Paris Top Ten

In a few weeks' time I'll be in Paris, and I have quite a list of places to see. Some of them I haven't been able to get out of my head since my last trip, so will be happily revisiting, such as Laduree for its gelato colours:

And a picnic on the banks of the Seine is a must:

As is a stroll along the Boulevarde St Michel, or Boul' Miche as it is known:

Then there is the Grand Colbert at 2 Rue Vivienne, a little bistro where the hot chocolate was a meal in itself last time:


I'm going to the Marches des Puces or Flea Markets at Porte de Vanves, just for these fabrics alone:

Not to mention a street market for the chicken with fat dripping down onto the potatoes, or then there's the healthier option of fruit and vegetables:

There are places where I've never been before, such as the store Merci:

Image from Tara Bradford Photography website

I can't wait to visit the Musee des Artes Decoratifs in the Rue de Rivoli:

Image from Musee website.

Then there is the Shakespeare and Company bookstore:

Image from store website

Image from Rough Luxe website

Not forgetting the Fauchon store at Place de la Madeleine, where I might pick up some madeleines or macaroons. There is sugar in these packets:

Image from French Blue

The Flea Markets

As I mentioned on a previous post, I preferred the flea market at Vanves to the one at Clignancourt. This was because at Vanves, the stalls were much less formal and temporary and the prices reflected this.

My favourite stalls were ones which looked like they contained the contents of a chateau, complete with mouldy curtains. I loved the fabrics at this one. You could buy a curtain for 150 € which I thought was reasonable:

The Clignancourt stalls were permanent, more like little shops:

As an indication of Clignancourt prices, these bowls were 33 € each:

They are lovely, but not within my budget, unfortunately.

The Trip So Far....

In Paris now after a week in Thailand with my gorgeous sons, Dave and Mont:

Dave and I on a bike outside our hotel on the island of Koh Tao:

When I got to Paris, I went to the flea market at Vanves and bought these beautiful fabrics:

Today it was the flea markets at Clignancourt, which I didnt like as much. Found the ultimate bath but have no way of getting it home:
Will send more info on Paris and Thailand soon - having trouble with the AZERTY keyboard.