Bon Weekend: 23 May 2014
by habituallychic
05 . 23 . 14
I can’t believe I’ve been in Paris for one week now. It is definitely starting to feel like home and I’m looking forward to exploring every nook and cranny in the months to come. I know many of you are getting ready for the long holiday weekend in the US. France has a long weekend next week which reminds me that I need to buy anything we need before everything is closed. Before you take off, here’s a look at a few other things I’ve been up to in Paris.
When I take photos on the street, I usually do it so quickly that I rarely ask anyone if it’s ok. As I was crossing the street last Saturday to take a photo of Buly 1803, I turned around and saw the chic Parisienne above standing in front of an amazing door. I felt that she might think I was rude if I took her photo without asking so I decided to speak to her. I’m so glad that I did because she spoke English and we talked about New York which she liked very much and Paris which obviously I like very much. She asked why I wanted to take her photo and I told her it was because she looked très chic. She was visiting friends whose door she was standing in front of but she lived a little farther down in Saint Germain. She asked me if I was going to go back in September and I told her that we’ll see.
I know it looks like her eyes are closed but they just crinkled up when she smiled. I hope I run into her again too. I bet she’s got some great stories to tell.
I didn’t even have to go more than a few steps out our front door to see this trop mignon (too cute) Citroën vintage car last Sunday. I’m definitely putting one on my wish list now.
I can’t believe how hot it was early this week. Everyone pulled out their summer clothes including this cute preppy boy. His shorts match the awning of Ladurée across the street too.
On Sunday night, we took a long walk to l‘île Saint-Louis for ice cream at Berthillon. It lived up to the hype too and I highly recommend the Noix de Coco (coconut).
I took a walk on a rainy day through les Jardins des Tuileries. The French really know how to garden and each one is beautiful in its own special way.
I patiently waited under the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel to get a photo without tourists.
It rained Thursday morning but blew over quickly to reveal bright blue skies again. You always have to be prepared and carry an umbrella everyday just in case.
Thursday night we met friends La Palette in Saint Germain at a cafe frequented by Pablo Picasso, Paul Cézanne, Georges Braque, Ernest Hemingway, and even Jim Morrison. All of the galleries were open and the neighborhood was bustling.
We walked home across Le Seine and I never tire of seeing the light play across the city each day.
I can’t believe sometimes that we get to cut through the Louvre to get home. It never ceases to amaze me.
We also walked through les Jardins du Palais Royal on our way home where we saw a cute group of friends playing boule in their suits. The men here are so handsome and dress very well.
I loved that the colonnade at the Palais Royal was empty last night too.
Because everyone was in the jardins. The thing I love most about Paris and Europe in general is that everyone wants to be outside. They will sit outside at a cafe in the middle of winter under a heat lamp too. I feel like everyone stays inside too much in the US.
Because we live just beside the Palais Royal, we walk through it multiple times daily including today to get flowers and lunch. This dog belongs to one of the coiffeurs (hairdressers) in the Palais.
This honestly never gets old.
I swear everything is cuter in France including this rolling garbage can.
My friend Eleanor made me take a photo after our shopping trip because she said I looked very French today. The best part is that I am also starting to feel French.
Bon Week-end !
All photos by moi.
30 Comments
Ah, such a pleasurable read this morning! Thank you so much for sharing.
You are making me miss Paris. So glad you are enjoying it so much. The woman in your first photo is so very chic!
Lilah
What a wonderful photograph, she is very chic indeed as are you.
A Citroen CV was my very first car, they always make me smile.
Your week one round up has been a joy to read and look at, and indeed you do look very postcard french today. I’m enjoying your experience and looking forward to the details of apartment hunting in Paris.
Isn’t it nice to really settle in somewhere “foreign” for a while? You’ll see it in such a different light!
x Lily
http://whilemyboyfriendsaway.blogspot.com/
Our apartment the last 3 trips to Paris was next door to Berthillon on the Ile st Louis and my favorite (cause we went many times -we could see if there was a line or not from our living room window) was the rose avec framboise -or something like that. Rose and raspberry -it was like eating fresh raspberries in a scented rose garden. AMAZING.
The pix of you answered my question re what you carry to shop and it looks like you use a shoulder tote and…you look adorable! So enjoying your adventure!
What a wonderful photograph, she is very chic indeed.
A Citroen CV was my my very first car, they always make me smile.
What a wonderful photograph, she is very chic indeed.
A Citroen CV was my my very first car, they always make me smile.
Heather:
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and love it; I got your book and it’s on display in my (modest) library because the cover, the color and the “fabric” are perfection.
I’m from the suburbs of Paris and used to work there; I am now in Philadelphia and this post is one of my favorites: each of the pictures and all these little things that you notice as an “American in Paris”… It may seem like you’re just reinforcing all those old cliches about Paris but I’m afraid the facts are here: IT IS GORGEOUS. And I miss it (but I should be able to visit later this year!). As the months go by, please don’t forget to tell us what you do NOT love about living in Paris and also how you are able to stay there (do you have a visa??). Just being curious!
