Vacations are always exciting with lots of anticipation and planning. At least, they are for me. For weeks I plan what to pack, make reservations for events and restaurants, and write lists of places to see. Here are my France traveling tips and to-do list for this year's 10-day vacation to Paris.
Home to... the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, haute couture, flea markets, Cordon Bleu cuisine, Tour Eiffel, Metro, Tuileries Garden, Champs Élysées, tarte aux fraise, sidewalk cafes.....
What is on my list for a vacation in Paris?
1. Eiffel Tower - Tour Eiffel
The Tower has undergone a major renovation since 2014 including the installation of a transparent floor on the first level of the tower. Pretty scary thinking about standing on glass and looking down to the ground..., but seeing the renovated tower is a MUST.
Sparkling illumination lights the tower each night after sunset with t*w*i*n*k*l*i*n*g lights for 5 minutes every hour on the hour. A sight to behold in person... photos cannot capture the magic of the twinkling.
2. Maison & Objet
T H E ultimate International Trade Show is September 2-6, 2016 and promises avant-garde displays in eight buildings. Tickets bought, printed, and stowed in the important papers traveling file... Travel route on the Metro is plotted. What new trends in home design and decor will we see?
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| Source: Maison d'Objet Paris |
3. Chenonceau and Villandry Chateaux
Chenonceau and Villandry Chateaux are in the Loire Valley, not Paris. That means a day trip from Paris via the high-speed train, TGV. For 55 minutes we will speed through the countryside seen as a blur on photos taken from the train's window and arrive in Tours. By rental car, Chenonceau is 40 minutes from Tours, and Villandry is 25 minutes from Tours, leaving plenty of time for visiting both chateaux and time for unexpected side trips before catching the 6:05 p.m. TGV back to Paris.
4. Marché d'Aligre
Flea markets exist year round in Paris. Marché d'Aligre is the oldest continuous market in Paris where more Parisiens than tourists shop six days a week. A small flea market in the square adjacent to the food and flower market has a variety of goods with bargain prices... after a little haggling.
5. Ste Chapelle Concert
After discovering years ago that concerts are held several times a week throughout the year in Ste Chapelle, the private chapel for France's kings and queens, I have enjoyed attending a classical concert in the chapel renowned for its stained glass windows.
6. French Restaurants
Banana & Nutella crepes, tarte aux fraise, croissants, tomato salad, rich cream sauces, roti poulet...
7. Hardware Stores, Papeteries, Florists, Carrousel du Louvre, Covered Passages
Pop into hardware stores, stationery stores, covered passages, and florists where ever they appear. Le Carrousel is always a fun place to browse with great bathrooms, a post office, ATM machine, and buffet restaurant.
8. SHOPPING... yes, shopping
Two of the largest department stores in Paris offer discounts and special gifts to tourists who must make minimum purchases and show their passports at the customer service desk to receive their discounts and gifts.
One of my favorite gifts from Printemps years ago was this shopping bag. There is a small inside pocket at the top, and the bag is made from water resistant fabric. Great for carrying picnic supplies while in Paris and traveling on the TGV... The Eiffel Tower laminated identification tag did not come with the bag.
So, what am I looking for besides a free gift while shopping?
- Lancôme beauty products, including Ôde l'Orangerie perfume
- Waterman pens and ink cartridges
- Notebooks with colored graph paper pages
- Desk accessories
- Limoge Eiffel Tower
- Christmas ornaments, cards, and cartes postales
- French ephemeral
- Glass bottles
- Trumeau mirrors
- Unexpected flea market treasures
Can you recommend where to shop for things on my list?
Have any favorite Paris restaurants?
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