Paris. Vacation. Kids
On a Sunday evening I was lying in my bed struggling to fall asleep, as something had to be done. Something that would make them look back when they are 40 years old and say — remember? My work folder was expanding and my upcoming days were booked with filming plans and taking my time to test new recipes, yet I was willing to give it all up.
“I love Paris in the spring time
I love Paris in the fall
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles
I love Paris every moment
Every moment of the year
I love Paris
Why, oh, why do I love Paris?
Because my love is near”
Wednesday morning, each carrying our own suitcase, we got on a 2-hour train to Paris, stepping out into so sunny Gare de Lyon, leaving our luggage to be collected only in the evening, as there were much more important things to attend to. With the sun so bright, I wondered why I left my sunglasses in the suitcase, pondering no more after a sudden shower just a few moments later, finishing the exact moment of us stepping out of the shop with two new umbrellas.
Yet, nothing is of trouble when you know that breakfast awaits you in the place you love so much and after what seemed such a long walk, when in reality it was not, we finally sat down at Ten Belles bakery on rue Bréguet, patiently waiting for our breakfast. I had no trouble choosing, as no matter the season, time, and day, granola with seasonal compote is always my choice, as is an oat cappuccino. A few focaccia sandwiches, a scone, and drinks later, no rain or wind could stop us as we explored the city like we had never been there, walking the streets that we have never walked before. Juggling between shops and showers of rain, a new place Noir was discovered, an old favourite Shakespeare and Company was revisited, something familiar rediscovered, Bourse de Commerce, Pinault Collection, and the most delicious afternoon sandwich at the iconic Le Petit Vendôme to be followed by a very meaty and local dinner at the Pedzouille (nothing compares to their crunch chicken pieces and all they serve).
After a perfectly enjoyable day at Disneyland the day before, Friday came with much more peace. After a coffee and drinks at the ever so popular Sevenly Heart café (weekends are for those willing to wait), we sat down at the Hanami Tea Time when three plates of very fluffy pancakes arrived, topped with either tiramisu cream, spéculoos, or matcha. Their lightness was so light and sweet (in the best way) that right after leaving I had to get a hearty and crusty jambon sandwich at the nearby Sain Boulangerie to survive the hours of walking from one thrift shop to another and pretending to love the idea that Eiffel Tower has a fence around, making it so much more inaccessible and not at all romantic as it used to be.
With rain pouring down on us from almost every side that no umbrella could protect and metros not running, we finally got to the very famous cookie bakery Cookie Love (no train trip is complete without a cookie) and later sat down to finish our trip (and feeling cold) at Trois Fois Plus de Piment (rue Saint-Martin).
With April colder than usually, four layers of woollen clothes on myself and one Mickey sweater added to the collection, metros in the repairing process the same as trains, and rain much more frequent than usual, Paris was still beautiful. As it is always.
