A Paris Welcome … our home for the next 7 days

As the taxi circled around Place de la Madeleine on route to our hotel, I took note of the flower stalls – the array of colours and textures called to me and my love of flowers. I turned to Mr. G and shared my thoughts about needing to come back after settling in to purchase fresh flowers for our room.

The best way to describe our hotel is boutique style –79 guest rooms. We selected this hotel for its exceptional location- Place de la Madeleine, between the big department stores Galeries Lafayette - Printemps (2 minutes), the Opera House (4 minutes), Concorde Place (5 minutes), Louvre Museum and Champs Elysées (8 minutes). With my unpredictable walking tolerance easy access was top priority.

After checking in, we were on our way to the room – when I noticed a French woman in the lobby, holding the most beautiful Iris flowers I have ever seen! I managed an “que beautiful fleurs” as we were passing – the next thing I knew – she was telling me (with translation via the concierge) that they had a beautiful fragrance and she really shouldn’t take them on the plane and would love for me to have them. I was speechless, the concierge turned to me, as the woman handed me the flowers, and said “welcome to Paris!”

I was ecstatic at the flowers and quickly began to search for something in the room that we could place the flowers in water with. Mr. G. suggested that perhaps I should take a picture to share with my new Blogger Friends.

Now that flowers were taken care of, it was time to head out an explore! Our first stop:
 

 Arc de Triomphe surmounts the hill of Chaillot at the center of a pentagon-shaped configuration of radiating avenues. It was commissioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Emperor Napoleon at the peak of his fortunes. In 1810 when Napoleon entered Paris from the west with his bride Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, he had a wooden mock-up of the completed arch constructed. Construction would not be completed until the reign of King Louis-Philippe, in 1833–36. Napoleon's body passed under it on 15 December 1840 on its way to its second and final resting place at the Invalides

 The view from the top is amazing and well worth the walk up the spiral stairs - it is an easier walk down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next on the list....

Laduree, is the Motherland for pastry lovers of all things Parisan. Stepping inside is like taking a step back in time. One can imagine what it must have been like to sit and take tea in the afternoon - when people actually stopped to smell the roses.

It all started in 1862, when Louis Ernest Ladurée opened a modest bakery. When Paris was getting a structural facelift in 1871 by Baron Haussman, Ladurée switched focus from straight-forward bakery to higher-end pastry shop. Resulting today, in one of the most elegant and luxurious tea salons anywhere.

In early 1900’s, Monsieur Ladurée’s wife, Jeanne Souchard had an idea- to combine the café concept with a pastry shop where women could also gather freely, with or without gentlemen companions. Today the tea salon is owned by David Holder .


I was enticed by the Macaroons, which my taste buds were happy to be in working order and thus able to fully experience the explosion of sensation in my mouth from the outer crispiness to the cream filled centre. But, what really seduced me was the light as air pastry with a tremendous crème studded with raspberries in the centre - Rose "Religieuse" - it actually tastes like fresh rose petals!

Oh yes, they also serve tea - Thé Marie Antoinette, has become my must have item for entertaining friends. Unfortunately there is "currently" no Laduree this side of the world ... oh I guess I'm have to go back to Paris - when the tea supply is depleted!


Tomorrow's post will take you to an amazing bookstore bursting with history and a walk for all things "chocolate".

images: Falling Off a High Heeled Life

Traveling – Paris Therapy

When I first started feeling the urgency to visit Paris, I attributed it to my desperate need to connect with the fashion focused and pastry loving person I was pre-falling off my high heeled life. Then Mr. G surprised me with the trip, my first reaction was the term “be careful what you wish for, you might just get it”, now that the trip to Paris was no longer a wish, but a reality – panic started to set in. How was I going to make it through the flight (the flight to Dominican had only been a couple hours and I barely made it)? What if I was seated near loud people, who never stopped talking? Paris, all that walking – what was I thinking?

My dear friend from New York [NYF] (who is originally from Paris), presented me with an amazing day by day plan while in Paris. I know that she is extremely busy; still she made time and effort to help simplify things for me. Even though I was so grateful and appreciative of her kindness, I still considered backing out, at one point. Then the whole volcanic ash thing happened – and I thought for sure this was a sign – that I would be spared having to back out- Mother Nature, would be my ally.

The Universe of course had other plans. Our flight would be the second of two flights AC would be making to Paris and one of two to Europe on our departure date (the other was to Rome). So, with all my little fears packed silently, I put on my happy face and excited self (I really was looking forward to the trip, excited actually – it was when my little fears surfaced that they over took my excitement). Armed with maps and plans, courtesy of my NYF – did I mention that she hand delivered these to me, at my home. I am truly blessed to have helpful, loving, supportive people in my life. Especially during these past 3 ½ years, there are many days that without them, I am sure I would not have survived.

Paris was everything I imagined and so much more! My worries about all the walking were quickly put to rest – as NYF had indicated there are so many cafés, that whenever I started to feel tired, we would stop and enjoy a pastry or beverage, while getting me off my feet. Even at the Louvre and Eiffel tower there were benches and areas for taking a break off ones feet and also the back.

The wonderful thing about traveling is that you do not have to depend on anyone (other than the hotel staff – and they are there to make sure you want for nothing and if you do, it’s available when you want/need it) be it a meal, laundry (towels, sheets – and the sheets are pressed,) or making up the room. You get to experience a bit of independence, no matter how insignificant it may seem to others.

Also, no one knows you – and unless you feel comfortable letting them in on your “detour in life” – they take you as you are. No comparing to your pre-accident self, no telling you to take it easy, no analyzing your every word or move – it’s like the magnifying glass has been lifted – even if for only a moment.

Along with all the history and culture Paris truly is a city of light and inspiration. I’m not quite sure when it hit me or how - Perhaps, it was at the peace I felt in Notre Dame Cathedral or Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, maybe it was even in Mona Lisa’s smile – but something shifted within me. For the first time since falling off my high heeled life – I felt that life truly is a gift (I have said before “life is a gift” and I truly believe it – but I have never really felt it - as in like a touch).

Over the next week my postings will be about my Paris adventure. I will be sharing stories, finds, pictures, and hopefully something will encourage you to get out on your own adventure, and start to discover the gift of life again.

images: Falling off a High Heeled Life

I'm in Paris

OK .... I'm here!!! I'm really Here!!!! I am in PARIS!!!!

I can hardly wait to start posting pictures .... and telling you all about it... check back next week ...as I'll be posting about my adventures!!!!

Bon jour to All....