While I have been trying to finish reading Julia Child's My Life in France and start Lunch in Paris, I quickly realized that there are so many places they write about that I have no clue what they are. Since it will be a while before I get to visit Paris for myself, I was excited to find Paris - A City Revealed by Mike Gerrard and Donna Dailey in the bookstore (by pure accident too...are those the best finds?).
As I flip through it I am amazed at how much of Paris was a secret to me. Yes I could tell you about the history, art, and some food, but ask me about the cafes, the shops, the parks, the opera/ballets, ect, the places that really make Paris Paris, nope.
Paris - A City Revealed breaks Paris apart into the many districts, giving captivating history, vivid pictures, and stories. For me, it's like a mini vacation...and I haven't even finished the book yet.
I have gotten stuck on the L'Opera and the St-Germain and the Left Bank district. So here are a few of the pictures taken from the book that completly fascinate me:
L'Opera, the Opera Palais Garnier, the origional opera house in Paris, which now houses Paris' ballet performances.
St-Germain & the Left Bank, Poilane, a great shop to buy bread.
St-Germain & the Left Bank, the Cafe de Flore, where many writers, artists, politicians, and journalists have met, ate, and enjoyed the outdoor sites of Paris for centuries. I would love to eat here!
St-Germain & the Left Bank, Jardin du Luxembourg, a beautiful park and palace, can't you imagine reading a book here?
St-Germain & the Left Bank, La Sorbonne, houses four of the univeristies in Paris.
You can also find some of the best bakeries and bookstores here...two of my favorite things.
Les Invalides, the Musee Rodin is among one of the many museums. Instead of just art, the Musee Rodin shows where Rodin, Isadora Duncan, and Henri Matisse all lived at one point in time.
St-Germain & the Left Bank, Musee d'Orsay, houses the art from 1848-1914.
My favorite, the Impressionist paintings.
Les Invalides, The Eiffel Tower. How beautiful is the Eiffel Tower when it is lit up?
The more I dive into this book, the more places I want to visit in Paris. It's not just eat, read, draw, and shop anymore. So many places to go. Ever since I started reading Julia Child's My Life in France, I see Paris everywhere! From the books I buy, the cookbooks (I found an entire cookbook on nothing but Paris sweets), the decorations, and a fabulous writing retreat. All about Paris.
Is there one city/place that is sticking out to you like crazy? Where would you go? What would you do?
