Paris on Valentine's Day

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Every year, Ronnie and I take turns being in charge of Valentine's Day. Last year Ronnie took me to a lovely dinner at one of our favorite restaurants...this year, I took him to Paris.

We were already in London for the week, so I booked us (way in advanced) the earliest and last train to Paris. So needless to say, we had to have a wake up call at 4:00am and a taxi at 4:30. They way I told Ronnie about our adventure was by having him open a present, that was a mini guide book to the city of light. The train was very fun and since we love Harry Potter, we excited to be at Kings Cross station. We also were charmed that there really was a bar car that served coffee and snacks.

We arrived at Gare du Nord around 8:00 am and headed for the Moulin Rouge in Montemare. (Sorry if I am spelling things incorrectly) Then we had a baguette for breakfast and sketched the Paris rooftops. Next we walked up the hill to the Sacre Cour and foggy morning view of the city. We escaped the con artists by the carousel forcing bracelets onto unsuspecting tourists, hopped on the Metro and visited the Arch du Triumph and the grave of the unknown solider. We walked along the Champ Elyse and did some shopping...then continued our journey to Plaz du Concorde...then even further down to the Louvre. We took pictures from outside but since we only had one day in Paris, decided not to go in.

Next we stopped for a lovely little lunch of Savignon Blanc, omlete du fommage and pomme frites. (Cheese omlete and French fries) We were ready to witness the great Notre Dame and all of it's glory, so we headed across a bridge to pay it a visit. Afterwards we headed to the Latin Quarter to visit the famous Shakesphere and Company bookstore. Full of books, couches and even beds to relax and enjoy all things literary...it truly was a magical place. Then it was time for cafe creme at Cafe Flore where we met a lovely French couple who shared stories with us about Paris, their lives and a visit they had awhile back to San Francisco. We continued our journey through St. Germain de Pres and looked in many shops..but quickly grew tired. We retired for a lovely meal at Saint Michael and then headed back to our train to return to London.

I love Paris. The feel, the history, the people (Americans are wrong about the French being rude) and the FOOD! I am sure some day I will visit with Ronnie again, but for longer than one day.

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Photos

So colorful...
Looking at prints in Montemare

Moulin Rouge!
And a truck...hey it was early morning!

Busted
No one else makes bread like the French...

Foggy French Morning
Heading towards the Sacre Cour

Concorde
Ronnie standing by the pyramid

Getting sunny in the park
...and I am grateful for it.

Girlfriends
...we were looking at the Louvre together.

The Lourve knows
..how awesome it is.

Notre Dame
Ronnie feels it's power

We love books...
and this store.

Literary Liquid
We stopped at Cafe Flore where many a famous authors would visit.

Goodbye Paris!
...you were grand.