Just back from celebrating the 30th Fête de la Musique with a head full of sounds and lights and an urge to move to the beat! Another magical visit to Paris! We were fortunately spared the showers promised by the weather forecast and walked for miles as usual, all around the Latin Quarter, the islands, the Marais and the right bank without an umbrella! The music festival being on Tuesday this year we met on Sunday night. We gathered for dinner at the Carrefour de l'Odéon in company of a few Parisian friends. We had the pleasure and privilege of welcoming
Thirza Vallois, the expert on Paris, who delighted us with anecdotes and unique historical insights. We explored the narrow streets leading to the river, the quaint little Place Furstenberg where Delacroix had his workshop. The square appears in so many films and yet it is very easily missed by tourists. However our little group could in no way be looked upon as a bunch of tourists led by a tour operator, rather lovers of Paris in company of a few Parisian friends having a last drink at La Palette before catching the last métro.
And that's where the first evening ended.The next two days were dedicated to discovering yet other less known parts of the French capital such as
Les Arènes de Lutèce, la Place de la Contrescarpe, Quai de la Tournelle and Quai Montebello with a visit to the mythical
Shakespeare and Co second hand bookstore and we enjoyed being for a few moments in the very place where Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald and James Joyce amongst others spent time. Meeting up with new members of the group we walked in direction of l'Ile Saint Louis where we enjoyed our tradional ice cream from the Maison Berthillon. The destination of our walk, Place des Vosges provided us with a cool green haven from where we could admire the pink shades of the magnificent houses surrounding the square. Dinner was taken in the very bistrot, in the Latin Quarter, that Verlaine and Rimbaud used to visit but where, more recently, Woody Allen shot some scenes of his latest film "Midnight in Paris". On Tuesday a short visit to the Passages parisiens at the back of Palais Royal was equally unusual. After a short rest under the arcades of the Café Marly overlooking the pyramid we got ready to enjoy a long musical evening... The visit would not have been complete without a cruise on the river Seine and what better night that the night of Fête de la Musique to do so. We spent hours Place Dauphine that night where
Vincent Delerm followed by French Rock stars performed, walked up rue Mazarine to the beat of drums and went home very, very late once more! Such an experience that was for us all! We are ready to go next year but there will be other visits before that, so keep an eye on this blog to find out.
And that's where the first evening ended.The next two days were dedicated to discovering yet other less known parts of the French capital such as Les Arènes de Lutèce, la Place de la Contrescarpe, Quai de la Tournelle and Quai Montebello with a visit to the mythical Shakespeare and Co second hand bookstore and we enjoyed being for a few moments in the very place where Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald and James Joyce amongst others spent time. Meeting up with new members of the group we walked in direction of l'Ile Saint Louis where we enjoyed our tradional ice cream from the Maison Berthillon. The destination of our walk, Place des Vosges provided us with a cool green haven from where we could admire the pink shades of the magnificent houses surrounding the square. Dinner was taken in the very bistrot, in the Latin Quarter, that Verlaine and Rimbaud used to visit but where, more recently, Woody Allen shot some scenes of his latest film "Midnight in Paris". On Tuesday a short visit to the Passages parisiens at the back of Palais Royal was equally unusual. After a short rest under the arcades of the Café Marly overlooking the pyramid we got ready to enjoy a long musical evening... The visit would not have been complete without a cruise on the river Seine and what better night that the night of Fête de la Musique to do so. We spent hours Place Dauphine that night where Vincent Delerm followed by French Rock stars performed, walked up rue Mazarine to the beat of drums and went home very, very late once more! Such an experience that was for us all! We are ready to go next year but there will be other visits before that, so keep an eye on this blog to find out. 
