sounds like a perfect Paris weekend. I also love shopping in the Marais, so many interesting boutiques.
I read the Paris Breakfast blog...Gonzales you live quite near me...if you'd like to meet up please send me an email.
You were in one of the loveliest arrondissements of Paris. I always make sure there's a Monoprix close by when I'm staying in Paris. They're wonderful. The Marais is one of my favorite areas to spend time in. It's a cultural gem and has been undergoing massive gentrification over the past years. Did you get to one of my favorite museums? The Carnavalet? Place des Vosges. Your pictures all make my mouth water. I just got back, but I'm ready to return.
Wonderful post!!!
Cheers, M-T
I am living and breathing every moment of your post...I have always wanted to go to Paris and you have convinced me I must!
Wonderfully descriptive writing, Leslie! It sounds like your Ooh La La Tour was the way to go. I love that they took care of you as soon as you were off the plane! Lovely pictures of your first day in Paris.
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