Musée Rodin

Last weekend, while taking advantage of a beautiful sunny afternoon...we took our picnic to the Musée Rodin.  The most famous work of art at the Musée Rodin?  Well, Rodin's Le Penseur of course.  I have blogged about the Musée Rodin before, so I won't go into all the boring details...but we did enjoy a superbly bright afternoon amongst the blooming rose bushes and our new found duck friend.  

The sky was stunning.  

Rozy smelling the roses! 

Le Penseur.

If you can bear to wait in line for 20 or 30 minutes...I suggest this as a picnic spot for sure.  You can't sit on the grass because it is perfectly manicured, but there are plenty of benches and places to sit hidden around the garden.  

37 days left in Paris...trying to keep myself together!  

Rozy's Favorite Parisian Picks

Today I am leaving you with a guest blog from one of my closest friends in Paris, Mademoiselle Rosalyn Trotter (you may have seen her here as Rozy).  Rozy is the author of the blog:  Rosalyn.  She is also an avid fashion follower, designer, and sewing machine pro.  She does customized designs and is always just whipping things up for herself and friends here in Paris-truth be known, I'm rather jealous!  She graduated with her degree in Fashion and Textile Retail Management and has done some specialized work at some of the top retailers in London.  Not only does she have an eye for design, color, and accessorizing, but she's a pretty awesome friend to have around too.  I love her take on Paris and her bubbly "always pink" approach to life, and I wanted to share that with all of you!  So pop on over to her blog and give her a visit!!

So everyone knows, when you visit Paris for the first time, there are several must see landmarks: The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louvre…

So when Maggie kindly asked me to be a guest blogger on the ‘The Sweetness of Life in Paris’ I started to think about the discoveries I have made since living in the city of lights. 

Off the beaten track if you will. 

The unobvious hot spots and the places which have given me the greatest joy over the past few months.

Allow me to introduce to you my top 10 Parisian discoveries:

Musée de Montmartre

Amongst the big famous museums of Paris, such as the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Musée Rodin, there are a few smaller museums which are worth a look. In Montmartre you’re spoilt for choice, but my personal favourite is Musée de Montmartre. There’s something about le Butte (as the French call it) which has a magical, mysterious atmosphere and it’s brought to life in this small museum which was once the home of artist Auguste Renoir. From tales of absinthe and the famous Lapin Agile you are swept through the world of bohemian Paris, and the art work that reflects the time. 

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12/14, rue Cortot 75018 Paris

Paris Metro party

From a post modern era of partying, to the new. So technically this is more of an expat event than a Parisian way of life, but I recently discovered an alternative to the sweaty, overpriced Parisian clubs – The Metro! These events are organised by the couch surfing group. On a given date every few months, hundred’s of 20 something expats cram themselves on to a metro train and ride the route – fancy dress, cheap drinks, portable sound systems blaring out over the crowed, even an emcee to keep up the energy. With little to no room to move you have to be in the party mindset, but if you’re ever in Paris and hear about this party night, I urge you to go, for the novelty factor if nothing else!

RA

The great thing about being in mainland Europe, is it is so easy to explore the surrounding countries by train. And what’s even better is when you discover your favourite part of these new places can be found in Paris too! On a recent trip to Antwerp I came across a concept store called RA. Showcasing Avant Garde designer collections such as Creatures of the Wind and Meadham Kirchhoff. Recently RA moved over to Paris. Darkly intense with a sense of being metaphorically underground, the collection is playful, exquisite and as far removed from Parisian Chic as you could imagine. While you may not wish to spend your holiday money here, this store is definitely worth a visit.

14 rue de la Corderie, 75003.

