• Paris Itinerary

    by  • 23 Jan ’08 • Paris, travel • 25 Comments


    We leave for Paris on Saturday and I feel as though I am hardly prepared. Of course it is a very short trip, only three day and two nights, but I want to make the most of our time in the City of Lights. Maison&Objet will dominate the day on Sunday. However, Saturday is still open for suggestions. I’ve included few options below:

    This legendary hangout in St-Germain-des-Prés is a tourist favorite in summer, but the neighborhood regulars reclaim it in the off-season. Les Deux Magots was once a gathering place of the intellectual elite, such as Sartre, de Beauvoir, Oscar Wilde, Picasso and Giraudoux. Inside two large statues of magots (Confucian wise men) give the cafe its name.

    Brasserie Lipp is a Left Bank institution. On the day of Paris’s liberation in 1944, the late owner Roger Cazes welcomed Hemingway as the first man to drop in for a drink. Then, as now, famous people often drop by for beer, wine, and conversation. Since its acquisition a few years ago by members of the Bertrand Group obtaining a table in this cultural monument is said to be much easier, and a lot less arbitrary than when Cazes granted or denied a table based on what he considered to be your worth.

    25 Responses to Paris Itinerary

    1. Sibi
      23 Jan ’08 at 11:48 am

      Funny. I`ll be at the fair on Sunday,too. And also don`t feel prepared for Paris yet ;-) )
      This time I plan on trying out an Absinth Bar. Wish you the best.

      Reply
    2. ALL THE BEST
      23 Jan ’08 at 11:59 am

      Have fun and if you hear of a good one let know!

      Reply
    3. Mary-Laure
      23 Jan ’08 at 12:23 pm

      Ronda, I can’t believe you are going to be in Paris – I happen to LIVE in Paris! I give some cool addresses in my blog, and my mum does too (she’s a PhD in psychology who teaches cooking as well).
      Check out her blog
      http://nancybeamiller.blogspot.com/

      This may sound a bit bold, but would you like to get together for coffee somewhere?

      Reply
    4. ALL THE BEST
      23 Jan ’08 at 12:31 pm

      Hi Mary Laure
      I will look at her blog! I just left a messge on your blog. I would love to try and meet for a coffee.

      Reply
    5. Partially Insane
      23 Jan ’08 at 1:17 pm

      Ahhh Les Deux Magots…this was the very first place I went [to eat] upon arriving in Paris. It was late one evening and I popped over there with a co-worker for a glass of wine and a quick bite. We sat in their enclosed outdoor space. After the waiter took our order, I saw mice running back and forth across the floor…and then one ran across my shoe. I jumped and shrieked. Our waiter was NONE too pleased at my delicate American sensibility to mice….so we simply switched tables further away from the activity. However, I refused to touch any of my food. Those people did NOT like me whatsoever. But I’ll NEVER forget my very first experience in Paris!!! Hehe. Thanks for reminding me. (And as a side note, things got better after that.)

      Reply
    6. ALL THE BEST
      23 Jan ’08 at 1:25 pm

      Partially Insane that’s a very amusing story, so glad I was able to remind you of your visit to Les Deux Magots. If we go I’ll watch for the mice!

      Reply
    7. House & Life
      23 Jan ’08 at 2:48 pm

      Lucky girl!!! That orange awning makes me want to take that trip right with you. Safe travels and can’t wait to see your posts!

      Reply
    8. Joanna Goddard
      23 Jan ’08 at 3:44 pm

      oooh have a wonderful time!!! xo

      Reply
    9. pve design
      23 Jan ’08 at 4:48 pm

      bon voyage,
      BHV – The department store – Go downstairs and take a look at things, like old fashioned wooden shoe trees, lots of great practical items, but the french make them tres chic!

      Reply
    10. perfect bound
      23 Jan ’08 at 4:53 pm

      You will love today’s post from A Cup of Joe. So excited to hear about your trip and the fashion. Oh, the fashion! Eat well and travel safe.

      Reply
    11. pia jane bijkerk
      23 Jan ’08 at 5:13 pm

      had a giggle at partially insane’s remark, i’ve had a few of those paris experiences myself while living there.

      i’m with pve design, BHV is a definate must-see!

      Have a great time, i’m enjoying your blog!

      Reply
    12. pia jane bijkerk
      23 Jan ’08 at 5:37 pm

      oh and don’t forget to go to the Panoramic Bar at the Concorde Lafayette on your last evening there, it is the only way to say goodbye! I posted about it here: http://blog.piajanebijkerk.com/WordPress/2007/12/22/christmas-mini-trips-part-4/

      Reply
    13. ALL THE BEST
      23 Jan ’08 at 10:04 pm

      Thanks for the tip PJB!!

      Reply
    14. ALL THE BEST
      23 Jan ’08 at 10:05 pm

      Thanks House and Life!

      Reply
    15. girl meets glamour
      24 Jan ’08 at 12:21 am

      Oh, have a wonderful time Ronda!!

      ~Kate

      Reply
    16. Laura
      24 Jan ’08 at 12:43 am

      Best hot chocolate I ever had was at Les Deux Magots. Have a wonderful trip!

      Reply
    17. A Flair for Living
      24 Jan ’08 at 12:47 am

      One day at M&O won’t be nearly enough to see it all. It is an amazing show that will leave your head swirling. Lucky you! My favorite table is at Au Bon Accueil. After dinner you can stroll Champ de Mars and watch the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower. Bon voyage!

      Reply
    18. S.
      24 Jan ’08 at 1:20 am

      Deux Magots is all tourists. As is St. Germain, even in winter. But, don’t let that stop you. Enjoy it!

      Reply
    19. Partially Insane
      24 Jan ’08 at 1:27 pm

      Agree with Flair for Living. You’ll need at least 2-3 days for M&O. It’s such an amazing show. I wish I was getting to go this year. Make sure to do a recap!!

      Reply
    20. All Things Bright and Beautiful...
      24 Jan ’08 at 2:04 pm

      Just wandering around Le Marais is my favorite pastime in Paris :-)

      Reply
    21. The Peak of Chic
      24 Jan ’08 at 2:48 pm

      Bon Voyage Ronda! Have fun!

      Reply
    22. designdna
      24 Jan ’08 at 3:09 pm

      all of our best meals were in neighborhood haunts where the proprietors will not let you order wrong and you will be seated amongst someone else’s party. this should be a lot more comfortable since the smoking ban! my husband tried to order salmon (it was the only thing he could decipher from the menu board) but alas the waitress said no! he could not order the salmon for his meal, it was a starter. for a man you need an entree. “i will bring you two fish in paper from the oven” it was spectacular. awkward, but spectacular!

      also, if you have not seen sainte chappell it is a must and there are beautiful shops along the river on the right bank.

      fun fun fun!

      Reply
    23. IRENE
      24 Jan ’08 at 5:51 pm

      Oh I have received my Maison et Objet invitation, but I am not going. I’ll have to content myself with the showcase people coming by starting from the end of January.
      Do keep us up to date! I’ll love reading about it!

      Reply
    24. Cote de Texas
      25 Jan ’08 at 7:14 am

      I want to be there with you! :(

      Reply
    25. Decorno
      26 Jan ’08 at 3:12 am

      I enjoyed wandering in the Marais the most. I hope you get to hang out there!

      Here is a link to an article in cottage living about great places in the neighborhood, especially the modest and lovely Picasso museum and some cute shops like Les 2 Mille Feuille.

      http://www.liliweigert.com/articles/Cottage_Living_Apr2006.html

      She details a great itinerary in her article.

      Have a great trip.

      Reply

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