wandering paris






for the longest time i've had a dream about walking around the city of paris by myself for a day.
i wondered what it would look like.  how would the people be?
how would i feel?

so on my 2nd day there i decided to do just that.
i took off by myself to find out.
following are the pictures i took that wonderful day.
and btw, it was everything i thought it would be...and of course more.



we stayed here and it was so well located and really charming.




the enclosed breakfast garden



the seine was just 2 short blocks away




as was the musee d'orsay










watched a wedding at the eiffel tower










musee d'louvre





spent an hour (or so) wandering inside...he really out-did himself here
just look at some of the videos on that site.





found this little tucked away park






listened to this jazz band for awhile






thought about eating here






but opted for this super healthy picnic lunch on the seine







did the river boat tour






and finished the night in this cafe that hemingway once hung out in.

so yeah...it was a perfect day that i'll never forget.



56 comments

  1. It's time! We are going next year to celebrate 25 years :) Your pictures are stunning. I haven't been to Paris since college and I think I will have a whole new perspective now.

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    1. yes, i would say go! i had never been so i have nothing to compare it to but it lived up to everything i had read.

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  2. These pictures bring back Paris so well. The feeling of the place. The decomposed granite paths and closed breakfast gardens. I feel I was on the day with you. So much better than the usual Paris visit photos.

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    1. aww thanks lisa. i think the walkways alone are worth going to see.

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  3. This would be my dream day...wandering the streets of a beautiful city all alone. I'm so happy for you that you got the chance to do it. :)

    Paris is on my list....my long list of places to go. Did you get to any of the fabulous flea markets I always hear about?

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    1. thanks sarah, it was a dream day for me. actually the whole trip was a dream. i did get to a flea market in antibes. it was gorgeous!

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  4. Once again, your photos are wonderful! First comment, the florist shops in Paris, like everything else, are beautiful. I loved it whenever I came across one on my walkabouts. Next, the ladies in that photo...how can you be so stylish in jeans, a top and an apron?? How do they do it, and the lady walking in the shop, she looks great too!
    One day I will go back to Paris and I will probably be on my own. Did you feel lonely at all doing this part of your trip, and safe?
    thank you.

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    1. i always felt safe and i was never lonely. and i agree the flower stalls/shops were like out of a magazine shoot.

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  5. Janet - lovely pictures! I loved every part of Paris and I can't wait to go back. It is the perfect strolling and watching city - just divine for that! I am bookmarking your hotel - ours was great, but yours looks lovely and very reasonable! And a day to yourself! What a delicios treat!

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    1. thank you wendy. it is the perfect walkable city. i walked for hours and never really got tired.

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  6. Your pictures are great! There was a wedding going on at the Eiffel tower the day we were there too. I get a funny feeling knowing we were walking the sames paths at different times.
    xo

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    1. thanks deb and it is something isn't it? it's all too much really.

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  7. What a lovely day and what a trooper you were on your first trip abroad!

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    1. i think for my first trip to europe i did alright. actually i did better than alright. for instance...i met you! :)

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  8. I am such a sap...this truly warms my heart. There is something amazing about wandering a place alone...you see and feel so much more! I do it all the time and it is awesome. I can't even begin to imagine how magical this day in PARIS was for you, but I can guess that it will be one of the best memories of your life. So awesome Janet :) xo

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  9. We just returned from a few weeks in France, and 5 days in Paris was NOT enough! I love your photos, and recognized most of the places, as our hotel was on the Champs d'elsyee, also not far from musee d'orsay . I am still uploading our photos, but enjoyed every single one of yours!! Thank you for sharing them. We already agreed we are going back to Paris next year. Did you go to Giverny??

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    1. thanks suzy...i did not make it to giverny. the closest i got was the d'orsay and seeing monet's paintings up close. next time?!

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  10. Yes, indeed a perfect day!

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  11. love these. Paris is always beautiful. Cannot wait to see more photos x

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    1. i saw it in the rain and sunshine so i agree...always beautiful.

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  12. I love it. I have only been to Paris once and I loved it. I am dying to go back though. I love that you wandered around alone.

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    1. thanks. already trying to figure out ways to get back!

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  13. bravo Janet! Paris is the perfect place to wander on one's own isn't it? Paula x

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    1. thanks paula and yes i'd say it was the perfect place to do this.

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  14. SO sorry I missed you while you were in England, Janet! You have visited so many places that I know well and your photos and impressions are delightful. I'm glad that everything came up to your expectations. (Do I recognize a macaroon box in your Paris picnic scene?!)

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    1. oh i was so sorry i couldn't meet you either. i thought about you a lot and wondered how it must be to live there! oh so gorgeous. and yes it was an eclair! oh so good!

