Hold onto your hats – lots of photos ahead.
To be perfectly honest, I get overwhelmed when it’s time to write a post as I have taken thousands of photos. Thousands. Many on the big girl camera, many on the iPhone. It depends on whether I want to lug around the heavier camera on any given day. Trying to sort through them in some sort of coherent way can be daunting!
Short and sweet: We have had the most glorious week here in Paris. I cannot express how deeply I have fallen in love with this city. If we could swing it, Don and I would move here in a flash. I’m perfectly serious. I love the people, I love the energy, the beauty, the everything. We’re already planning a return trip for next year. We’ve been going constantly, though, and we’re tired. Today is the first day we’ve pulled back and deliberately taken it easy because we know we’re traveling to London tomorrow and we wanted to recover a bit before crossing the Channel.
I’ll share some of what we’ve seen here – there’s more to share in a couple of days and, frankly, if I wanted to, a month’s worth of posts to write when I get back. I so want to share my thoughts, what I’ve learned, what I’ve discovered about myself, what we’ve discovered together…
We’re very, very sad to be leaving here. We don’t want to. Not one bit. But London beckons.
Here we go:
First our hotel – which will always be our hotel in the future. It is a little gem; warm, intimate, lovely.
Our room.
You know that I love little lamps. They are everywhere here. On the dresser, on the desk, in the breakfast room.
If I could spirit this one away with me, I would. I really love it.
This is the breakfast room, which is in an old wine cellar. (Best lighting in the world for photos of aging us, by the way. It’s very kind. I’ll share more later.)
Every morning, we come down and Nora serves us café au lait and fresh croissants and a baguette with butter and jam and yogurt and compote. Heavenly. We had Nora take a picture of us on our anniversary and she must have passed that information on to Veronique and the staff because when we entered our room later in the day, this was waiting for us:
Don doesn’t drink and I rarely do, but I had a sip or two in honor of our 20th. We were so touched by this generous gesture. (The empty bottle is going home with me, as well as the card.)
Part of the Louvre. If only my boxwood looked this good,
More of the Louvre and the famous glass pyramid. Inside:
There she is. She’s stunning. Photos simply cannot do her justice. I stared and stared and stared. Yes, she’s smaller than you might think, but not as small as this picture seems to indicate.
Venus de Milo.
Winged Victory. I took a picture up close, as well, but I love this one.
A discussion for another time: Why does everyone think they have to immediately take a selfie next to the Mona Lisa, or the Venus de Milo, or Winged Victory? It’s incredibly annoying. How about just looking and pondering the art itself?
So much more; Da Vincis, Raphaels, stunning works everywhere.
From the Musée d’Orsay, so many gorgeous Impressionist paintings, but these stood out for me:
Monet.
And this large Renoir. I love this painting with all my heart. I love Renoir. (We visited the place he lived in Montmartre which is now a museum – more on that later.)
Fantasy: We live in a apartment in one of the buildings along the Seine. We walk along the Seine every morning and evening. That’s not asking too much is it?
We visited Shakespeare and Company, the famous English language bookstore that was founded by Sylvia Beach in 1919. In its first location, it was a home-away-from-home for Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound and and James Joyce. It was closed in 1941 when the Germans occupied France. It was reopened in its current location in 1951 by George Whitman, who ran it for years. It is now run by his daughter.
There are beds among the stacks for those in need, especially writers who don’t have much money. They stay there and help out in the shop.
It’s just across the river from this:
Glorious. And packed with tourists.
Notre Dame is on Ile de la Cité. We also walked around the second island, Ile St. Louis.
A memorial on a building on Ile St. Louis.
In memory of 112 inhabitants of this building, including 40 children, who were deported and died in German Camps in 1942.
Unspeakable.
On the Right Bank, the Bastille memorial, on the spot where the Bastille was stormed.
Me taking pictures on the Right Bank.
The oldest bridge on the Seine, the Pont Neuf.
And a hint of things to come in a future post: we took a night cruise on the Seine last night and saw this:
Unbelievable. A ‘gasp’ does not cover it.
Okay. That’s it for now. I have so many photos of buildings and details and the Marches aux Puces (the flea market) and Montmartre.
Tomorrow, the Eurostar to London.
Happy Sunday.
Absolutely beautiful!! Thank you so much for taking the time to post. I don’t know about anyone else but for me, this is probably the closest I will ever come to seeing Paris. It is lovely and I can well understand you and Don not wanting to leave this city.
Spectacular.
These photos bring back so many memories. It’s been 5 years since I was in Paris but like you I have wished I could return every day since. It is the most amazing place and I would go back in a heartbeat! I think the light is amazing in this city. I look forward to more and more of your photos. I’m so happy you made this trip and fell in love with Paris. What a charming hotel, I would love to go there ‘next time’!! Hugs!
