Blooms in the Garden
Paris is a walking city – truer words probably haven’t been spoken and yesterday we proved it. To the point, that by the end of the day (after 9:00 pm at this point), Colleen, called, “Uncle” and we hopped on the nearest metro (the 7 to the 10) to head home. We had gotten a late start but man did we cover some ground in our 10 hours out.
After snacking on some pain au chocolate (I made an early morning pastry run), and some coffee we hit the road for the Luxemborg Gardens. Just so you know, my grand ideas of getting up and walking early never panned out; I’ve been sleeping until 7:30 or so and it didn’t make sense.
So, in a bit of drizzle, we headed off to the gardens but before making it in, we realized we needed a bit of sustenance first and popped into Dalloyau Pons on 2 Place Edmond Rostand where Colleen picked up some mini quiches, little puff-pastry wrapped sausage and these prunes wrapped in caramelized bacon, while I added to the ever growing macaron collection.
Those things didn’t suck.
Into the gardens we went, where we admired many statues, 
Hmmm…
debated the purpose of this building:
It’s the Senate, we think
Colleen in Luxemborg
And tried to take a new profile picture for Colleen (I don’t know which she’ll choose but I want her to do it as a poll). Here’s a sample (and not my favorite).
After our stint in the gardens, it was time to split up. Colleen, the cultured one, was heading over to get her fix of the Louvre and while I wanted to see the Vermeers, I wanted to walk outside more.
Shannon and I decided to follow one of the walks in Paris Walks by Alison Landes, Sonia Landes, and Rebecca Landes. We started out on the Petit Ponte and wound our way through a couple of streets of the 5th arrondissement as the book pointed out some interesting architecture, restaurants and stores. It was pretty interesting and gave us an opportunity to pop into Shakespeare and Co which I always seem to miss (Shannon bought me a present; I’m going to read it on the flight home tomorrow!).
After our walk – it took about 90 minutes, we headed over to the Marais for lunch but not before a quick stop at Berthillon where I had a petit cone. I’m here to tell you that’s some damn good ice cream, I’m thinking definitely better than amorino and that tiny petit cone was the perfect size.
Shannon, and her green macaron
Lunch was at L’as de Falafel (or something like that – don’t ask me to look it up, I’m too tired) – we’re we stuffed ourselves yet again (please, no one feed me for a week when I get home). Oh – and before we continued our “walk” of course we had to pop into Cacau e Chocolat (or again, something like that), where Shannon finally got to try a macaron.
Okay – you know what – I’m tired, and I want to shower and pop into the market before the big birthday surprise, so I’ll finish this later. But from yesterday, the bike shirt hunt, the bar view tour and the great macaron taste test; today – the big birthday surprise!
Hey,
I’m glad you are enjoying my favorite city! Isn’t she grand?
It really sounds like you three chicks are having some good play time. Nothing finer than strolling through Paris with a Berthillon ice cream cone. It’s a little slice of heaven if you ask me…
I have to agree, it sounds like a great chick trip. After reading all of your posts (and Shannon’s posts), I could not imagine having a better time than on a chick trip while exploring Paris. I loved listening to all the laughter on your podcast. Glad your trip has been a big success!
So fun to come home from Labor Day weekend and find all these great posts. I’m with Jan, what a great chick trip, wish I was on one too. Your Paris is not the Paris we saw with all the kids in ’98 – I like this one with more vino.
Have more fun!
Marcia