Brace yourself…you are about to see many photos about our short trip to Paris in March. Or not, if you are not interested LOL.
There will be outfit photos, pretty buildings, funny stories and a video of Ron playing the harmonica in an underground passageway. I promise you, I really tried to make this post a fun read.
The train journey to Paris went smoothly and we hoisted our suitcases up and down and down and up the stairs of the underground (subway or as the French say, le metro). Ron had a small suitcase and I had a larger one (below).
OK, I just don’t travel light, I am sorry, but in my defence, it wasn’t fully packed. I insisted on wheeling and carrying it myself. Ron did help a few times but usually I didn’t let him.
Below: View from our hotel room. I never noticed the old-timer car driving down the road.
Below: The breakfast area of the hotel (Grand Hôtel des Balcons). We always stay here when we are in Paris. It is such a sweet hotel, dipped in art nouveau, some of it authentic, some of it more modern made to fit (like the chairs).
Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés
On the day of our arrival (Tuesday), we explored the area where we were staying, Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a very popular neighbourhood.
OUTFIT number 1 the first photo of this post shows what I was wearing that day. Flared jeans, a thrifted shirt, my black blazer and white trainers.
We went for coffee straight away and I spotted a cute coffee place with nice cakes and chocolate. We dared ordering two cappuccinos (the French are notoriously bad at making cappuccino) and I also had a macaron. When I discovered we had to pay €17,30 for that, I inhaled sharply…we never visited this place again. And the cappuccino was so-so.
Below: Three photos of a church and its surroundings on Boulevard Saint Germain.
Below: Many restaurants (and shops) have adopted the fashion of embellishing their building with artificial flowers. It does make a pretty picture.
Below: Book shop on Boulevard Saint Germain.
Below: The interior of one of the three Hèrmes shops, the one on Rue de Sèvres. The doorman let us in to look around. It is an amazing shop, built in a former swimming pool as I was told by my friend Susan of Une Femme d’un certain âge.
We only stayed very briefly; this shop is WAY out of my league.
As we were near anyway, I wanted to go to Le Bon Marché. When I get a moment of insanity, I might be able to buy something in that department store. I love it but it is also expensive.
While Ron was reading a book, I had a look around the fashion departments. I told one of the sales assistants about an Instagram account called Miserable Men (here is the link to the Instagram account). It shows hundreds or more photos of men waiting for their wives in all sorts of awkward positions, usually sleeping while holding the bags. She thought it was hilarious.
Anyway, I saw a beautiful green skirt for € 1,500. It came with a matching top, which price I didn’t even check. I’ll never get enough pleasure out of such expensive things.
Below: Looking at a little doggie in Le Bon Marché.
By the way, I wore my hairpiece every day in Paris so I didn’t need to worry about my hair. It was brilliant.
Below: Speaking of doggies…the department store had ‘dogs‘ as a theme and we created this video in Le Bon Marché for our granddaughter. Ron was moving his head just like the “dogs” did. She loved it.
Below: Out to dinner on our first day. It was reasonable.
We had decided to take the bus to the restaurant but contrary to what we read, we couldn’t use our underground card and we also couldn’t buy a ticket in the bus. We had to download an app, put in all our personal details, add a ticket and pay for it through Apple Pay or credit card. A friendly American helped us but by the time I had everything in place, we arrived at our destination. Two free rides. In the following days there once was a ticket inspection on a bus fare and once in the underground. We never experienced that before, but luckily we had valid tickets by then.
Chatou, the brocante and antique fair
Wednesday was the day we travelled to a Paris suburb, called Chatou to visit a brocante (vintage) and antique fair. When we were still very much into this stuff, we had such great days at this huge fair. Now, our interior decoration is finished and we like modern stuff more. Ron was sentimental and wanted to enjoy the fair like he used to. Too bad (tant pis as the French say)…it was cold and there weren’t many visitors which ruined the atmosphere. I bought a blue workman’s jacket but I am not sure whether that was wise.
Below: We had to wait for the shuttle bus to the fair and went into one of these silly photo booths.
Below: One of the brocante/antique stalls.
Below: Little doggies, patiently waiting.
Below: The French take their lunch very seriously and they take their time. Stall owners gathered to enjoy lunch together.
Below: After two hours we returned to Paris. On our way back we passed this grand house with the gilded gate.
