It was our third and final day in Paris and we wanted to make the most of the few hours we had left before our Eurostar back to London. Naturally the first item on our agenda was breakfast! The legendary Café de Flore (and its equally famous neighbouring rival Les Deux Magots) was just a short walk away from our hotel and would be an ideal base for our walk along the Boulevard Saint-Germain
Cheese and ham omelettes, fresh warm baguette and milky coffees were just what we needed to prepare us for the day ahead
Just across the road from the café is the Ralph Lauren shop and the charming bistro Ralph’s. We would definitely like to eat here in the summer!
Saint-Tropez is high on my wanderlust list and one of the local delicacies that I hope to sample there is the iconic Tarte Tropézienne (always thinking about my appetite!). So you can imagine my squeal of delight when rather like a magpie I spotted the little patisserie on a side road. Having only just polished off our petit déjeuner, we decided on a “Baby Trop” and it was delicious! I cannot wait to try another in sunny Saint-Tropez
The boulevard is a bustling mixture of boutiques, homes, architectural treasures and quintessential Parisian style
There were a few pretty little things that I wanted to buy in Paris, one of which was a Diptyque candle from their flagship boutique. As luck would have it the shop was closing the following day until 19th March for renovations, so our timing was perfect. We were greeted with an abundance of beautiful fragrances and the shop was ever so pretty. Making a decision was quite difficult and at one point there were about ten potential favourites! Eventually Muguet won my heart because it evoked the beauty of springtime
Then it was over another pretty bridge to the petite Île Saint-Louis which was absolutely adorable and full of old world charm
My friend Rosinda recommended Berthillon for its delicious ice creams, so this is another place that I would like to visit in summer
However a cute little sweetie shop was ideal for the below freezing temperature!
From Île Saint-Louis walked to Le Marais and the Pompidou centre before heading back to our hotel to pick up our luggage and begin our journey back to England
Paris was more beautiful than I imagined it would be and enchanted me in a way that I shall never forget. I fell completely head over heels in love with the city and know this is just the first of many trips to come
Oh my goodness….I think I need to go now!! I've been to the French countryside but never to Paris. Lovely!! You know, as I was looking at your pictures, I noticed the plaid on the chairs in one of the little outdoor bistros. I was immediately drawn to it, because I love plaid….of course it is RL!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!
Oh, Morwenna, what beautiful photographs! Paris is so enchanting! Isle Saint Louis was our favourite place to explore when we visited Paris! I see that you passed Berthillon on your walk! You must try their delicious ice cream when you return in the summer! When we visited, we rented a flat in the Marais neighbourhood. We were directly across the street from the Pompidou Centre!! I'm glad that Paris exceeded your expectations. You are blessed to be just a train ride away. You will be able to visit again when the weather warms up. Yay! XOXO
Ohhhh I'm sighing in blissful appreciation. Your pictures are just so wonderful for evoking the real essence of Paris and you've made me want to be there again. I loved the basket with the petals tumbling out. I remember visiting a farmers' market in Lyon and they had so many baskets like that with herbs tumbling out, an image I'll never forget. It's just all so charming, you can smell Paris from looking at the pictures. So glad you had this wonderful experience.
Oh Joann I think you would absolutely love it! Paris is so picturesque, historic and romantic, you would be in heaven!
The Ralph Lauren Bistro was beautiful and I can imagine it being utterly sublime in the summer 🙂
Thank you so much Nancy, you are so sweet and I always appreciate your encouraging support! I am so pleased I could bring a little bit of Paris to California 🙂
Thank you so much Rosinda! It's lovely to know that we have explored the same streets and perhaps even ate the same places?!
I cannot wait to go back, but I think our next city break will have to be somewhere new!
xoxo