Miss Cupcake

As much as I adore French patisseries, there’s something familiar and homely about fresh baked cakes piled high with soft butter cream icing, don’t you think? Miss Cupcake, set on the corner of a cobbled street in Montmartre, provides this little taste of home. Fresh from the oven cupcakes in flavours of your dreams! Chocolate and peanut butter; Orange blossom; Raspberry and white chocolate; Green tea…

22 rue de la Vieuville, 75018

Des Petite Hauts
This is by far my most favourite Parisian boutique chain. There are stores dotted all over the city in the major shopping areas. The boutiques are fresh and light, showcasing girly clothing and accessories, made from the finest fabrics. They focus on cute prints and motifs, pastel colours and chiffon and cashmere a-plenty. Every trip to the store is a delight. Not to mention some desirable discounting during the seasonal Soldes.

http://www.despetitshauts.com/

Chez Marie
When I have visitors to Paris the one thing they always want advice on is ‘where is good to eat?’ I always take them straight to this gorgeous little restaurant in Montmartre, Chez Marie. A tiny venue of maybe 8 tables, serving traditional French cuisine such as French onion soup, escargot and crème brulée. And with three course set menus at 12€ 15€ and 19€ it’s a joy for the taste buds and the bank account!

27 Rue Gabrielle, 75018, Paris.

Père Lachaise
The graveyard at Père Lachaise is often included on Parisian tourist guides, as a slightly unusual way of passing an afternoon. I have to say, having ventured out on Halloween it was a very pleasant experience. On a bright, clear day the area is very pretty and strolling along the paths past the tombs and graves is ever so less morbid than it sounds. And of course there are the few familiar names laid to rest here: Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and Édith Piaf to name but a few.

Metro Gambetta or Père Lachaise.

Jardin du Luxembourg
There are many beautiful gardens to enjoy in Paris but my most favorite has to be Luxembourg. One of the largest parks in the centre of the city, exploding with bright flower beds, fountains, sculptures, a sailing boat pond, over looked by the Eiffel Tower, it is the most beautiful place to spend a warm summers day.

RER B Luxembourg.

Champ de Mars
I know this is not an unusual Paris location, it is probably the top reason people travel to the city, but it would be wrong to miss this location off my list. The Champ de Mars grass area leading up to the foot of La Tour Eiffel is my most treasured spots and holds many a memory (most of which include wonderful Maggie too!) From lighting sparklers to celebrate British Bonfire night, seeing in 2012, to many a say and night sat with a bottle of wine, fabulous company, gazing up at the magnificent Tour. And when it twinkles after dark you just can’t help but join in with crowd’s cheers!

Metro École Militaire.

Paris, Je t’aime!

Disappointment.

So tonight Laura and I went to see Sur La Route at the Mk2 theater in Bercy.  We stopped at a small shop to get a drink and I got a piece of delicious quiche for dinner....spinach, ham, and goat cheese.  It was certainly yummy.  

We rounded the corner to the theater and what do I see sitting at the courtyard entrance to the theater??? Le Camion Qui Fume!!! AH! Its the first time I've actually seen it in action and was instantly so angry that I had just eaten quiche and wasn't hungry enough to get a bite from Paris' first food truck!  For those of you that don't know, Le Camion Qui Fume supposedly has the best burgers in the city.  Started by a Californian chef, her business has taken off with a bang.  Fresh ground beef, real cheddar cheese, buns made by a local boulanger, fresh ingredients, hand cut fries and onion rings.....sounds like an American in Paris' dream, right?  

The fun thing about it is that it tweets and uses social media to announce its location each week/day.  I left the States before the big food truck epidemic swept the nation so I am excited to get back and head to Nashville and give a few a go!  

I am adamant that I will hunt this camion down this week and get a burger, baby!  

Boulangerie du 17eme

So I'm pretty sure today I had the best baguette I've ever had in my life.  My boulangerie always has a good baguette, but here lately I've been getting une tradition which is a million times better than any normal ol' baguette.  It was hot-out-of-the-oven and perfectly golden.  I couldn't even wait to get it home to bite into it.  It practically melted in my mouth as I took a huge chunk out of the bout.  What remained was warm against my shoulder and my black shirt was dusted with white flour after I got to the top of my stairs.  

It's the little things that I will miss......

Thunder

I heard thunder today from an afternoon rain shower.  It has been so long since I've heard the roll of thunder that I didn't really recognize what it was...

