OUR LAST THREE DAYS IN PARIS

OUR LAST THREE DAYS IN PARIS

We decided to spend the last three days of our holiday, in Paris.  We chose to get there from Boussac by car instead of taking the train which would have involved handling the heavy baggage ourselves. 

Our journey took just under five hours, which included a couple of stops.  One stop for lunch and the other stop to visit the house of Georges Sand, the French writer, in Nohant, near Chateauroux.

Although the house itself was closed,  we enjoyed a stroll around the gardens.

Trucks are not allowed to use the freeways on Sundays which made our entry into Paris much easier.

We checked into the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Rue Saint Honore and as our room wasn't ready, we had a cup of tea in the cool, leafy courtyard.

When it  became obvious that we might not have the energy to head out,  we opted to stay right where we were and have a light supper.  The vegetable platter below was my choice,  and it was delicious.

At breakfast the next morning,  we decided not to rush around like mad tourists, as it was far too hot,  but rather to re-visit favourite spots and take it easy.  We strolled around the Left Bank, visited a favourite book store as well as our favourite optician which stocks divine specs.  We stopped for ice-creams, and I discovered a new shop or two!

On one of the evenings,  we had dinner at Chez Monsieur which is just off Rue Saint Honore.  

We enjoyed the most delicious John Dory and really enjoyed the ambiance of this friendly restaurant.

Lunch at a favourite restaurant - La Cigalle, which is famous for it's  Souffles, was a little disappointing.  Sadly,  it has been taken over by new owners,  and although the souffles are still delicious,  the decor is really austere and lacks the warmth and charm that was there before. It's not all about the food I'm afraid!

I then discovered a delightful shop called Brigitte et Alice Vermelin 

The very creative mother and daughter team have been in business for some years now but only opened this shop a year ago.  They stock  beautiful china - some hand-painted,  glassware,  some of it from Murano as well as exquisite linens, for both bed and table.    Alice, the daughter, was so charming, and proudly showed me around, explaining where everything came from.  She very excitedly showed me Charlotte Moss's newest book in which some of their table linens appear.

Below are photos of some of their beautiful wares.

Hand painted Hydrangea cups and saucers

Murano Glassware

Exquisite leaf design.

Tissue box covers

Delicate placemats with napkins to match

I loved this tureen

Do drop by if you're in Paris.  The shop is guaranteed to tempt you!!

The end came too soon, and now those warm, busy last three days in Paris seem like a dream.

As I sit here,  it is 3 deg C outside!  There is an icy gale blowing and the temperature will be down to -1deg tonight!

We had a dream of a holiday and now I have the rest of Winter and all goes with it to enjoy.  My Spring garden is not too far off,  and  bulbs are already peeping out of pots and there are blossom buds on some  of the Pears.

What a warm welcome we got from these two!