travel with thomas...: Paris in May

Monday, May 23, 2011

Paris in May

Went off to Paris for a week and have a few thoughts, pictures, details and stories to share:

The Air France flight over was uneventful for me but not Dominique Strauss-Kahn. I didn't see him taken off the plane but row 35 doesn't have quite the view of first class. The flight back was even nicer with Sean Penn on board but didn't see him either until baggage claim in JFK. Even row 11 doesn't have a good view of first class. The only solution to that problem is money! 'It doesn't cost any more to travel first class you just can't go as often.'

Had a wonderful week with excellent weather. Walked around the city, took the metro many times and the bus once [a first for me]. The Hotel Villa Luxembourg is on rue du Montparnasse, a section of Paris that I had never visited. It was a great place with numerous restaurants and cafés. My restaurant blog is filled with places to eat in that area.

Aside from restaurants, two highlights of the area are the Montparnasse Cemetery and the weekly market. The cemetery, though no way near as large as Père-Lachaise, is filled with the graves of important people in French history and pop culture.

Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir

The weekly market is held at the Place Fernand Mourlot in the 14eme. This is at the Edgar Quinet Metro stop. There were stalls with fruit, vegetables, clothing, cheese, soap, handicraft, hats, etc.

This was a great experience. Being able to see what everyday people have within their grasp. Fresh produce and the best of merchandise for one's daily life in Paris.

Another market we ran into was the biannual antique and used furniture in the area of Montmartre.

And then there is just walking around...my favorite pastime in Paris. So here is a mix of pictures, some labeled and some not. Enjoy! Go and see this wonderful city on your own.