Four days in the City of Light ........
I have the good fortune to live and work in Europe and can take a high speed train to Paris in just under four hours. I recently traveled solo and spent four days in a little apartment smack dab by the avant garde modern art museum the Center Pompidou. I have been to Paris quite a few times over the years so I have a good over view and knowledge of this magical city. Paris to me is very much like London in that it is a glittering, cultural treasure chest that never runs out of jewels to display !
As I am such an aficianado of "slow travel " I only chose two museums I wanted to spend time exploring which gave me lots of time for sponaneous walks and serendipitous eating, drinking and shopping. Oh la la ! So the Musee Carnavalet and the newly renovated Picasso Museum were on my plans.
I spent a wonderful two hours in the Musee Carnavalet which has just over 100 rooms illustrating the social and cultural history of Paris. I don't think I saw all 100 ( and I was not counting, ha ha) and the garden is stunning. This museum is not as well known and truly is a treasure in the Marais district. Entrance is free and you can give a donation if you wish.
Musee Carnavalet
The Marais district is a true jewel for the slow traveler and a destination in itself as you can spend hours wandering the narrow streets in the heart of the former Jewish district. Both museums, the Picasso and the Musee Carnavalet, are located here.
Wear comfortable shoes as Paris is a beautiful walking city. I always have individual metro tickets with me so I can take it when I need to. Many of the entrances to the Metro are the original art nouveau design !
Lunch in Paris is the thing to do and check out the daily set menu which often has the freshest choices and includes wine. You can also choose an appetizer and the main plate or the main plate and a dessert for the same price.
Is it really true that the Parsians do not like to speak English ? Well yes and no. In my experience if you begin speaking French ( even if it is very basic and please do not start by saying "Parlez vous Anglais ? " as this is often not well received! ) In the many times I have visited Paris I have only had one negative experience with a rude waiter and this can happen anywhere. As I took French in high school I happily practice my long ago school girl French , oh la la !
Did I make it to the Picasso Museum .......not this time. The weather turned out to be so absolutely gorgeous that I changed my mind. It was a Sunday so I spent time wandering along the river Seine with the beautiful bridges and the ornate architecture as far as the eye can see with the iconic Eiffel Tower in the distance! I love looking at the booksellers wares as I walk along and this is a Parisian experience in itself. These green lockers have been in the same families for generations. I particularly enjoy the genuine historical prints , magazines, books and postcards some of which date from the 1800s.
Marie Antoinette's prison the Conciegerie
I then met a friend for lunch in the sublime Place des Vosges which I highly recommend as a place to experience and it is also in the Marais district.
From the real French croissants and coffee in the morning, to soaking up the Parisian atmosphere, people watching, the architecture, the art, the culture, the fashion, the history embedded in this city, navigating the streets and the Metro...... Paris is always an oh la la !
Place des Vosges
A little sad to get back on the train........ !
In my next post about Paris I will give some very practical tips as well as some general personal safety advice.
Carpe Diem * Sabrina
Paris is always a good idea ! - Audrey Hepburn
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