Below: Lunch at Paul and OUTFIT number 2, my black barrel jeans with the blue shirt. Link to original post with this shirt and I think the shirt looks better with the jeans below.
Below: Close-up with the yellow and black earrings, in restaurant Astair that evening.
Below: Restaurant Astair is situated in Passage des Panorama, one of the three old shopping arcades.
Below: We also went into the second arcade but had no time for the third one.
They must think the Christmas decorations are so good, we leave them.
Below: As we were on our way to the Passages, we passed this impressive arch.
Musee d’Orsay
Thursday. As we have been to Paris countless times, we had been to Musee d’Orsay too, but it was so long ago that I wanted to go again. It is magnificent. If you ever want to go there, go as soon as it opens. We were there at 11 o’clock and by lunchtime it was packed and we fled.
Below: The ground floor where lots of art students are drawing.
Below: The four worlds depicted by women.
Below: Some clock! This museum used to be a railway station.
Below: At the top floor you could stand behind the big clock on the building.
Below: Through one of the windows upstairs I took this photo showing Paris at its finest.
We had lunch in the area of the museum but not too close as you want to avoid tourist traps. Usually, you only have to go two or three streets further to find a decent place.
And back to the hotel again for a bit of a rest. We are old people after all; going up and down stairs and strolling around is tiring.
Below: Our granddaughter really likes this old song (Une belle histoire), so Ron learned how to play it on his harmonica. He thought it would be fun to play it in the Paris underground/subway and pretend to collect money haha.
Below: Ron booked a show Thursday evening. It was stand-up comedy / cabaret, with the title How to become a Parisian in one hour. It was highly amusing.
Below: OUTFIT number 3. Before attending the show, we went for a drink and a little bite to eat. With my flared jeans I was wearing a cream top and black suede boots. I originally bought the boots for walking through Paris with Susan. I chickened out going with her because I got a bed bug phobia. Worked hard to get over that and I am now, although I still inspect the mattresses when I arrive in a hotel.
Below: The new earrings were the start of this outfit. I bought them from an American woman (Anne of Baublehaus). She stopped making and selling earrings but she still had a few stored.
Shopping
Friday we headed to a district called Le Marais, my favourite area. You will find high-end stores and quirky boutiques, prices high and low.
Below: Beautiful church building in Le Marais.
Below: Another instagrammable restaurant for coffee. By this time I was either drinking espresso or ‘noisette‘ which is espresso with a bit of warm milk. Ron ordered cappuccino and it was horrible.
Below: OUTFIT number 4. I tried to pack smart with two pairs of jeans, a few tops and my black blazer. The blazer was for layering. So this outfit is similar to outfit number 3, but different jeans, footwear and earrings. I took the belt off a matching jacket and used it as a scarf for this outfit, just to add some colour.
Below: Some stunning buildings and gates in this area too.
Below: And how about Places des Vosges? It would of course, be much better with green trees. I think ‘Emily‘ of the Netflix series ‘Emily in Paris‘, sat here quite often.
Below: All around the park there are these arched but open passages. So beautiful.
Below: I left Ron with his e-reader and iPhone at a restaurant to go shopping. He got thrown out half an hour later because they wanted to prepare his table for lunch. He found a good spot in another street where we had a tasty lunch and some fun banter with a French couple our age. It is fun to communicate with other, random people even though I don’t really speak French. I just know quite a few words. Conjugating is too hard.
I went shopping at my favourite little quaint shop in Paris, Addicted. They used to sell unique pieces of upcoming designers but I don’t know whether that is still the case. If you look at the photos on their Instagram account, you’d probably think “Oh my God, what on earth did she buy there??!!”
I said to the shop assistant that I was looking for something unique but befitting my age and went through the racks from left to right. Among the really wild stuff, I found six (!) pieces that I liked. Four of them make two co-ords but the items can be worn separately as well. Did all that in half an hour. When it is good, it is good. Four items were only €49 each, one item was €95 and one was €89, so €380 altogether. At these prices (remember the designers are still upcoming), you can afford to buy more items. I spent quite a bit but I got six splendid and unique pieces. I am very happy.
Below: The shopping haul haha.
We took a taxi back to the station. Too much stuff to carry and we were too tired.
What happened in my life this week
Below: Saturday I decided that easy dressing was still the way to go. I only went outside to pick up dog Watson with Ron. He had a marvellous time with Wil. Spent the rest of the day doing laundry and such.
