Paris in the Fall is always a good idea. to paraphrase Audry Hepburn.
2020 has been a bad year for travelers like myself. Now as Europe and England go into another lockdown and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere settles into our long winter’s nap I have become slightly obsessed with traveling. Or should I say the lack thereof?
I was reading the lockdown news along with worrying about who has more cases of the virus and the safety of our little pod and family here in New England when I came across this photo on Tumbler.
Crisp cool sunny days, crunchy golden leaves underfoot, steaming cups of hot chocolate, and the magnificent light. Facebook reminded me that In 2017 my husband and I took a fall trip to Normandy with a few days just wandering the City of Lights. It was only three years ago but seems like a lifetime. I
I was thinking about five of the great things we loved about that trip to Paris.
1 – The colors and the light. Ok, the light anywhere is great in the fall but Paris? Is just a little bit extra special. Even the Parisians think so as fall is the rentrée – the re-entry – is when Parisians come back to the city after summer at the coast. Businesses reopen and Parisians claim the city back from the tourists.
2 – Walking – the entire city is made for walking but the fall is cooler and fewer tourists, a brisk walk that turns into a ramble and lasts for hours. I highly recommend wandering the city on foot and exploring new neighborhoods. Pick a café for a glass of wine and people watch. You will never feel alone even sitting by yourself at a café. Be it chatting with the table next to you or reading a book all options are open in Paris.
The Jardin Des Tuileries is your postcard-perfect Paris garden. Located between the Louvre art museum and Place de la Concorde here you can see glorious fall foliage in Paris backdropped by chic buildings, historic fountains, statues, and urns. The park is laid out in the formal French style with plenty of places to rest and savor the scenery. Or stop for a hot chocolate and Tarte Tatin at the Cafe des Marronniers.
Or as we did some time for a flower arranging class. Notice the rosette on the marble fireplace is very similar to our Rosette 114. 🙂
3 – Cruising down or up the Seine…The Seine is extra atmospheric at dawn or dusk on crisp, cool autumn days, when a fine mist hangs over the water. Along the riverbank, you’ll find street stalls with roasting chestnuts sitting next to the bouquiniste booksellers.
4 – Museums…Autumn is also a good time to check out The Louvre. While it is always busy fall is best. Even if you just wander around the exterior and the I.M.Pie pyramid. It never gets boring. While I love the structure, I do remember when it was first unveiled and everyone hated it. Not so much anymore it has become iconic all on its own. One wonderful walk we took started at the new Louis Vuitton Museum which also seems a little radical.
From here you can ramble through the Bois de Boulogne. French Royals once hunted in the forest, now these vast green lungs are the perfect destination for discovering a different Paris. Formally home to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor when in exile, a wander down the streets and across the park is a joy. The area is also home to a large national equestrian center.
5 – Shopping… While the high-end stores are always full. Until the pandemic, there is a two-hour line at Louis Vuitton every morning… really! Shopping the side streets is far more interesting. Every little boutique has its own style and they come in all price ranges. Of course
Of course, we couldn’t miss stopping at Laduree for a box of their famous macarons. Even if you don’t sample anything, it’s worth popping in just to see the charming interior! And look at these lovely packages with swags and bows.
Until we can all travel again stay safe and healthy everyone.