Florence and Paris Part Deux!

Paris - we land in CDG (Charles de Gaulle) airport and taxi to our pied a terre; an apartment in the Marais district of Paris. The heart of the Marais is a lively neighborhood with lots of trendy bars and restaurants and it's also known as the center of gay nightlife. 

Marais district

The rue des Rosiers is a centerpiece of Jewish lifestyle in Paris and the Ile St. Louis and the Ile de la Cité are the oldest parts of Paris. The Marais is one neighborhood after another; the patisserie, boulangerie, chocolatier are all located outside your front door. The area is also home to several fabulous museums; the Musee Picasso, Musee Carnavalet(historical legacy of Paris), Maison de Victor Hugo, Centre Pompidou and Musee d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaisme(just to name a few)!

One of the prettiest parks in Paris is located in the Marais, the Place Des Vosges. Surrounding the park are restaurants and shops, all with a view of the park. This area of the Marais houses Maison de Victor Hugo, the museum. .

Above the stores and surrounding the park on opposite sides are apartments.This area of the Marais houses Maison de Victor Hugo, the 

museum. 

Place Des Vosges is a wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by.

On our first afternoon, we had a quick lunch at a small cafe on the Rue des Archives,visited some art galleries and then the shopping started! It was hard to decide where to stop first but we found some great boutiques with that one of a kind look we love.


Dinner was at a small neighborhood bistro, Cafe des Musees.
The menu changes daily and it is possible to eat well for 20 euros!
Service was very good and the atmosphere was just what you would expect in a small French bistro. 

We always make it a point to visit a museum we have not yet seen.

It is hard to believe that after 10 visits to Paris I have not seen all of them! Paris houses over 70 museums; some would argue there are more than that. This time we visited the Musee Carnavalet, the history of the city of Paris. As it is located in the Marais, it is the perfect choice for the morning and it is free.     

The clock as seen from the inside of the Musee d'Orsay in Paris; a picture that was too cool not to share!(taken by Maureen MacLeod)

After our visits to the museums, we headed for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for a site visit and lunch with one of my favorite Parisians, Alex. 
The Mandarin Oriental is the newest kid on the block; that is if you call the Place Vendome and the rue Sainte-Honore a block!   
138 guest rooms and 39 suites, many with private balconies,  soundproofing and state of the art technology in all the rooms, dining overseen by award winning chef Thierry Marx AND a full service drop dead gorgeous spa! 
Of course, Gateway Travel offers the full Virtuoso amenities during your stay:

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
American Breakfast for up to two in-room guests daily
$100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay

The Lobby

Deluxe room

Above:suite bath 
Left:Premium suite 

Bar 8 - you can just imagine the buzz when the locals drop in for an aperitif! 








As my farewell to Paris, I always try to dine at my favorite restaurant,
 Le Voltaire.

This trip was no exception. We taxied from the Marais to the Left Bank for a dinner we knew would be magnifique! We dined on Entrecote and frites, a bottle of Sancerre and for dessert we splurged on the chocolate mousse(denser and richer than anywhere else).
The service is perfect and the atmosphere is how I always want to picture Paris.


Unfortunately, the next morning I must bid my daughter and Paris adieu!
It is sad but not final; I will always return!