Irresistible Paris...

Salut mes chéries!

Today I am off to Paris with Anita from 'Castles Crowns and Cottages'.. (via her link-up series 'Irresistible Paris').

Paris is one of the most enchanting cities of the world, and in my opinion it is best experienced by foot!

So mes amies (and amis),  pull on your ballet flats, adorn yourself in your best French stripes, and get ready to stroll down the streets of Paris! In fact toss your map in the nearest bin and allow yourself to get lost.. Really!

This is a city of joy, spontaneity, romance & passion, and as such you must simply feel, hear, smell and taste your way around. For behind every corner awaits a surprise, a reason to smile, and fall in love..! C'est la vie en rose..!

And there are so many things & areas to love in Paris! One of my favourites is Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement. It's charming, chic, and also home to a number of wonderful galleries, cafés, shops, and boutique hotels. 

Whilst you are there, you simply must visit the legendary 'La Hune' book store on 170 Boulevard Saint-Germain. You might just bump into Karl Lagerfeldt who happens to be a regular here..!

In fact buy yourself a yummy book from their mezzanine level (art books galore!), and take Karl next door to the lovely 'Café de Flore' (172 Boulevard Saint-Germain) for lunch or coffee..! This place is very charming, and so typically Parisian.

If you don't feel like lunch you could of course head over to  the world famous Pierre Hermé's macaroon boutique on 72 rue Bonaparte! Mon Dieu, you will never want to leave once you enter this place.. You have been warned..!

 

If one macaroon salon is not enough, you will find the wonderful Laudrée conveniently located only a few shops down, at number 21 rue Bonaparte.. Sometimes more IS more, right!?! :)

By now we all have food on our minds so I might mention two other gastronomical favourites that are also located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.. 

'Brasserie Lipp' (151 Boulevard Saint-Germain) is - as their website indeed insists - not a restaurant. Mais non! Instead it is an authentic 'brasserie' (!) where an eclectic mix of arty, sophisticated, intellectual, and chic patrons come to drink, write, talk, and of course enjoy the Alsatian food. Here you can linger for a while and the energy is always so tangible. I've been a few times and I love it!

If you feel like rubbing shoulders with local gallery owners, art students, and fabulous Parisian socialites alike, you should make your way over to 'La Palette' (43 Rue de Seine). NB! ..this quirky little gem is possibly 'the place' to have a drink (or a steamy mug of 'chocolat chaud' in Winter..). You may find it hard to get a table so call early and book!

Speaking of drinks. Unless you happen to be a Cointreau drinker, is there anything more Parisian than a 'Kir Royale'!?! It's the ultimate chic thing to order pre dinner. Or pre lunch for that matter.. We're in Paris after all..! ;)

There is another little spot in Paris where I LOVE to sip a glass of wine (or Champagne..!), and that is on the steps of 'Basilique du Sacré-Cœur', in Montmartre (one of Paris' 7 hills). Go as the sun sets and watch the 'City of Lights' live up to its name.. When the Eiffel Tower lights up I always get goose bumps. It's like a fairy tale!

Montmartre is a wonderful district with so much to offer. A must when going there is to climb the famous steps.. I know, I know it's a very 'touristy' thing to do, but it's so romantic ne c'est pas?! And once you're there you can reward yourself with the amazing view over Paris, and of course also a lovely big dinner at one of the quaint restaurants & bistros. There are so many to choose from!

Of course Montmartre also saw the exclusive launch of 'Le Cointreau Privée' in 2010. Has anyone been?  
This private and fiercely discrete cocktail bar operated for a sole month (September-October) and opened it's exclusive burgundy doors to a select clientele only. Each member were distinguished by a special bracelet worn around the wrist..  
I am not sure if they have reopened for 2011 but if they have, do try to get yourself a membership as this place is sure to offer a unique experience!

But to be honest, my preference is to simply stroll around and enjoy the bustling life & atmosphere in this crowded but simply charming area of Paris. Though it is very touristy (!!) there are still little gems like 'Un Zèbre à Montmartre' (38, rue Lepic) that offer something a little different to the traditional soup 'onion or 'Bœuf Bourguignon'. I think even Julia Child would approve.. ;)

Chèries there are so many other places I want to take you but we've been out all day and I am feeling a little sleepy..

I don't really mind at which of the wonderful little boutique hotels we have booked our rooms, as long as they have a deep bath in which I can soak my happy tired body (and feet..!). And of course also a roof-top terrace with a fabulous view of the city & the amazing Eiffel Tower. Is there any building that evokes more feelings..?!?

