From Place To Space: Paris, Da Capo

A very happy Monday, friends! While I am typing this words I am still in the City of Lights - in Paris. You've noticed the French 'je ne sais quoi' over the past few days on the blog, but hey, I can't help it - this city keeps me constantly under a spell. Plus, there were two exciting happenings coinciding: my blog's sixth months (half)-anniversary and the French presidential elections. If you've been following me on Instagram, you might have seen most of these pictures, but I thought it might be good to accompany them with a little text and helpful recommendations - it might come in handy for one of your next Paris visits. But let me take you slowly down the lane.

When in Paris, I love to kick-start days slowly and lazy. My first day was just like that. After a good breakfast I headed over to the Trocadero square to enjoy the view on the city's grande dame, the Tour Eiffel. I sat down in the famous Café Le Malakoff, sipped on a good glass of Brouilly and watched the delivery of fresh baguettes by the local baker with his cute little bakery van. The typical April weather with spectacular clouds and a never ending mix of sun, rain and wind proved to be good after all - at least for some great shots. After the little break I set off towards the Arc de Triomphe and after being caught by a spring rain shower on the vivid Champs Elysées I decided to jump into the metro and head off to the Marais. Since I started to feel hungry I decided to have a quick yet yummy lunch in the Jewish quarter - and I opted for a falafel sandwich. If you think eating falafel is to profane in Paris, then you haven't tasted the best falafel sandwich at L'As Du Fallafel in the Rue des Rosiers. Try it, you won't regret it. Later on I continued towards the Centre Pompidou and enjoyed an invigorating French coffee at Rue Beaubourg while watching the world go by. The day was rounded up by an evening walk through Montmartre and a good dinner at the quarter's oldest restaurant 'Le Bon Bock'. Parfait!

The next day was marked by an early getting up. But even that is sort of glamorous in Paris. I had a fine French breakfast at the Place Gambetta before heading to the city's south to visit the Marché aux Puces (flea market) at the Porte de Vanves. A plethora of 'brocante' was waiting for me and I really enjoyed thrifting and taking pics although I haven't bought anything at the end. The afternoon was reserved for my friends and we had a great and fun afternoon in a bar called Le Tournesol, a shopping spree at Bon Marché (seriously worth a visit) and the best cookies in town at 'It Mylk'. A cinema night made the perfect end to this day (and I watched a movie that depicted some French clichés in a funny way).

A visit in Paris must be accompanied by a brunch, too. Although not a French invention nor tradition, the city offers very good placed to enjoy a good brunch. This time we went to a place called 'Coutume' in the seventh arrondissement - the place is known for its excellent coffee but I would add also the excellent interior design. Traditional, high stuccoed ceilings, old 19th century columns counteracted by rough, plain concrete walls, industrial lighting, and plain white tiles really caught my interior loving eye. A shopping afternoon, yet another visit to friends and a good, long walk along the Seine made my day. 

And I must not forget: On Sunday I joined the French elections by joining my friend to an electoral office wearing my 'tricolore' vest. Enough said, je vous laisse. À bientôt!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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