Paris Part Two for Michelle

Michelle asked me for recommendations for her first trip to Paris.  I started blogging about this yesterday, but ended up not leaving my house!  So, today actually takes us to Paris.  First of all, the Eiffel Tower.  Yes, I know, it's touristo, but you must go!  And go to the top while you're at it...don't just look up and leave!  The view is amazing.

The Seine sparkles on both cloudy and sunny days.  Take a little cruise down it; it doesn't take long. There are wine cruises, champagne cruises, regular cruises...something for everyone.

I love the museums of Paris.  The Louvre is huge.  There are 35,000 pieces of art, and if you see them all, you will walk over six miles.

The Museum of Decorative Arts is part of the Louvre, but located with a separate entrance on Rue

Rivoli.  There are some beautiful art nouveau objects here.

The Rodin Sculpture Garden is gorgeous, inside and out.  There are paintings, sculptures, and beautiful gardens.  While walking ouside, you'd never know you were in the middle of such a large, bustling city.  It's quiet and tranquil.

The Musee de l'Orangerie houses the famous Monet panels.  This would be one of my favorite rooms to sit in while in Paris.  Downstairs isn't too shabby, either...

The Musee d'Cluny is breathtaking, and it's the home of the Lady and the Unicorn tapestry.

Paris is all about bread.  Poilane is the best in the business.  I always visit their shop on rue de Cherche Midi for a bag on Punitions (they're like butter/sugar cookies), and anything else you might purchase there would be sublime.

You can't go wrong with a petit dejuner breakfast...a drink, crossiant with butter and jam, and a bit of French bread for good measure!

Restaurant Wadja, located just off Boulevards Montparnasse and Raspail, is a small, authentic place to relax and enjoy a good dinner.

The architecture of Paris is incredibly lovely.  You can walk for days and enjoy it.

While you're out walking, you'll come across many open-air markets.  This one is the Raspail Biomarket, open on Sundays.  The handmade soaps and dried lavender monogramed sachets make nice take-home gifts.

If you get tired, there are a million of these little outdoor cafes.  Stop and enjoy a glass of wine, a Coke, or an Indian tonic (aka tonic water).

There are flowers on every corner in Paris.  You can spruce up your hotel room by putting some in an ice bucket!

Luxembourg Gardens would be my favorite of all the parks.  Located in the sixth arrondisement, in my opinion, you can't get there soon enough.

There are many types of cooking classes offered in Paris.  We took an English-speaking pastry class, and it was lots of fun! 

Good desserts?  At Le Timbre, another favorite restaurant, they offer this delicious looking pastry with creme anglaise.

Of course you can always take a few sweet treats back to your hotel room for consumption before bedtime (highly recommended)!  These chocolates come from Jean-Charles Rochoux.

Laduree has the most magnificent pastries.  Just look at these!

More to come!