So, so beautiful! Thanks for reminding me of loving it so much. I know what you mean about leaving. Have a great time in London, too!
first, many thanks for taking time to post anything at all during your trip … and especially so many words and photos!
from the architecture to the food, the light and sounds, the treasures (not just from the flea market), seeing in person art once only referenced in books and finding a great old bookstore … and then spending nights in your charming hotel room … glad you are having a wonderful time!
glad, too, that you are taking the champagne bottle and note with you (hopefully in your carry-on bag) … and that you plan to go back next year!
and soon london! enjoy and safe travels.
kathy in iowa
omg … just thank you- fabulous pictures-
barb in texas
This wonderful holiday will do you both a world of good!
Hey….thanks for taking the time to post your pics, and give us a quick run down. Paris is indeed beautiful. You have done the one thing I was hoping for…taking a boat cruise down the Seine. I love seeing a city from the water….a unique perspective.
Safe travels on to London….enjoy your last evening in Paris! ;)
Thank you Claudia and Don for your Instagram pictures (and of course your post today Claudia). I am loving seeing what you shared. What a wonderful place – and loved your Anniversary photo!
Joy
Wow!
I am either smiling so much, my face hurts or I am crying so much I cannot see the photos, here and on Instagram. Thank you so much for sharing them.
Safe travels!
I’m so enjoying your pictures and story telling. Thank you for taking us along on your glorious adventure.
Fantastic!!! Your photos are beautiful. I love this city, too, and you captured its spirit and mystique and quotidian charm. How did you find that wonderful hotel? Such romantic atmosphere whereas most French hotels I’ve stayed at are much more shall we say rustic? Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful time on the next leg of your well deserved vacation. And–Happy Anniversary!
I too fell in love with Paris. It is so very beautiful everywhere you look. I have stayed in that same hotel – loved it. My friend and I had breakfast every morning at one of the tables in your photo. I hope to sit at that table again one day. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Can’t wait to see more photos.
OMG your photos are gorgeous! Thank you for sharing them. So happy for you and Don.
What can I say but this is all incredible and wonderful and amazing…thank you again for sharing it with us…Have a safe trip to London…we will see you both there!..lol
Claudia, your pictures are stunning! What wonderful anniversary memories for you and Don!! I am so happy you took a boat cruise at night on the Seine! So romantic!! Thanks for sharing this fantastic trip with us!!
Beds in a bookshop. Love it. Your pictures are gorgeous and all I can say is: MORE! MORE! MORE! Your framed picture of “Winged Victory” is positively genius. I would buy that one.
Thank you so much for these pictures. I had looked forward to them since you said you were going on this trip. They are even better than expected. You are so thoughtful to take the time to share them. I am glad that you are enjoying your trip that you so deserve.
Beautiful Pictures – thanks for sharing!!
You had me at that brick-lined breakfast room. And you sealed the deal with the champagne bottle in the glass cooler. Magnifique! Can’t wait to hear more. Be safe traveling & rest too! Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
Thank you for sharing with us, Claudia!! The pictures are fantastic. It sounds like an amazing adventure and I totally understand your wanting to stay. Onward to London!!
Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
I am swooning. I so want to go now. On my bucket list!
Please share your itinerary and mode of transportation. You were able to see so much in a week. Would love to know how you decided what to see. My hubby and I would love to go to Paris.
Oh my gosh, this is fun! It is wonderful of you and your husband to share your trip with us. What a romantic adventure, Claudia!
Claudia, I honestly could just burst with happiness for you and Don. I know I would cry if I saw the Mona Lisa. Those painting of Monet’s and Renoir’s….I did cry in Chicago seeing some of their art side by side in the museum. That room is a sweet get away, cozy and full of atmosphere. I love the breakfast cellar. love it . Oh I could see you and Don living there. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
p.s happy anniversary.
Just perfect! Thank you for taking time to share your beautiful photos. I spent a few days in Paris in 1990 and share your enthusiasm about living there. Oh,and that breakfast room! xo
OH Yes Very Charming!
Thank You for your time !It is MOST generous of you!
Judy A
Really wonderful photos! So glad that you both are having such a fun time; thank you for sharing your adventures.
I love your new sunglasses. you look very Parisienne! and both of your Paris posts are perfection.
the city of LOVE! and through your eyes it is wonderful! THANK YOU mon amie! thank you.! it’s lovely travelling with you two!
You might be interested in this: “Paris Letters” by Janice McLeod. It can be a bit “young thingy” if you know what I mean, but it might be a nice way to relive memories and oh, I don’t know, daydream about moving there?
Thank you for sharing these. The bring back such fantastic memories. Living in Paris has been my fantasy too ever since my first trip 7 years ago. There is simply no city like it anywhere.
Your room was charming and the location sounds perfect. I do think Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and you have certainly captured it in this series. Bravo!
It is so, so beautiful.