Discoveries in Paris IV

The discoveries continue....on and on....here are my latest finds.

1.  A quiet courtyard garden, just off Place des Vosges...this is the gorgeous little 'hidden' garden of Hotel du Sully...an ancien Hotel Particulier on one corner of Place des Vosges.  It's very easy to miss....but worth the effort of finding....it's simply lovely....a green oasis right in the middle of Paris....away from all the madness....where you'll see and hear blackbirds fly through the garden.

And if it ever stops raining here in Paris (I wish), I plan to find a cosy little spot here and quietly sketch (albiet wearing a very warm coat and gloves).

See that little dark doorway in the lower  centre of the photo....
that's the doorway you go thru from Place des Vosges
 to discover this haven.

Through low doorways, down dark corridors and into hidden courtyards we venture.  

2.  THE quintessential Parisian bistro........and one that has a fabulous view just around the corner too....La Fontaine de Mars  http://www.fontainedemars.com/index.html. This bistro has everything you've ever dreamed about....red checked tablecloths, duck stew, snails, cassoulet, friendly, helpful waiters....however, you'll need several brisk walks around the block after lunch here but you'll be feeling very happy with world at large.  Anyway, just around the corner is the Eiffel Tower...so you'll adore the walk.

3.   The textures of Paris....facades, gildings, mouldings....as beautiful as a work of art. 

4.  The 'ultimate' shopping experience...should you be so inclined to want to shop in Paris and have a 'plutonium' credit card.

You guessed it...Le Bon Marché.

The name, Le Bon Marché, may not be entirely apt...i.e. the cheap market...as there's absolutely nothing 'cheap' about (or in) Le Bon Marché...but it's the ultimate Parisian department store.

You can forget about traipsing all over Paris to buy your candles, perfume, lunettes, sacs, foulards, Chanel, Martin Margiela et al......as it's all here (the best from all around the world in fact) under one gorgeous roof.  And they were even selling a trés chic selection of Aussie chapeaux!  

And, after you've bagged all your Parisian trinkets and  require a little shopping respite....praps a tarte citron et chocolat chaud or a glass of champers....just pop upstairs to the 2nd floor.

Need to redecorate your Parisian apartment?
Well it's all here!

Martin's coat....the ultimate duvet n'est-ce pas?

A bientot.

You may also like my posts on:
http://parisallons-y.blogspot.fr/2012/08/discoveries-in-paris.html
http://parisallons-y.blogspot.fr/2012/08/discoveries-in-paris-ii.html