Bon nuit my dears, sleep tight and wake up bright eyed & bushy tailed, because tomorrow after breakfast I am taking you to the 'Berthillon' (on the wonderful oasis of Île Saint-Louis) for what I think is possibly the best ice cream (and sorbets) in Paris France!

Bisoux, et à tout à l'heure!

xx Charlotta

 Image references will appear when you click on the pictures.


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P.s. Head over to Castles Crowns and Cottages and enjoy posts by the other 'Irresistible Paris' posters today.

The Victoria Room - guest post over at Urban Style Vibes..

Today you will find me guest-posting over at 'Urban Style Vibes'

whilst the lovely blog author herself is travelling in Far East Asia.

Please pop across to read all about one of my favourite restaurants - The Victoria Room.

I urge anyone who travels to Sydney to book a table at this brilliant restaurant - but do so
well in time as the tables are popular and you may miss out.  If you don't fancy dinner,
then go there for nibbles & drinks or for high tea...and perhaps also an astrology reading..

The Victoria Rooms recently launched a 'High Tea' book, and I had the pleasure of playing
a key part in the birth of this splendid literary feast. Will post more about this here very soon...

Don't forget to wish Lise a (belated) happy birthday when you visit..

 xx Charlotta

The Lumo Sydney Tours (pt2) - the 'Donna Hay General Store'

Hello and welcome back to the 'Lumo Sydney Tours' - 

a little 'city guide privée' designed for one of my blog

friends in the 'land of the 1000 lakes' - aka Finland.

 via Finnair

  

Lumo is coming to Sydney in a few weeks and has asked

me to share some of my favourite spots so that she and her

huz can prepare & design a rewarding holiday in lovely Oz. 

The first part of this series was posted yesterday. To read

up on where the journey started, please click on this link.

We are following the pink dotted trail and are currently 

having a little coffee break at Queen Street.. 

So let's continue on, shall we...

 Photo by Charlotta Ward

No tour of 'Wonderful Woollahra' is complete without a

visit to the sleek and splendid Donna Hay General Store

that opened on Holdsworth Street back in April of 2009.

 Photo by Charlotta Ward

Before we head down lovely Holdsworth Street I'd like to 

give you a few words on the gal behind the global trademark.

via  Donna Hay

Ms Donna Hay is an Australian Icon - a fantastic food

entrepreneur who in my shy opinion made Aussie food

magazines, cooking classes, food editing & styling hip.
Her immaculate trademark style is well celebrated & is

as much a feast for the savvy mind as it is to the hungry eye.

via Donna Hay

Her great gastronomical journey began at the mere age of 8,

when according to her bio she picked up a mixing bowl &

just kept on running with it.. Metaphorically speaking.. :)

At 19 she started food styling & writing and soon landed 

a job as food editor for Marie Claire and later also the great

Marie Claire Lifestyle magazine. Soon she launched her first 

cook book and hosted amazing classes for aspiring foodies.

My huz actually attended one of these and is the proud owner

of a signed copy of one of Donnas very first cook books. :)

  Her books are available to buy at the 'General Store' and good book stores around the world.

Many fantastic cookbooks followed and eventually launched

her very own bi-monthly magazine in 2002. A title that sells

wildly all over the wold and is loved for its style as well as 

fantastic content. I have been a subscriber since the launch!

The latest issue is on sale now - buy it for yummy Autumn treats!

The 'Donna Hay General Store' opened in April 2009

and is a two story treasure trove for special gifts as well

as the occasional treat-for-self! I love this place not only

for its amazing merchandise and fantastic confectionery,

but also for the inspirational windows and shop styling.

(click on the images below to enlarge)

Photos by Charlotta Ward

So lovely Lumo-girl, I am hoping you will enjoy no 40

Holdsworth Street and urge you to pick up at least one

pack of her out-of-the-world-yummy DIY brownies kits.

Bring them to Queensland and knock the socks of the relies!

 Photos by Charlotta Ward

Before I guide you onwards to more of my Woollahra faves

I want you to take your time walking down this street, 

and marvel over the amazing town houses, including my

very favourite Woollahra mansion located at no 3! Oh la la,

this place sold for a hot AU$13 million last year!! Wow!

 Photo by Charlotta Ward

More to come in this series.. 

xx Charlotta

P.S. Across the street from the General Store is the wonderful 

'Holdsworth Community Centre' where I incidentally did my

very first commercial mural a few years ago. Pop into their 

reception / office and ask sweet Julie to show you where it is. xx