Amities and ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY!
PS: You totally look French.
Glad you’re loving Paris. It has become home for me. I’m sure you have a list a mile long, but I thought I’d add my two sense anyway. Here are some of my favorite places to eat… I’m sure most all of them are already on your list from others.
Terroir Parisien
20, rue Saint Victor, 75005
+33 (0)1.44.31.54.54
Métro: Maubert-Mutualité
Open: Mon-Sun, for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Verjus
52, rue de Richelieu, 75001
+33 (0)1.42.97.54.40
Métro: Pyramides, Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre
Open: Mon – Fri, 6pm – 11pm
L’Office
3, rue Richer, 75009 Paris, France.
Telephone: 01 47 70 67 31
Metro: Le Peletier, Poissonniere, Cadet, Bonne Nouvelle or Grands Boulevards
Hours: Closed Sunday, open for lunch Mon-Fri, open for dinner Mon-Sat.
Candelaria (The best Baja style taqueria with the coolest speak-easy hidden in the back. Only the really cool kids know about the speak-easy. And the cocktails are to die for.)
52 rue de Saintonge 75003
Metro: Fille du Calvaire
Hours: Sun-Wed 12:30pm-11pm and Thurs-Sat 12:30pm-midnight. Brunch Sat and Sun from 12:30pm-4pm.
Enjoy!
This post is just wonderful! You really capture the French/Parisian essence and soul in the most simple and elegant way. I find it sad when people say they don’t like Paris (and there are many), but once you have an open mind, be curious, interested and appreciative Paris opens up to you in so many unexpected ways and everything just becomes more beautiful and charming. That is why your blog is so inspiring, because you understand this everywhere you go. Thank you for sharing and all that you inspire!
That is the quintessential Parisian of her age from St. Germain. Out of Central Casting. You are so making me miss Paris.
It is amazing how happy you look from this side of the blog. Enjoy it…it’s the little things that count…like the roses you have in your hands!
I really enjoyed this post! I’m glad you’re having a good time!
Reminds me of when I was in ROME…
Same sentiments I had those many years ago…
ENJOY your stay, Heather
I so enjoy living abroad vicariously through you! Because you notice the colors and details, the littlest things that thrill me when I step outside my door.
Thanks for sharing and do enjoy this dream come true!
Beautiful post! I returned from Paris to Philadelphia just a few days ago and miss it already.
Funny you spotted that young man in his summer gear! All I see at the moment are people wearing winter coats despite the lovely weather! I can’t believe I’ve never noticed this of Parisians before!
BTW welcome to Paris!
Your friend has probably already told you about leboncoin. I bet you could find an old citroen there! These images remind me what I love about Paris. It was hard living there as student -no money, scrimping all the time, running around – but the city is so beautiful. Summer can get rough, just so you know, especially August, but if you find your quiet corners you’ll be fine. bon week-end a vous aussi !
Your comments and photographs from Paris are wonderful! I particularly enjoyed those of or regarding the smiling and elegant Parisienne, the DeuxChevaux, the bicycling Parisienne, and Heather in Paris. A friend who recently spent a year in Paris found the public rental bicycles the best way to get around, and explore, the city. Thank you for sharing your observations and adventures, Leslie in Oregon
You do look very French–and very very very happy.
Be well, Mary
For those of us who have visited and love Paris but is unfortunately 1000’s of kilometers away, you are making us feel as if we are right there. Thank you and please continue. I loved the insert about the chic lady in front of the typical Parisian blue door, especially so as you brought us something personal about the person in the picture. Please let us have more blogs where you give us a little detail of who the Parisians in the picture are.
Have a nice time in Europe and do rent a car and take a road trip to e g Brussels, great food! Or Scandinavia, not that far that you might think. And Berlin, so hipp and cultural! (I have just been there and published tips and photos from mini break Berlin) Caroline
You look beautiful, Heather, and so very French! Love all of your pictures, and it’s amazing how you capture so many shots without tourists. You ARE a patient lady! 🙂 xo
Heather,
I love how when one is away from home they feel at home. Your posts seem so “at home” and authentic. How wonderful for you to see things not as a tourist but as a Parisian. Enjoy!
pve
Heather, I have been following your blog for so long that I don’t often write comments any more. But your blog is fabulous and I am so happy for you that you are in Paris. Your photos are so great and I love how generous you are with them. It’s great that you share so many photos.It’s hard for me to look at Paris and not think back to a time in my life when I lived in Europe. Makes my chest tighten up remembering everything! Thanks!
Heather, you are looking tres French !
Thanks for the photomontage,fantastic for you being there. How wonderful
Loved catching up on all your posts!
Enjoy!
Warmly, Jamie Herzlinger
Amazing photos.
It looks like a lot of walking, what kind of shoes you wear?
Beautiful post! This really makes me miss Paris. You are so lucky to be able to be there! I will be following along! Have a wonderful time. xo Nancy
Heather, thank you, this post is perfection. You look like a tres chic local too.