Shops in Paris

window display of La Durée, Paris

Of course my friend V. and I went (window) shopping in Paris, there is nothing like a good look the shops around this cosmopolitan. We didn't go in everywhere, sometimes we just gawked at the window display.

tins of coffee and tea at Hédiard. 31, Avenue George V, Paris

sacks of coffee at Hédiard

delicious chocolates at Hédiard

a cup of tea at Le Bonaparte

Russian teas at Kusmi

an Italian delicatessen

Entrance of the Grande Herboristerie, a typical quaint French pharmacy (since 1880). On the window it is written that they sell herbal teas, prescriptions and advice inside.

interior of Grande Herboristerie. 87, rue d'Amsterdam, Paris

department store Printemps, Paris

inside Printemps, Paris

glass dome of Printemps, Paris

We had lunch underneath the magnificent glass dome of department store Printemps.

La Maison du Chocolat. 52, rue François 1er, Paris

department store Galeries Lafayette

glass dome of Galerie Lafayette, Paris

I hope these were helpful tips.

Metro of Paris

One thing I love about Paris is the great underground system, it really takes you everywhere around the city. I also love the design of the stations, above and below ground, modern or vintage style.

modern style metro stop: Concorde

Above is the metro station that was right around the corner of our apartment: N.D. des Champs. It was being renovated and the old tiles, posters and ads  appeared. It was like stepping back in time.

quay of N-D des Champs

old poster appearing at metro stop N-D des Champs

See here for more pictures of Paris.

City-trip to Paris

On July 22, just a week before my birthday, my friend V. and I went to Paris for a few days. It was gifted to us by our travel companions to Venice as a thank you for all the time and effort we had put in all the costumes, including theirs. This was a big thank you and we didn't have to think long about our destination as Paris is an old-time favorite of ours.

We love the big avenues of Paris, the long roads, the people in the street and we especially like the small squares with the little shops and the tucked away alleys. 

symmetry in windows 

We stayed in a sweet apartment on boulevard Raspail which V. found on the internet. It was small, cozy, colourful and had everything we needed.

We just love walking around the streets of Paris, somedays we had plans of going somewhere particular, somedays we just walked aimlessly and soaked up the atmosphere of the French capital. To my standards Paris is a big city and I would not want to live in it, but a short stay is a different story entirely.

rue du Croissant 

left: Effeltower - right: pont Alexandra III

"When in Paris do as the Parisians" so we took our coffees and meals in sidewalk cafés, bistros and quaint restaurants. We shopped in the little magasins, but also went to see the splendor of the big department stores like Printemps en Galeries Lafayette.

glass dome of Printemps

In all, we had a great time and we enjoyed every minute of our stay. Look over here for pictures of the metro of Paris and over here for shopping tips.