This weeks learning:
If you ask someone how their weekend in Paris was (or even if you didn't ask) expect it to be a bit gratuitous, but it is as it must be...
Think of the romanticised images that "Spring in Paris" brings to mind.
Reality, it seems, is almost exactly that.
Heading to Paris for the Easter weekend (as you do), we walked the streets, enjoying the brief moments when the gray dampness lifted and the first rays of sun light crept along roof tops, through windows, over bridges. It was still coat and scarf weather, but one could help but feel hopeful.
Missing English language books, physical books Jacq had a dotted google maps of hearts with all the best bookshops. Disappearing for hours, only emerging when retrieved by the SAS team of philistines. The backpack was a lot heavier.
Louvre for art and history - led by Tania our young, passionate and witty guide. Though we only saw about 2% of the museum, we left ever so slightly giddy.
We loitered in parks - it is the loitering season in Paris. The parks are filled with families, the seine dotted with couples hand in hand, and of course the steady stream of scooters and bicycles. There seems be a general consensus about the importance of getting outside and staying there for as long as possible.
Continuing our culture fix we had a night at the Opera Royal de Versailles, a grand opulent venue for the paired back minimalism of the Ballet Preljocaj. Then to the Opera Bastille to see Verdi's Simon Boccanegra.
and food, of course there was food.....Including a leisurely lunch at the Michelin star restaurant, Solstice. A modern, intimate space, made more intimate by the fact that we were one of two tables. As a result we had a lot of attention from the chef, maitre'd and sommelier..but not too much attention.
Soooooo much food, but not too much...
But almost
To really indulge ourselves, we dropped in to Lyon on the way back - for more streetscapes and food! This time dinner at Amada, a funky Le Fooding recommended resto, just two doors down from our hotel.
Then in one case, the streetscapes and the food combined. While the image of le chef was there to welcome us after our long walk across the city, we unfortunately we missed the opportunity to sample Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (a gastronomique food market) as it was closed for the public holiday.
Then final leg home via the Chateau neuf-du-Pape... for some wine!! The appellation comprises over 200 vineyards, we visited only two - Chateau Fortia and Chateau La Nerthe.
Back to normal transmission on Sunday 14th - promise
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