Les Fraises de Paris Map

The Paris maps began in May 4 years ago so you will get 2 maps this month🥂🍾 Two birthdays/anniversaires this weekend! I'm celebrating mine in DEAUVILLE, but not telling any birthdates.

French strawberries are May’s theme.

Paris Palace hotel map

I asked a savvy New York friend, Alison, did she ever had go inside fancy NYC hotels for a look round?

"All the time. Whenever it rains, I drop in & people-watch in the lobby till the rain stops", she responded.

"How brave". Turns out there are many other good reasons why you should visit Paris' 5-star 'Palace' designated hotels. The bored lobby-sitter is by 17th century watercolorist, Louis Carrogis Carmontelle

For the May Palace hotel map I was planning on a border of gold filigree

Like the golden grand staircase you'll see in Hotel Shangri-la, formerly home to Prince Roland Bonaparte.

Instead with Allie's advice I drew lobby armchairs for a border. Lately I'm chair crazy.

Le Crillon has reopened after a 2-year renovation to bring it up to 'palace' high standards. The 1758 exterior at place de Concorde is thrilling. Bear was thrilled with the interior - elegant and serene.

 

Hotel Meurice is more chic perhaps thanks to the eccentric decor of designer Philippe Starck.

For a fabulous splurge have tea at the Meurice's Dali salon. Top pastry chef Cédric Grolet's creations will seriously blow you away.

Flower lovers must make the rounds all of Paris 5-star hotels. Jeff Letham's arrangements at the Four Seasons George V hotel are divine.

An abundance of orchids

Bear enjoyed every luscious moment

Especially gazing into the George V courtyard

Most palace hotels are clustered together in the 8th and 1st arrondissements, so stroll from one to another. Nearby Plaza Athenée, another recent renovation.

Bear would have loved to stroll into Alain Ducasse's dining room there but we were too late. Tant pis

Would you like your portrait in front of Hotel Plaza Athenee? Do let me know s'il vous plait.

Voila! The May palace map is in the poste. A BIG MERCI to LIVING FRANCE for featuring my Paris maps in the June issue!

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Bisous 💋 bisous 💋 Carolg and Bear 🐻

You've Got Paris Maps in your mailbox 📮

Do you get lost in Paris? My first year in Paris I got lost all the time.

As an inveterate map collector 

Journees des Plantes de Chantilly 2015

 Chantilly whipped cream on home-made(fait maison) melon ice cream can not be passed up on a gorgeously sunny day at Chateau de Chantilly 

Go to Gare du Nord.
Then find the special train to Picardie. It will be upstairs in the main hall for the Grands Lignes.
Do not bother with the RER - double the time & complicated.

Chantilly is the 2nd stop. It takes around 25 minutes (costs about 8,50 euros). There is a shuttle bus in the bus parking lot nearby. Follow the crowds.

Why didn't I buy this divine mouse pad with an overview of the chateau?

One can go for a quiet contemplative visit at Chantilly.

Or attend the 3-day huge gardening event, Les Journees des Plantes de Courson a Chantilly. For someone who does not have a 'Green thumb' I go to lots of gardening events in France. But they are spectacularly beautiful. Has anyone been to Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire Festival International des Jardins? I'm thinking of going..

I would love to paint these shaped hedges.

And I definitely need Champagne tables made from pitchforks too. Who doesn't?

Attendees were carting off loads of gorgeous plants. Love this event description: Pour perpétuer la passion du jardin et de la diversité végétale.

On inside the chateau surrounded by lakes.

I don't think I've visited since 2008.

The theme of Chantilly is La Chasse.

Décor is stunning.

The world famous art collection belonging to the Prince de Condes is nothing to sniff at either.

Just fabulous.

Crowded as the event was, there are still many rooms to explore in peace, You can easily imagine yourself a princess-in-residence at Chantilly.

Views out the windows are enthralling.

I went to Chantilly with Solli, who is one of these specks on the grounds. She wanted to find the 'hamlet' with animals and I went for the art.

A grand library.

Full of flower prints.

There were certainly plenty of peonies on offer in the tents.
You can see more of my chateau pictures on Flickr.
Chantilly info is here.
And you can still get a peony watercolor for your own on Etsy by subscribing.