NEW YEAR'S EVE PIXIE IN PARIS STYLE..

Lots of wonderful options but I opted for Liszt, Chopin and Prokofiev at the St. Ephrem church located in the historical heart of Paris. Camille Benbaruk was the pianist and I will never hear acoustics like this ever again. The church holds about 200 people and the sense you have was being one with the sound and instrument.

Memorable!!!

The Église was constructed in 1733 in the Corinthian style and used for a variety of faiths until the late 19th Century. Has an impressive collection of paintings along with perfect acoustics!

Got to hear the warm up...

Standing ovation deserved...

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

PLACE SAINT-SULPICE....

Another spot for reflection after enjoying the Luxembourg Gardens...located in front of the Église of the same name...

 

The Église St-SULPICE is nothing short of enormous...with three different architectural orders: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian. The Delacroix murals in The Chapel of Angels are a reason to stay awhile. Was in construction for over 150 years starting in 1646....!

 

MORE MAGIC TO 2013....

Such a year it has been! Lucky me with two months in France and more in love with this country than ever before!

Inspiration for my children's book and my soul found everywhere....the windows at Galeries Lafayette were simply outstanding. The adults were as enchanted as the children...

New Year's wish to all...

The roses moved on the glass window and opened the scene....

I had to be dragged away from this window and posted a video on my Facebook page...hard to imagine the hours this took,

I found the use of clocks ticking especially symbolic....

 

 

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MARRY ME....

Words I have not heard recently..

These are all from my "Blog Bank" to keep your interest while I recover.

My adorable butcher was quick to establish he is alone. Now my French Professor as he happily corrects my less than perfect French. He proudly holds a "pigeon" that was a mere $20.00 and worth about three bites....I may have to accept his proposal. Note he wears a tie!

 

Not sure if there is just a little French humour here....brings a whole new feeling to French cooking? I get Julia Child's passion!

 

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THE ULTIMATE...

Takes awhile to find the gems hidden away in Paris but my walk led me to one....I am a passionate lover of caramel (yes ...more than chocolate!) and the options here are endless. This however is without doubt THE finest and très chèr!! Once you taste these (the mango caramel is heavenly!) Pray you have friends who will bring them home for you!

 

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THE DAYS OF BOHEMIAN LIFE...

Long gone..a needed reflective walk through the Luxembourg Gardens was so calming.

La Fontaine Medicis

 

 

Walked into Montparnasse from the jardin and experienced the ultimate dejeuner! Good food in Paris and certainly forgettable food. Today will be unforgettable.....tartare...OMG! You would not order this in many restaurants so the ultimate French treat after the likes of the Dome Restaurant which is a tourist restaurant

 

La Coupole is a Paris landmark with its many pillars and Art Deco furniture. Service was impeccable, the food divine, and had lovely French conversation surround me. Along with the insight that ordering anything other than bottled water was "common". Smart or snob is the order of the day.

 

 

Words can not tell you how over the top this was....

 

 

This man's only role is to serve the lamb curry..

 

 

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WRITERS IN PARIS....

Of course there are many (plan to be one) but met with John Baxter (Australian, having now lived in France forever) today at his apartment to enjoy more stories and to hear of upcoming plans. I can hardly wait to enjoy his recent book The Perfect Meal released this year! His apartment is in Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood in the same building Sylvia Beach (Shakespeare & Company) once lived. On the 6 th Floor could not resist taking my first elevator since coming to France.

 

View from John's terrace to the Place de l'Odéon...

In the distance....Notre Dame..

elegant elevator...and even rarer rug....

John always smiling!

We do a walking tour and lunch on Sunday!

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PARC DE BERCY...

The wine storehouses with the tracks still in place became a fantastic 33-acre park that runs along the Seine and overlooks the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (four towers and ten million books!). Most enjoyed...

Another perfect day for Le Flaneur dans Paris

 

 

Dans Bercy ...jumping and fun market

 

Love the Illy light fixture and their store...ode to the noisette!

 

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A MAGICAL DREAM....

Musée des Arts Forains was a heaven for me! Oh the spirit of the child within...and more inspiration for my children's book...

Jean-Paul Favand collected thousands of rare objects of show pieces from theatres to fairgrounds. The Musée creates its own art scene and your imagination thrives on every level!

Four themes... Museum of Fairground Arts, Theatre, Salons Venetias,Théâtre de Verdue.....

Not on the tourist path which made it all the more special...but the French know about this gem! it is only open for two weeks of the year...In Bercy which has a stunning Park and used to be a former area for chais (wine cellars)

 

 

 

 

You can see all the old wine cellars ....

The much enjoyed Vin Chaud....

 

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