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    2. I'm hoping that you have a lot more holiday photos still to post. (I love the one of you on the beach in the South of France - pure Audrey Hepburn!)
      I've just given you a mention on my Miss Cellany site as I've been writing about the problems of baggage on budget air flights!

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  15. What a perfect day! Thank you for sharing, your pictures are wonderful, like always.

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  16. What a trip! You did have a perfect day. Thank you for sharing this, through your beautiful words and pictures.

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  17. What a lovely way to end my long day; I loved seeing your photos. You have the eye for good photography; these are your memories once you can't smell or hear or feel Paris the way you did when you were there. I love the photos of l'arc de/du triomphe and I don't think I've ever seen that particular view of the Louvre; when you're at it, you don't get a sense of it in that way, from a distance. I'm so glad you got to "boat" on the Seine; I wanted to do that but didn't; ran out of time. You never want to run out of time in Paris. Next time it will be my starting-off point, not my end-of-tour, that's for sure. I just think it's so great you got out there and did the street thing, just letting happen what might happen. It's that kind of spontaneity which can be really serendipitous. What a magical trip; I'm glad it was everything you dreamed about. I love to see people capture their dreams instead of losing them. Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful images with us; felt like I was right there; love the little hidden park. I think now, as a less timid adult...a woman of a certain age...I'd be more adventurous and less wary in Paris than the little mouse I was in my early 20s. You are priming the pump that is gonna get my life in gear and back there for a second trip, I swear!! Merci beaucoup, Janet!

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    1. yes, just letting things happen is my kind of adventure. no maps or tour guides to lead me. i adored this day and will cherish it always. i'm so glad you are planning another trip there...don't tell anyone but i am too!

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  18. Hi Janet, how did your wardrobe work out in Paris? It looks like lovely weather, so no green jacket needed.

    How did Larry manage without you? My husband does not cook at all; he would live on chicken
    strips from the deli and hot dogs from gas station marts for three weeks.

    Hope to read a post on how this trip was arranged. It seems perfect!

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    1. oh it was nice to finally get some sun in paris, although the evening we got there is was raining! larry did just fine w/o me. he ordered out quite a bit though.:)

      the london part of the tour was arranged through janelle mcculloch's blog, the library of design. her blog is on my blog list. she did a great job.

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  19. Ahh than you for taking your blog readers along with you. - What a perfect, perfect day!
    Love Leanne NZ

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  20. Your walk sounds wonderful. I think you will enjoy this short film about an American woman who also wanted to walk around Paris herself (the one about Carole the letter carrier).

    http://frenchseams.com/paris-je-taime-the-greatest-love-story-to-a-city-ever-told-on-film/

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    1. thanks for the link lynn. i loved it. and i would agree with her re feeling alive. that's exactly how i felt. i just had to keep pinching myself to make sure it was all true and happening at that moment. it was almost surreal.

      i also put the movie on my netflix list.

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  21. oh what a divine day! Thank you for taking us along.

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  22. Thank you for bringing Paris home.

    I have never been, but an sure it's my city.

    You certainly made it yours.

    What a perfect day.

    xo Jane

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  23. Ah, a day wandering around Paris is my dream, too. Thank you for posting these. I am enjoying your trip so much- armchair travel at its best.

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  24. Hi Janet,

    I am way behind on my blog reading...life has gotten in the way lately.

    I have been enjoying looking at your photos from your trip. Paris looks wonderful and I am sure that you will always remember this special day.

    Linda
    xo

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  25. there is nothing like wandering paris solo, following your heart and whims!

    i stayed at the same hotel on rue de jacob, love it there!! thanks for reliving some of my best memories
    xx
    debra

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  26. That sounds wonderful, Janet! Isn't it surreal walking around Paris in black making like a local? I love your pics!

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  27. Having some time just to oneself exploring a place is the best. Having lived all my live relatively close to Paris I have visited numerous times - on school trips, with parents, friends, boy friends, husband.... but spending a whole day just by myself there wondering around is still on my wish list - thanks for sharing

    Mireille

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  28. Gorgeous photo tour! I remember going to Paris by myself and just enjoying looking at everything I wanted :)

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  29. Fantastic photos that really capture the essence of Paris.

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  30. It's been a long time since I was last in Paris but you've captured it beautifully! I need to go back now and eat croissants! xxx

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  31. That looks like a fantastic day - your hotel is lovely - haven't been to Paris for a couple of years now, but I'm desperate to go back. There's a photo of you in London, in your parka on the blog today!

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  32. If I never get to Paris, you have given me the gift of a visual tour. So lovely.

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  33. Hi Janet, first time stopping by! We were in Paris exactly a year ago;) for our 30th wedding anniversary. Such a magical spot! Your day looks perfect as does your lunch. Wonderful photos!

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