Below: Close-up of the earrings. They are also from Anne of Baublehaus. Ron said they look like a fried egg. Whatever…I like them.
Below: Sunday I went for lunch with Yvonne. We laughed so loud, we startled two elderly men. They thanked us though, thought it was very cheerful. Yvonne and I burst out laughing a couple of times; there is nothing as nice as that. I live for laughing.
Monday my physiotherapist said he had probably done all he can and it is now up to me. I wonder and I hope. Spent the rest of the day clearing things away and ironing.
Below: I wore this outfit, but only when I went out the door. Heels are fine again but not for long. Still in the black mood, this time with green accessories (earrings and belt).
Tuesday: I did so many things but they are not really worth mentioning. Put a box of vacuum cleaner bags on the Dutch equivalent of e-Bay for someone to get them for free. It felt wrong to just throw them in the bin. A nice lady picked them up and offered me a little bowl with spring bulbs as a thank-you. Sweet.
In the afternoon Marcella came by for a cup of tea. The weather had changed considerably and it was warm enough to sit in the sun in our garden. Halfway through March!
Wednesday I met Ariane, a former colleague and now friend. We had decided to go to Amersfoort, which is chosen to be Europe’s loveliest city. You have seen some of Amersfoort in this post with Aafke.
It was a glorious day and I regretted not having left my coat in the car. Everybody was sunbathing on the terraces. It was fantastic. As you can imagine, we had a wonderful day and Ariane took photos of one of my Paris outfits. I don’t know whether you will see it next week as I still have two other photo shoots in stock.
Thursday I went to Nicky and the granddaughters. On my own this time as Ron came down with the flu.
Friday was another gorgeous day and we went to the beach with Watson.
I hope you enjoyed this post.
Greetje
I’m back from my own trip (Bonaire) and catching up on your trip to Paris. What a wonderful post! I was in Paris for 3 weeks last spring and your post is bringing back memories. I took several photos of the flowers decorating restaurants. I hadn’t remembered that from trips to Paris years ago and I’m guessing it is a relatively new thing. (An aside: in Bonaire I saw a restaurant trimmed with flowers and pointed it out to my husband, saying that it reminded me of the Paris restaurants with the flowers.)
How nice that you found new items for your outfits. As I am on the larger side, I tend to purchase accessories. Easier to find in Paris and always lovely. I bought a couple of scarves in a store in Bon Marche – not on the bottom designer floor! I look forward to seeing your new outfits.
It was so nice to look at photos of Paris churches and gates with gold gilt. I felt transported. Thank you for sharing your trip.
I should add that I enjoyed the videos very much!
Thanks. Such things make a blog post so much nicer. I always try to make people smile or even laugh and these videos help.
I am glad I could take you back to Paris, although vicariously. It is a wonderful city.
Late to the Paris party! Greetje, you went to so many amazing places in Paris, I’m overwhelmed. I wish I had talked to someone about places to go there when we went, but it was several years ago. Are you going to show us what you got at Adicted? I’m excited to see what new designers you found.
Love the video of Ron playing harmonica. Thanks for sharing these lovely pictures.
Sharing the story and pictures was entirely my pleasure of course. Sure I will be showing the Addicted purchases. One by one. Next week I will show the first one.
A trip to Paris is always a good idea. It was lovely to revisit those places. Look forward to seeing what you bought!
It was really nice, as always. Will you be coming to the Netherlands this summer? Then Paris is only a train trip of 3.5 hours away.
I like your look. I like this combination of jeans, blazer, and striped sweater; it’s a combination I’ve always enjoyed. I love your eye for the details of Paris; it makes me discover another city, very interesting and beautiful. Jeans with a blue shirt create a look that’s very unique to you; it identifies you, and I like it. I love the two sets of earrings you highlight, especially the second one. The anecdote about Ron on the subway is very funny; your husband is a nice guy.
Glad you enjoyed the post and yes, Ron is a nice guy, funny and out of the box. We are a good match.
Loved that post, have never been to Paris as we prefer Holland, you looked smart but casual which is perfect for a city break. So glad you are using your hair piece, us women should never give up on being as feminine as we can. I am with Ron on the fried egg earrings lol. Love the blue blouse/shirt defo your colour and you have reminded me I need a blazer in my wardrobe.
Glad you enjoyed it. I am surprised you prefer Holland over Paris but there you go. My outfit choices were better this year. I took lessons from my friend Susan of Une Femme d’un certain age. She is queen of packing.
