All my friends think I am going to Paris for Christmas.I've been talking about this trip for so long (since the last one) they all think we should have gone already. But it was a complicated year, made challenging by huge projects in my workplace and in my husband's. We both worked a lot, stressed out a lot, and a trip to Madison was all we could muster, in contrast to 2005, when we seemed to be traveling constantly.
Paris is now less than 150 days away. Meanwhile, there are a number of Paris blogs that have made the wait a little easier, bringing The City of Light as close as my iMac screen. Some are old favorites, others are new friends.
First stop every morning is Eric Tenin's Paris Daily Photo. Eric has an eye for detail and a talent for text (turns out he's a fellow journalist). His Dec. 11 "Somewhere Near the Bastille" photo was a masterpiece of contrast and atmosphere. It drew 57 comments — what some of us wouldn't give for that!
Richard Nahem's Eye (or I) Prefer Paris is next. An ex-New Yorker, Richard offers a mix of events, wry observations, reviews and an extensive list of links to other Paris blogs, many of which I have just discovered. Recently he interviewed Eric, and last I knew, was pursuing another celebrity blogger subject. Richard, you could have had a career as a journalist. I've always believed that one creative pursuit feeds another, pun intended.
Of course, I stop at David Lebovitz's blog — doesn't everyone? — because he's savvy and funny and he's the "chocolate guy." (Pray that all the raffle tickets I bought through Menu for Hope win me his chocolate tour.)
Another stop is Run Around Paris, an eclectic and highly useful blog. RAP, two-person venture, offers a bit of everything, from interviews to event notes to food and — well, you name it, Erin (U.S.) and Greg (Paris) offer it. Play close attention here because some extremely useful information awaits you at RAP.
The blogs noted above are all upbeat, a far cry from the first blog I stumbled across a few years ago in which a college student spending a year in Paris whined incessantly about having to be there. Huh?
There are a number of other blogs I check out on a less regular basis. Some are useful when planning a trip but frustrating, too, since they are not updated regularly.
As far as Web sites go, I recommend Paris Notes, a newsletter I've been reading for about five years now. If you subscribe, you can access the Web site's added features, including the newsletter archives. (You can get snail-mail or electronic versions.) The restaurant reviews from Rosa Jackson are priceless. (BTW, I'm also hoping to win Rosa's contribution to Menu for Hope.)
Paris has a way of taking your soul hostage. You give your heart willingly, but you soon realize the city has taken your soul as well. I know of no single person who has visited Paris who does not want to go back.
In our case, we have waited nearly two years.
What about you?
14 comments:
You should ask my daughter(http://parisiennefarmgirl.blogspot.com)
that question....she can start to cry thinking aobut that city.
I will be blogging some of my gourmet delight right after Christmas.
This summer at a garage sale I found two absolutely charming old cookbooks...and old red bound Julia Child and a wonderful old Cordon Bleu cookbook, pictures in black and white.
I did not realize that was your daughter! I love these mother-daughter blogging arrangements.
I can start to cry thinking about Paris, too.
I love Julia — my father was a big fan of hers. A friend found me "Masterting the Art. . ." at a rummage sale — it was a wonderful gift!
Yep, Paris captured our hearts and souls and does it everytime we visit which is only as often as we can and not as often as we'd like.
You got that right, Tanna.
BTW, I am still on the lookout for great finds as far as cafes, shops, neighborhoods, etc.
Mimi, Paris will be insight before you know it!I think I lived there in a past life-I am certain of it! It's in my blood!
Oh, Jann, I know that feeling. My father's ancestors were from Melun, just to the south. Maybe. . .
Haven't been into Paris in a number of years, but we're lucky to have family members who have a little house in Amiel, not far from Toulouse, where we visit from time to time. I'm looking forward (already!) to reading about your Paris excursion next year.
That's a great area of France, Lydia. I'm just re-reading Miles Morland's "A Walk Across France" and enjoying his descriptions of the general area south of Toulouse.
My husband once siad I have enoigh books about France to finance a trip. He is probably right.
Mimi, I "tried" to plan a trip to Italy last year and wound up planning a trip to Paris - again - because we can't get enough of it.
As far as cafes, etc., I always like to stumble upon them as we walk around and at the very least never use an American guidebook for restaurants because in the restaurant you will see your mostly other Americans and not have a 'really' French experience.
A couple of things I can suggest. There is a wonderful walking market street in the 14th on Rue Daguerre with a delightful hat shop: Chapellerie Divine, 39, rue Daguerre, among other bistrots, cafes, shops, etc. In the 6th we enjoyed a real bistro dinner at Bistrot Mazarin, 42 rue Mazarin and in the 14th two great places: a real old style bistrot called Au Vin des Rues at 21 rue Boulard and Les Fils de la Ferme at 5 rue Mouton Duvernet, easily located at the Mouton Duvernet metro stop on line 4. These restaurants are frequented much more by the locals than tourists. Hope this gives you some ideas. (Les Fils and Bistrot Mazarin both have websites).
I like to stumble upon them, too, but it's always good to have recommendations, Lu.
Last time we ate at Café Petite Pont near Shakespeare & Co., and Café le Grand Tour, near the ET.
In the 13th, we tried Café Manhattan near Pitié Saltpetriére and had a delightfully snooty waiter — he was hilarious. A few doors away on May Day, a very nice cafe owner fed us even though he was closing when we came in. We also enjoyed Café Campo near Place d'Italy, also in the 13th — the waitress was so kind.
There were one or two others whose names I cannot recall.
I will look up your suggestions — it's always nice when they have sites.
Thanks, Lu!
I forgot to say relative to your trip in 150+ days....
Color me green with envy!!! :-)
(How do you get the French keyboard accents on your computer?)
PS - I want to get to know both the 11th and 13th better next time!
To get the accents: Hit option and the letter and then — very quickly — the letter again. It should work, Lu.
The 13th was supposed to be very working class, the real Paris, or so I heard. We really liked it, but it was a bit far from the action. We walked down to Place d'Italie at night, hoping to see skaters, but I think we were too early. Lots of American fast food place there. We plan to go back, though, just to see if it has changed in two years.
I loved Austerlitz, even though Gare de Lyon is more elegant. Both won my heart because they are portals to the Midi.
Mimi, you are SO right about Paris taking your soul. Reading your post and looking at the picture of the side street made me almost homesick. Unfortunately, unless I have a business trip that will take me to Paris (unlikely this year), I will not be making a trip to The City of Lights this year. But, like you, I am counting the days until I can return.
BC, I've got to figure out a way to make all my trips to Paris business trips!
Merry Christmas!
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