Le Spectacle

Sunday was what has been by far, the greatest day of Marie-Césare's life..... if you ask her.  It was the day of her spectacle.  The day that we have had on our calendars since January.  The day that we had been talking about during every lull in the conversation since March.  And the day that we had been counting down the days for since the beginning of May.  

Her teacher, Camille Pauget, is a highly accredited classical ballet teacher and has been dancing since she was a small child.  She is a bubbly, sweet, sympathetic girl....not much older than me.  Her dance class is just behind the Moulin Rouge at Cité Veron....and from the entrance of the school you can watch the back of the Moulin spin 'round and 'round and the long-legged can-can dancers come in and out for practice. 

I met the entire Lachaize clan at La Cigale, one of the more famous theaters in Paris.  It is certainly not the Opéra, but the design by Phillipe Starck has attracted performers from all over the world such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Allman Brothers, Iggy Pop, Prince, Eric Clapton, and Coldplay.  The line outside was extraordinarily long and packed full of parents with their cameras ready to aim and fire.  People were pushing and shoving to get the best seats in the house.  In fact, just as we sat down a woman in front of us began yelling at a man because he took one of her places.  She was yelling at him asking why he couldn't see that they were her seats and that he took a seat of a 65 year old man, aka, her father.  It went on for 5 minutes or so and finally a man a couple of rows back lifted his voice in a heavy French, "Heeyyyy Ohhhhhh!" He explained that they shouldn't be so petty at a child's dance recital and that it really is no big deal.  This whole she-bang should have surprised me, but it didn't.  In fact, I was surprised the seats weren't numbered to avoid the already evident debacle.  

Camille came out and introduced herself and said her piece, and just as she did, I heard a faint sing-song noise.  The entire theater was quiet and at that moment I realized that somehow my iPod was playing Jimmy Buffett's "Why Don't We Get Drunk", one of the more embarrassing songs of his collection, yet still a classic Buffett.  I haven't heard the song since his concert in Nashville, and I can't say that after it was playing in the silent theater that Sunday that I ever want to hear it again.  I was hopeful that people couldn't recognize the words as I fumbled around in my purse for my iPhone.  I was almost there and must have hit another button when Ke$ha's "Tik-Tok" changed the tone.  Strike number two.  My face was beet red and I sunk down in my seat as I was embarrassed not only by the fact that everyone could hear, but also by my poor music selection.  

My phone was on silent which was the weird thing, but needless to say after that I turned it off.  

All the dancers came out wearing white leotards and tutus, pink Repetto tights, and light pink demi-point ballet shoes.  Everyone's hair was wrapped tightly into a chignon, including Marie-Césare's.  Camille's oldest age group seemed to be no older than 15, and only a couple of them actually had promise to be a prima ballerina.  

The theme was Alice au pays de merveilles.  Sort of a twist on Alice in Wonderland.  Marie-Césare and her class were starfish, fish, and little red crabs in a dream that Alice had.  Marie-Césare was an étoile de mer, and her best friend a crab.  She danced beautifully, even though the entire class was glancing off to the side to follow Camille who was posted up and hidden by the heavy red velvet curtains.  Every now and again you could hear her clap, as to keep the girls in time...even though it didn't make any difference.  

It reminded me of all those years I danced and dressed up in all those poofy, tulle laden costumes.  The sheer amount of hairspray used in my hair was enough to clog the universe for years.  I enjoyed many years at the Art of Dance with Judy Copeland-Tetz.  Jazz, ballet, tap....I learned them all.

The dances continued on for a couple of hours, all while Alice winds herself in and out of her wonderland.  

The "legumes."

Champignons.

Servers at the "non-anniversaire."

Camille and Marie-Césare at the end of the recital.  We can certainly all tell who's the favorite.  

Since we started in true French fashion, 30 minutes late, we finished around 5:15.  I was to go to Alison's birthday surprise celebration at 5:30, and what do you know, I was late....true parisienne style.  

Internet...ugh.

Internet troubles.......

Again.....