Paris Ooh La La Tour details ~ Paris OOTD.

The Ooh La La Tour was filled to the brim with fun and excitement and did not disappoint.
We were in good hands with author Jamie Cat Callan and Art historian Elyse Rivin guiding us along the way...they had arranged everything in advance and all our metro, bus and museum passes were ready when we checked into our hotel.
We walked, explored, shopped, and dined and covered a lot of territory from the Luxembourg Gardens to Versailles.

The Luxembourg Gardens on a rainy day walk...

We enjoyed the museums and found the food in the cafeterias particularly tasty.
The Musee D'Orsay, with their wonderful collection of Impressionist art was my favourite and there was a Bonnard exhibit on display which was an unexpected bonus.

One evening before sunset we took a bateau cruise on the Seine River and took photos of the Eiffel Tower as it lit up.

Some special features of the tour included a wine tasting, a visit to The Fragonard museum, The Cluny museum, chocolate tasting at Chez Richart, Opera Garnier Tour, a visit to Madame Cadolle Lingerie (Madame's grandmother invented the bra!), Palais Royale, Kate Kemp-Griffin told us all about the sensual art of lingerie at the Bon Marche and told us what to look for when buying a well fitting bra, we brunched with the chic and savvy (adorable) Alois Guinut in The Marais
who shared her secrets for Dressing like a Parisian...

So much was packed into our week and it was an amazing experience...
With a group of like minded passionate and energetic women who all came together to thoroughly savour their time in Paris it was a recipe for success.
(we laughed, we cried and we bonded)

The Cluny Museum 

(formerly a Roman Bath)

inside hang the famous tapestries of the Lady and the Unicorn.

(no photos of the delicate tapestries were permitted)

I fell in love with the architecture and the ornamentation.

just look at the door details...

Can you imagine how many hours or years it would take to create these buildings?

(and they are still standing today!)

A scene from Woody Allen's movie, Midnight in Paris was filmed here at The Polidor.

I wore the same few clothes over and over during my 3 weeks away 

I relied heavily on accessories to make them look different.

I hand washed my tops and lingerie in shampoo and hung them to dry in my bathroom.

Most of them dried overnight.

The black cowl necked sweater by Wooden Ships transitioned easily from casual to dressy when I paired it with my black pants or my black skirt.

We dined at Les Editeurs one evening for dinner and this book somehow managed to pop off the shelf behind where we were seated and fell into my hands...

(Jamie Cat Callan snapped this photo)

The view from the restaurant...

love the mauve blossoms on the Jacaranda tree.

A wonderful shot of our group as we depart...

au revoir.

I've got a few more Paris posts in the works and there's more ahead from the beautiful and enchanting Village of Auvillar

and my adventures in the South of France.

Finding my way in Paris...

International travel, solo at 60...sounds rather daunting doesn't it?
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.

I walked for several hours popping into shops along the way before stopping at a cafe for a coffee and a snack...
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!

Paris is Always a Good Idea!

Audrey Hepburn wasn't kidding when she was quoted as saying "Paris is Always a Good Idea!"

The past three weeks have exceeded my expectations and although I am slightly jet lagged I am very excited to be able to post a few words here and share a few quick thoughts.

In the next few days or weeks I plan to do some more in depth posts on Paris and my travels south to the idyllic and enchanting village of Auvillar and the surrounding countryside.

Notre Dame Cathedral Paris

the iconic church on the Seine.

Paris IS a beautiful city!

 The best way to see it is to walk in the various arrondissements taking in the sites then when you get tired stop for a coffee and a croissant in a street front cafe. 

(Great way to study Chic Paris Street Style!)

Lunches were delicious and I frequently opted for salads, omelets and I tried a traditional Croque Monsieur.

I started my day with a big breakfast in the morning at the Hotel.

The bread in France is like nothing I have ever tasted before...I don't know what they do to it but it is exceptional!

Meandering along the rues and grand boulevards gives you the best views 

and behind the beautiful doors there are hidden gems if you peek inside!

These doors, when opened reveal an inner courtyard.

I was obsessed with these doors and took many photos of them...

if you followed me on Instagram while I was away you've seen quite a few already!

The Ooh La La Tour was fabulous and I met some great women.

I'll chat more about this later...

 I had some fun and silly moments after our tour of the Fragonard museum!

I'm going to miss the champagne social...

that The Hotel Belloy provided every afternoon...

oh and the pastries and espresso!

I'm happy to report that my carry on was the perfect way to travel and my minimum wardrobe worked beautifully and I wore every item several times in the 3 weeks that I was away.

Basic wardrobe.

Black Eileen Fisher pants

Dark denim skinny jeans Banana Republic

Black and white striped Tee dress 

black skirt

4 tees

2 tanks

silk cream blouse

black cowl Wooden Ships sweater

2 bras

4 panties

2 pairs of black textured hose

2 pairs of socks, one compression style

nightie and light weight silky robe

short black boots

black ballet style walking shoes

2 scarves 

watch

 opera length pearls

umbrella

Barbour quilted jacket

black lightweight rain resistent coat

I did some shopping in Paris...more about that later...

Here is the vintage Jeanne Lanvin scarf I picked up in the vintage "pop up shop" at BHV.

Hope you've been well while I have been away and thank you for stopping by to read my little blog.

Hope you have a great week and I will be back soon.

Au revoir...

The Hostess of The Humble Bungalow Blog is on vacation!

The adventure starts here...

I think I'm ready...

I'm taking the plunge to boldly go beyond my usual comfort zone...

I'm taking off...

I've sipped many cups of tea sitting here in the peace and quiet of the Humble Bungalow contemplating

 this "once in a lifetime" adventure.

The Gardens here in Victoria are at their best in the Spring.

I'll miss visiting the glorious beauty of The Abkhazi Gardens...

but there will be The Tuileries...The Luxembourg Gardens and Versailles!

I hope to see The Rodin and Giverny and many more parks in Paris...

PARIS! 

I cannot believe I will actually be in Paris.

I'll be nibbling on pastries...cheeses and sipping wine.

I'll be walking many many kilometers each day exploring and seeing the sights.

Springtime in Paris....

There will be beauty at every turn...

I will make it my goal to take note and capture these moments.

Being in the moment...present to receive nature's gifts.

Paying attention...

focusing.

It will be wonderful to be in the City of Light...

they say that there is a glow about Paris.

So dear readers and friends...

I'll say au revoir for now.

If all goes according to plan I'll be back in a few weeks.

They say that Paris changes you...

I cannot even imagine it.

But soon

I'll know.