Tuesday in Paris: I slept until 9:30! That's what the blackout curtain and a very comfy bed in a hotel room will do for you (and maybe a little jet lag to catch up with too!) My adventure today would take me to what I call the "Madeline" shopping area. I took the Metro to the Opera stop and made my way to Galeries Lafayette. I never buy much of anything there - again it's so overwhelming, but I do like looking, especially at the ceiling! This time they also had a "sculpture" in the middle promoting a new fragrance from Hermes. Here's a few photos...
My "home" train station...
One train change later, I arrive at the Opera - stunning!
Even the Apple store is in a magnificent building!
You can see why I'm overwhelmed by the Galeries Lafayette store - this is just the main part and doesn't include the men's or home store!
The next stop was the Printemps store. I love browsing here! I had lunch in the restaurant under the amazing cupola on the top floor.
I made my way to the shops that surround the Madeline church... Fauchon (where the desserts are exquisite works of art), Maille (where Napoleon bought his mustard) and Laduree.
(You can bring your mustard jar and refill it from the spigot.)
From there I made a stop at Longchamps and of course, at Pierre Herme!
With flavors like olive oil and vanilla, caramel and rose, creme brulee, salted butter caramel, jasmine and mango, milk chocolate and passion fruit, even one with fois gras, and more, I can say that each of these little bites are pure bliss! Of course, I will make them last the four days that they are good for!
My next stop was the Louvre for a Starbucks and a restroom! (I guess some people go there for the art but I have my priorities!)
The restroom was my most expensive toilette stop ever! The only restroom open charges 1,50 euro for the privilege of having an elegant space to do your business!
I guess you have to pay for the privilege of having bright-colored toilet paper!
I walked around to the Place de la Concorde (I hoped to walk through the Tuilleries but it closes at night) to see the ferris wheel and the lights of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
As I got over the bridge over the Seine, I saw lots and lots of policemen, guiding traffic, and standing guard - perhaps someone from France will tell us what might have been going on in the building right across the bridge from the Place de la Concorde.) I was walking along looking for a taxi to take me to the Eiffel Tower and suddenly about twenty policemen ran past me as if they had just gotten a call, with their riot shields in front of them and rifles at their sides. Yikes! They ran to the bridge I had just crossed. I may have just missed some excitement! I asked a policeman what was going on but he didn't speak much English and I thought he said that the people are unhappy that the president is not married, but I'm not sure that would require riot gear. There were groups of 5 or 6 policemen with riot gear in place on every corner surrounding this building. Hmmm... I wonder what was up!
My taxi took me to the foot of the Eiffel Tower - as magnificent as it is, it is just not the same to be there by yourself!
When the lights twinkle, it is just magical!
It was another good day - I wonder how many miles I've walked?
Oh you make me miss Paris so much. What beautiful pictures wish I was there xoox Grace
PS are you doing your England Trip this Summer?
Posted by: Grace | February 13, 2013 at 07:17 AM
loving the paris posts Debby. Keep 'em coming.
paula
Posted by: paula | February 13, 2013 at 09:26 AM
Grace, I'm doing a London trip in April. You can email me if you'd like more information. It's not too late to sign up. :)
Posted by: Debby Schuh | February 13, 2013 at 09:30 AM
See!!! I told you that I worry about you travelling alone!!! I can see why you like Paris though...so I'll just keep praying for you! (actually, I don't 'worry', because I pray!)
Posted by: Lois...your Mom | February 13, 2013 at 09:44 AM
Oh my! What a neat day but how do you do all of that walking? It would wear me out. Looks like a fun day with lots of nice things to see and enjoy. Hope you find out what the police presence was all about.
Posted by: Deb J | February 13, 2013 at 11:26 AM
Looks like you are having your usual wonderful time. Looking forward to next year--I admit, I want to see that toilet paper! Did you take some to make "flowers" ?
Posted by: Kathy K | February 13, 2013 at 03:08 PM
These photos bring back such wonderful memories of our Paris trip last year - hope you are having a lovely time! How could one not??? Happy Valentine's Day!
Posted by: Susan S | February 14, 2013 at 03:29 AM