I returned home from Paris a little over two weeks ago. I've been quite busy building my new website (Here!). I've sorted through all of my pictures and I have uploaded the best ones to my album page. click here

Malheureusement, it’s my last day in Paris. The weather was lovely. I did another VoiceMap audio tour. This time, of Île de La Cité and it was great. Some of you might recognize the location of the last photo. No, the man is not Gil Pender. 

Aujourd’hui, il fait beau. Although cool, the sun came out and it is a beautiful “April in Paris” day.

I found this incredible iOS app, VoiceMap, for self-guided walking tours. It employs GPS so it knows exactly where you are. Using earbuds, you start the walking tour and put your phone in your pocket. You will hear walking/direction instructions plus all of the relevant tour info. It’s wonderful. Today, I used it for a tour of Le Marais. 

It started cold and overcast but cleared up a bit in the afternoon. I went to Château de Vincennes, in the eastern suburbs of Paris. It’s a medieval chateau/fortress and there is a reason why it’s not on the “A List” of tourist destinations. Upon returning to centre ville, I walked to Jardin de Luxembourg, as did thousands of Parisians, to enjoy a few moments of sunshine and warmth. The former, and latter, were fleeting. 

What a wonderful dinner at Au Port du Salut, in the quartier. It’s a tiny restaurant and featured wonderful live music, with levels appropriate for such a small space. He sang French music with a few American songs, with a southern accent; he is French. When he sang La Vie en Rose, I had to dry my eyes. 

It rained today, constantly, limiting outdoor activities. This morning, I returned to E. Dehillerin to purchase cannelé molds. It’s really an incredible place.

This evening, it was dinner at Bouillon Racine.  I’ve been here many times - for the ambiance but not for the food. Typically, the latter is pas mal. They have a new chef and the meal was extraordinary. FYI - Les gauffre  (waffles) are better when topped with crème brûlée!

Today started out cold and grey but became brighter (Not sunny, but brighter) but really windy. This morning, I went on a food tour of Les Halles. It was organized by La Cuisine Paris and was wonderful. It started at E. Dehillerin, the iconic kitchen supply store and a favorite of Julia Child. We walked to various shops in the quartier, tasting and enjoying ourselves. In 2019, I attended a sauce class at La Cuisine Paris. They do a good job.

After the food tour, I went to Musée des Arts Décoratifs, focused on fashion and decorative arts (Hence the name!). There was a special exhibition of the fashion of Thierry Mugler…it was amazing. Afterwards, a long walk back to the apartment.

​Tonight was a wonderful dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Le Petit Châtelet, just across La Seine à Paris from Notre Dame. 

I spent today visiting Chateau de Fontainebleau and Chateau Vaux-le-Vicompte; both are not far from Paris. Unfortunately, the day was overcast and rather cool. 

It was overcast and misty today so it was perfect for faire du shopping plus a walk around the quartier.

Paris is not a place for great values, with the exception of certain luxury goods. When the exchange rate is good (Currently €1=$1.097) plus the VAT Refund, some items are really a bargain (??). For example, the LV backpack was almost 35% less than in the U.S. 

My walk around the quartier included Place L’ Estrapade (Emily in Paris), Rue Mouffetard, and Place Pantheon.

​Dinner was at Brasserie Bofinger, near Place Bastille. It’s been around since 1864 and features Alsatian cuisine. Choucroute Garni is a very popular regional French dish; the German influence is obvious.

After 2020 and 2021, I’m a bit amazed to finally be sitting in an apartment in Paris! I arrived this afternoon and took the RER B into the city. The apartment is very close to the Luxembourg RER station so it was super convenient. I’m very familiar with the 5 ème, having stayed here many times with Claire. The Sorbonne is in the middle of the arrondissement and it’s not a very touristy quartier. The apartment is fine…not great, but fine.

I got to the apartment mid-afternoon and settled in. This mainly included going to the grocery store and a walk, futile, to the Swatch store in rue du Cherche-Midi (separate story). Tonight was a delightful dinner at Le Perrraudin, a traditional bistro very close to the apartment.