The fried egg is funny and I don’t mind the association.
A blazer and especially a black or blue blazer is such a handy thing in your wardrobe. I hope you find a good one. Be picky and invest in it.
Lovely views and stories from Paris Greetje! Thanks for sharing! The impressive arch you passed is on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, where Mathijs & I always stay when visiting my fav city. Liefs van Eve-Line
You are so right…Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, that was our metro stop. We went to the “How to become a Parisian in one hour” show near there.
Leuk weer van je te horen Eve-Line. Nog leuker dat je nog steeds mijn blog volgt. Ben zeer gevleid.
Loved this post. All of the Paris photos and comments were very interesting to me. I showed my husband the Miserable Men photos. He can relate! I also thought the fake flowers looked so charming on the front of the businesses. Glad you had some fun in Paris. All of your clothing choices looked just right to me.
Thanks for the compliments. It was a joy to create the post. As if I experienced the trip once again.
Giggled over your husband relating to the Miserable Men haha.
Clothes choices were better this time. I took lessons from Susan of Une Femme d’un certain age.
Stunning pics! 🙂
I didn’t bring my heavy camera but took (or had taken) all the shots with my new iPhone. It is not disappointing.
Thanks for the virtual trip to Paris—I loved coming along for the ride! Amongst the fashion and fun, Ron on the harmonica was one of the many highlights. He is talented and now possibly ready for a world tour! 🙂
Whahaha…”ready for a world tour”…I’ll tell him that. He’ll appreciate the compliment.
Wonderful post. Enjoyed the fashion, scenes of Paris, etc. Musee d’Orsay is one of my favorite places in Paris. Did you realize you were recreating a book cover? Thanks for your blog.
No I did not realize I was recreating a book cover. Which book is that?
Agreed, please give Ron a Euro. Your earrings are striking, nothing like a fried egg. What a lovely trip! So glad you fill your life with fun, family and friends. It’s inspiring!
I have to give Ron quite a few euros haha. Luckily for me, they are all virtual euros.
We had fun in Paris, and it was so nice to create this blog post. I really enjoyed myself even more.
Thank you for sharing Paris with us!
The pleasure is entirely mine Elaine. I had so much fun creating the post.
I loved miserable_men! Thank you for including this.
That Instagram account does make you laugh, right?
Thanks so much for showing us your trip to Paris. I’ve never been but now I feel a little like I have. It sounds like you two had a wonderful time!
Have a good week.
The post was meant to give you a vicarious trip to Paris. Such a big and wonderful city. There are more great cities in Europe, like Barcelona in Spain (and other cities), Rome in Italy and of course London. The perk of living in Europe, they are all not that far away.
Paris is always a great idea especially in the spring or fall. That’s the great thing about living in Europe, just catch a train and you’re there.
You guys looked like you had a blast and your travel outfits were the perfect mix of chic and practical. Looks like you had nice weather as well.
I adore the Musée d’Orsay. It’s so beautiful, a more manageable size and less crowded than the Louvre.
Can’t wait to see the pieces you bought from Addicted.
I loved Ron’s solo in the metro. Did he make any money?
Suzanne
Yes indeed, a lot of countries in Europe are only a train ride away.
We had a great time and indeed the weather behaved as well. Rain was forecasted, but we didn’t get any. It was clouded most of the times but Thursday and Friday we saw the sun.
Ron did not make any money in the metro haha.
Loved this post, Ron seems like a great companion. I love your barrel jeans, and am looking fir some that are tall, mid rise with some stretch, since I SM tall and short waisted, all legs. Any suggestions?
I am glad you liked the post Petra. As far as the barrel jeans go, I cannot help you. There are so many brands, shapes and finish.
And it also depends whether they are available in your country. I am afraid you will have to do the hard work…go from jeans shop to jeans shop and try them all on.
One tip I can give you. I am short waisted and I have a short upper body which means that barrel jeans which you can pull down underneath your waist are great. It looks fun, your belly disappears and your upper body seems longer. Plus, no waist problem.
This was such a fun read, we leave for Paris on Wednesday so timely, too. Ron seems like the perfect travel companion, so fun! Great travel outfits, what sneakers do you have? Thanks for the tips on the bus tickets and the hotel and shop recommendations, looking forward to seeing your purchases from Addicted.
