75007 Paris

Remember I mentioned PB reader, Susanne, who lives in the 7th arron.

Well yesterday I did it. I booked my March trip to Paris. And I'll be staying in Susanne's pied-a-terre. This gorgeous hunk of quiche we ate comes from the boulangerie right downstairs by the way.

Susanne has moved on to a tiny village in Vermont. Yes it's true. I wonder if she's taken her blue and white treasures with her. Or will I get a chance to paint them. Susanne's place is a flea market shoppers dream, in case you didn't already notice.

Shhhhhh!

I took my camera into the loo, so I could show you all her treasures lurking everywhere.

Did I mention that Susanne's place is on the 6th floor?
I'm working out as I write this, prepping for climbing up those stairs.

I expect to collapse regularly into this cafe nearby.

Or this classic bistro - La Fontaine de Mars
129, rue St-Dominique

If I get homesick (never happens) there's the cafe Tribeca on rue Cler.

The fleamarket was closing by the time I got there but it looked terrific! I have to admit I've never been to rue Cler before. Dommage

(ext.3)For some reason I can't explain, I always procrastiinate like crazy booking my Air France ticket. And I always lose the AirFrance telephone number so I'm putting it here in bold type for next time

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I did some research and discovered there are like are gazillion chocolatiers in the immediate vicinity of the appartment.WOW! A. Michel Chaudun‎ -149, Rue Université, 75007
B. Le Fleuriste du Chocolat‎ -49, Avenue La Bourdonnais, 75007 C. SAS Chocolaterie De Puyricard‎ - 27, Avenue Rapp, 75007
D. Les Petites Chocolatières‎ - 20, Rue Cler, 75007

E. Hévin Jean-Paul‎ - 23 Bis, Avenue La Motte Picquet, 75007

G. Renard Grégory‎ - 120, Rue St Dominique, 75007

H. A la Mère de Famille‎ - 47, rue Cler, 75007

I. La Maison du Chocolat‎ - 52, Rue François 1er, 75008

J. De Neuville SA‎ - 24, Rue Marbeuf, 75008
I know it's unseemly to say this but I cannot resist,
HOLY CHOCOLAT!!!!

It's a very good thing I will have those millions of stairs to walk daily. If YOU have any suggestions of stuff I should do in the 7th do tell S.V.P.!BONNE REVE!

Last Night Paris

Tuesday morning I had a "private" visit to Pierre Herme on 185, rue Vaugirard to take as many pictures as I wanted from both sides of the counter. YAY!

Later I decided on a late run to my photo shop in the 6th - camera problems. It was dusk in the Marais. Irresistable for marching around on foot.
I passed a Starbucks on rue des Archives and peeked in. Starbucks is hugely popular in Paris with the French to my surprise! They love the big loungie chairs and relaxed atmosphere.
The banks of Velib bikes everywhere is a delight! These stations were empty during the strike/ greve last week. Next time I'll get a Navigo card so I can use one. I'll bone up on my biking skills too before I come...ahem
I passed the glorious Hotel de Ville enroute to the left bank -always spectacular at night.
Cross the Petit Pont...
To the other side where Notre Dame awaits...
Awaits every tourist in Paris. Sometimes it's nice to be a tourist...
A small art galerie on rue de Petit Pont with large, mysterious Medieval style paintings...

A shop window nearby with tiny, adorable Limoge snuff boxes...

At St.Michel I popped into the Metro and came out at stop Vavin facing my favorite bistro - Le Select. You can't go wrong here for tons of old Parisian ambience. The food is irrelevant.

Another night I took this shot of the L'Opera Garnier.

No flash required.
Walking around Paris at night is a delight.

The streets are not so crowded and perfect for leche-vitrine / window shopping with no chance of maxing out your credit card.

Late shoppers still max out their credit cards. Lines, lines, lines plus you feel the tension and anticipation - will there be any macarons left? Here winners of a box of macarons at nearby Cafe Le Deux Magots...

A pretty "boutique" hotel I spotted walking around another night in the Marais...

I hope you enjoyed all my Paris "bla bla bla"
Please don't ask me where you can buy this product.

Or if I can buy one for you and your mother in size 8.

I shoot and run.

I forget ALL names and addresses instantly.

I am neither a personal shopper nor a tourist guide.
I'm an artist who loves to look at everything.

I couldn't leave you without some Paris macarons could I?

Please take a bite from my collection...

I'll be on AirFrance 0008 tonight coming back to you.

A bientot!