Tuesday, April 26, 2011

April in Paris: Part 3

Last week I was in Paris for a long weekend....four full days and the morning of the fifth. It was quick, jam packed and fabulous! I've posted about our first two days in two previous posts and I'm wrapping up the final two days in this post. 

Day three began with a classic Parisian breakfast with sidewalk seating at Cafe de FloreCasually Defined had commented that this was a favorite spot of hers, perhaps she too likes places that locals hang out?

Afterwards, we took foodie blogger, Weird Combinations, advice to grab the Metro (less than a half an hour and no traffic...can't be beat!) and head directly to Versailles. I felt like it was a privilege to visit a place where kings lived. Louis XVI style furniture is my absolute favorite, so I loved seeing "the real deal" in his palace! Do you have a favorite Louis furniture style?
 The Royal Chapel
 I remembered studying the Hall of Mirrors, so to see it person was such a special treat!
Some furniture will always be timeless, like x-based stools.
Love this stool!
Marie Antoinette's bed
After the awe inspiring visit to Versailles, we spent time in Versailles Village before heading to 
Sacre-Coeur located in Montmarte. The city wide views from Sacre-Coeur are amazing. See the Eiffel Tower in the distance? We spent into the early evening exploring this part of the city.
At the end of this day we took Barefoot Contessa's recommendation for an Italian diversion from the Parisian food and went to Marco Polo located at 8 Rue de Conde. This place was packed with locals and the meal was beyond amazing...thank you Ina Garten! 

After dinner we took Heavenly Housewife's recommendation and had Grom gelato (which we devoured two nights in a row!) The Carmello (carmel) gelato with Himalayan sea salt made me realize I would fly to Paris just to eat this speciality! 

On our final day we started with a stroll thru Luxembourg Gardens, so beautiful!
Then we went to Le Puces and Les Halles before walking to the Pompidou Museum which houses modern art. Have you been? Here's Andy Warhol's Liz Talyor piece.
Pablo Picasso, Femme en bleu 1944
Henri Matisse,  La Blouse Roumaine 1940
Now, you have to "study" Michelangelo Pistoletto's (perfected mirror paintings) piece, Woman in a cemetery, for a few moments. All I could think was what on Earth did this person do to her?! 
Our last evening was spent dining at the highly raved about Le Comptoir in the St. Germain neighborhood, again another culinary home run!

I'll wrap this with the museum pass made our experiences enjoyable. There was no waiting in long lines, along with gaining access into the various museums via a special entrance. I never once encountered a surly local, in fact we found them to be quite opposite the stereotype. I hope you've enjoyed traveling to Paris via my posts! 

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Yeah, that last picture is really a study in grief isn't it?
Great post daaaaahling, you are giving my loads of ideas for my next trip :D.
*kisses* HH

M.A. the 2nd ~ Frances Russell said...

Dear Lisa .... I am so happy that you had such a wonderful time! Paris is incredible and the experiences that you have last a lifetime! Versailles is my absolute favourite and seeing the Hall of Mirrors is a wonderful experience .... to be there admidst the history of France is exhilarating. We also loved Luxembourg Gardens ...... strolling through the gardens and walking around the pond surrounded by huge Versailles planter boxes filled with date palms or sculpted topiaries ..... I knew you would love it!
best wishes always
Frances

The Buzz Blog said...

The Luxembourg Gardens are heavenly and I'm so glad you had a chance to visit them in beautiful April weather. Your trip has renewed my plea to the husband to take me to Paris within the year!
xxoo

Anonymous said...

I loved the views from Sacre-Coeur.... simply amazing. We didn't see Versailles and I regret it so much. We had the kids so went to Disneyland Paris instead... big mistake. Their Disneyland doesn't compare to ours... oh, the sacrifices we make as parents, huh? xo

Unknown said...

So fabulous! Having been to all these sites you listed so many years ago...I'm dying to go back and see it all again with the FAB food recs to enhance the whole experience! OMG that gellato! sounds tdf!

Party Resources said...

What fun! I have been to many of these spots and such a treat to revisit with you. xx

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Amazing, you hit so many favorite spots, fun to relive through your posts! Janell

H.G. The Countess said...

Le Comptoir was one of my favorite meals of all time :)

Marianne said...

Versailles was a favorite stop of mine too. Overflowing with beauty! I love that you followed some of Ina's advice... we did the same thing and found the most wonderful shops. One shop even asked us, did Ina send you? Ha! Why, yes she did! xo

quintessence said...

Looks like you saw it all!! And had fabulous weather to boot!! I haven't been to Versailles for decades - yes! You are making me crave a trip back to one of the most beautiful cities in the world!!

Stevie said...

Your trip continues to astound. Thanks for linking us to your story! We love Versailles, too. To me the grand beds are the most remarkable, with the monstrous feathers on top of the canopies. I'm not sure that I would feel at all comfortable sleeping in one of them. They're like plush caverns more than furniture. Plus the paintings and gardens always attract me. So remarkable. No wonder the French economy collapsed after its construction.

I love Georges Pompidou, too. The building is remarkable and contemporary are is fun to look at.

Unknown said...

So fun to see Paris through your eyes. Cafe de Flore is my son, Carter's all time favorite restaurant in Paris! I guess if you give him a hot chocolate and a chunk of break he's happy!!

And, how fun to have some new places to try on my next trip. Which I hope won't be too many years away!

xoxo E

designchic said...

I loved following along on your trip...brings back so many wonderful memories!!

About Last Weekend said...

How unbelievably fabulous! Love those gold stools and the lightness of the large room and that wonderful restaurant you went to - lucky you!

That Girl in Pearls said...

Lisa, I have so enjoyed reading about your trip! Isn't the Hall of Mirrors gorgeous? There is definitely no way to capture it in a photograph... you really have to see it in person to appreciate it.

And thank you for including that last painting. How hysterical!! Put a smile on my face. Art is multi-layered ;)

Hope you are having a wonderful week Love!
B.

That Girl in Pearls

Travel With Lulu said...

We were in Paris this time last year. The weather was cold and rainy, but still so much fun. Looks like the weather was good for you, lucky girl :) XoL

Silvia C said...

That stool is absolutely gorgeous. Perfection. And Marie Antoinette's bed is exquisite. I would love the visit the Hall of Mirrors in person. I'll be there next summer. So glad you are enjoying your fabulous trip!

STYLE'N said...

ah love it all. So ready to go back there!