I am wearing very comfortable sneakers. I knew that when I bought them. They are AMA Brand from Italy.
https://www.ama-brand.com/
Have a lovely time in Paris.
I’m glad you and Ron had such a good time in Paris! Seeing all of your photos is a nice anticipation of my upcoming visit.
Really love those barrel jeans on you. I’m planning on packing mine for our spring trip.
I hope you will have lovely weather on your trip to London and Paris.
The barrel jeans are a bit dangerous. When I wear them on a shopping spree, all tops will look good on them.
Loved your post about Paris! Hubby and I went there in 2019. Stayed 10 days. During Bastille in July. Very crowded, won’t do that again! And yes, yes, yes, the French cannot do coffee well. Cappuccino is horrible! I ended up going to the Starbucks around the corner from our hotel (Cler Hotel in 7th arrondisement). Went to La Lafayette for shopping. Had the best food in the lower level. Amazed that you can find good food in a department store! I bought a handbag there but not a designer one. Cannot afford thousands of dollars for a handbag! Loved the Louvre, spent 5 hours there and even had lunch on the balcony. Did not make it to the Musee D Orsay because the last 4 days I was sick in bed with a virus. Realized that the woman sitting next to me on the plane over was sick, so we probably got it from her. So disappointing to be sick on a vacation when you are spending thousands of dollars! Glad you had a great time!
Oh, that is indeed terrible, being sick on your holiday. Really, what a bummer. We didn’t visit Le Petit Palais where I wanted to have coffee in the garden. But, a woman I know from Instagram, just hops on a train to Paris when the weather is good and returns the next day and I thought…I can do that. It will take little preparation, only a small bag and one night stay at a hotel. And this way you can be sure the weather is nice. So perhaps we will do that in summer or September. That’s the advantage of being in Europe. Paris is only a 3.5 hours’ train ride away.
Hello Greetje…from sunny Amsterdam! Walked through lovely Jordaan area this morning and Western Canals , as the Westerkerk chimed the quarter hours. Now time to rest … and read the full Paris visit that you and Ron enjoyed.
I agree with Gee…Ron definitely earned at least a Euro for his harmonious harmonica in the metro. Maybe two! Loved the doggy video too…grandpa is so funny!
Meeting some friendly people and letting them know about your blog…you may have some new readers !
I will be turning on my phone 📱… finally … so expect a 📞 soon. 🐞
Thank you for the advertising! Much appreciated.
Glad the weather is good in Amsterdam. Poor Susan visited twice (to my knowledge) and had rain all the time.
Great post, looks like you had a great time. All your outfits were perfect and your photos made me want to revisit Paris. It’s been many years. Though actually your Amsterdam photos every week make me want to visit your country even more.
Thanks for making the effort to recreate your trip for all of us to enjoy.
M xx
This was no effort at all Margaret. I so enjoyed creating the post. It kept getting longer and longer and I worried whether it wasn’t too much.
And then I thought “I don’t care, it is my blog and I can do and write whatever I want. If they like it, then it wasn’t in vain, if they don’t, they’ll just skip it”. But I am glad you liked it.
Hello, You
Of course I/we enjoyed this post! (I’ve taken it upon myself to speak for others -hope they don’t mind – as really, what’s not to like? Although I did note you took those jeans along, you know, the ones I really, really like, said I NEVER! Still, it was your trip…
That said, I had to smile, you spent all that money on new clothes yet said later that easy dressing is the way to go sooo, I hope those carrier bags were holding lots of ‘easy’ wear!
Paris I can take or leave. Amsterdam, Hong Kong, New York, Helsinki, even Tallinn (without the tack I understand it now ‘enjoys’, and the church at the top of the hill is manifique) I would re-visit in a heartbeat, but Paris? Non! Sorree…But am very glad you and Ron enjoyed it. And your photos are lovely, they almost make me change my mind about the place, so I say again, I’m so glad you both enjoyed yourselves.
Talking of which, enjoy the coming week.
Gee
PS please give Ron a Euro from me for his musical turn, will you? I think he earned it😁
So funny…for me those black/grey barrel jeans are so good that it is dangerous to have them on when I am trying on new tops in a shop. They make anything look good. In my opinion of course haha.
Yes, the carrier bag was holding easy wear clothes, all of them.
We have been to Paris so many times, we lost count. But…so many people…so many tastes.
I will give Ron your euro, he’ll appreciate it LOL