Awesome day in Paris

This past weekend, we went to Paris to visit Aaron and celebrate Alena's first birthday. (pictures of those events to follow soon in a separate post). We did both these things on Sunday. So Saturday, we were free to wander around Paris as we pleased. The weather cooperated and we were blessed with an absolutely perfect, gorgeous, sunny day. While Luxembourg has had a few crocuses appear, the full panoply of spring flowers are in bloom in Paris- there were tulips, daffodils, forsythia etc everywhere.

Our first stop was a little art gallery that we like along the Seine, where, several years ago, we purchased a work by Mikio Watanabe (if you click on catalogue, it's the one with the lizard and moth from 2003 collection). This time, we came very close to purchasing this print by Lynn Shaler but ultimately decided against it. Instead, we bought some Babar prints on the street.

shopping for babar prints

We continued our day walking over to Notre Dame, along with the rest of the entire touristic world. We decided that given our recent visits to the cathedrals of Metz and Reims, we might as well go tour Notre Dame again, to have a recent comparison of the others. I don't think I've been inside Notre Dame since 1999. Or maybe 2001. All in all, I think of the 3 cathedrals, the stained glass at Metz is the best, while the architecture at Notre Dame may be the best. Yet Reims may be my favorite.

After Notre Dame, I got a crepe au nutella on the street, and I have to say, of all the crepes au nutella that I've had in my life, the best by far are those made fresh by street vendors in paris.

We then went to one of my favorite stores, Dyptique. (this link is a bit of a dud, since they are redoing their website). Since it was around the time of my birthday (which is today!) I gave into Raph's encouragement to splurge a little, and I got a lilac candle and a new perfume. I love dyptique the same way that I love Mariage Freres. Both are totally expert at delighting the senses.

Along our promenade, we stopped in several cute stores, including some comic book stores and an oh-so-precious baby store that carried designer baby clothes, like burberry and armani. If I had a daughter, I would definitely get this dress. Okay, maybe I wouldn't definitely get it, but I would be quite tempted.

Our day together ended at a little cafe in St. Germain where we got a perfect table, in the sun, in the front. I got a snack of a green bean salad, which, although it sounds mundane, was really delicious and completely hit the spot.




pictures from the cafe

Later that evening, we went out to dinner with Joanna, Alex, Alena, Maman et Papa to celebrate my birthday. Thankfully, someone thought ahead and booked us a private little room in the back of the restaurant, because neither Alena nor Henry were too happy to be out to dinner. The evening ended with a chocolate mousse cake with a sparkler on top (unfortunately I don't have a picutre of this). I also got some fab presents. merci beaucoup encore!!!!

So there you have it. The details of our day in paris, from Notre Dame right down to my green bean salad. Here is a link to our pictures from saturday- as usual there are many cute ones of Henry. You must must must watch the video at the end of all the pictures where Henry is laughing. It is too cute to miss.